This article tells the heroic story of Wen Tianxiang, a loyal Southern Song statesman. He fought against the Yuan invasion, escaped captivity, and was later imprisoned. Though offered high rank by Kublai Khan, he chose death over betrayal. His Song of Righteousness and unyielding loyalty made him an eternal symbol of patriotism.
– Wen Tianxiang By virtue of the classics, painstakingly I rose to serve my state;Four years of war have passed, with our banners desolate.Our land, torn asunder, drifts like catkins in the gale;My life, adrift and battered, like duckweed in the rain’s assail.At Huangkong Shoal, I sighed for the fears that once prevailed;On Lingding…
Mencius said: “A person must know what not to do, before they can truly accomplish anything meaningful.”
Duke Wen of Teng asked Mencius: “Teng is a small state, squeezed between the great powers of Qi and Chu. Should we submit to Qi, or align ourselves with Chu?”