Zhang Liang is one of the most famous strategists in Chinese history, known as "Mou Sheng". As one of the three masters of the early Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang and made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Han Dynasty. Zhang Liang's life is full of wisdom and exhaustive strategies, and "in the midst of strategizing, winning thousands of miles away" is the best evaluation of him.
Liu Bang, who became the emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, disliked Lü Housheng's crown prince Liu Ying very much, and repeatedly wanted to depose Chang Liyou, but it was Zhang Liang's offer that allowed Liu Ying to keep the position of crown prince. After Liu Bang's death, Zhang Liang did not use the merits of that year to rise to the top, but chose to go into hiding. When Lü Hou cried and stayed, Zhang Liang was resolute, and finally exchanged for the peace of his descendants for 2,000 years.
1. Seek the peace of the world
Zhang Liang was born into an aristocratic family in Korea at the end of the Warring States period, and both his grandfather and father were re-elected as the prime ministers of many Koreas. After the destruction of Korea, Zhang Liang scattered his family slaves and devoted all his energy and money to the anti-Qin cause. Zhang Liang hired the assassin in advance, and also made a suitable weapon for the assassin, preparing to assassinate Qin Shi Huang during his eastern tour.
In 218 BC, before Qin Shi Huang's convoy of eastern patrols arrived in Yangwu County, Zhang Liang and his assassins ambushed in Bolangsha to prepare to assassinate Qin Shi Huang. When the convoy arrived, the Assassins killed the occupants of the most central and luxurious car, but the rider was not Qin Shi Huang.
Zhang Liang's assassination of Qin Shi Huang thus failed, and after successfully escaping, he went into seclusion and prepared to take shelter from the limelight for the next opportunity. When he was living in seclusion, Zhang Liang immersed himself in learning and made himself a proficient person in all aspects of Wen Tao's martial arts.
After Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose up in Daze Township, Zhang Liang also gathered an anti-Qin team of more than a hundred people. Later, Zhang Liang met Liu Bang on the way to Jingju, and the two talked happily at first sight, so Zhang Liang decided to follow Liu Bang and become his adviser. Zhang Liang was deeply trusted by Liu Bang, and every time he offered his plan to him, he could basically be adopted.
In July 207 BC, Zhang Liang followed Liu Bang on his march to Guanzhong. When the team reached Nanyang County, Nanyang Taishou retreated into Wancheng with his men, and Liu Bang had planned to bypass Wancheng directly to take Guanzhong, but was stopped by Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang that he must first take Wancheng before continuing to march, otherwise the Han army would face an unfavorable situation in which there were strong enemies in front and pursuing troops in the rear.
Liu Bang took Zhang Liang's advice and led his army to besiege Wancheng at night, and later used the technique of attacking the heart to appease the soldiers and people of Nanyang Taishou and Wancheng to let them take the initiative to surrender, and soon the other cities in Nanyang County also surrendered. In this way, Liu Bang took Nanyang Commandery without bloodshed, and solved the worries of marching into Guanzhong.
Liu Bang continued to lead his army forward, and successfully reached the last pass to guard Xianyang, Yaoguan, he used Zhang Liang's strategy to lure the Yaoguan defenders with money, and indeed successfully knocked on the door, and then heeded Zhang Liang's advice to take advantage of the Qin army's negligence to completely eliminate the Yaoguan defenders.
Soon the army arrived at Xianyang City, the Prince of Qin left the city and surrendered, and the Great Qin Empire was declared destroyed. At this time, it was only a year before Liu Bang was ordered to send troops, and Xiang Yu, who had the most powerful momentum in the world, was still fighting fiercely with the main force of the Qin army.
Liu Bang relied on Zhang Liang's ingenious scheme to enter Guanzhong first, and heeded his advice to make a three-chapter agreement with the people of Guanzhong, and returned to the army without taking any money and goods, waiting for the arrival of other rebel troops. Liu Bang's move was in stark contrast to Xiang Yu's entry into Guanzhong to burn and loot later, allowing him to win the hearts of the people and laying a good foundation for him to compete for the world.
Later, Xiang Yu set up a feast at the Hongmen Gate with the intention of killing Liu Bang, and Zhang Liang gave him advice, not only allowing Liu Bang to successfully escape the killing situation, but also dividing Xiang Yu's relationship with his subordinates. Later, Zhang Liang repeatedly plotted to help Liu Bang pacify the world and become the ultimate victor, and the name of "Seeking Sainthood" was well deserved.
