Han Xin was the founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty, one of the three masters of the early Han Dynasty, and was known as the "Soldier Immortal". His life is full of legends, from poverty and namelessness to high achievements, from pacifying the world to dying, his rise and fall not only reflects his military talent and political wisdom, but also reflects his human weakness and fate tragedy.
If we can read Han Xin's life, we can understand the complexity and fragility of human nature and handle interpersonal relationships correctly.
First, the early downfall: endure humiliation and bear the burden
Han Xin was born in Huaiyin County (present-day Huai'an, Jiangsu Province), which belonged to the State of Chu during the Warring States period and belonged to Donghai County after the Qin Dynasty unified the world. He knew no business, did not want to farm, came from a poor family, and often did not have enough to eat.
He had great ambitions and ambitions, but he was not recognized and valued by society.
He has been ridiculed and insulted many times, the most famous being "crotch humiliation".
Once, a butcher stopped Han Xin on the street and said, "If you have the guts, draw your sword and stab me; If it's a coward, get under my crotch. ”
Han Xin thought about it and got under his crotch. The onlookers laughed at Han Xin as a timid person who feared death and had no courage.
Many people want to laugh when they see this, but please think carefully, Han Xin is just a poor and downtrodden young man, he has no money and no power, the only thing he has is his talent and ideals.
In a society that values dignity and inferiority, the law of the jungle, none of this will make him respected.
In the face of ridicule and humiliation, Han Xin chose to endure the humiliation, endure it, and wait for the opportunity.
This choice may be motivated by forbearance or timidity. But in any case, we have to admit that this choice allowed Han Xin to save his life and ideals, and created the conditions for his future rise.
Second, middle-aged achievements: pride and complacency
Han Xin, under Liu Bang's appreciation and reuse, showed his extraordinary military talent and wisdom.
He successively pacified the Three Qins, broke the Zhao Dynasty, and surrendered Yan to seize Qi, making great contributions to Liu Bang's unification of the world.
At that time, he had an army of 300,000 people, and no one dared to compete with him.
After a series of battle exploits, Han Xin began to float, and he forgot his identity. As a courtier, he even took the initiative to ask Liu Bang to make him king.
Liu Bang was forced by the situation to make him the king of Qi.
But Liu Bang has always remembered this.
Later, when Liu Bang had the conditions, he began to pack up Han Xin as soon as possible.
When Xiang Yu killed himself in Wujiang, Liu Bang immediately relieved Han Xin of his military power in Dingtao, recovered the 300,000 troops commanded by Han Xin, and renamed Han Xin the King of Chu, and the fief was changed from Qi to the State of Chu in Huaibei.
Liu Bang was wary of Han Xin, who held great power and dared to coerce him.
He was afraid that Han Xin would follow Xiang Yu's example and rebel or be colluded with other princes. Moreover, Liu Bang also wanted to weaken the power of the princes and strengthen the centralization of power.
This was a huge blow and insult to Han Xin. He felt that he had made great contributions to the Han Dynasty, but he was so despised and jealous by Liu Bang. He was unwilling to accept such an arrangement, and felt resentment and dissatisfaction.
After his success, Han Xin began to be proud, which was a flaw in his character.
He forgot that he was a military general under Liu Bang, not a king of equal status. At the same time, he also forgot Liu Bang's great kindness to him, and only saw suspicion and suppression.
This psychology led Han Xin to make many mistakes in handling the relationship between monarchs and subjects.
During the siege of Xiang Yu, he ignored Liu Bang's orders, but waited for a clear promise before slowly sending out troops.
Being treated like this by a courtier, think about it from another position, joining you is Liu Bang, will you be prejudiced against Han Xin?
The answer is yes.
How can this work if you are proud of your talents and forget even your benefactor?
From ancient times to the present, how many talents who have never met talents, the reason why they regret their lives is that they have not met nobles and given them opportunities.
Han Xin was lucky to meet Liu Bang, but unfortunately, he didn't cherish it enough.
Not knowing how to be grateful, Han Xin gradually lost Liu Bang's trust, which laid the root cause for himself.
Third, frustrated in old age: in prison
Han Xin established immortal military merits under Liu Bang, but it also attracted Liu Bang's suspicion.
Liu Bang successively cut off Han Xin's military power and fiefs, demoting him from King of Qi to King of Chu, and then demoted him from King of Chu to Marquis of Huaiyin.
Han was dissatisfied and began to plot a mutiny.
But sadly, before the plan began, he was lured to Changle Palace by Empress Lu.
Soldier Immortal Han Xin was stabbed to death just like that.
In his later years, Han Xin, he lost in the indiscernible situation.
Han Xin has the ability to claim the throne, but he does not have the determination to really claim the throne, which causes him to hesitate and entangle every time others persuade him to rebel. And when he was really bound to reach that step, he did not have the boldness and determination of the superior.
He encouraged Chen Yan to rebel and acted as an internal responder, and as a result, he could let his protégé go to Gaomi at night. Ren Xiao He invited him in the middle of the night, he didn't want to think about his identity as a rebel now, he directly followed, and the end waiting for him was death.
From this alone, it can be seen that first of all, Han Xin's means are not thorough enough; Secondly, there is no ability to grasp information, anti-Liu Bang still does not know whether Liu Bang has returned, and he simply wants Chen Yan to promise and then does not contact people.
If this is the case, why should there be a rebellion?
Han Xin listened to Xiao He's words, probably remembering his past kindness, so he did not suspect him, such a simple mind, in the turbulent court, it is difficult not to become a victim.
After Han Xin's death, Empress Lü cut off his head and sent it to Liu Bang.
When Liu Bang saw Han Xin's head, he didn't have any sadness or anger, but just silently said: "Those who are lonely have Han, and this person is also."
After Han Xin was frustrated in his later years, he appeared in prison, which was a tragedy of his fate.
Because of his past merit and prestige, he became a thorn in the side of Liu Bang and Lu He, and was constantly suppressed and framed by them. Because of his dissatisfaction and ambition, he participated in many rebellions and rebellions, and was seized by them and excused. He was brutally killed by them because he did not have enough support and opportunities to realize his ideals and ambitions.
This situation reflects that Hanxin has made many mistakes in handling crises and changes.
He did not adjust his mentality and strategy in time, but blindly insisted on his ideas and actions, regardless of the changes in the situation and the increase in risks.
Instead of seeking reasonable and effective ways and methods, he credulously believed the temptations and promises of others and blindly engaged in some unrealistic and unwise actions. Instead of remaining calm and reasonable, he allowed emotions and impulses to dictate his choices and judgments, losing control of the situation and protecting himself.
These mistakes led Han Xin to the road of extinction, and also caused others to lose respect or sympathy for Han Xin.
Han Xin eventually died and became a tragic figure in history.
Epilogue:
Han Xin, a national warrior with unparalleled merit, was a great military strategist and strategist. However, he is also an ordinary person with human weaknesses.
He showed different qualities and flaws in different periods and environments.
From his early downfall, his return from Chu to Han, and the pacification of the Qi state, we can see the dilemmas and pressures, opportunities and challenges, choices and consequences he faced.
Throughout Han Xin's life, we have seen the complexity and fragility of human nature.
I believe that with history as a guide, we can better handle interpersonal relationships in the future and avoid repeating the tragedy of Han Xin.
Perhaps, this is the meaning of reading history.
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