Preface
Everyone has fantasized that their lives will be smooth sailing, and everything will be satisfactory. However, the most touching stories in life are often those legends that have gone through ups and downs and finally come to a good time. Zhang Liang is such a legendary life.
What kind of thrilling and magnificent waves did he go through, and what kind of wisdom and courage did he rely on to achieve his reputation as the first saint in the ages?
A tragic military disaster changed Zhang Liang's fate
In 250 BC, Zhang Liang was born into a famous family in Korea. It is said that Zhang Liang's family background is extremely prominent, and his grandfather Zhang Yi has been the prime minister of three generations of monarchs, assisting the king of Korea to prosper the country; His father, Zhang Yan, was also a generation of virtuous ministers and was favored by King Han.
Under the influence of such a family, Zhang Liang has been determined to become a generation of famous ministers since he was a child and make suggestions for the country. He was gifted, diligent and studious, well-read, and knew the classics "Spring and Autumn" and "Taigong Art of War", which were necessary for soldiers. According to this growth trajectory, he will definitely support King Han, serve his homeland, and inherit the glory of his family.
However, the good times were short-lived. In 230 BC, the Qin state continued to expand, and finally set its sights on Korea, which was not yet fully unified. Qin Xiaogong sent the general Bai Qi to lead an army of more than 100,000 and captured the Korean capital in one fell swoop. Korea eventually became the first vassal state to be conquered by the Qin state.
Zhang Liang witnessed the tragic situation of the destruction of the Korean country. His life of prosperity and wealth fell apart overnight, and he himself was reduced from a son of a family to homeless. This was undoubtedly a major turning point in Zhang Liang's life.
This military disaster gave Zhang Liang great stimulation. He hated Qin State from the bottom of his heart, and was determined to let Qin State repay such a blood debt one day. It's just that Zhang Liang understands that with his own scholarly body, how can he compete with the thousands of troops and horses of the Qin State. Therefore, he must slowly accumulate strength and wait for the opportunity.
A chance encounter laid the foundation for Zhang Liang's life
Time flies, 20 years have passed in a blink of an eye. Although Zhang Liang lost everything in the military disaster, he was not defeated, but continued to learn Xi art of war, accumulate strength, and wait for the opportunity to come.
In 209 BC, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang staged a mutiny in the hometown of Daze, and the Qin Dynasty was already in danger. Zhang Liang believes that this is a great opportunity to oppose Qin. Although the Qin state was powerful, its tyranny had reached the point where the people could not make a living. The heroes of the world will surely rise up and attack it at this moment, full of hope against Qin.
Zhang Liang's first thought was to support King Han to become the new monarch and make Korea prosper again in the turbulent times at the end of the Qin Dynasty. But what disappointed Zhang Liang was that this King Han was weak and afraid of things, did not want to forge ahead, and did not look like an outstanding monarch at all. After Zhang Liang saw the true face of King Han, he gave up this idea. In the winter of 208 BC, Zhang Liang had an unexpected encounter in Yingchuan. This encounter changed his fate forever.
At that time, Liu Bang, who was still Pei Gong, was capturing Yingchuan, and Zhang Liang originally wanted to assassinate Liu Bang, but was learned and captured by his subordinates. But to Zhang Liang's surprise, Liu Bang not only did not blame him, but greatly appreciated Zhang Liang's strategy and courage. Liu Bang is ambitious, aspires to dominate the world, and attaches great importance to talents. And Zhang Liang also saw from Liu Bang the bearing and courage that surpassed King Han.
The two hit it off at first sight and quickly reached a cooperation. Liu Bang released Zhang Liang and sincerely welcomed Zhang Liang to join. And Zhang Liang also saw the opportunity and chose to dedicate all his wisdom and strength to Liu Bang.
It can be said that the encounter between Zhang Liang and Liu Bang laid the fate of the two working side by side and changing the world. It was also from this moment that Zhang Liang assisted Liu Bang in the great cause of dominating the world officially launched. With his scheming, he opened the way for Liu Bang to be the king and the emperor
Under Zhang Liang's planning, Liu Bang's road to raising troops was extremely smooth.
