The Group Research Of The Chu Diplomatists

In the Spring and Autumn Period,Chu State,which stood out with its development during Zhou Dynasty,appeared on the stage of fighting for the throne.During the Warring States period,however,Chu was overshadowed in the troubled times,from great prosperity to extreme decline.A special group——the diplomatists of Chu State had been playing an irreplaceable role in this process.In order to adapt to the frequent and complex international interactions during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period,the state appointed officials who were mostly born as royal princes or public officials diplomatists on a full-time or part-time basis,forming a set of top-down and inside-out diplomatic system.The author examined the selection,appointment and training of diplomatists by the ruling class of Chu,explored the relationship between the overall strength of diplomatists and the prosperity and decline of Chu and summarized the characteristics of the group of diplomatists and the reasons for their formation,and a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between the diplomatic groups of Chu and Jin State was done,which not only helps to deepen the understanding of the diplomatists group of the Chu during the Spring and Autumn and warring States period,but also helps to look at the success or failure of Chu from a new perspective,and sort out a new clue that runs through the political,military and diplomatic history of Chu.The diplomatists group of Chu was large and the organizational system was relatively complete.Diplomatic posts can be roughly divided into three categories:Taizong,Dazai,Shaozai,Shaozaiyin,Lianyin,Huren,Bin,Yezhe as officials specializing in diplomatic affairs,Lingyin,Moao,Zuotu,Zhenyin,and Xinzaoyin as officials with diplomatic functions,Envoy,Jie,and Xiang as temporarily appointed diplomatic posts.According to the research,there are a total of 141 diplomatists of Chu found in the historical records.They were responsible for welcoming guests inside,going out to other countries,and accompanying the king to make decisions on foreign affairs,as well as enjoying the privileges of representing the country and the king,being protected by the army,and receiving courtesies from other countries.In line with the particularity and importance of the diplomatic posts,Chu formed a comprehensive and systematic management system in terms of selection methods,appointment conditions and training methods for diplomats to ensure the overall quality of this team so that they could perform their duties and serve their country.The quality of the diplomatists group of Chu played a huge role in the rise and fall of Chu State,and the development trend of Chu deeply influenced the scale of the diplomatists group.In the early and mid Spring and Autumn period,the diplomatists group of Chu(46%of the total)were courageous and resourceful,which was highly valued by the king and established a good image of a great power for Chu.From the late Spring and Autumn period to the early Warring States period,the overall awareness and flexibility shown by the diplomatists of Chu(26%of the total)in times of crisis was an important support for the steady development of the state.In the middle and late Warring States period,the diplomatists of Chu(28%of the total)were of uneven quality,and they were unable to save the unfavorable situation of the state.They could only passively deal with the bullying of the great powers.The fate of the Chu diplomatists was consistent with the fate of the state,they did not get rid of the circular contrail from vigorous to conventional and broken-down.Influenced by the regional environment,national tradition and cultural atmosphere,these diplomatists had firm patriotism,eloquent individual talents,profound knowledge and boasted Chu-State styled wisdom and flexibility.This group reflects the characteristic of Chu cultures and the spirit of times.Its charm spread extensively.The characteristic of this group was passed.The diplomatists of Jin(Sanjin),who frequent negotiated with the diplomatists of Chu,were deeply influenced by the Zhou royal and come from a wide range of origins,The diplomatic style was not only diametrically opposed to that of the Chu diplomatists,but also had something in common.The advantages and disadvantages of diplomatists from different geographical areas in diplomatic activities also have a lot of reference for the selection of contemporary diplomatists.