2. Dedicate the Prince of Bao
On February 28, 202 BC, Liu Bang held an enthronement ceremony to officially proclaim himself emperor, And Lü Yan changed his title to empress, and their son Liu Ying was made crown prince. However, Lü Hou and Liu Bang were less and more separated in their early years, and the feelings of husband and wife were indifferent, and now she is old and weak. When Liu Ying was young, she was displaced by her mother and suffered a lot, and after becoming the crown prince, she was disliked by Liu Bang because of her weak personality.
Lady Qi was not only young and beautiful, but also accompanied Liu Bang around in battle, so she had always been deeply loved by Liu Bang. Liu Ruyi, who was born in Qifu, was also Liu Bang's favorite son, which made him move his mind to take the wife. Lady Qi often wept in front of Liu Bang and lamented her future life, which made Liu Bang feel unbearable, and he, who was already dissatisfied with Liu Ying, had the idea of deposing the prince.
In 197 BC, Liu Bang and his courtiers discussed the abolition of the crown prince and met with strong opposition, so he temporarily shelved the abolition of the prince, but he did not dispel this idea. When Lü Hou learned of this, he sent Hou Lü Ze to find Zhang Liang and force him to offer advice.
Zhang Liang told Lü Hou that the emperor wanted to recruit Shangshan Sihao but could not ask for it, so he decided that these four people were high-ranking people, and he asked Lü Hou to send people to bring gold and silver treasures and the prince's handwritten letter, sincerely invite them out of the mountain, and wait for Sihao to accompany the prince into the dynasty every day after he left the mountain.
Lü Hou invited Shangshan Sihao according to Zhang Liang's plan, and when Liu Bang saw them, he understood that the crown prince was full of wings and could no longer be abolished at will, so he completely put down the idea of changing the crown prince, and Zhang Liang's strategy allowed Lü Hou and Liu Ying to survive the crisis without any danger.
3. Resignation
Zhang Liangben was a very humble person, when Liu Bang was awarded the title of meritorious man, as the founding hero of the Han Dynasty, he did not open his mouth like Han Xin, he only needed a knighthood to stay marquis, and did not compete with other heroes for land and real estate. When Zhang Liang found that Liu Bang had begun to suspect the heroes and was preparing to purge, he no longer interfered too much in state affairs and resolutely withdrew from the court and went into seclusion.
Regarding the matter of deposing the crown prince, Zhang Liang knew that now that the world had decided, Liu Bang would no longer listen to his advice, and it was useless for him to persuade him, so he originally did not want to interfere in this matter. It was really Lü Hou who sent people to persecute him, and he had no choice but to come up with the idea of asking Shangshan Sihao to come out of the mountain.
Regardless of the process, the result was good for Lü Hou and Liu Ying. Liu Bang dismissed the idea of deposing the crown prince, and after his death, Liu Ying successfully ascended the throne, and Lü Hou became the empress dowager. Lü Hou was very grateful to Zhang Liang for his original help and wanted to reuse him, but Zhang Liang refused.
Zhang Liang was very aware of Lü Hou's personality and means, and he knew that if he returned to the dynasty as an official again, he would definitely not be able to die well, and even ruin his descendants. Soon after Liu Bang's death, Zhang Liang resigned to Lü Hou, who cried bitterly and did not change him, and his choice finally bought the peace of his descendants for 2,000 years.
IV. Conclusion
When Lü Yan was still an empress, she eliminated the two heroes of Han Xin and Peng Yue, fully demonstrating her fortitude and fierceness. After Liu Ying succeeded to the throne, Lü Yan, who became the empress dowager, was even more invincible, and she tortured and killed Lady Qi's mother and son, forcing Liu Ying to die of depression.
Later, Lü Yan was even more pro-dynasty, supporting Lü's sons and wantonly mutilating Liu's relatives and ministers. Lü Yan's behavior was not unexpected by Zhang Liang, but fortunately, he stayed away from the whirlpool in time and saved a stable life and the glory and wealth of his descendants.
Throughout Zhang Liang's life, from the old Korean man who insisted on restoring the country to the founding hero of the Han Dynasty, he experienced too many ups and downs in this life. At the time of success and fame, Zhang Liang can still remain sober and withdraw from the power in time, and this spirit is worth learning.