Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 16 The Han Dynasty: The Banquet of the Hongmen (4)
The king of Chu believed and heard it, and he was suspicious and afraid, not knowing what to do.Or say the letter said: "Cut the bell and leave it to pay homage to the superior, the superior will be happy, and there will be no trouble." Believe in it.In the twelfth month, the princes met in Chen, and the letter held the head of the head; the warrior was ordered to bind the letter and carry the car behind.The letter said: "If people say: 'The cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks; . ” So the weapon department believed in it and returned, because it pardoned the world.

【Translation】

The sixth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (201 BC)
Entering winter, in October, someone wrote a letter to accuse Chu King Han Xin of wanting to rebel.Liu Bang, who was already Han Gaozu at that time, asked the generals for their opinions, and everyone said: "Send troops quickly and bury this guy alive!" Gaozu was silent.He consulted Chen Ping again.Chen Ping said: "Someone wrote a letter to accuse Han Xin of treason. Does Han Xin know about it?" Gao Zu said, "I don't know." "My troops are not as powerful as the King of Chu's." Chen Ping said, "Are there any generals under your Majesty's command who are as powerful as Han Xin?" Gao Zu said, "No one can catch up with him." Chen Ping said "Now Your Majesty's army is not as good as the elite of Chu State, and the generals are not comparable to Han Xin, but they want to attack him. This is urging him to rebel! I am very worried about Your Majesty in private." Gaozu said: "Then What should we do?" Chen Ping said: "In ancient times, the emperor sometimes visited the places guarded by the princes and met with them. Your Majesty can go out for a tour, pretending to visit Yunmeng, and then meet with the princes in Chendi. And Chen The land is just on the western border of the state of Chu; Han Xin heard that the Son of Heaven was going on a parade in a friendly mood to meet the princes, and thought that the whole country must be safe and sound, so he would definitely go to the suburbs to meet His Majesty without any precautions; when he visits His Majesty, take the opportunity Take him down, this matter can be done by a strong man." Gaozu felt that Chen Ping's words were very reasonable; so he sent an envoy to inform the princes to gather in Chendi, and confessed: "I will patrol Yunmeng in the south. ’” Gaozu immediately started to travel south.

After hearing the news, King Han Xin of Chu was naturally suspicious and frightened, not knowing what to do.At this time, someone persuaded Han Dao: "Behead Zhong Liyan and go to see the emperor, the emperor will be very happy, so there will be no trouble." Han Xin followed his plan.In the twelfth month, Gao Zu met with the princes in Chendi, and Han Xin came to see him with Zhongli's head.Gaozu immediately ordered the warriors to tie up Han Xin and imprison him in the auxiliary car driving with the emperor.Han Xin said: "Sure enough, as people say: 'When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dogs will be cooked; when the high-flying birds are gone, the fine bows and arrows will be stored; If it is breached, the counselor will be destroyed.' Now the world is stable, and it is only natural that I be cooked!" Gaozu said: "Someone has reported that you want to rebel." Then he locked Han Xin firmly with shackles and shackles. After returning to the capital, he issued an imperial edict to amnesty the world.

[Original text]

Returned to Luoyang, pardoned Han Xin, and granted him the title of Marquis of Huaiyin.I believe that the king of the Han Dynasty is afraid of evil and his ability, often complains of illness, and does not follow the court; he ranks in the Changyang martingale, shame and Jiang, Guan and so on.I have tasted General Fan Kuai.Kuai knelt down to see him off, proclaimed himself a minister, and said: "The king is willing to be a minister!" Xin went out and said with a smile: "Sheng is in the company of Kuai and others!"

