When did the concept of destiny become the guiding ideology of war?

When did the concept of destiny become the guiding ideology of war?

The war guided by the concept of "destiny" took place in Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties. From the 2nd/Kloc-0th century BC to the 8th century BC, China established the Xia, Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties, which was the initial formation period of China's ancient military thought. During this period, the number of troops was small and there was no full-time commander. In addition to military bronze weapons, many soldiers also use wood and stone weapons; The combat mode is basically a group battle frontal killing in dense formation.

After Shang Dynasty, chariots gradually became the main body, and a square formation with chariots as the core was formed in the battle. Due to the limitation of understanding the objective laws of war, war is greatly influenced by superstition, and war actions are often determined by divination, which leads to the guiding ideology of war centered on the concept of destiny.

Governing the army is based on "ceremony" and "punishment". "Li" is mainly applicable to the upper nobility and officers, paying attention to rank and order; The management of subordinates and soldiers mainly depends on severe punishment. At this stage, some budding military books have been produced. There are a lot of records about military activities in bronze inscriptions in Oracle Bone Inscriptions and Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Military works such as military records and military affairs have appeared in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Although it has long been lost, it is an important symbol of the formation of China's ancient military thought.