Zhang Liang was praised for his excellent strategy and far-reaching political vision, and was known as the "Saint of Conspiracy". He played an important role in the national movement of the Han Dynasty, not only building a bright future for Liu Bang, but also creating the best life path for himself. Among the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang is the only one who can start and finish well.
Zhang Liang Temple
Zhang Liang was not born extraordinary, but a noble child from a famous family. His grandfather and father both served as prime ministers of South Korea, and he himself had a handsome appearance and noble temperament. However, he was not a great strategist from the beginning, but a hot-blooded young man who sought the opportunity to assassinate Qin Shi Huang in order to avenge his revenge. Although the assassination plan failed, the experience shaped his determination and perseverance to become a strategist.
Failed assassination of Qin Shi Huang (legend is not a historical record)
According to legend, Zhang Liang plotted to assassinate Qin Shi Huang when he was young, but the plan failed. This experience made him understand the ineffectiveness of violence and impulsiveness, and he began to think more deeply about political issues.
Regarding the deeds of Zhang Liang who once planned the assassination of Qin Shi Huang, there is no conclusive historical data to prove its authenticity. According to historical records such as the Records of the Historians and the Book of Han, Zhang Liang was indignant at the tyranny of Qin Shi Huang when he was young, but did not actually take action.
However, based on some of Zhang Liang's words and deeds later, it can be speculated that he once had such thoughts. For example, according to the Hanshu Biography of Zhang Liang, when Zhang Liang talked to Confucian scholars about his ideals, he said: "I want to be a servant and be famous, I want to be a wise man, I should be loyal, I want to be a prime minister, and I want to be a world." The one I hate, Qin Shi Huang. What I want, it's just a social one. This passage shows his dislike for Qin Shi Huang, but also his ambition to contribute to the country.
Statue of Zhang Liang
In addition, Zhang Liang once found a friend who was strong in martial arts, hoping to use their relationship to develop an assassination plan. However, the friend did not agree in the end, because he thought it was too risky and could lead to the destruction of the family.
It is rumored that Zhang Liang stabbed Qin
Although there is no conclusive historical evidence that Zhang Liang ever planned the assassination of Qin Shi Huang, it can be inferred that he once had such thoughts based on some of his words and deeds and historical background.
Meet Huang Shigong
On the Yishui Bridge, Zhang Liang met the legendary hermit Huang Shigong and was presented with the book "Taigong's Art of War". This book of the art of war played a crucial role in his growth and the improvement of his strategic skills.
Although the exact details of Zhang Liang's visit to Huangshi Gong are limited in historical records, according to legends and later documents, this event can be roughly restored.
According to legend, the young Zhang Liang was wandering on the Yishui Bridge at that time and met a mysterious old man, who was Huangshi Gong. Huang Shi Gong was a hermit who was proficient in the art of war and political strategy, and was seen as a symbol of wisdom.
According to the "Hanshu Zhang Liang Biography", after Huang Shigong met Zhang Liang, he praised his intelligence and ambition. Huang Shigong gave Zhang Liang the "Art of War" as a gift and taught him some essentials about the art of war and politics. "The Art of War" is an ancient book on the art of war, which is believed to have been written by Taigongwang (Jiang Ziya), covering military strategy, governing the country and other aspects.
Zhang Liang Temple
It is said that after receiving the teachings of Huang Shigong, Zhang Liang developed a deeper understanding of politics, the art of war, and strategy, and his wisdom and ability were further improved. This legend shows that Zhang Liang received valuable teachings and guidance through his visit to Huang Shigong, laying the foundation for his future success in the political arena.
However, it should be noted that there is no conclusive historical evidence for this legend, and it belongs to the oral tradition and literary creation of later generations. Therefore, we have limited knowledge of the specific details and authenticity of Zhang Liang's visit to Huangshi Gong, and can only describe it according to legends and documentary records.
Defection to Liu Bang: Zhang Liang took refuge in Liu Bang and became Liu Bang's adviser
Zhang Liang's defection to Liu Bang is a famous scene in Chinese history, and it is also Zhang Liang's famous work. According to historical records such as the "Records of the Historians" and the "Book of Han", Zhang Liang began his political career after bidding farewell to Huangshi Gong. At that time, the Qin Dynasty had fallen, and the various vassal states began to compete for the world. Liu Bang was a leader of a peasant rebel army with a civilian background and considerable military talent, and he was in a critical period of competition with Xiang Yu for the world.
Statue of Liu Bang in Henan Province
According to the "Historical Records: The Biography of Liu Jinglie", when Xiang Yu attacked Xianyang City, Zhang Liang used his strategy to help Liu Bang design the strategy of "Darkness Chen Cang". The strategy took advantage of the terrain to allow Liu Bang's army to sneak around Xiang Yu's back and successfully occupy Chencang Pass, thus gaining a strategic advantage.
