Song Xianggong was stupidly defeated and laughed at by the world, but before he died, why did he suddenly become extremely wise? This dramatic turn in history begs the question: what was it that made a once-derided ruler change so dramatically in the last moments of his life? Did this change stem from his deliberate strategy, or was it his realization at the end of his life?
According to legend, in the year when Song Xianggong was born, it was a time of great changes in history and chaos in the world. That year, the spring thunder rolled, the mountains changed color, and the comets twinkled, as if to herald the extraordinaryness of this new life. He prides himself on being a fighter for justice and has the power to change the world.
However, in that turbulent era of dynastic change, Song Xianggong, who was young, lived in a prosperous aristocratic family in troubled times. As a child, Song Xianggong had a clear goal and ambition to become a great general. It is rumored that Song Xianggong was good at riding and archery since he was a child, advocating military affairs, and determined to defend his family and the country and defend the territory.
In his youth, Song Xianggong was an energetic young man who loved hunting and martial arts competitions. He seized every opportunity to train himself and made a group of friends who could fight well. These people won the trust and respect of Song Xianggong, and later became his right-hand man. After training and training day after day, Song Xianggong gradually became the pillar of the family and the military leader.
For Song Xianggong, the wars of that era never stopped. When he was young, not only was there constant civil strife in the country, but the surrounding tribes also often infested the border. As a general, Song Xianggong is well versed in the task of killing in the field. In one battle after another, Song Xianggong, as the commander, was extremely brave and made many achievements. He knew that in times of civil turmoil, the strength of the army was most needed. And rectifying the army has also become one of Song Xianggong's important missions.
On top of that ancient mountain, Song Xianggong stared at the bubbling water below the mountain. In that battle many years ago, he suffered a crushing defeat here and gained notoriety. Now in the twilight of his life, every time he stares at Shui Hong, Song Xianggong's heart has mixed feelings: remorse, regret, but there is also a trace of pride. In that battle, he wanted to dominate the troubled times, but he failed.
In the late spring and autumn years, the mountains and rivers broke and fell apart. In order to consolidate the territory, Song Xianggong organized a large army, claiming to go north to rescue the small country, but in fact it was ambitious. The Battle of Shuihong was one of the important actions of Song Xianggong to practice his political ideals. However, it backfired, and this battle became the biggest defeat of his life.
On the shore of the water, the four fields are silent. On that day many years ago, Song Xianggong led the army to this place and gathered here with the army of the Southern Chu State for a decisive battle. Song Xianggong commanded the overall situation as the commander in chief and gave the order to dispatch the army. He strategized and commanded, and was ready to defeat the southern powers in one fell swoop. He believed that the victory in this battle would allow the Song State to conquer the world and unify the six kingdoms.
However, nature is unpredictable. Heavy rains fell, flash floods erupted, and the battlefield was breached. The Song army was condescending, but it was at a disadvantage. The Chu army took advantage of the situation to storm and let the Song army collapse. Song Xianggong personally supervised the battle, but he couldn't do anything.
At the moment of defeat, Song Xianggong gritted his teeth and burned inside. He clearly led his army to carry out righteous acts, but in the end he was defeated and defeated. This fateful battle made him betray his relatives and suffer extremely painfully. The Song State was miserable, and the vitality of the country was greatly damaged. Although before the war, Song Xianggong personally drilled his troops in order to achieve a complete victory. But this fiasco not only made Song Xianggong infamous, but also plunged the Song Kingdom into an unprecedented crisis, and the grief was beyond words.
After the defeat, Song Xianggong wept bitterly alone in the military tent, and his heart was full of self-blame and pain. He blamed himself for his misjudgment of the situation and regretted his haste to fight. He wondered why he had to send troops rashly, treating human life like a mustard; I wondered if the god of fate was fair to him, and wasn't his righteous heart worthy of victory?
However, the real test is yet to come. When Song Xianggong adjusted his body and political situation, the original neighbor and ally Qi joined forces with Chu to fight against Song. This is undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
The move of Qi Xiaogong, the monarch of Qi State, made Song Xianggong extremely sad. The two countries used to have a very good alliance and helped each other. A battle of Shuihong made the Qi State choose to abandon the old alliance and unite with the old enemies of the Song State.
When he learned about this bad news, Song Xianggong smashed the wine glass in his hand and was furious. He remembered that when he was young, he hunted with Qi Xiaogong and complimented each other; I think of the two countries that once shared weal and woe. Now when it is most needed, it is betrayed. Song Xianggong only felt that there was no one worthy of trust in this world.
Song Xianggong couldn't help but have all kinds of feelings in his heart: he tried to save justice but failed, and now his friends have chosen to leave, is this God's will to make people, or is he really stupid? At this moment, Song Xianggong seemed to be ten years old in an instant.
