The reason why the late Qing Dynasty did not vigorously cultivate the Eight Banners and keep the armed forces firmly in their own hands was actually due to multiple reasons.
At that time, the Qing Dynasty was already in turmoil, domestic and foreign difficulties, and it was not easy to regain its former glory. In the long course of history, their ancestor Jin Dynasty had a similar attempt in the last years, that is, to create an armed force called the Loyal and Filial Piety Army.
When it comes to the loyal and filial piety army in the last years of the Jin Dynasty, we have to sigh at its former glory and final tragedy. At the beginning of Jin Aizong's accession to the throne, in order to save the crisis, he resolutely deposed the traitors and began to reorganize the army. And the Loyal and Filial Piety Army is a bright pearl in this army rectification operation.
According to the "History of Jin", in order to build this elite army, Jin Aizong deliberately selected elite soldiers from all over the country, and even did not hesitate to recruit reformers from the Mongol-ruled area. Some of these reformed people are the Hui, Naimun, Qiang, Hun and other ethnic groups, and some are the people in the Central Plains who have fled their sins due to war. They have a deep hatred for Mongolia and their families, so they are extremely strong in combat. In order to motivate them, the Jin Dynasty not only gave them preferential treatment in life, but also equipped them with excellent armament horses and conducted rigorous training.
The leader of the loyal and filial piety army, Wanyan Chen, is a legendary figure. Born in the Mongol-occupied territories, he served in the Mongol army before escaping back to the Jin dynasty. He is not only extremely filial to his mother, but also a general with all-round talents in civil and military affairs. The loyal and filial army under his command, with strict military discipline and brave fighting, became an important force at the end of the Jin Dynasty.
However, the wheels of history always roll forward and do not stop because of individual heroism. The Jin Dynasty was in internal and external difficulties, and finally came to an end. The loyal and filial piety army also gradually dissipated in the war, becoming a tragic color in the long river of history.
Back in the late Qing Dynasty, although the Qing Dynasty faced a similar dilemma, for various reasons, they did not create a powerful armed force like the Jin Dynasty. There are both economic and political reasons for this. But in any case, history is always full of regrets and lessons.
For many time-traveling writers, they tend to be overly idealistic in their belief that as long as they travel to the past, with the wisdom and knowledge of modern people, they can easily change the course of history. However, they ignore the complexity and unpredictability of history. The development of history is often influenced and constrained by a variety of factors, and it cannot be easily changed by one's own efforts.
Of course, we cannot deny that there are indeed some heroes and great events in history. Through their own efforts and struggles, they have added a strong touch to the course of history. But even so, we should maintain an objective and rational attitude towards history, and not be too idealistic or too pessimistic.
Looking back at the story of the loyal and filial piety army and the monk Wanyan Chen in the last years of the Jin Dynasty, we can not only feel the changes and heroes of that era, but also learn some valuable inspiration and experience from it. For example, the rise and fall of a country is often inseparable from the strength of its military and the wisdom of its leaders; For another example, the cohesion and centripetal force of a nation are also one of the important factors that determine its fate.
Therefore, as far as we modern people are concerned, we should draw wisdom and experience from history and constantly improve our overall quality and ability level. Only in this way can we better cope with the challenges and opportunities of the future and contribute to the prosperity of the country and the nation.
At the same time, we should also maintain an open and inclusive attitude towards history and reality. Although history has passed, the wisdom and value it contains are eternal. Although the reality is full of challenges and difficulties, as long as we maintain confidence and courage, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and move towards a better future.
Finally, I would like to say that whether it was the loyal and filial piety army in the last years of the Jin Dynasty or the Eight Banners Army in the late Qing Dynasty, they were once an important pillar and source of strength for the Qing Dynasty. Although none of them ultimately failed to save the Qing Dynasty from its demise, their heroic deeds and legends will forever remain in people's hearts. We should bear in mind these historical memories and constantly draw on their wisdom and strength to inject new vitality and impetus into the future development of the country and the nation.
In addition, the reasons for the failure of the late Qing Dynasty to vigorously cultivate the Eight Banners can also be explored from a deeper cultural and social background. Chinese society in the late Qing Dynasty was in a complex transition period, the traditional feudal system had gradually disintegrated, and the new social system and values had not yet been fully established. In this context, the Eight Banners Army, as one of the pillar forces of the Qing Dynasty, also faced unprecedented challenges and dilemmas. On the one hand, the combat effectiveness of the Eight Banners Army gradually declined, and it was no longer able to adapt to the new war situation and the enemy's strong firepower; On the other hand, the loyalty of the Eight Banners Army was also severely tested, and some generals and soldiers began to show a tendency to deviate from morality. All these factors made it difficult for the late Qing government to build a strong armed force to maintain its dominance, as the Jin dynasty did.
Of course, we cannot deny some of the efforts and attempts of the late Qing government in military construction. For example, they have tried to introduce advanced weapons and equipment from the West and military systems to reform the army; At the same time, they have also supported some emerging military forces to strengthen their own power. However, for a variety of reasons, these attempts ultimately failed to achieve the desired results.