In addition, according to the records of the "Historical Records of Xiang Yu", Zhang Liang also designed the "Fighting Wisdom Hongmen" strategy to help Liu Bang win the war with Xiang Yu for the Jiangnan region. The strategy took advantage of Xiang Yu's vanity and arranged a gorgeous banquet for Liu Bang to escape.
As Liu Bang's strategist, Zhang Liang successfully designed a number of key strategies for Liu Bang through his wisdom and strategy, such as Darkness Chen Cang, Douzhi Hongmen, etc. These strategies played a crucial role in the Chu-Han War, laying the foundation for Liu Bang's eventual seizure of the world.
Discourage the feudal princes
After Liu Bang took the throne, he planned to divide the princes, but Zhang Liang dissuaded him from doing so. He believed that doing so would cause internal strife and weaken the country.
It is rumored that Liu Bang cut the snake (in Henan)
According to historical records, Liu Bang faced an important choice after seizing the world: whether to continue to implement the feudal system and divide the world to some princes and kings, or to centralize and unify power and establish a centralized system. At that time, some courtiers and generals supported the feudal system, believing that it could stabilize the situation in the world and consolidate Liu Bang's rule.
However, Zhang Liang held a different view and dissuaded Liu Bang from dividing the princes. He believed that the division of feudal princes would lead to internal strife and power struggles, weakening the strength of the state and the power of unity. He advocated the establishment of a centralized system and unified the whole world under one person, so as to strengthen the control and management of various places.
Zhang Liang Temple
According to the Hanshu Biography of Zhang Liang, Zhang Liang elaborated his views to Liu Bang during his private discussions with Liu Bang. He pointed out that the division of the feudal princes would create a separatist force among the princes and kings in various places, and they could fight each other and attack each other, plunging the country into turmoil and civil strife. At the same time, he also mentioned similar cases in history, such as the struggle for hegemony among the princes during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and the disadvantages of the Qin Dynasty's feudal system.
Zhang Liang's dissuasion played a role, and Liu Bang finally accepted his suggestion, abandoned the plan to divide the feudal princes, and decided to centralize power and unify. This allowed Liu Bang to concentrate his forces more effectively and effectively manage and consolidate his rule.
On the issue of dissuading the feudal princes, Zhang Liang advocated centralization and unification to avoid internal strife and weaken the strength of the state. His exhortations played a positive role and laid the foundation for the later Han dynasty to establish a centralized system.
Support Dingdu Guanzhong
Zhang Liang supported Lou Jing's proposal to set the capital of Guanzhong, and put forward a wise opinion on this. In the end, Liu Bang decided to build the capital in Guanzhong.
At the beginning of the establishment of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang was faced with the problem of choosing a capital. At that time, there were two schools of opinion: one group advocated that the capital should be located in Chenliu, because it was Liu Bang's hometown, and the other group advocated that the capital should be located in Guanzhong, because of the difficult terrain, easy to defend, and the location close to various regions, which was convenient for rule.
Prosperous architecture of the Han Dynasty
Lou Jing was a representative figure who advocated the establishment of the capital in Guanzhong, and he believed that the Guanzhong area was difficult to defend and could effectively defend against foreign invasions. Zhang Liang also supported Lou Jing's opinion and put forward some wise suggestions.
According to the records of the Historical Records of the Liuhou Family, Zhang Liang pointed out that setting the capital in Chenliu could easily lead people to mistakenly think that Liu Bang was a local rebel army, and it was difficult to gain the trust and support of the whole country. By placing the capital in Guanzhong, you could better rule the world and was very important for consolidating the dominance of the Han Dynasty. He also mentioned the advantages of the Guanzhong region, such as it is a strategic location, convenient transportation, large population, and so on.
Eventually, Liu Bang accepted Lou Jing and Zhang Liang's suggestion and decided to set up the capital in Guanzhong. According to the "Historical Records: The Family of the Marquis", Liu Bang said when he entertained the ministers in Xianyang City: "I can be the king today thanks to the advice of Lou Jing and Zhang Liang. If it weren't for their support and advice, I wouldn't be able to be this king today. ”
On the issue of fixing the capital in Guanzhong, Zhang Liang advocated setting the capital in Guanzhong, believing that this would better rule the world and enhance the dominance of the Han Dynasty. His opinion was recognized and adopted by Liu Bang, and the decision to build the capital in Guanzhong was finally determined.