Let's take a look at how calm and trustworthy the generals can be.The superior asked: "How much can I do?" The letter said: "Your Majesty can only control one hundred thousand." The superior said: "How about Yu Jun?" The superior said: "The more ministers, the better the ears." The superior smiled and said: "The more the better, the better." , What is my bird?" Xin said: "Your Majesty can't use soldiers but be good at generals. This is why Xin is your majesty's bird. And your majesty, the so-called 'gifted by heaven, not human power'." In the 11th year of Emperor Gao, Emperor Taizu of the Han Dynasty, The Marquis of Huaiyin claimed that he was sick, and he refused to attack Xi, so Yin sent people to Xi's place to conspire with him.Xinmou and his retainers defrauded officials and slaves at night to pardon all officials and slaves, and wanted to attack Empress Lu and Prince;His family offended Xin, Xin was imprisoned, and wanted to kill him.In the spring, the first month, the brother of Sheren went up to change, and told the letter that he wanted to turn against Empress Lu.Empress Lu wanted to summon her, but she was afraid that she would not be able to do so. She conspired with Xiao Xiangguo to deceive people from above.Xiang Guoling believed in and said: "Although I am sick, I will force you to congratulate me." When the letter entered, Empress Lu ordered the warriors to bind the letter and cut it into the Changle bell room.Xin Fang cut, saying: "I regret that I didn't use Kuai Che's plan, but I was deceived by my son and daughter. Isn't it heaven!" Then Yi believed in the three tribes.

【Translation】

When Gao Zu returned, as soon as he returned to Luoyang, he pardoned Han Xin and named him Marquis of Huaiyin.Han Xin knew that Liu Bang feared and hated his talent, so he complained of illness many times, and did not go to court or travel with his attendants.He is always unhappy at home, and feels ashamed that he is on the same level as Jiang Hou Zhou Bo and General Guan Ying.Han Xin once went to see General Fan Kuai.Fan Kui greeted him with bowing etiquette, and kept calling his subjects, saying: "Your Majesty is willing to come here!" After Han Xin went out, he looked up to the sky and laughed and said, "I am going to join Fan Kui and others when I am alive!"

Gaozu once chatted with Han Xin and mentioned how many soldiers the generals could lead.Gaozu asked: "How many soldiers can someone like me lead?" Han Xin replied: "Your Majesty, you can only lead one hundred thousand soldiers." Gaozu asked again: "What about you?" Han Xin replied : "Of course the more I have, the better!" Gaozu laughed and asked: "The more the better, but why am I still caught?" Han Xin said: "Although your Majesty is not very good at leading troops, he is good at Controlling generals is the reason why I, Han Xin, was captured by His Majesty. What's more, Your Majesty's talent is the so-called 'this is bestowed by heaven, not obtained by manpower'!"

In the 11th year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (196 BC), Han Xin, Marquis of Huaiyin, pretended to be ill and did not follow Gaozu to attack Chen Xi, but secretly sent people to Chen Xi's residence, intending to collude with him for rebellion.Han Xin prepared to forge an edict with his retainers at night to pardon the guilty heroes and slaves of the government, and planned to mobilize them to attack Empress Lu and the prince.Han Xin and others are ready and waiting for news from Chen Xi.At that time, a disciple of Han Xin was imprisoned for offending Han Xin, waiting to be executed.In the spring, the first month, the younger brother of the doorman wrote a report and told Empress Lu the details of Han Xin's attempt to rebel.Empress Lu planned to summon Han Xin, but was afraid that he would not come, so she conspired with Xiangguo Xiao He to make people pretend that he had just returned from Gaozu's place, saying that Chen Xi had been arrested and executed.After hearing the news, Liehou and the officials all went to the court to congratulate.Xiao He also lied to Han Xin: "Although you are sick, you should still come to congratulate Han Xin." As soon as Han Xin arrived at the court, Empress Lu immediately sent warriors to tie him up and planned to behead him in the bell room of Changle Palace.Before being beheaded, Han Xin sighed: "I really regret that I didn't adopt Kuai Che's strategy. Now I have been fooled by children and women. How can it be said that it is not God's will?" family.

[Comment and Analysis]

"The cunning rabbit dies, the lackey cooks; the tall birds die, the good bow hides; the enemy's country is destroyed, and the counselor perishes." After Fan Li helped Gou Jian restore the country, he floated away alone, leaving Wenzhong with such a sentence.Han Xin, like Fan Li and Wen Zhong, helped Liu Bang gain the world, so he also ended up with the same fate as Wen Zhong-being killed.When Han Xin was unsuccessful, he was unhappy, but Xiao Hehui knew heroes, and staged a famous historical drama "Xiao Heyue Chasing Han Xin"; His subordinates; after Yunmeng was captured by Liu Bang, they finally realized that they had embarked on the old path of Wenzhong.

