The Chu army attacked Song State to rescue Zheng State. Song Xianggong was about to fight, so the great Sima Gongsun dissuaded him, saying, "Heaven has abandoned the Shang Dynasty for a long time. The king wants to revitalize it. No, forgive the State of Chu." Xianggong didn't listen. Song Xianggong and Chu people are at war in Hongshui. Song Jun has lined up to fight, and the Chu people have not all crossed the flood.

Zi Yu said, "There are many people on the other side, but there are few people on our side. Please attack them before they all cross the flood." Song Xianggong said, "No." All the Chu troops crossed the river, but they haven't lined up yet. (Zi Yu) reported again (Song Xianggong). Song Xianggong said, "Not yet." (Chu Jun) Take a good position (Song Jun) before attacking Chu Jun.. Song Jun was defeated, Song Xianggong was injured in the thigh, and the monarch's guards were killed.

People all blame Song Xianggong. Xiang Gong said, "A gentleman will no longer hurt people who have been injured or capture old people with gray hair. In ancient times, the principle of using troops did not rely on the narrow terrain to stop the enemy. Although I am a descendant of the national subjugation, I (also) do not attack enemies who are not in formation. " Zi Yu said, "Master doesn't know how to fight.

In the face of a powerful enemy, it is God's help that we are not in battle because of the dangerous terrain. Stop and attack them, can't you? What is there to be afraid of? And now powerful, are our enemies. Even very old people, if they can be captured, they will be taken back. What do you care about the gray-haired enemies? Teach soldiers to fight, make them know that retreat is a disgrace to inspire their courage to fight, and teach soldiers to master the methods of fighting in order to kill the enemy.

(The enemy) is injured but not dead. Why can't we kill them again? If you pity (them, don't want to) hurt the injured enemy again, it is better not to hurt them at the beginning; It is better to give in (to the enemy) than to pity the gray-haired enemy. The army acted on favorable opportunities, and gongs and drums were used to inspire soldiers' courage. Take advantage of the favorable opportunity, when (the enemy) encounters obstacles, (we) can attack. It's ok to attack the enemy who is not in line by making a great noise and enhancing the soldiers' fighting will. "

Extended data:

The Debate on the Son Fish is an essay written by Zuo Qiuming, a writer and historian in the Spring and Autumn Period. This article is an account of the battle between the Song and Chu Dynasties, which shows the fierce conflict between two opposing military thoughts in the form of dialogue. Among them, Zi Yu's view on the war was emphasized, and his wise vision was in sharp contrast with Song Xianggong's pedantry and stubbornness.

The full text is not long, but it completely narrates the most critical battle between Song and Chu in the process of hegemony, and successfully depicts the image of the main characters, with distinct levels and powerful words, which is enjoyable to read.

Creation background

In the twenty-second year of Xi Gong (638 BC), Song Xianggong sent troops to attack the State of Zheng, which was attached to the State of Chu, and the State of Chu sent troops to attack the Song Dynasty to save Zheng. In November, the two countries fought in Hongshui. In military strength, Chu was strong and Song weak, but at the beginning of the war, Song Jun occupied favorable terrain.

Fu Ziyu suggested catching the fighter plane, taking it by surprise and preempting it. However, Song Xianggong insisted on the doctrine of "not blocking the pass" and "not beating the drum" and refused to accept Ziyu's correct opinion, which delayed the fighter plane and eventually led to failure and his own injury and death. This article is written to record and analyze this historical event.

Brief introduction of the author

Zuo Qiuming (date of birth and death unknown), Zuo Qiu, Ming, said Zuo, Qiu Ming. Historian at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, a native of Lu. Blind, once served as Lu Taishi. Confucius once called him a sage, saying, "Zuo Qiuming is ashamed of it, and Qiu is ashamed of it." According to legend, in view of the simplicity of Lu Shi's Spring and Autumn Annals, he was afraid that later scholars would disagree and lose their true meaning, and wrote Zuo Shi's Spring and Autumn Annals, which was later called Zuo Zhuan. There is also a "Mandarin".

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Ziyu Debate