In the long history of China, there are some figures who have left a deep imprint in the troubled times with their extraordinary wisdom and firm faith. Sun Chengzong, a military strategist and loyal patriot in the late Ming Dynasty, was one of the best. Born in 1563, he grew from an ordinary tutor to a pillar of the Ming Dynasty. His life is full of legends, and his deathbed vow is even more shocking - "If the Sun family still exists, it will be destroyed"! Is this just a last sentence of unfulfilled ambition, or does it really herald an astonishing turning point in history? Follow my steps and explore the mysteries of this hero's life.
When it comes to Sun Chengzong, many people may not be familiar with it, but his story can definitely make you feel a full sense of history. Born in the 42nd year of Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (that is, in 1563), this native of Gaoyang, Baoding, was originally just a tutor, but because of his extraordinary intelligence and firm patriotism, he gradually stepped into the center of the military and political stage.
The turning point in Sun Chengzong's life was his deep interest in military affairs. During his time as a tutor in Datong, he not only taught and educated people, but also used his spare time to go deep into the border passes, have in-depth exchanges with generals and soldiers, and accumulated a lot of military experience. The military maps he drew by hand and the border defense experience he compiled laid a solid foundation for his future military career.
In 1604, Sun Chengzong entered the Hanlin Academy as the second rank of Jinshi and began his political career. In the DPRK and China, he won the respect and trust of many officials with his peaceful personality and extraordinary wisdom. In 1615, an event occurred that could lead to chaos when a man named Zhang Cha infiltrated the prince's residence, claiming to be instructed by Concubine Zheng. This crisis may have caused chaos in the palace, but at this critical moment, Sun Chengzong was asked about the countermeasures, and he proposed a "point-to-point" approach, which not only protected the crown prince, but also stabilized the court, and this clever handling method greatly increased his popularity.
In 1620, the new emperor Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne, and Sun Chengzong was recommended as the emperor's teacher, which was not only a recognition of his talent, but also an affirmation of his personality charm. But just as he was teaching the new emperor, the external troubles were also approaching. In 1621, the Houjin troops invaded on a large scale, and Shenyang, Liaoyang and Liaodong fell one after another, and the situation was very critical for a time.
In the face of national disaster, Sun Chengzong resolutely asked to be appointed as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, a decision that changed his life. In Liaodong, he not only regrouped and stabilized the morale of the army, but also showed extraordinary military talent in many confrontations with the Houjin army. His tactics are changeable, he can not only defend to the death, but also be flexible and maneuverable, and pry the situation in the disadvantage many times, so that the Ming Dynasty's defense line in Liaodong can be temporarily stabilized.
There are unpredictable circumstances in the sky, and people have good and bad luck. Although Sun Chengzong performed many miraculous feats on the battlefield in Liaodong, his health deteriorated day by day. After a defensive battle, Sun Chengzong fell ill on the battlefield due to overwork and a recurrence of an old disease. Before his death, he faced the starry sky and issued the oath that shocked future generations: "If the Sun family still exists, the Qing Dynasty will be destroyed!" This sentence not only shows his indomitable family and country, but also predicts the final fate of the Qing Dynasty.
Sun Chengzong's oath, although it sounds like the last tragedy of a strong man, is always surprising by historical coincidences. Nearly 300 years after his death, the Xinhai Revolution led by Sun Yat-sen succeeded, the Qing Dynasty fell, and the Republic of China was founded. Sun Chengzong's "prophecy" seems to have come true. Is this just a coincidence, or does it have another profound meaning? In any case, Sun Chengzong's life and his oath have profoundly influenced the direction of modern Chinese history.
Sun Chengzong's deeds may only be a shallow shadow in the long river of history, but his loyalty and wisdom, his love for the country and his sense of responsibility for the nation are worth remembering by every Chinese. From an ordinary governess to becoming an important military leader of the country, Sun Chengzong's life is full of legends. He was not only a strategist, but also a thoughtful educator and a loyal patriot.
Sun Chengzong's life is a vivid portrayal of the unremitting pursuit of ideals and beliefs. His story reminds us that no matter what kind of predicament we are in, perseverance and hard work can always leave a strong mark in the long river of history. His loyalty and wisdom, as well as his vow of fate, are not only an inspiration to future generations, but also a kind of responsibility. Looking back at history today, we can not only draw wisdom and strength from it, but also have a deeper understanding of the brilliance of humanity behind the heroes who forged history.