Li Guang
[Original text]

Emperor Xiaojing of the Han Dynasty, the sixth year of Zhongyuan

Li Guang in Longxi was the prefect of Shangjun. He tried to get out of a hundred horses, but he met thousands of horses from the Xiongnu.When they saw Guang, they thought it was a lure to ride. They were all startled and went up the mountain to present.All the hundreds of riders in Guangzhi are terrified, and they want to gallop and leave.Guang said: "I went to the army for dozens of miles. Now I go with a hundred horses like this. The Xiongnu chased and shot me. If I stay now, the Xiongnu will use me as a lure for the army and will not dare to attack me." Guang ordered the horsemen to say "Front!" Before reaching the second mile of the Xiongnu formation, the order said: "Everyone get off their horses and unsaddle their saddles!" The rider said: "There are many captives and they are close, so I am in a hurry. What can I do?" In order to go; now we all take off our saddles to show that we will not go, and use our strength to strengthen our will." So Hu Qi dared not strike.A white horse will come out to protect his soldiers; Li Guang mounts his horse and gallops with more than a dozen riders, shoots and kills the white horse general and then returns, until the rider unsaddles his horse and makes the soldiers lie down on their horses.When it will be dusk, Hu Bing finally blames it and dare not attack.In the middle of the night, Hu Bing also thought that there was an ambush army in the Han Dynasty, and wanted to take it at night, so Hu led his troops away.In Pingdan, Li Guangnai returned to his army.

【Translation】

Emperor Xiaojing of the Han Dynasty, the sixth year of Zhongyuan (144 BC)
Li Guang, a native of Longxi, served as the prefect of Shangjun. He once led a hundred cavalry out, and suddenly encountered thousands of Hun cavalry.When the Huns saw Li Guang and his party, they thought it was a lure sent by the Han army. They were quite surprised, and immediately went up to the mountain to form a battle.Li Guang's [-] cavalry were very scared and planned to flee on horseback. Li Guang dissuaded them and said: "We are tens of miles away from the army. Now we only rely on these [-] cavalry to run back. Once the Huns chase and shoot, We will be finished immediately. If we stay here and don’t leave, the Huns will definitely regard us as a decoy for the army, and they will not dare to attack us easily.” After that, Li Guang ordered the cavalry to say: “Go forward!” So he went to a place less than two miles away from the Huns' position and stopped. Li Guang ordered: "All dismount and untie the saddles!" What should we do?" Li Guang said: "The enemy thought we would run away; I ordered everyone to take off their saddles now, just to show them that we will not run away, so that they can firmly believe that we are luring the enemy troops. ideas." So the Huns cavalry really did not dare to attack them.At this time, a general riding a white horse rushed out from the Huns to guard his army.Seeing this, Li Guang flew on his horse, took a dozen cavalrymen and rushed forward. After shooting the white horse general, he returned again. Start the war horse, lie down and rest.At that time, just before dusk, the Xiongnu cavalry were always surprised by the behavior of Li Guang's troops and did not dare to attack easily.In the middle of the night, the Xiongnu army still thought that there was an army of the Han Dynasty ambushing nearby, and they were going to surprise them at night, so they were so frightened that they led the troops to retreat.At dawn, Li Guang led his army back to the Han camp.

[Original text]

Emperor Shizong Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty was the first year of Yuanshuo.In autumn, [-] Xiongnu rode into the Han Dynasty, killed the prefect of Liaoxi, about [-] people, and besieged Han'an Guobi; they entered Yuyang and Yanmen, and killed about [-] people each.Anguoyi moved to the east and settled in Beiping; within a few months, he died of illness.The emperor summoned Li Guang again and worshiped him as the prefect of Youbeiping.The Xiongnu nicknamed them "Flying Generals of the Han Dynasty" and avoided them. They dared not enter Youbeiping when they were several years old.

