The success or failure of Liu Xiang

The success or failure of Liu Xiang

Original text

When Emperor Gao and Xiang Yu of the Han Dynasty began to raise their armies, they had an affair with the enemy in the north. [1] King Huai. After entering the pass and defeating Qin, Ziying came out and surrendered, and the generals may have said that they would kill the king of Qin. Emperor Gao said: "King Shihuai sent me because I can be tolerant and the people have surrendered. It would be unlucky to kill him." So he was an official. Zhi Yu was not like that. He killed Ziying, massacred Xianyang, and killed King Huai. As promised by the king, whoever enters the pass first will rule the land [2]. Yu Nai said: "The King Huai was set up by Lord Wu Xin of my family [3]. Without any meritorious service, how could he get the treaty from Lord Zhuan [4]? Now that the world has been established, all generals will look after all the kings and their strength. King Huai's death is due to his merits. We should divide the land and rule it." So Yang Zunwang became the Righteous Emperor and killed him. Looking at these two things, although Emperor Gao succeeded, he still respected the king's commandment and betrayed the main promise. He was not like this. The end of success or failure does not wait for the wise to know later. When Emperor Gao was in his infancy, he tasted Yao [6] Xianyang. Looking at the Emperor of Qin, he sighed and said: "A man should be like this!" When he came to see the first emperor, he said: "He can be replaced." Although historians record that, There are literary embellishments [7], but the main idea is clearly visible.

Notes

[1] Phase and: Agreement together. Things to do in the north: As ministers, serve together. [2] Wang Qidi: Rule this land. King, rule. [3] Wu Xinjun: Xiang Yu’s uncle Xiang Liang. [4] Zhuan Zhuyue: Arbitrary control of the covenant. Zhuan means "special". [5] Death to: final. [6] Yao: Same as "corvee", corvee. [7] There are literary embellishments: There may be textual embellishments and exaggerations.

Translation

When Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, and Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu, raised an army, they agreed to face the North together and serve King Huai of Chu. When the army led by Liu Bang entered Guanzhong (today's Xi'an, Shaanxi) and defeated the Qin army, Prince Qin Ying came out to surrender. Some of the generals suggested killing the King of Qin. Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, said: "King Huai of Chu originally sent me because I can treat others mercifully. Moreover, Ziying has surrendered, so it would be unlucky to kill him." So he appointed Ziying as an official under him. This was no longer the case after Xiang Yu entered the Pass. He killed Ziying and massacred the people in Xianyang City, and then sent someone to report to King Huai of Chu for orders. King Huai of Chu asked him to abide by the original covenant. Whoever entered Guanzhong first would rule this place first. But Xiang Yu said: "King Huai of Chu was supported by my uncle Wu Xinjun Xiang Liang. He has no achievements. What qualifications does he have to preside over the alliance? Now the world has been pacified only by the strength of the generals and me, Xiang Yu. King Huai of Chu had no merit at all, and his territory should have been divided up to rule." So on the surface he respected King Huai as the Righteous Emperor, but in the end he was killed. Observing these two events, Han Gaozu had defeated Qin and captured Guanzhong, but he would still listen to King Huai of Chu's warning, and Xiang Yu not only violated the covenant, but also went to the point of killing King Huai of Chu. The trends of success and failure, Smart people don't have to wait until the end to know the result. When Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty had a relatively humble status, he served in Xianyang. When he saw Qin Shihuang, he said with emotion: "A man should be like this!" When Xiang Yu saw Qin Shihuang, he said: "I can replace him." Although this is according to historians The content of the record has been somewhat modified, but its main meaning can still be seen.

Commentary

This article mainly describes the speech, behavior and conduct of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, etc., and explains the reasons why Liu Bang, the king of Han, and Xiang Yu of Chu State fought, and Han finally defeated Chu and died. . This article writes that Liu Xiang "had an affair with King Huai of the north." When Liu Bang entered Guanzhong, he first reported it to King Huai of Chu, followed his warning, and let Ziying go. However, Xiang Yu not only killed Xiang Yu when he entered Guanzhong, He killed Ziying and massacred the people, and finally informed the king of Chu. The King of Chu hoped that he would abide by the covenant, but Xiang Yu killed him. From this comparison, we can see that Liu Bang is generous and tolerant, keeps his word, and is good at listening to other people's advice. However, Xiang Yu relied on his high achievements, was cruel and unethical, arrogant, treacherous and lost the support of the people. Seeing Qin Shihuang at the same time, Liu Bang thought "that's what a man should be" but Xiang Yu said "he can take his place." From the different attitudes of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu when they first saw Qin Shihuang, we can see the difference in their deep and straightforward personalities. Liu Bang's foresight was beyond Xiang Yu's reach, so Han defeated Chu and perished.

Yang Xiong of the Han Dynasty once said: "The Han Dynasty subdues the wisdom of the masses, and the wisdom of the masses defeats the strength of the masses." Yang Xiong said: Liu Bang, the king of Han Dynasty, tried his best to use the wisdom and strength of everyone, but Xiang Yu only relied on one person. Xiang Yu's bravery and failure to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of his subordinates and adopt their suggestions were the main reasons for Xiang Yu's failure, rather than "heaven's death". Hong Mai's article Liu Xiang's success and failure also gives us inspiration: Those who want to achieve things must have a generous and benevolent heart, so as to win people's hearts and attract talents; do not be jealous of talents, envy of talents, and be arrogant; those who want to achieve things must make good use of talents, listen to the words of the wise, and use The wisdom of a wise man must not close his eyes and ears, and be stubborn; those who want to achieve success must cultivate their intelligence and foresight. Only in this way can they make good decisions in situations.