Colin De Souza
U1631038E
HH2031 History of Food in China
Writing Assignment 1
Perspective: Soldier from the Qin state during the Warring state periods
Drink: Alcohol
Poem Title: A Soldier’s Greatest Weapon
Historical context:
I will be writing this poem from the perspective of a Soldier under the Qin state during the warring states period before the successful conquest for china leading up to the establishment of the Qin dynasty. The conquest of the Qin state under King Zheng took place in 230 BC with much ruthlessness against all the other warring states. The poem will be from the perspective of a veteran soldier in the Qin state, during the warring states period. A soldier in the Qin state, it was common for soldiers to drink before a battle as a form of preparation as alcohol was also used as entertainment and a reward after a battle was fought.
Alcohol and the military:
In the vicissitudes of dynasties, wars followed all the way. Alcohol was the only entertainment for the military in the time of cold weapons. It was used as a stimulant and reward for the army men. The stimulating agent could make cowards brave, stir up the exhausted and heighten the morale of the army. Therefore it was the most important and effective material used to raise morale before and during the campaign, and the reward for a triumphant military. According to historical records, in the Warring States period, Qin Mugong of the Qing kingdom poured liquor into the Yellow River and drank with his soldiers. There were many stories like this, and generals who did this always won their wars. In historical novels, alcohol and battles frequently cohabited. For example, in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu, the Chinese Ares, chopped Hua Xiong’s head off while his wine was still warm; Zhang Fei, pretending to be drunk, captured his enemy’s fortress easily. In the novel, almost every chapter has something to do with alcohol.
Reference: (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2010-10/27/content_11692216_4.htm)
A Soldier’s Greatest Weapon
Of the thousand battles I have fought
My greatest weapon, definitely wine,
A product that is extremely fine.
Generals fell, states dissolved
But the conflict has yet not been resolved.
Wine before, wine after
For Bravery and for laughter.
We consume alcohol in large swallows
As it gives us courage for what follows.
We march into battle, in swarms like cattle
The carnage of war is too much to handle,
With mangled limbs around me, they dangle.
Victory is eventually ours
After many long hours
We achieved it at a large cost
Where life is wagered over a coin toss.
Surviving yet another battle, we celebrate
Generals join in the ranks and commemorate
Where others drink in glory,
I drink to numb my senses,
Or perhaps I am simply building fences.
Once the effect wears out, the cycle repeats
Patiently awaiting our eventual defeat.
Again, I turn to wine where I seek solace,
Like a King on his throne in a palace
Although wine is my best friend,
It also serves as my fiend.
Latching onto me like a parasite,
Do I want it out of sight?