Comparing book of odes and chronicle of zuo - Essay Example

Both exhibited similar principles that eventually placed them in a high pedestal in the eyes of their people, respected and loved. When Zichan first ruled as the prime minister of Zheng, people thought he would be a bad leader, taking their property away from them and making them poor. This is revealed in their song saying, “We must take our gowns and caps and hide them away, we must take our lands and fields and divide them into five portions” (“Introduction to Chronicles of Zuo”). The people thought he would do the same things he did to Feng Juan, taking all his property when he was exiled to a nearby place because of the outrage he showed in response to Zichan refusing his request to go hunting.

However, after three years, the prime minister restored everything to its rightful owner and also the income gained during the period of the property seizure. Therefore, their song was changed to “We have sons and brothers, ’Tis Zichan who has tutored them; We have lands and fields; ‘Tis Zichan to whom we owe our bounty; Should Zichan die, Who could take his place?” (“Introduction to Chronicles of Zuo”). The faith of the people in their ruler was restored. . He is further described as very cautious and composed.

This shows that Zhong Shan Fu considers every aspect of his decisions, thinking deeply and considerably about the circumstances before making great decisions. His being composed shows he is a confident ruler who is assured of his discriminations. He does not doubt himself but believes that he is skilled in his leadership. Like Zichan, he is mentioned to honor the ancient teaching, the laws that have been passed on from their ancestors. The two are peace lovers, doing their best to restore and maintain order in the nation, even if it meant them doing things on their own.

In the “Battle of Bi,” Zichan showed mercy to the ruler of Chu who approached him in humility, asking him to do whatever he thought was just (“Introduction to Chronicles of Zuo”). Although he sought for the prime minister’s forgiveness, he also considered that his life was in danger, and so he contemplated asking for consideration but would accept whatever would be the decision of the ruler. Zichan forgave Chu despite his advisers’ words that he should not forgive Chu at all reasoning that the ruler knows how to show humility before others and, therefore, he concluded that the young prince should also know how to go about the affairs of his people.

On the other hand, The Book of Odes and “Martial Valor” commend ruthlessness in the presence of enemies. The two rules propose that those who have done wrong should be punished without mercy in contrast to how Zichan treated his foe. The purpose of warfare changes through time depending on the situations faced by warring tribes or nations. In the former days, the common purpose of war was territorial widening and claiming of rights, so the ideologies of The Book