During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the social situation changed, and etiquette collapsed. "Zuo Chuan" and "Warring States Policy" respectively witness the different social aspects of these two stages, especially the portrayal of women's status and image is in stark contrast. "Zuo Biography" narrates history more objectively and pays attention to etiquette; And "Warring States Policy" consciously shapes the characters and highlights the deepening of utilitarian thinking. So, in the ideological conflict between heavy gifts and heavy profits, what kind of transformation will the image of women present? How do the two histories show the evolution of women's narratives in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period?
1. Differences in the style of historical writings and the portrayal of women
As two famous historical books that record the late Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period respectively, there are obvious differences in narrative style and perspective, which directly affects the portrayal of women in the two books.
The narrative mode of the chronicle of "Zuo Biography" determines the author's objective and calm tone. As a microcosm of the social atmosphere of the late Spring and Autumn period, the book reflects the deep-rooted social concept of etiquette at that time. Therefore, the portrayal of women's images in "Zuo Biography" is mostly judged from the perspective of whether it violates etiquette and law, and is virtuous and virtuous. For example, in the famous "Zheng Boke Duan Yu Yan, Wu Jiang was placed in Di Yi", Wu Jiang connived at the dispute between the eldest and the young for the sake of the heir, which violated the mother's etiquette; Subsequently, he was placed under house arrest in Diyi and punished. However, Zhuang Gong also knew that he "regretted it", and finally met his mother through the tunnel, reflecting the importance of Confucianism to filial piety.
In contrast, although "Warring States Policy" follows the form of chronicle in the compilation style, due to the change of the author's own position, the way the characters in the book are portrayed is more explicit and straightforward. The book records many unscrupulous female images for power and profit, such as Zheng Sleeve, Su Qin's wife and sister-in-law, etc., showing the influence of the rising trend of social interest on women's images during the Warring States period. It is worth noting that the author does not make too many judgments about the rights and wrongs of these women, but focuses on the causes and consequences of their actions, thus truly reproducing the social ecology of that turbulent era.
The above analysis shows that "Zuo Chuan" and "Warring States Policy" were profoundly influenced by the social trends of the compilation era and the author's position when creating the image of women. The former is more about judging the gains and losses of women's behavior from the perspective of etiquette, while the latter focuses more on reflecting the role played by women in the pursuit of interests. This stylistic difference is a true portrayal of the evolution of women's narratives in the two books.
2. The Collapse of Etiquette: The Interweaving of Two Concepts and the Transformation of Women's Roles
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the social situation changed, and the ideology of etiquette and law and the idea of valuing profit were intertwined during this period, which directly led to the transformation of women's roles.
On the one hand, the rise of the idea of heavy profit has given birth to a group of women who pursue the interests of power. Such as the famous Zheng Sleeve in "Warring States Policy", she is the favorite concubine of King Chu Huai. When King Huai was seriously ill, Zheng Sleeve was afraid that his son would not be able to inherit the throne, so he instigated Prince Jiao to lead his henchmen to preemptively kill the crown prince and seize the inheritance for his son. This incident sparked a fierce civil strife, which caused the state of Chu to collapse from then on. Another typical character is Su Qin's sister-in-law, who turned a blind eye to Su Qin's early exile, but groveled to curry favor with Su Qin after she returned to become the prime minister of Zhao, which shows that she is completely a mercenary woman.
On the other hand, the traditional concept of etiquette was still circulating during this period, and the words and deeds of some women were the embodiment of the idea of etiquette. For example, "Zuo Chuan · Four Years of Duke Wu" recorded the famous "Zheng Bo imprisoned Li Ji". Li Ji was Zheng Jinggong's favorite concubine, and she disregarded the righteousness and coveted the heirs, which led to the long-term civil strife in the Jin Kingdom. When Gongzi Chong'er complained to Zheng Bo about Li Ji's crimes, he said: "Li Ji Ji Close hezuo jikuañðł夷t nai zhuan guo ya" (Li Ji Ji Close hezuo Yiling Rebellion, which almost overthrew the country). It can be seen that Li Ji's actions seriously violated the law of etiquette, which eventually led to her imprisonment.
In addition to women who pursued fame and fortune and violated the rules of etiquette, some independent pioneer women began to emerge during this period. As recorded in the "Zuo Chuan · the Seventh Year of the Yin Gong", at that time the state of Wu was in a state of division, and there was a woman who dreamed of Sun Yishuai and caused an uprising, and finally unified the state of Wu, which was a rare image of female leaders at that time.
In general, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when etiquette collapsed, became an era of intertwining the idea of heavy profit and the concept of etiquette, some women did whatever it took to compete for power, some women were implicated in upholding traditional virtues, and some women took the lead in showing their independent side, all of which reflected the multiple transmutations of women's roles in this special period.
3. Power Schemes: The Role of Women in Disputes
In this turbulent Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, power struggle and scheming have become the main theme of the times. Some women are also involved in this maelstrom of power schemes and play important roles.
