God of War through the ages: Han Xin

Chapter 16
The general obeisance ceremony was completed with great excitement, except for the gang of warriors in the audience who were still blowing their beards and staring, the few people who were qualified to stand on the stage were all smiling.Han Xin was smiling from beginning to end, majestic as a tiger, he got the opportunity he thought he deserved.Xiao He and Xia Houying strongly recommended Han Xin, and today, the hope of returning to his hometown is greatly increased!But Liu Bang was thinking about a question: Should we investigate Han Xin's true talents and learning now, or talk about it later?

Xiao He is eager to return to his hometown, so doesn't Liu Bang want to return to his hometown?The fertile and fertile land where he was born and raised, the still charming winery and military burden, the fan's butcher's shop filled with the lingering fragrance of dog meat, and the eyes of the grandparents leaning on the door, all warmed Liu Bang's increasingly cold fighters all the time. heart of.

Liu Bang can't wait to hope that Han Xin will lead the Han army out of the Qinling Mountains, be invincible all the way, and return to Pei County as soon as possible.Now that he is eager to return home, let's put the assessment of Han Xin's comprehensive business ability now, just as everyone in the audience is there, let Han Xin show his true skills, let Fan Kui and others be convinced, so as not to spend all day in Liu Bang's ears Noisy.Liu Bang instructed Xiao He to immediately spread a few mats under the stage, and let the generals stand and watch, watching the king of Han and the general question each other.Xiao He understood Liu Bang's intention and followed suit immediately.

Liu Bang descended from the ranks, and Han Xin followed in Jiadou, followed by pressing the sword.

This is a high-grade famous sword given by General Banci of the King of Han, and the slightly rusty sword that accompanied Han Xin through the wind and rain lay quietly on the case in Han Xin's building.Changing the sword does not mean that Han Xin has forgotten the past, but that Han Xin will use a new identity and a new mentality to prove the significance of the old sword to Han Xin.This sword symbolizing power and majesty is held by Han Xin, and the great era belonging to Han Xin is about to emerge.

Li Qiao from the Tang Dynasty had a poem titled "Sword", which said: "I have the Kunwu sword, and I seek to court the court of heaven. When the white rainbow comes, cut the jade, and the purple air dry the stars at night. The hibiscus moves on the neck, and the frost and snow shine in the box. Relying on the sky to serve the country, Take the name of the hero after painting the place."

The king of Han and the general took off their boots and sat on the mat, facing each other, while the prime minister sat on the side.

When Han Xin untied the sword, put it on his knees, and looked up at the King of Han, Liu Bang took a closer look at Han Xin for the first time, "This man looks really good!" Liu Bang screamed in his heart.Although Liu Bang never judges people by appearance, Liu Bang still appreciates the arrogant arrogance in Han Xin's eyes.

After a short silence, Liu Bang looked around without saying a word. Seeing Fan Kui standing behind Han Xin with a dissatisfied face, he secretly smiled inwardly. Let Han Xin rule Fan Kui today.If Han Xin can't cure Fan Kui, then let Fan Kui rule Han Xin.

Liu Bang coughed lightly, with a smile on his face, and asked with spring breeze: "I am bullied by Xiang Yu, and I live here angrily, and cannot return to my hometown. I am not happy to live here, but I am not as strong as Xiang Yu, and there are even fewer generals to assist me." Therefore, I dare not move lightly. Lord Teng and the prime minister often recommend talents in front of the widow, saying that the general is not born in the world, just like Sun and Wu. Today, I worship the general, and the widow is also willing! There is a general, but he has the power of the dragon and the tiger, and it is good to ride the wind Return home. If you don't learn, you won't be talented, and if you don't want to go to work tomorrow, I hope the general will use his brains to teach you."

This is the first test question given by the king of Han to the general. The implication is that Xiao He said that you have great talent, so you can tell your unique insights on the world.Liu Bang speaks in a friendly manner, sincere and modest, but there are swords in his words, which is the artistry of Liu Bang's speech.Everyone was looking at Han Xin, or Han Xin's back, and they also wanted to get the answer: What kind of talent does Han Xin have, which is worthy of Prime Minister Xiao's running back and forth for him, and he must worship the general before stopping?
Han Xin didn't answer the call immediately, but looked closely at the King of Han.Of course, Han Xin could hear that Liu Bang had something in his words. Usually, Liu Bang dismissed him, and it was because Xiao He sold all his face to force Liu Bang to be able to worship the general.

