Chapter 17 Five, the whole world is noble

Indeed, although the so-called gentleman is originally a kind of class and origin, over time, it has become a kind of personality spirit, including uprightness, integrity, chivalry and mutual respect.At its core, it is noble.This spirit is particularly prominent in ancient warfare, and it is also global. Such as ancient Greece. To the Persians, the Greeks were stubborn, stupid, and absurd.They always choose the flattest and most open place. The two sides set up their positions and send heralds to declare war on each other before they start fighting.This is exactly the same as our Spring and Autumn "not to block the pass".Since both sides have no place to hide and hide, the result is that both sides will lose, even if one side wins, the loss outweighs the gain.In this regard, a Persian general was very puzzled: Since you both speak the same language and have a herald declaring war, why can't you negotiate?If you can only resort to war, why can't you find a favorable terrain for yourself? 16

In fact, the Persians who laughed at the Greeks were not much different themselves.In August 479 BC, the armies of Persia and Greece fought on the plain of Plataea.The Persians arrived first and took up positions on the north bank of the Asopus River.The Greek coalition army, which was composed of more than 30 city-states, dragged on for a long time and couldn't get it together, and there were still people coming in a steady stream before the war started.However, when the Greeks were slowly gathering, and there were even only a few stragglers, the strong Persian army stood still.It was not until the Greeks had 110,000 people that the Persian commander ordered the attack.What's the difference between this and our Spring and Autumn Period's "no drums, no columns"?

As a result, the Battle of Plataea ended in a disastrous defeat for the Persians. This reminds us of the Battle of Hong.In 638 BC, more than 150 years before the Battle of Plataea, Chu State and Song State fought in Hongshui.At that time, the Song army arrived first and set up their battles.However, no matter before or after the Chu army crossed the river, Song Xianggong refused to attack.He insisted on waiting until the Chu army had fully established their footing and set up their formation before they sounded the war drum.As a result, the Song army was defeated, and Duke Xiang was injured and died the next year.

After the defeat, the people of Song State blamed Duke Xiang, but Duke Xiang did not regret it.He said that no serious injuries, no arrests, no obstructions, no drums, no ranks, these are the rules of the game.If you do not follow these rules, you are not a gentleman.Although the widow is the remnant of the Yin and Shang dynasties who have long since subjugated the country, they can't do stealthy things. Song Xianggong is not the only one who has this idea. Like Alexander. Alexander, King of Macedon, famously said: A stolen victory is dishonorable.Therefore, on the eve of the Great Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC, he rejected the suggestion to attack the Persian camp.Yes, the ancient soldiers with aristocratic spirit and gentlemanly demeanor believed that war is a noble and honorable thing that must be conducted with dignity.It is unjust to take advantage of others.Doing so not only violates the rules, but also wins by force.

Alexander's kindness was rewarded with kindness.In 326 BC, five years after the Great War of Gaugamela, he encountered Porus at the Indus.At that time, Alexander was leading the cavalry, and he had come from a long distance, he was still breathing, and he was not familiar with the place of life.What Porus laid out was an elephant formation, and he took his time and waited for work.The outcome is almost self-evident. However, like Song Xianggong and the Persian commander in those days, Porus missed the opportunity.He patiently waited for the Macedonian army to cross the river, assemble, adjust, rest, and form formation, and waited until the opponent was ready before confronting it.As a result, the Indian army was defeated and Porus was also taken prisoner.

The cute and silly Porus can be described as the Indian version of Song Xianggong. But this "Indian Song Xianggong" is also good and good.Alexander treated him like a king and allowed him to continue ruling his kingdom.This is not only because Porus has a burly figure and handsome appearance, but also because he has the bravery and nobility of a warrior.It was this spirit that made Alexander express his appreciation and reverence from the bottom of his heart. This is a royal demeanor. Indeed, in India's caste system, kings and warriors belong to the second class, called "Kshatriya".As a noble rank, the Kshatriya must also have a noble performance.Brahmanism's "Manu Code" even clearly stipulates that "treacherous weapons" cannot be used in war.Moreover, like the Chinese Spring and Autumn's "no serious injury" and "no capture of two hairs", they cannot attack the weak.These people include women, children, the elderly, the disabled, the sick and wounded, as well as prisoners, deserters, cowards, bystanders, and even unarmored, disarmed, and sleeping people.Those who violate the rules will be despised and cursed, and will not be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven.

People need a little spirit.To be an aristocrat, one must have the aristocratic spirit.Although there is very little left of this spirit in the world, it once existed after all.Yes, there used to be, in Greece, in Persia, in India, in Macedonia, in China. Song Xianggong, you are not alone! 16.Please refer to Lei Haizong's "China's Soldiers" (Zhonghua Book Company, 2005 edition) and Wang Yixin's "Ancient War Rules and Chivalry Spirit" in the appendix of the book.There are many references to this book and this article in this section, and it is impossible to indicate them one by one. Thank you very much!