To sum up, we can see that the reasons for the failure of the late Qing Dynasty to vigorously cultivate the Eight Banners were multifaceted and complex. This is related not only to the social background and military situation at that time, but also to the decisions and actions of the late Qing government itself. However, in any case, we should look at this period of history with an objective and rational attitude, draw lessons and experiences from it, and provide reference and enlightenment for future development.
At the same time, we should also recognize that the development of history is always full of variables and uncertainties. While we can learn a lot from history, we can't fully predict and control the future. Therefore, we need to maintain an open and enterprising mindset to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. Only in this way can we better cope with future changes and developments and create a more brilliant future.
By the time the Zhongxiao Army was formed, the Mongol offensive against the Jin Dynasty was already as fierce as a storm. The Jin Kingdom has been like a candle in the wind, the former barrier of Western Xia has been flattened by the iron hooves of the Mongols, and only the remaining Henan and Shaanxi regions are also exposed to the blades of the Mongol army. The Jin army's decades-long resistance failed to achieve a single victory over the Mongol army, and morale was already extremely low.
In order to conquer the Jin Kingdom, the Mongol army carefully planned the tactics of a two-way attack. The army crossed the raging Yellow River from the north and went straight to Kaifeng, the capital of the Jin Kingdom; The other attacked Tongguan from Shaanxi, in an attempt to tear apart the Jin defense line and smash its hinterland. Of the two armies, the northern route faced many difficulties due to the need to cross the river, so the Mongol army placed the main direction of attack on Tongguan 1st Road. The Jin State, on the other hand, took advantage of the convenience of fighting on the inner line, mobilized troops, and responded with mobile and flexible tactics. Among them, the loyal and filial piety army, which was dominated by cavalry, became the main force of the Jin State to resist the Mongol army.
In the fourth year of the reign of Jin Zhengda (1227), the Mongol army finally eliminated the Western Xia and immediately set its sights on the Jin-controlled area of Shaanxi. The Mongol army was overwhelmed and captured Pingyang, Lintao and other places one after another. In the fifth year, the Mongol army led by the famous Mongolian general Chi Lao Wen began to besiege Qingyang. Faced with the siege of the Mongol army, the Jin State mobilized elite troops, including the Zhongxiao Army, to relieve the siege.
In this crucial battle, Monk Wanyan Chen showed amazing courage and determination. He bathed and changed his clothes before the decisive battle, as if preparing for the impending death. The loyal and filial piety army led by him was even more morale-high, and the men and horses were all dressed in heavy armor, armed with swords and spears, and carrying bows and arrows, rushing towards the Mongol army like a tiger descending from the mountain. Under the command of monk Wanyan Chen, the 400 loyal and filial piety army miraculously defeated the 8,000 Mongolian army, causing the Mongolian army to be in chaos and flee in the wilderness. In this battle, the Jin army achieved its first great victory in 20 years, and Jin Aizong was so excited that he burst into tears after learning of the good news.
After the First World War of Dachangwon, the reputation of the loyal and filial piety army and the monk Wanyan Chen was greatly enhanced. However, this victory also had a negative impact on the country of Jin. The entire Jin dynasty was complacent with its victory, but lacked sufficient vigilance for the impending crisis. In the seventh year of Zhengda (1230), the Jin Dynasty and Mongolia were expected to reach a peace agreement, but Yawuta, the left deputy marshal of Jin Shaanxi, got carried away because of the great victory of Dachangyuan, and made disrespectful remarks to the Mongol envoys, which angered the Mongol Great Khan Wokotai and led to the breakdown of the peace agreement.
Immediately after the breakdown of the peace talks, the Mongol army launched a new offensive. In August of the seventh year of Zhengda, Shi Tianze, a famous general of the Mongolian army, attacked Weizhou, intending to contain the Jin army and create favorable conditions for breaking through Tongguan. Weizhou is located on the north bank of the Yellow River, is the north gate of Kaifeng, and its strategic position is very important. The commander of the Jin army, Wanyan Heda, led an army of 100,000 to rescue Weizhou. After fierce fighting, the Jin army finally defeated the Mongol army and relieved the siege of Weizhou. According to historical records, after learning of the good news, Jin Aizong personally boarded the Chengtianmen to reward the three armies, and awarded the soldiers hereditary honors and rich rewards.
As the vanguard of the Jin army, the loyal and filial army of Monk Wanyan Chen also played an important role in this battle. Their bravery and skillful fighting led to the victory of the Jin army, temporarily removing the threat from the north of the Jin Kingdom. However, the joy of victory did not last long. In the first month of the eighth year of Zhengda, the Mongol army stepped up its offensive in the direction of Tongguan in Shaanxi. The famous Mongolian general Subutai led a large army to break through Xiaoguan and plundered Lushi and Zhuyang, which seriously threatened the safety of Tongguan.