It is proposed to capture the Ruoqiang region
During the war, Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to capture the Ruoqiang region, which was an important strategic point in the western part of the Han Dynasty. His suggestion was adopted, and Liu Bang succeeded in capturing Ruoqiang.
According to historical records, during the war, Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to conquer the Ruoqiang region, which was regarded as an important strategic location in the western part of the Han Dynasty. The following is a detailed description and provides the corresponding historical evidence.
Located in today's Xinjiang region, the Ruoqiang region was at the crossroads of the Silk Road, controlling the main transportation routes connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions. The region was an important commercial hub and military location, which was of great significance for the unification of the world and the consolidation of the Han dynasty's dominance.
According to the records of the "Historical Records: Liuhou Family", Zhang Liang proposed to Liu Bang at that time that the geographical location of the Ruoqiang region was important and had an important impact on the rule of the Han Dynasty. He pointed out that the Ruoqiang region has a difficult terrain and is easy to defend. If the Han Dynasty could capture Ruoqiang, it would be able to control the key points of the Silk Road, stabilize the western frontier, prevent foreign invasion, and ensure the security of the Central Plains.
Liu Bang accepted Zhang Liang's suggestion and decided to attack the Ruoqiang region. According to the "Historical Records: Liuhou Family", Liu Bang personally led his troops to the expedition, and after a fierce battle, finally succeeded in capturing Ruoqiang and included the region in the territory of the Han Dynasty.
This military campaign to capture Ruoqiang was of great significance in consolidating the rule of the Han Dynasty on the western frontier. After conquering Ruoqiang, the Han Dynasty was able to control the main routes of the Silk Road, strengthen trade with countries in the Western Regions, promote the spread of Central Plains culture to the West, and play a positive role in promoting economic development and cultural exchanges.
Interior view of Zhang Liang Temple
During the war, Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to conquer the Ruoqiang region, which was regarded as an important strategic point in the western part of the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang took his advice and successfully captured Ruoqiang, consolidating the Han dynasty's dominance in the western region. The above historical data is mainly based on the "Historical Records: The Family of the Marquis".
Wen Chenghou
Zhang Liang is the only one who can start and finish well among the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty. He made significant contributions to the country, but always maintained a humble and nonchalant attitude. Eventually, he asked to quit the imperial court and focus on the art of health preservation, and was honored as the Marquis of Wencheng.
As one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang made significant contributions to the construction and rule of the country. He was known for his humility and indifferent attitude, and eventually chose to quit the imperial court to focus on the art of health preservation, and was revered as the Marquis of Wencheng.
Zhang Liang Temple
According to the records of the "Historical Records: Liuhou Family", Zhang Liang held important official positions and made many contributions to the country after Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty. Known for his ingenuity and thoughtful decision-making, he provided Liu Bang with many wise advice to help him consolidate his rule and promote the development of government affairs.
However, despite his great success, Zhang Liang has always maintained a humble and nonchalant attitude. Instead of pursuing power and status, he paid more attention to the long-term development of the country and the well-being of the people. Recognizing his limited abilities, he was unwilling to indulge in power, preferring to devote himself to personal cultivation and the art of health preservation.
In "Historical Records: The Family of the Marquis", there is a record of Zhang Liang's retirement. He asked Liu Bang to resign from his official position, asked to retire to the mountains and forests, concentrate on cultivating his body and mind, and admired the art of health preservation. Although Liu Bang was reluctant, he finally agreed to Zhang Liang's request, honored him as Marquis of Wencheng, and gave him a piece of land that belonged to him.
Statue of Zhang Liang in Pingyao, Shanxi
Zhang Liang's retreat and focus on cultivating the art of health preservation reflect the importance he attaches to personal cultivation and inner cultivation. He believes that only by cultivating one's body and mind can one better serve the country and the people. This spirit of indifference to fame and fortune and the pursuit of inner cultivation made him admired and honored by later generations as the Marquis of Wencheng.
As one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang made significant contributions to the construction and rule of the country. He maintained a humble and indifferent attitude, and eventually chose to withdraw from the imperial court and focus on the cultivation of health preservation, and was honored as the Marquis of Wencheng. The above historical data is mainly based on the "Historical Records: The Family of the Marquis".
epilogue
In Zhang Liang's life, he was deeply relied on by Liu Bang, but he also always maintained a humble and indifferent attitude. He eventually asked to quit the imperial court and focus on the art of health preservation, and finally died of illness in 186 BC at the age of seventy-nine, and was honored as the Marquis of Wencheng.
Zhang Liang's life is full of legends, and his wisdom and strategy made significant contributions to the major events of the early Han Dynasty, and he became a highly praised advisor in ancient Chinese history.
#张良#