Tiger poison does not eat children, but people can "easily use their children"

Tiger poison does not eat children, but people can "easily use their children"

Qiao Zhifeng

People often say that "tiger poison does not eat children", but the history books record some characters who will not hesitate to push their own flesh and bones to the end of the road. If nothing else, in the "Jieyi Biography" compiled by Liu Xiang alone, two typical examples of this are recorded.

The first one is called "Aunt Luyi". One year, when the State of Qi was about to attack the State of Lu, the soldiers went to the outskirts and found a woman holding a child and leading a child to escape. The sergeant chased, and as the pursuit got closer, the woman threw the child she had been holding to the ground, picked up another child and continued to escape, and the child who was thrown on the ground cried loudly, but the woman did not look back.

The sergeant drew his bow and arrow and threatened, "Stop, or I'll shoot you with my bow and arrow!" The woman had no choice but to walk back on her own. The general of the State of Qi asked, "Who are you holding in your arms now?" Who was it that you just threw on the ground? The woman replied, "What I am holding now is my brother's son; what I have just thrown on the ground is my own biological son." I saw the arrival of the army and could not protect both children, so I gave up my own children. ”

The general of the State of Qi was very confused: "The son is the heart of the mother, what is the reason why you gave up your child to save your brother's son?" The woman said, "Loving and caring for one's children is one's personal love; loving one's brother's children is righteousness." If I betray justice and have selfish love, and only care about preserving my own children, regardless of my brother's children, then the monarch and the common people will spurn me and leave me with no place to stand. ”

General Qi was greatly shaken, so he did not move, sent someone to report to the monarch of the state of Qi, and informed him of this matter in detail, believing that an ordinary rural village woman in the state of Lu still held the principle of moderation and righteousness, and did not harm the public with selfishness, let alone a courtier and a scholar. Lu Guo can't attack it now, and I ask to retreat. The Monarch of the State of Qi agreed.

The war that was about to erupt was thus eliminated by a village woman into invisibility, and a woman was righteous, and the army was stopped. The king of the State of Lu learned of this and generously rewarded the village woman with the title of "Righteous Sister".

The moment the village woman threw her own flesh and bones on the ground, she didn't know what it was like in her heart, and she must have been very uncomfortable. But in any case, the end of the matter is relatively satisfactory, and it can be regarded as a great joy for everyone. The most important thing is that the village women did not lose their sons because of this, leaving them with lifelong regrets and wounds. And another story, "Lu Xiaoyibao", is not so lucky.

"Lu XiaoyiBao", the "Bao" here refers to the nanny, that is, the nanny who is responsible for taking care of the young Lu Xiaogong. When Duke Xiao of Lu was young, Gongzi said that there was civil unrest in the state of Lu, and the usurpers searched everywhere for Gongzi, saying that they wanted to eradicate the grass and eradicate the roots and never have any troubles. In order to save gongzi's life, "Lu Xiaoyibao" was in a hurry, "Yi Yizi", and let his son change into the clothes of Gongzi and lie on the bed of Gongzi. Her son was killed, and the prince claimed to be saved, and when he grew up, he became the Duke of Lu. The people of Lu guo admired her very much, calling her "Lu Xiaoyibao", and even the Analects said: "You can support the loneliness of six feet." ”

"Yi yi with his son" buried his own flesh and bones, and achieved the name of "righteous protection". Whether the value is worth it, whether it should be or not, different people may have different opinions. But it is clear that such a sacrifice, not something that anyone has the courage to take on, is too cruel. Moreover, this is not fair to the biological son - is it just because of the low birth, it must be resolutely sacrificed by the mother in exchange for the life of the noble-born peers?

The "Biography of the Daughters of The Column" records the deeds of more than 100 women, basically all of which have their own characteristics and avoid repetition. However, two stories of giving up one's own flesh and blood are included in a row, which shows the high appreciation and admiration for such acts. What is more interesting is that these two "advanced models" appear in the country of Lu, that is, Confucius's hometown. It seems that Ludi is indeed the place most deeply infected by Confucianism and feudal etiquette. Until now, some places in Ludi have prostrated their heads at every turn, which is also quite famous and has caused a lot of discussion. Whether it is good or bad, of course, it is also the benevolent and the wise.

Seeing this, I think many friends have already discovered that the story of "Lu Xiaoyibao" sounds so familiar, like déjà vu. Yes, this story is almost the same as "The Orphan of Zhao".

So, is the story of "Lu Xiaoyibao" borrowed from "The Orphan of Zhao"? In fact, the story of the "Orphan of Zhao" occurred during the reign of Jin Jinggong in the Spring and Autumn Period, which was hundreds of years later than "Lu Xiaoyibao". The reason why people have this illusion is mainly because the "Zhao Orphans" are too famous and easy to make people preconceived.

Of course, I don't think that the "Orphans of Zhao" borrowed from "Lu Xiaoyibao". Similar things happen again and again, which can only explain two points: First, in that era, civil strife and war were frequent, even the ruling class was precarious, you killed me, I killed you, you gritted your teeth and killed the grass and roots; second, the spirit of "sacrificing yourself and achieving great righteousness" was promoted in that era, especially the feudal values of not being afraid of sacrifice and being loyal to the monarch or master.

"Orphans of Zhao" is almost a household name in China due to the spread of drama, and has also been adapted by foreigners into "Chinese Orphans", which has a certain international reputation. The doctor Cheng Baby replaced the Zhao orphans with his own son, and also pretended to take the initiative to expose, as a result, Cheng Baby's son was slashed into three pieces by a knife in front of him. If Cheng Bao is not in pain, it is certainly impossible. But it is clear that the powerful spiritual force and moral illusion brought about by the fulfillment of "great righteousness" have overwhelmed the basic human nature of lamenting one's own flesh and blood.

Tiger poison does not eat children, but man can "easily use his son", perhaps, this is the difference between man and beast - the beast is extremely affectionate and acts purely instinctively; and man has the attribute of socialization, in order to play a certain social role, or in order to pursue a certain "ideal and belief", it is possible to forget the self and abandon the nature.