Not taking revenge is not a gentleman

 

Not taking revenge is not a gentleman

 

There is a Chinese proverb: "It is not a gentleman not to avenge someone."

Fang Shidi chatted with Agudengba and the coachman Azhuo about the events in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Fang Shidi talked about Wu Sangui's rebellion against the Ming Dynasty, and repeatedly said the old saying "It is not a gentleman not to avenge a grudge".

Fang Shidi said: At that time, the Ming Dynasty was beyond redemption. The court was corrupt, treacherous ministers were in power, and the emperor was fatuous. When the country was ruined and the family was in ruins, it was Wu Sangui who took the lead in saving the country. He refused to surrender to the Jin Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty three times, and stood firm at Shanhaiguan. He regarded the Manchu and Qing Dynasties as enemies and refused to give in. What a courage.

However, Li Zicheng led the Dashun army to sweep across the Ming army. The incompetent emperor hanged himself. Although he did not surrender, he could not be called a hero who died for his country.

Look at Li Zicheng, who was born a bandit. He spent 42 days in Beijing, burning, killing, looting, and becoming corrupt. The same was true for his chief civil servant Liu Zongmin. After hearing about the beauty of Chen Yuanyuan, Wu Sangui's concubine, Liu Zongmin directly robbed Chen Yuanyuan and did everything he could. Wu Xiu immediately arrested Wu Sangui's entire family, beat them all, and tortured them to demand money.

People must be bloody, and gentlemen must resist and punish those villains who infringe on people's legitimate rights and commit crimes, and cannot condone adultery. If others have violated their bottom line or legitimate rights and interests, they must return it at the appropriate time, because many things have to have a limit, and people must have their own bottom line.

Facing the powerful and domineering Dashun Army, how can Wu Sangui defeat the strong with the weak? He needs to borrow swords to kill people and borrow troops to attack. But where did the soldiers come from?

Wu Sangui had a friendship with Dorgon of the Qing Dynasty. At this time, he asked Dorgon for help. Dorgon was willing to send troops to help, but his requirement was that Wu Sangui must first surrender to the Qing Dynasty.

The Dashun Army led by Li Zicheng captured Kyoto of the Ming Dynasty. The Dashun Kingdom was established. After several wars, Chongzhen sent troops to Wu Sangui to attack. Wu Sangui did not forget his bottom line in times of crisis. He was an official of the Ming Dynasty. If he surrendered to the Qing Dynasty to obtain military aid, it would obviously be an act of surrender. In order to avenge the hatred of his family and his country, he controlled his own speed. He borrowed troops from Dorgon to allow the Qing army to enter the pass smoothly. But not in exchange for surrender.

After the coalition forces of Wu Sangui and Dorgon defeated Li Zicheng, Li Zicheng hurriedly withdrew from the capital and was hacked to death by farmers and his son while escaping.

After the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, someone compiled a song called "Yuanyuanqu". There is a popular saying, "A rage turns into a beauty", which dramatizes the incident of Wu Sangui's surrender to the Qing Dynasty. However, literary language cannot be regarded as historical truth, as a political figure. Wu Sangui's decision-making is definitely based on politics. He can even sacrifice the lives of his old father and the whole family, so how can he talk about a concubine who is neither a relative nor a friend?

Because Wu Sangui served for the Manchus, he gave up Shanhaiguan, the "first pass in the world", allowing the Qing army to march straight in, and was named King Pingxi by the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty thus began its 296-year rule. If Wu Sangui is a traitor and traitor, then are the Han people who shaved their hair and grew braids under the rule of the Qing Dynasty in 296 treason and traitor? Are those people who are still singing the praises of the Qing Dynasty Han slaves of the Manchu Qing Dynasty?

Wu Sangui's surrender to the Qing Dynasty had a profound impact. Why was Dorgon able to successfully recruit Wu Sangui to surrender? Wu Sangui's importance as a key figure influencing the historical process is self-evident.

Fang Shidi said to Agudenba and Azhuo:

When Wu Sangui fought with the powerful and domineering Dashun Army, the Dashun Army killed my father when they massacred the city. When Wu Sangui fought a decisive battle with the Qing army against the rebels, my father's good friend, the imperial magistrate, was transferred to Wu Sangui's subordinates. But unfortunately he died on the battlefield.

Fang Shidi sang a song "It is not a gentleman not to take revenge":

 

The country will fall due to a foolish king and an unruly king.

Traitors, soldiers, and ruffians are all hooligans;

Natural disasters bring disaster to the people,

There are mountains of unjust, false and erroneous cases.

 

Looking at the history of the country and looking at the dynasties,

Tyrants and dictators are bastards;

There is no good emperor in ancient and modern times;

It is a heinous crime to oppress the people.

 

Not taking revenge is not a gentleman.

Being ungrateful is a villain.

People must have blood,

It is a sinner to tolerate adultery.

 

Blood debts must be repaid with blood,

Jealousy of evil depends on courage.

If you don't redress your grievances, you will be in vain.

God cannot bear to have a grudge that is not avenged.

 

The prime minister's belly can punt a boat.

Give mercy to others when you can;

There is only one thing for a gentleman;

How can we forget the hatred of the country and the hatred of the family?

 

When will it be time to retaliate?

Where there is hatred, there must be resistance;

People must know who to live for,

Live well in the moment and you will always be happy.