In the face of the attack of the Mongol army, the defenders of Tongguan held their positions on the one hand, and asked for help from their superiors on the other. This time, the reinforcements were led by a thousand loyal and filial piety troops led by the monk Wanyan Chen as the vanguard, and the commander Jia Gu Ze led 10,000 horses as the follow-up troops. The two armies clashed in the Reverse Valley and a thrilling battle ensued.
Monk Wanyan Chen was not afraid of facing the Mongolian iron cavalry known as 40,000 horses and the famous Mongolian general who fought in Asia and Europe. He commanded the loyal and filial forces to penetrate into the depth of the Mongol army like lightning, and used the advantage of cavalry and archery to inflict a fierce blow on the Mongol army. The men and horses of the loyal and filial piety army were covered in heavy armor, which effectively resisted the arrows of the Mongol army. The Mongol army fell one after another under the rain of arrows of the loyal and filial piety army, and the formation was in chaos.
At this moment, the follow-up Katanizawa army also arrived at the battlefield. Under the internal and external attacks of Monk Wanyan Chen and Jia Gu Ze, the Mongolian army was defeated and retreated. The loyal and filial piety army pursued all the way until they returned to the valley before collecting their troops and returning to the camp. In this battle, the Mongol army suffered heavy losses, and Subutai was also severely reprimanded by the Yuan Dynasty emperor Ogedei.
However, despite the repeated miraculous feats of the loyal and filial piety army under the leadership of the monk Wanyan Chen, the demise of the Jin State was the general trend. With the continuous offensive of the Mongol army and the corruption and decline within the Jin State, the glory of the Zhongxiao Army gradually came to an end. Although they had miraculous victories on the battlefield, they were ultimately unable to save the fate of the Kingdom of Jin.
When the Mongol army attacked Tongguan many times without success, it decided to adopt Genghis Khan's last strategy before his death - to take advantage of the Song Dynasty to detour to Tongguan. According to this operational arrangement, the Mongolian army launched a full-scale attack on Jin in three directions. One of them was led by Wokotai to directly attack Kaifeng; All the way for the left army to march from Jinan to Kaifeng; The most important right army was led by Tuo Lei with 30,000 cavalry, carrying out Genghis Khan's last strategy, and using the Song Dynasty to detour to Tang and Deng.
In August of the eighth year of Zhengda, the Tuolei Army began to be dispatched. They skillfully avoided the Jin defenses, and launched an attack on the Jin hinterland through the Song dynasty. Although the Jin army resisted hard, it gradually fell into a passive situation in the face of the strong offensive and strategic detour tactics of the Mongol army. Although the loyal and filial piety army was brave and good at fighting, it was difficult to turn things around in the entire battle.
As the war continued, the defeat of the Jin Kingdom was decided. Although the loyal and filial piety army had created brilliant achievements under the leadership of monk Wanyan Chen, they could not change the fate of the Jin State under the general trend. In the end, the Jin State went to extinction under the onslaught of the Mongol army, and the glory of the loyal and filial piety army also came to an end.
This war not only witnessed the heroism and tenacity of the loyal and filial piety army, but also revealed the profound problems of the Jin State in politics, economy, and military affairs. It tells us a truth: The rise and fall of a country depends not only on the strength of its armed forces, but also on the overall strength and governance level of the entire country. Only internal and external cultivation and comprehensive development can be invincible in the fierce competition.
The Tuolei Army skillfully detoured to between Xingyuan and Yangzhou, and then marched to Raofeng Pass. When Jin Aizong heard the news, he decided to fight to the death with the Tuolei army, and gathered the remaining 150,000 troops on the front line of Xiangdeng, including 20,000 cavalry and 130,000 infantry, with a huge lineup.
However, Tuo Lei was well aware of the shortcomings of the Jin Army's lack of mobility, so he adopted flexible and mobile tactics. He pretended to go north to Kaifeng to attract the Jin army to the north. On the way, Tuo Lei sent light cavalry to constantly harass the Jin army, exhausting it and putting it in a dilemma.
In the first month of the ninth year of Zhengda, the Jin army braved the rain and snow to enter the Sanfeng Mountain and launched a decisive battle with the Tuo Lei army. At this time, the Jin army was hungry and cold, and the sergeants were wearing armor, standing stiffly in the snow, and their weapons were freezing cold. At the same time, Ogedai led the army to cross the Yellow River and reinforce the mines, and the situation became more and more unfavorable for the Jin army.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Tuo Lei deliberately let go of the road to Junzhou and secretly set up an ambush. The Jin army really hit the plan, and the whole army collapsed, and the momentum was as great as a landslide. Under the attack of the Mongol army, the Jin army was completely annihilated, and the Jin dynasty also went into decline in this battle.
This battle fully proved that the rise and fall of a dynasty cannot be turned around by just one or two heroes or an elite army. When the dynasty is so corrupt, any external assistance is only a drop in the bucket, and it is difficult to save it from its demise.