Fan Reading, Over the Qin Theory, and Appreciation of the Works of the Qin Theory

"On the Passage of Qin: Part I": The meaning of sweeping the world, annexing the heart of the eight wildernesses!

"On the Passage of Qin" is a representative work of Jia Yi's political essays, which is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. The full text analyzes the mistakes of the Qin Dynasty from various aspects, hence the title "On the Passing of Qin". This article aims to summarize the historical lessons of Qin's rapid demise, and serve as a reference for the Han Dynasty to establish a system and consolidate its rule.

The first part of "On the Passage of Qin" first describes the reasons why Qin has gradually become stronger since the filial piety of the first emperor: it has geographical advantages, the idea of changing the law to become strong, the correct war strategy, and the painstaking management of several Qin kings. The text uses proportional sentences and explanatory descriptions, which are full of momentum.

Later, he wrote that although Chen She's own strength was small, he was able to bring about the collapse of the powerful Qin State, and in the comparison, he concluded that the death of Qin was due to "benevolence and righteousness". The middle part analyzes that Qin did not have a correct policy after unifying the world, and Qin II failed to correct Qin Shi Huang's wrong policy, mainly blaming Qin II for his mistakes.

In the next part, it is written that Qin Ziying was in a critical situation, and Qin Ziying did not have the ability to save the world, mainly accusing Qin Ziying of negligence.

In the first part of "On the Passage of Qin", the author writes his arguments in the way of comparing the whole article to the end.

Four comparisons are used: that is, the contrast between the Qin state itself being strong first and then weak, first prosperous and then declining, and first prosperous and then perishing; the contrast between Qin and the Six Kingdoms; the contrast between Qin and Chen She; Comparison between Chen Shi and the Six Nations. In this way, the central argument of the essay is highlighted through contrasting arguments.

Several contrasts are intertwined, the structure is naturally magnificent, the momentum is naturally majestic, and the words seem more weighty. The difference between the subjective and objective situations, the difference in the strength and weakness, and the difficulty of prosperity and decline, are all manifested in the comparison of several aspects. And the reason why the article is vigorous is not difficult to understand.

"On the Passage of Qin" is a representative work of Jia Yi's political essays, which is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. The full text analyzes the mistakes of the Qin Dynasty from various aspects, hence the title "On the Passing of Qin".

1. Paragraph 5 uses the method of comparative analysis and then induction. The reasons for the rapid demise of the Qin Dynasty can be divided into two layers. The previous level analyzes the contrast of forces in various aspects.

First of all, it is pointed out that Qin's advantage still exists, and it is stronger than in the past, because it occupies the world. Then, from the four aspects of leader's status, command and combat ability, and the quality and equipment of the army, he compared the division of the Nine Kingdoms with Chen Shi's people, and pointed out that the latter was far inferior to the former. Despite this, the two have "successes and failures, and their achievements are opposite".

This begs the question: why is this anomaly happening? Leave it to the answers below.

The second layer takes care of the whole text and summarizes the central argument. The following four sentences of "Ranqin is a mere land" correspond to the first paragraph; Then the second sentence "take Liuhe as home" follows paragraph 3; The three sentences of "one husband is difficult" should be followed by paragraph 4; Finally, follow the above sentence "success or failure". The central argument of the whole text is naturally pointed:

Benevolence and righteousness are not applied, and the offensive and defensive forces are different. ”

2. Compared with other comparisons, such a comparison can better highlight the central argument and express the author's ideas. This contrast must be seen in the context of the course of historical development. In the past, the division of the Nine Kingdoms, with "ten times the land, millions of people", attacked Qin, which was only in Yongzhou, but was defeated; Today, Chen Shi attacked Qin, who occupied the world, with hundreds of "tired pawns", but succeeded in attacking it, which vividly shows that Qin has become strong outside and capable after turning to the defensive.

Why is this happening? Mencius said, "Those who lose the hearts of the people lose the world."

One husband is difficult and seven temples are ruined, which is the result of losing the hearts of the people because of the lack of benevolence and righteousness. Approaching it in this way naturally highlights the central thesis of the article.

1. Sima Qian.

While Sima Qian spoke highly of Chen She, he did not hide his mistakes. Sima Qian's special book on Chen She's place in the family of "Historical Records" shows that he has a very high opinion of Chen She. Sima Qian wrote at the end of this biography:

Although Chen Shi is dead, the prince he sent will die in Qin, and he will be the first to do so. What is particularly significant is that he quoted Jia Yi's "On the Passage of Qin (I)" in full after the biography to replace his own praise (note: Chu Shaosun recounted the "Historical Records", and added a paragraph before Jia Wen, so the later version is mostly "Mr. Chu said", in fact, the quote is still Sima Qian), and spoke highly of Chen She's role in the anti-Qin struggle.

This unusual practice is more than enough to show that Sima Qian values merit rather than judging heroes by success or failure.

2, Jia Yi. Jia Yi wrote a historical treatise, praising Chen She's achievements while also revealing his contempt for him.

Sima Qian praised him and said that he was justified in rebellion. Jia Yi scolded him for being a thief.

The original title was Guo Qin, which refers to the statement of Qin Shi Huang's political mistakes. This topic is selected from the Zhaoming text.