When East Meets West: A Convergence of Stories in Reverie
Recently, some netizens have been hotly discussing that among our many ancient books, there is no shortage of descriptions of the Western world, which can't help but make people curious, is there a story about the Far East hidden in the widely circulated Western classic "Bible"? This topic is like a pebble thrown into a lake, causing ripples.
Some people immediately pointed out that the history of the Bible is obviously a "rising star" compared to the long history of our Chinese civilization. When the prosperity of our Western Han Dynasty was reflected in all directions, the Western world seemed to be experiencing a great flood like the end times. At that time, the legend of Noah's Ark was passed down to people, as if the giant ship that saved mankind had really sailed to the top of the Himalayas. However, this is just a legend, and it adds a bit of mystery compared to our history of letters.
When it comes to Western history, Alexander the Great's crusade is undoubtedly a legend. He led the Macedonian army and swept thousands of miles in just ten years, sending the huge Persian Empire into the dust of history. His journey stretched from the Balkans to the banks of the Indus River, and he built an empire that had never been seen before. But interestingly, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt when he arrived in Pakistan, missing out on the Chinese civilization at that time.
Why didn't the conqueror continue eastward to meet our great Qin Empire? Legend has it that when Alexander arrived in Pakistan, he was plagued by nightmares in which dragons hovered and gave him splitting headaches. Whenever he tried to go east, he would vomit blood, and eventually he would become ill. Of course, this is just a story, and we should believe in scientific and historical facts. But there's no denying that such legends add a bit of mystery and interest to that history.
In fact, if Alexander did move eastward, he would encounter the Qin Empire at its peak. At that time, the Qin State, after the Shang Dynasty reform, was strong and strong. It is conceivable that if the Macedonian phalanx really clashed with the Qin army, perhaps it would be powerless in the face of the wisdom of Sun Wu, Sun Bin and other masters of the art of war. What's more, at that time, there were still "killing gods" such as Bai Qi, whose military talents and combat achievements were enough to make any opponent fearful.
Some netizens joked that if Alexander really came to attack, I am afraid that his army will eventually become fertilizer at the foot of the Great Wall. Qin Shi Huang might have laughed from ear to ear when he learned that such an army was available, because he was worried about the lack of labor to build the Great Wall. Some even speculate that if Alexander's troops had been involved in the construction of the Great Wall, the great project might have been extended all the way to the banks of the Danube.
Of course, these are just our after-dinner reverie. History has no ifs, only results. Each civilization has its own unique trajectory of development, and the convergence and collision of Eastern and Western civilizations is also an indispensable part of world history.
Since childhood, we have grown up listening to the stories of Pangu opening the world, Nuwa mending the sky, and Shennong tasting a hundred herbs, and these legends are intertwined with historical facts, constituting the rich historical and cultural heritage of our Chinese nation. In contrast, the history of the West, although it also has its own unique features, is still far from ours in terms of the depth of time and the breadth of culture.
Standing in the geographical center of Asia, I can't help but feel emotional. Our Chinese nation is really a nation with profound historical heritage and unique cultural charm. On the stage of world history, we have always occupied a pivotal position.
summary
This article explores the intersection of Eastern and Western histories through plain language and vivid metaphors. From the comparison between the Bible and ancient Chinese books, to the legend of Alexander the Great's Eastern Crusade, to the strength of the Qin Empire and the greatness of the Great Wall, the article shows the unique charm and profound heritage of Eastern and Western civilizations. History is colorful, each civilization has its own uniqueness, and the intersection and collision inspire infinite possibilities. We should cherish and pass on our own history and culture, and at the same time, we should be open-minded to understand and appreciate the glory of other civilizations.
Questions lead readers to comment:
If Alexander the Great really went against the Qin Empire, what do you think the outcome would be? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment area!