Axis era of human civilization

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, it was not only the axis era of China, but also the axis era of the world.

Confucius is only ten years younger than Sakyamuni. Socrates was born in ancient Greece about 10 years after the death of Confucius. The year after Socrates was born, Mozi was born. Aristotle's "I love my teacher, and I love the truth more" is actually older than Mencius 12 years old and Zhuangzi 15 years old. "Give me a fulcrum, I can pry it.

An era in which rituals collapse and music breaks down, a historical stage in which ideas are free and a hundred schools of thought contend, and the history, literature, politics and philosophy in China culture all appear in this era, which determines the tone and starting point of Chinese civilization.

As for history, it has always been controversial in any period, because of the influence of the author's loyalty, the interference of power, the reconciliation of the reader's subjectivity, and the historical materials of the pre-Qin dynasty thousands of years later, especially the historical materials after Qin Shihuang burned books and buried Confucianism, which are not easy to textual research.

Zuo Zhuan in the Spring and Autumn Period is one of the Confucian classics and the longest of the Thirteen Classics. It is listed as a classic in Sikuquanshu, covering the story from 722 BC to 454 BC. Qi Huangong, Song Xianggong, Jin Wengong, Qin Mugong, Chu Zhuangwang and other overlords all appeared on the stage, playing an all-powerful role in the vast territory, interpreting the glorious history of more than 200 years and having too many wonderful stories. For example, this kind and trustworthy inspirational figure who finally reached the peak in Forget Me-Not, Gou Jian, the courageous King of Yue, and so on, such as Confucius, Lao Zi, Xiaoyao Zi, Zhuangzi, governing the country as a tube, fighting for his grandson, Guan Zhong, Wu Zixu, Bao and so on. There are farmers who farm, doctors who treat diseases, famous debaters, military strategists, fortune tellers and yin and yang experts, and all walks of life gather, which once pushed ancient civilization to a new commanding height. The historical relics excavated today have condensed the social picture of that era, such as ritual music represented by bells chimed by Zeng Houyi, ritual vessels represented by moire gongs, and military handicrafts represented by the sword of the King of Yue. From the tip of these icebergs, we can get a glimpse of the Spring and Autumn civilization. There are a number of "philosophers" in human society, such as Socrates in ancient Greece and Sakyamuni in India. Therefore, this era was called the "Axis Age" by German philosopher karl jaspers and others.

The story and language of Chunqiu Zuozhuan have a great influence on later generations. A word commonly used in modern evaluation is "expressing meaning", and every article is as expensive as gold. For example, the story of "Zheng Boke's passage in the middle of the year" in our Chinese textbook seems to be six words. The choice of address and the consideration of verbs all have their own intentions. Words are still in your ears, and if you do more injustice, you will kill yourself and avoid it.

The scripture of Spring and Autumn Annals is concise and profound, which is difficult for ordinary people to understand without comment. There are three commentaries on Spring and Autumn Annals: Zuo Zhuan, Ram Zhuan and Gu Liangzhuan. The other two biographies of Zou and Jia Zhuan were lost as early as the Han Dynasty. Zuo Zhuan, which has spread all over the world, is the most respected. Therefore, most people who read Spring and Autumn Annals choose to start with Zuo Zhuan.