Li ba shan xi qi gai shi
Shi bu li xi zhui bu shi

Zhui bu shi xi ke naihe
Yuxi, yuxi, nai ruohe

(Translation :
Strength I had to uproot hills, my spirit dominated the age
Now in this hour of misfortune, my dapple steed cannot flee

Dapple steed, unable to break away, what hope is left?
Ah Lady Yu, my Yu, what will become of you?)

I’d like to share this beautiful poem I found in the chinese poem collection. Well, this might not be completely beautiful for you readers. The poem is actually about desperation after long, long fight.

This “Gai Xia Ge” or “Song of Gai Xia” is about Xiang Yu’s desperation after the betrayal of his underlings which led to his defeat. He lost all of his spirit to keep on fighting, even forgot his own pride as a warrior. In such time, his consort, Lady Yu Jin drew his sword and cut her own neck. Her last words were, “If even the mighty Xiang Yu has lost his will and spirit, then there would be no more meaning in living!” This event slapped Xiang Yu hardly. He realized that as a warrior, whatever happened, he must not lose his own pride. Even in the verge of destruction.

The pride in defeat. What the hell is that? Does that mean we have to be proud to lose? Hummm, not exactly like that.

This pride and honour are things rooted deeply in the ancient legends of China and Japan. Perhaps, somewhat complicated and unacceptable for some people nowadays. However, this is not a bad thing though. We can learn something here.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that we have to completely kill ourselves when losing just like ninjas and samurais in Japan. Nope. This is more to the fact that we keep holding what we believe in, we keep struggling for what we hold, despite the condition and situation. Even we are defeated, accept the defeat in grace, and end it in a glorious and memorable way. The most shameful action for warriors is to beg for his life, to beseech for safety and instantly throw away what he had believed in for a longer age. Humh! At least, if you change your mind, do it not for the sake of your life!