Among them, there are no more striking women who will do anything to get the throne. In "Warring States Policy · Chu Ce III", a rather legendary story is recorded. At that time, the state of Chu was in the dark period of the change of kingship, King Huai died, and the throne was disputed. Zheng Sleeve was King Huai's favorite concubine, she had a son, Jiao, and in order to put Jiao on the throne, she instigated Jiao to kill another prince, Prince Qiyi, causing the state of Chu to fall into a long period of civil strife. In the end, although Jiao ascended the throne, the national strength was also hit hard.
Some women are scheming out of the interests of the country. During the reign of King Qin Zhao, the Qin State was in the core of the competition of the Seven Heroes, and the situation was critical. According to the "Historical Records of · Qin Benji", Empress Dowager Qin repeatedly advised King Zhao to "keep the whole country respectful and thrifty." At the same time, she also conspired to abolish Chang Liyou, abolish the crown prince Fusu, and establish King Xiaowen, in order to ensure that the foundation of the Qin State was stable. Although this practice violates tradition, in the eyes of the Queen Mother, safeguarding national interests is above all else.
The court struggle was also an important stage for the active role of women during this period. According to the "Historical Records· Xiang Yu Benji", Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, demoted him to a concubine in order to weaken the status of the daughter of the king of Changyi. The princess of Changyi then launched a palace rebellion, but was suppressed by Gaozu. It can be seen that in the process of competing for the throne, some women also played an important role.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, countries were in the war years when they were fighting each other, and power struggles were everywhere. In this context, some women have to be involved in the whirlpool of power and scheming in order to defend their own interests or maintain national unity. They either conspire for the throne, manipulate power for the sake of the state, or play an important role in the palace struggle, presenting an unprecedented turbulent scene.
4. Family and country feelings: women's dual responsibility for family and country
In that turbulent era of power struggle, women not only played an important role in the story of the struggle for power, but more importantly, they sought a balance between their family and country, showing their unique maternal strength and national wisdom.
The power of maternal love can often break through the deadlock caused by the number of qi. There is a famous record in "Zuo Chuan · Four Years of Duke Wu": At that time, there was a civil strife in the Jin Kingdom, and Gongzi Zhong'er was imprisoned by Zheng Bo, and the situation was critical. Ma Zeng, the mother of the heavy ear, came thousands of miles away and begged Zheng Bo to "forgive the heavy ear with a young son", Zheng Bo saw Ma's loving mother's heart, and was finally moved by her sincere emotions and released the heavy ear.
Women's wisdom can sometimes influence the future of a country as well. According to the "Historical Records · Tian Guang's Biography", King Qin Zhao planned to send troops to question Tian Guang, but the Empress Dowager Qin strongly objected, believing that "the world is undecided, and the princes are being attacked today. King Qin Zhao listened to the wisdom of the Queen Mother, thus avoiding the waste of national strength.
Of course, between family affection and the rational consideration of the state, women are often in contradictory torment. "Warring States Policy· Qin Ceyi" records a good story of Zhao Ji. In order to escape the siege of King Hui, Qin Wu Anjun defected to Wei with his wife Zhao Ji. Zhao Ji was originally in love with flesh and blood, and she thought about her husband everywhere. However, when she learned that King Qin Hui intended to "accept Zhao Ji to continue the marriage of the elderly", she resolutely advocated giving herself to King Qin Hui to avoid triggering the Qin-Wei War. It can be seen that although she has the love of her husband, when the interests of the country are above all else, reason prevails over sensibility.
It is not difficult to see that in that era of disorder in the family and country, women not only played an important role in power calculations, but also sought a balance between family affection and the country, reflecting the unique power of maternal love and wisdom. They either broke through the predicament with kindness, or defended the fortunes of the country with foresight, and even made a difficult choice between the contradictions between their families and countries, showing unprecedented responsibility and responsibility.
V. Taking Charge of Yourself: The Emergence of Pioneer Women
In that turbulent era of decay, in addition to the female image of power and scheming and embodying the feelings of family and country, there were also some independent and pioneering female figures, whose appearance undoubtedly marked the change of women's social status.
There is a vivid record in the "Zuo Chuan · the Fifteenth Year of Chenggong": during the division of the Wu State, a woman named Meng Yishuai caused a mutiny and called on her subjects to overthrow King Xiao of Liang, so that the Wu State could be reunified. Although she was finally killed by King Liang, she was the first to show the independent side of women and became an extremely rare image of a female leader at that time.
In addition to being present in the military field, some women are also emerging in diplomatic situations. According to the "Warring States Policy· Qin Ce I", in order to avoid the outbreak of the Qin-Wei War, Zhao Ji offered to give himself to King Qin Hui as a symbol of the conclusion of the alliance. Her vision and commitment are akin to that of a seasoned diplomat.
In the field of culture and art, the independent personality of women also shines. "The Biography of the Daughters of the Lie· The Beautiful Woman" records a female poet named Yan Hui, whose poetry shocked the literary world at that time and was appreciated by many dignitaries. Although she was eventually slandered and framed, she wrote her independent life with poetry, becoming a rare female poet at that time, reflecting the unique side of the emerging female cultural temperament.
Although the number of these pioneer women is small, their appearance is a sign of a transformation in the status and image of women in society. They are independent, brave in the pursuit of self-worth, in the military, diplomatic, cultural and other fields to show a unique style, breaking through the traditional social stereotype of women, for the future generations of women to become independent. This was undoubtedly an important aspect of social change during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.