Wise General Who Wins with Weakness - Super Classic Read 1001 Nights

Author: Zhou Xiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features:
001. The Battle of Muye (Part 1)
In the late Shang Dynasty, King Zhou of Shang was cruel and tyrannical, causing the people to suffer greatly. The Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, resolved to overthrow King Zhou. However, due to his advanced age, he passed away shortly thereafter. His heir, Prince Fa, ascended the throne and became known as King Wu of Zhou. King Wu appointed the Grand Tutor Jiang Taigong (also known as Lü Shang) as his Grand Tutor, with the Duke of Zhou (Zhou Gongdan) as his, and was further assisted by officials such as the Duke of Zhao and the Duke of Bi. King Wu was determined to continue his father's legacy and overthrow King Zhou's brutal rule. In the ninth year of his reign, King Wu performed sacrifices to the star Bi and then traveled east to inspect his army, arriving at Mengjin (southwest of Meng County, Henan Province). He had a spirit tablet of his father made and placed it in the central camp. King Wu still humbly referred to himself as Prince Fa, claiming to be acting under his father's orders to attack King Zhou. He addressed the officials holding ceremonial staffs, saying, "You must act with solemnity and sincerity. Because our ancestors were virtuous and benevolent, I inherited their legacy. Now that the systems of rewards and punishments are clear, we can ensure the success of our ancestors' achievements." After completing the sacrifices, King Wu led his army into battle. The Grand Tutor Lü Shang issued orders to the troops: "Handle your oars well, advance in order, and those who fall behind will be executed!" King Wu crossed the river by boat. When the boat reached the center of the river, a white fish suddenly leaped onto the boat. King Wu bent down, caught the fish, and sacrificed it to the river god. After crossing the river, they set up camp on the spot. At this moment, a fire fell from the sky and landed on King Wu's camp, spinning and changing forms until it eventually took the shape of a crow, bright red in color and making a loud "pa-pa" sound. At this time, over 800 feudal lords from across the land arrived at Mengjin simultaneously, joining the campaign against King Zhou. The feudal lords were eager for battle, but King Wu said, "You do not understand the will of heaven. It is not yet the right time." King Wu bid farewell to the feudal lords and led his army back to the capital.
002. The Battle of Muye (Part 2)
Two years later, King Wu heard that King Zhou had become even more tyrannical and cruel. He announced to all the feudal lords, "King Zhou has committed great sins and must be punished!" He led 300 chariots, 3,000 brave warriors, and 45,000 armored soldiers in an eastward campaign against King Zhou. On the Wuxu day of the twelfth month of the eleventh year of King Wu's reign, the entire army crossed the Mengjin River, and the feudal lords also gathered to meet. At dawn on the Jiazi day of the second month of the Zhou calendar, King Wu arrived at the outskirts of the Shang capital, Muwei, to hold a military ceremony. King Wu shouted, "O rulers of allied states, brave warriors who have traveled far, you have worked hard! Grip your spears tightly, raise your shields high, and hold your spears upright. Let us swear an oath together before heaven! Now King Zhou only listens to the words of his women, abandons the rites for his ancestors, neglects the governance of the state, and alienates his own relatives, favoring treacherous and petty men. I now humbly act according to the will of heaven to attack King Zhou. Strive, brave soldiers!" After the oath ceremony, the 4,000 chariots of the feudal lords were arranged in formation in Muwei, ready for battle. King Zhou, upon hearing that King Wu was attacking, sent 700,000 troops to meet him. King Wu personally led the army with overwhelming force, swiftly and bravely charging into the enemy ranks. Although King Zhou's army was numerous, they had no will to fight. They hated King Zhou and only wished for King Wu to advance quickly. Taking advantage of the moment, they turned their weapons against their own side. King Wu's chariots charged forward relentlessly, crushing the Shang army into submission, and in an instant, the entire enemy army