In 207 BC, Zhang Liang followed Liu Bang to defeat the Qin army all the way and soon captured Sanhu. Zhang Liang tried his best to persuade Liu Bangxi to enter Guanzhong. The following year, Liu Bang listened to Zhang Liang's strategy and took the opportunity to enter Guanzhong. He seized Xianyang before the princes arrived one after another, and obtained the Qin seal letter one step ahead - which laid the foundation for the future legitimacy of the world.
In 206 BC, Liu Bang returned to the east and fought a decisive battle with Xiang Yu in Xiao County. In this battle, the two armies were evenly matched, and it was difficult to distinguish between them. Zhang Liang gave Liu Bang the famous Hongmen banquet plan at this time, which made Liu Bang realize that Xiang Yu was a big problem. After the Hongmen banquet, Liu Xiang's relationship did break down, and the general trend of the world was basically finalized.
Over the next four years, Zhang Liang continued to assist Liu Bang and led the Han army to victory after victory. In 202 BC, Zhang Liang suggested that Liu Bang take advantage of the absence of the main force of the Western Chu army to sneak into Guanzhong. Liu Bang accepted Zhang Liang's advice. After that, he listened to Zhang Liang's strategy, set up an ambush twice, and finally defeated Xiang Yu in the battle of Qixia and dominated the world.
It can be said that it was Zhang Liang's witty advice several times that allowed Liu Bang to smoothly go from starting to becoming the emperor. Without the full help of Zhang Liang's think tank, it would be difficult for Liu Bang to win the final victory in the contest with Xiang Yu.
Zhang Lianggong retired to avoid the political turmoil in the early Han Dynasty
With the help of Zhang Liang, Liu Bang finally completed his great cause of dominating the world, standing high above and becoming the emperor and hegemon. When the Han King ascended the throne, other important generals were made marquises. Zhang Liang could have received a higher official position and a rich reward of a thousand gold promises. But unexpectedly, he only wanted a small county to "stay in the county" as a fief, and did not pursue more.
Zhang Liang's original intention of retiring was because he saw the character of Liu Bang, the new monarch, clearly. Liu Bang has a suspicious personality, is so happy that he is worried that the hero will rebel in the future. Therefore, Zhang Liang avoided the core of power, and just wanted to retire silently, not asking about political affairs, and enjoying the last glory.
Even so, in the early years of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang still could not completely avoid political turmoil. In the coup d'état in which Empress Lü protected the prince, Zhang Liang was forced to mediate to stabilize the position of the prince. Later, Liu Bang frantically killed the princes and kings, and Zhang Liang also saw his cruelty clearly, and chose to live in complete seclusion in the ninth year of Gaozu and closed his door to avoid trouble.
After Gaozu died, Zhang Liangcai returned to the mountain. He showed his willingness to only want to do penance, and Empress Dowager Lu finally let him live. After a long political career, Zhang Liang was finally able to retire completely. He successfully avoided the whirlpool of political struggle in the early Han Dynasty and saved his life.
The wisdom and courage of the first saint in the ages
The reason why Zhang Liang is called "the first saint in the ages" by later generations lies in his extraordinary wisdom and resolute courage. Let's start with wisdom. Zhang Liang is well-informed, thoughtful, and good at observation and thinking. He can accurately grasp the situation, gain insight into opportunities, and his strategy can always meet the needs of the situation. It is this kind of wisdom and strategy that makes him repeatedly tried and invincible in military affairs.
Let's talk about guts. Zhang Liang was not cowardly at all, and dared to speak out and persuade. He can make decisive decisions at the last moment, and he can weigh the pros and cons to make concessions. It is this kind of character that has both courage and knowledge of concession that allows him to treat people without pretentiousness, and finally create a great cause.
It can be said that without Zhang Liang's assistance and his step-by-step arrangement, it would be difficult for Liu Bang to reverse the situation in the contest with Xiang Yu and claim the title of emperor. It can also be said that it is precisely with Zhang Liang that the Son of Heaven, who seems to only use soldiers, has been able to become the real Son of Heaven step by step.
Zhang Liang's nearly 30-year political career is full of too many legends. He threw his head and spilled his blood, and used all his strength to repay Liu Bang for trusting him so much. In the end, he did succeed and retired, seeking the last peace and tranquility for himself.
epilogue
The most touching stories in life are often those who rose from the trough, experienced hardships and then supported a piece of the world. Zhang Liang's life deservedly achieved his reputation as the first saint in the ages. He deserves to be remembered, admired and Xi by every descendant!