Since modern China, it has been called "sleeping lion" by some Western countries, which means that China at that time was a sleeping lion. The lion has the title of "King of the Steppe" and is the top cat carnivore in Africa. Comparing China to a lion is enough to indicate the place of ancient China in their hearts. So, who is this sentence coming from? Why does he describe China this way?
This man was napoleon, the famous military man and emperor of the First French Empire. In the 23 years from the "Battle of Toulon" to the "Battle of Waterloo", Napoleon personally commanded nearly 60 major battles, of which more than 50 were victorious, and the small battles were countless. During his reign, he led an army to break the anti-French alliance formed by Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia and other countries; he expanded to the outside world many times and launched the "Napoleonic Wars". In the most glorious period, except for Britain, the rest of the European countries submitted or allied to Napoleon, forming a huge Napoleonic empire system, creating a series of military and political miracles and short-term brilliant achievements.
After the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was imprisoned in the Atlantic prison of St. Helena. Although he was reduced to a prisoner, his glorious history left a profound impact on Europeans. Therefore, during Napoleon's imprisonment, a British diplomat named Amested came to the prison and asked him for advice.
It turned out that the Count of Amested was ordered by the Queen of England to go to the Qing Dynasty to discuss the issue of trade with him. When he met the Jiaqing Emperor, he refused to prostrate himself to the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and the Qing Dynasty implemented the policy of "closing the country and closing the country" at that time, so he failed to complete the task. China is a piece of fat, Amistad is not willing to give up easily, diplomacy is not good, then use force to open the closed door of the Qing Dynasty. On the way back home, just passing by the island of St. Helena, and hearing that Napoleon was imprisoned here, Amistad wanted him to point out the mystery and talk about britain's view of invading China by force.
After learning of Amistad's intentions, Napoleon's answer surprised and shocked him. Napoleon said: "China is a great power, and Britain is at war with it, and at first it may succeed." You can seize their ships and sabotage their military and commerce. But you will also make Chinese understand their own power. They would think, they would build ships, they would hire gunners from France, the United States, and other countries to create a fleet. ”
Amistad disagreed with Napoleon, saying: "The Qing Dynasty is nothing more than a mud-footed giant, vulnerable, and it is a breeze to conquer it with The present military strength of Britain!" Napoleon insisted: "To fight this vast empire is the biggest fool in the world!" China is not weak, it is now a sleeping lion, which has led even flies to dare to bark a few times in its face. ”
It wasn't just Napoleon who thought it foolish to invade China, but even Hitler of the last century thought so. From 1939 to 1942, Hitler led his army to occupy 14 countries in Europe. But he repeatedly warned Japan and Italy during World War II not to invade China, otherwise it would end in defeat. Hitler believed that China had a history of more than 5,000 years, Chinese experienced countless battles large and small, and absolutely had an outstanding national character, which could not be countered by ordinary countries.
Of course, Hitler had his own plans, hoping that Japan and Italy would help him attack Britain and the United States. But Japan did not heed Hitler's advice and insisted on invading China. Finally, with the efforts of the Chinese military and civilians and the help of the Allies, China drove the invaders out of its territory.
In fact, when Napoleon admonished Amistad, in addition to saying that China is "a sleeping lion", there is a sentence behind it: "Once China is awakened, the world will shake!" Today, Napoleon's prophecy is slowly being fulfilled, and China is gradually becoming powerful in its own unique way and standing in the forest of the world!