#Ancient chinese feudal kingdoms code
#Ancient chinese feudal kingdoms professional

#Ancient chinese feudal kingdoms professional

The competition between these states would eventually produce the professional armies that marked the Imperial Era of China. However, after the collapse of the Zhou Dynasty in 771 BC when the Xirong captured its capital Haojing, China collapsed into a plethora of small states, who warred frequently with each other. Equipped with bronze weapons, bows, and armor, these armies won victories against the sedentary Dongyi to the East and South, which were the main direction of expansion, as well as defending the western border against the nomadic incursions of the Xirong. Under the Shang and Zhou, these armies were able to expand China's territory and influence from a narrow part of the Yellow River valley to all of the North China plain. If the mighty enemy is in a defile or with his ranks not drawn up, this is Heaven assisting us', signifying that by the Spring and Autumn period such attitudes on chivalric honor was dying out. Even though I am but the remnant of a destroyed state, I will not drum an attack when the other side has not yet drawn up its ranks.' His minister retorted, 'My lord does not know battle. On campaigns, the ancients did not obstruct those in a narrow pass. After Xiang lost the battle and was being rebuked by his ministers of war, he responded: 'The gentleman does not inflict a second wound, nor does he capture those with gray hair. During the Spring and Autumn period (771–479 BC), Duke Xiang of Song, when being advised to attack enemy Chu forces while the enemy army was fording a river, refused and waited for the Chu army to form formation.

In the Battle of Bi, 597 BC, the routing chariot forces of Jin were bogged down in mud, but pursuing enemy troops stopped to help them get dislodged and allowed them to escape. when a disgraced shi from the State of Jin led a suicidal charge of chariots to redeem his reputation, turning the tide of the battle. Hua Bao lowered his bow and was subsequently shot dead, or in 624 B.C.

#Ancient chinese feudal kingdoms code

Examples of this code include the battle of Zheqiu, 420 BC, in which the shi Hua Bao shot at and missed another shi Gongzi Cheng, and just as he was about to shoot again, Gongzi Cheng said that it was unchivalrous to shoot twice without allowing him to return a shot. Ruling houses would not be completely exterminated so descendants would be left to honor their ancestors. States would not attack other states while mourning its ruler. During the Shang and Western Zhou eras, warfare was seen as an aristocratic affair, complete with protocols that may be compared to the chivalry of the European knight. The shi knights had a strict code of chivalry. These armies were ill-trained and haphazardly supplied, meaning that they could not campaign for more than a few months and often had to give up their gains due to lack of supplies. Bronze weapons such as spears and swords were the main equipment of both the infantry and charioteers. These armies were centered around the chariot-riding nobility, who played a role akin to the European knight as they were the main fighting force of the army. While organized military forces had existed along with the state, few records remain of these early armies. Composed of peasant levies, usually serfs dependent upon the king or the feudal lord of their home state, these armies were relatively ill-equipped. See also: Four occupations § Ancient Warrior classĮarly Chinese armies were relatively small affairs. These armies were tasked with the twofold goal of defending China and her subject peoples from foreign intruders, and with expanding China's territory and influence across Asia Pre-Warring State Chinese armies were advanced and powerful, especially after the Warring States period. The military history of China stretches from roughly 2200 BC to the present day.

2.2 List of modernized armies in Qing China.

1.1.2 Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn period.