In the fourth year of Yuanshou Emperor Xiaowu Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the great general went out of the fortress, and the captives knew where Shan Yu lived, so they left with elite soldiers, and ordered the former general Guang to merge with the right general to go out to the east.The east road is far away and there are few water and grass. Guang asked himself: "The minister is the former general, and now the general is moving to order the minister to go to the east. And the minister is tied up to fight the Huns. Now I have to be Shanyu. The minister is willing to be in the front. Die Shan Yu first." The general also received the above command secretly, thinking that "Old Li Guang, the number is odd, don't order him to be Shan Yu, I'm afraid he won't get what he wants." When Gongsun Aoxin lost his lord, the general also wanted to make Ao Yu his equal. Shan Yu, so he moved to General Guang.It is widely known that he resigned from the general, but the general did not listen.Guang didn't thank him and set off, feeling very sullen.

【Translation】

The first year of Yuanshuo, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (128 BC).In autumn, the Xiongnu dispatched 2000 cavalry to invade the Han territory, killed the prefect of Liaoxi County, captured more than 1000 people, and surrounded the Han army barrier guarded by Han Anguo; they also invaded Yuyang and Yanmen. Each killed and captured more than [-] people.Han Anguo had no choice but to move his army farther east and stationed in Beiping; within a few months, he died of illness.So Emperor Wu had to use Li Guang again and let him be the prefect of Youbeiping.The Xiongnu once gave Li Guang the title of "Flying General of the Han Dynasty". It can be seen that they were very afraid of Li Guang, so they deliberately avoided him, and dared not easily invade Youbeiping County for several consecutive years.

In the fourth year of Yuanshou, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (119 BC).After the general Wei Qing left the fortress, he learned from the Xiongnu captives where Shan Yu lived, so he personally led the elite troops to advance, and ordered the former general Li Guang and the right general Zhao Shiqi to join forces and march from the east.Because the east road is long and devious, and there are few aquatic plants, Li Guang asked: "My army is the army of the former general, but now the general has changed my army to the east road army. I have been a soldier since I first started. Fighting against the Xiongnu, I finally had the opportunity to confront Shanyu head-on until today, so I am willing to be the vanguard and take the lead in fighting to the death with Shanyu." Wei Qing was secretly warned by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty before going out, thinking: "Li Guang is too old Old man, he has been unlucky many times, so don't let him confront Shanyu head-on, worrying that he will make some mistakes in the process of capturing Shanyu." And Gongsun Ao just lost his title of Marquis, Wei Qing wants him to fight with him head-on Shan Yu made meritorious service in confrontation, so the former general Li Guang was transferred to the east route.After Li Guang learned the inside story, he resolutely refused to Wei Qing, but Wei Qing refused.So Li Guang set off without saying goodbye to Wei Qing, needless to say the anger in his heart.

[Original text]

The former general Guang and the right general had no guides, confused and lost their way, and the later generals were inferior to Shan Yuzhan.The great general led him back, and when he crossed the Munan, he met the second general.The general Shi asked Hiro, who was wronged by him, and urgently blamed Hiro's shogunate for reconciliation.Guang said: "The school captains are innocent, but I have lost my way. I have now registered to Mo's house."Guang said that his subordinates said: "Guang has fought more than [-] battles with the Xiongnu, and now he is fortunate to be sent by the general to take over the soldiers, but the general moved to Guangbu and traveled far away, and lost his way. Isn't it heavenly! And Guang I am over sixty years old, and I will never be able to be an official with a sword and a pen!" Then he drew his sword and cut himself.Widely known as an honest man, he received rewards and distributed them to his subordinates, and shared food and drink with the scholars. For more than [-] years, his family had no money left.Ape arm, good at shooting, not hitting the mark at a short speed.Generals and soldiers, where there is no shortage of water, the soldiers will not drink to the full, and the soldiers will not be near the water, and the soldiers will not eat all the food, and the soldiers will not taste the food.Scholars use it for music.When they die, all the troops cry.The common people hear it, know and don't know, no one is old and strong, and everyone is crying.And the right general is the only official, who should die and be redeemed as a commoner.

(End of this chapter)