As an important system in ancient society, the knighthood system is not only a symbol of honor, but also carries extremely rich political connotations. Among the knighthood systems of various countries and dynasties, the knighthood system of the Qin State can be said to be unique, that is, the military merit title system. Compared with the knighthood system of other countries, the military merit title system of the Qin State pays more attention to the performance of individual military merits, and it is also more motivating, so in the knighthood system of the Qin State, we can see many historical figures who have been awarded for military merits. So, in the military merit title system of the Qin State, how did you obtain the title? And which historical figures were knighted for their outstanding performance on the battlefield? Through the discussion of these questions, we may be able to better understand the connotation of the ancient feudal system and the political significance contained in it.
1. Military merit title system: a knighthood system that focuses on individual performance
In the ancient knighthood system, there were many kinds of people who could obtain the title, such as people who had a certain blood relationship with the royal family, or people who had a considerable political status, and even people who obtained the title through some special means. Among the many knighthood methods, the military merit title system can be said to be a relatively special knighthood method, and the Qin State took military merit as the most important knighthood criterion and established a perfect military merit title system.
# (1) The establishment and operation mechanism of the military merit title system
In the military merit title system of the Qin State, a total of 20 different titles were set, and in order to obtain these titles, one must obtain military merits through one's performance on the battlefield, and the size of military merits will directly affect the level of the titles that can be obtained in the end. In the military merit title system, the so-called military merit mainly includes two aspects, one is the number of beheadings, and the other is the victory or defeat of the battles participated, and only those who perform well in these two aspects are likely to obtain a higher rank of knighthood.
It can be said that obtaining a knighthood through military merits is quite motivating, because only by doing your best on the battlefield and achieving real military merits can it be possible to obtain a higher title, and this is undoubtedly a great honor and incentive for soldiers and generals, and it will also better mobilize their enthusiasm for fighting on the battlefield.
# (2) Knighted historical figures
In the military merit title system of the Qin State, there are many historical figures who have been knighted for their outstanding performance on the battlefield, and the most famous of them are Bai Qi and Chang Yu.
1. White up
Bai Qi, as a famous general of Qin, once annihilated the Han and Wei coalition forces in the Battle of Yique, and the specific number of enemies killed can no longer be verified, but it is certain that Bai Qi's performance in this battle was very good, and he also achieved an extremely important victory for Qin. It was precisely because of his outstanding performance in this battle that Bai Qi obtained enough military merits and was finally awarded the title of Daliangzao.
2. 嫪毐
Chang Yu was valued by Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei because of his political skills and significant contributions to the Qin State, and finally under the consultation of the two, Chang Yu was named the Marquis of Changxin. It can be said that the reason why Chang Yu was able to receive the title was completely based on his political talent and personal charm, and this fully reflected the knighthood system of the Qin State, not only through military merits to obtain the title, but also other aspects of talent and contribution are equally important.
Through the understanding of Bai Qi and Chang Yu's experience of being knighted, we can more clearly understand the political significance behind the knighthood system, whether it is military merit or political talent, the ancient knighthood system is an extremely important political tool, and it also carries the monarch's appreciation and trust in his subordinates.
2. Different ways to obtain knighthoods: revealing the political game behind knighthood
In the ancient knighthood system, military merit is important, but if it is only through personal military performance to obtain the title, it is undoubtedly a bit one-sided, so in the actual knighthood process, there will be many other factors, and this also provides a certain possibility for some people to obtain the title through other ways.
# (1) Different ways to obtain knighthoods
In the ancient knighthood system, there are many different ways for people to obtain the title, such as the title of merit, the title of merit, the title of the emperor and the knighthood of relatives, etc., and obtaining the title through these ways is undoubtedly a special honor, and it will also be envied and concerned by many people.
1. Meritorious service
Meritorious service, as the name suggests, is to obtain certain military merits in the war through certain means and strategies, so as to obtain a knighthood, and in this process, there is often a certain factor of luck and opportunity, and people who can successfully seek merit and give knighthood are often very smart and witty.
2. Meritorious deeds
Compared with military merits, meritorious knighthood may not be so eye-catching, but it can also reflect the monarch's appreciation and trust in his subordinates.
3. Knighthood from the royal family and knighthood from relatives
In addition, the royal family and relatives are affected by blood relations, and those who can directly have a certain relationship with the royal family, or relatives who have established a close relationship with the royal family through marriage, may also obtain relatively high titles, and the political significance of this approach is more complex and far-reaching.
# (2) Reveal the political conspiracy behind the knighthood
Through the understanding of the different ways to obtain the title, we can see that the ancient knighthood system was not simply obtained through military merit, but involved many different factors, and also reflected the political culture and power structure of the time.
In the actual knighthood process, the monarch's personal preferences and the influence of the ministers around him often play a decisive role, and some people can obtain higher titles, not only because of their outstanding military achievements, but also because there are often all kinds of political intrigue and intrigue behind them.
Take Chang Yu as an example, he was able to be named the Marquis of Changxin, and the close relationship between Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei is inseparable, it can be said that it is precisely because of these political schemes and arrangements that Chang Yu has the opportunity to obtain such a high title, and in this process, his personal ability and contribution may not be the most important.
epilogue
Through the understanding of the military merit title system of the Qin State, as well as other ways of the ancient knighthood system, we can see that no matter what kind of knighthood system, the political significance behind it is extremely rich, and it also reveals the political culture and power structure of ancient society.
In today's society, although we have moved away from the knighthood system, in all walks of life, outstanding talents will still be appreciated and valued by the society and various industries, and there will be more incentive mechanisms to stimulate everyone's creativity and enthusiasm. I hope that through the understanding of the ancient knighthood system, we can give us some inspiration, and we can better realize that outstanding talents, no matter when and where they are, should be appreciated and valued as they should be.