He was silent, deeply reflective about his choice. Perhaps, the decision to go north to rescue a small country was not the right choice; But the original dispatch of troops did come from his original intention of wanting to save justice and avoid the law of the jungle. It's just that it is always difficult to reconcile reality and ideals, and eventually degenerate into unrealistic utopia.
At this moment, the Song State was besieged by Qi and Chu and was almost wiped out. The betrayal of the Qi State broke Song Xianggong's heart. He is more aware that the world is sinister and that he needs to be wary of potential enemies. This vigilance has also become a necessary armor for the rest of his life. The road to reconciliation is slim, and Song Xianggong can only face the cruel reality and future alone.
Faced with the cruel reality, Song Xianggong once thought of surrendering and giving up confrontation. But when he closed his eyes and recuperated, there was a voice in his heart shouting: Will you give up? The blood of those martyrs, the expectations of the people, were shed in vain? Although the ideal seed rarely blossoms and bears fruit, but after the fruit fails again and again, the ideal tree will still grow strongly, isn't this the meaning of life?
Such thoughts became more and more intense, Song Xianggong opened his eyes, and his heroic spirit surged back into his heart. That's right, he still has to fight! It is precisely because of the bumpy road ahead that he has no hesitation! So, Song Xianggong resolutely decided to fight to the death with the Chu army. Even if he fails, he will do his best to the last bit of strength. But who can say that ideals do not lead the way in the darkest of times?
However, the heavens did not fulfill people's wishes, and the Song Kingdom was almost wiped out in this war. Song Xianggong was hit by an arrow in the abdomen and was bedridden. However, in the last moments of his life, the monarch of the last years of his life suddenly became full of energy and witty words.
He led several confidants to summon the crown prince and told him about his life's political ideals: to strengthen national defense and military, resist the Chu State, and find vitality for the Song State. This repeated exhortation is like the last brilliant song of a dying swan, which is shocking. The crown prince and the princes and others clasped his hand and said goodbye to him with tears.
At the moment before his death, Song Xianggong finally woke up: the ideals of his life have never changed. The seeds of justice will eventually bloom in the future. He was not satisfied with his own incompetence and failure, but also wanted to inspire future generations to continue to fight for his ideals.
He did not doubt or shrink from his political choices, but only had infinite attachment and expectation for the unfinished business. Perhaps, this firm belief in the last moments of his life has also become the most precious gift that Song Xianggong left to future generations. Only by not bowing to fate can we be remembered by history.
Now, the years have passed, and Song Xianggong and his unyielding faith have long since passed away with the wind. When we stand on the shore of the Hongshui where he once fought, we can't help but ask ourselves: Where should we go from here? Is it true that a brave and idealistic monarch failed due to strategic mistakes, and this really has no implications for future generations?
Thinking about it, Song Xianggong's life trajectory contains profound historical wisdom. Military decision-making needs to be scientific and rational, and strategy needs to be constantly adjusted and adapted. We must also draw the courage to continue to fight hard from his life's struggle, and never give up our ideals in times of setbacks and troughs.
When we left this ancient battlefield again, we left one last piece of nostalgia. The mountains are undulating, and the ruins of the ancient country are faintly visible; And Song Xianggong's high spirits still exist on Jiuyuan. The Hongshui of that year is still flowing, just like a legend in the torrent of history, which is worthy of our memory and praise. The brilliance and darkness of this ancient monarch are all reminders that we must stick to our inner beliefs and move forward in the face of wind and rain.
Now we are standing at the intersection of history, and it is also the site of the ancient battlefield where Song Xianggong rose up to resist. The creek that was almost dry may be the Hongshui that besieged Song Xianggong's army back then. Thinking about this, we can't help but be in awe of this monarch who has done his best. Although his choices and actions are not flawless, his sincere heart is a beacon of history and is worth learning from.
In the face of these turbulent and volatile times, we are also facing unprecedented challenges and choices. If one day, the footsteps of future generations will also stop in the land where we lived, I wonder what their judgment of us today will be? Do we have the pure heart and mind of Song Xianggong? If you think about it, there are no ifs in history, but the meaning of choices will always guide us forward.
The remains of this ancient hill may be the last base of Song Xianggong's legion in the Battle of Hongshui. What a terrible battle that took place here, now only the vicissitudes remain. We stand here, listening to the murmur of the history of the mountain wind, and feeling the sorrow of all living beings in the past thousand years of Song Xianggong. Life is like a dream, success or failure is fleeting; But some spirits will be passed down for a long time, transcending the ancient times and lighting up our common path.
Song Xianggong's magnificent life is vivid and embarrassing. His ideals, which had almost dried up, bloomed at the end of the day. Later generations regard it as a reference, take its essence, and remove its dross. The mountains are high and the water is long, the rivers and lakes are meandering, the ruins of the ancient country are still there, and the spirit of Song Xianggong seems to be still there. We reminisce about this legendary road of ups and downs, pay tribute to history, and move forward into the future.