If you can't take advantage of today's position, impress the King of Han, and get a good impression, then you will be a great general in name only, and you will be taken away by Liu Bang someday.This is the biggest test Han Xin has faced in his life. Even Liu Bang can't conquer it. How can he conquer Xiang Yu?

Han Xin was a little excited, not because he was nervous, but because he had gone through untold hardships and finally waited for the opportunity to display what he had learned in his life.This kind of mood can only be deeply understood by experiencing the ups and downs of "the sharp edge of the sword comes from sharpening, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold".

Han Xin leaned his upper body forward slightly, and first asked Liu Bang a question: "Your Majesty has long had the ambition to bring peace to the world, and I have heard about it. This is why I jumped out of Xiang Yu's wrecked ship and came back to the King. I am stupid, so I have a question. Your Majesty doesn't want to live here, but wants to go east and fight for the world, Your Majesty will save himself, who else is a strong enemy of Han except Xiang Yu?"

Liu Bang said: "What the general said is very true! Who is the strong enemy of the widow, but Xiang Yu?" He kept scolding in his heart: Is it interesting for you to say such correct nonsense?Everyone in the world knows that my biggest enemy is Xiang Yu. If you only have this knowledge, do you still need you to be a general?

Of course Han Xin knew that what he was talking about was correct nonsense, but this was just the only way he had to go to guide Liu Bang into his own thinking world step by step. Although it was nonsense, he still had to ask what should be asked.

"If you dare to ask your majesty to save yourself, with courage, with boldness, with benevolence, with strength, how is your majesty like Xiang Yu?" Han Xin asked.

This is another correct nonsense. Although it is a question, the answer is hidden in the words. Whether it is brave, fierce or strong, Liu Bang can't compare with Xiang Yu at all.This sentence deeply hurt Liu Bang's self-esteem. Han Xin said it very seriously, but Liu Bang didn't become angry because what Han Xin said was the truth, and this is where Liu Bang's self-cultivation is far better than Xiang Yu's.It's just that Liu Bang hasn't chewed Han Xin's words about what Xiang Yu's "benevolence" means, and where is Xiang Yuren?Xiangcheng?Xin'an?Or is it Han Sheng's cooking!

But being able to admit that you are inferior to others is more worthy of respect than just insisting that you are invincible in the world and failure is not your responsibility.Liu Bang replied honestly: "The general's words are yes! All of these people are not as good as Xiang Yu." Liu Bang was thinking about what Han Xin wanted to say, but none of the words were of value. What kind of eyes did Xiao He have, how did he find something wrong?

When Liu Bang was thinking about it, Han Xin suddenly jumped up from the table, stood in front of Liu Bang, and bowed deeply.Han Xin's action made Liu Bang tremble with fright, he leaned back, put one hand on the ground, looked straight at Han Xin, and cursed secretly: This guy is not only a fucking mother, but also a psychopath, what's wrong with nothing?

Xiao He who was sitting on the side seat almost laughed out loud.

Seeing that Liu Bang was startled, Han Xin thought it was a little funny, and he even felt that doing so made Liu Bang refus him to be a general several times.Han Xin's thinking is very careful, he will not easily make a move that is not controlled by his brain.If Han Xin was a violent and unbearable person, the evil young man would have died by his sword long ago, and perhaps there would be no Han Xin, the great general of Han today.

Han Xin bowed again and congratulated Liu Bang: "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Why do you like it?" Liu Bang was at a loss.

The corner of Han Xin's mouth seemed to be smiling, and he continued: "Because the king knows that he is not as good as Xiang Yu, so he is happy."

What kind of general is Xiao He looking for?Not only is he full of nonsense, but he also speaks poorly, often humiliating and making fun of others.When Liu Bang saw Fan Kui holding back his smile, his face suddenly showed displeasure. Fan Kui must have been thinking: I asked you to take the wrong medicine and worship Han Xin, didn't you ask for scolding?Should!

However, Liu Bang was self-cultivated, and his emotions and anger were not displayed. He asked Han Xin calmly: "I am a fool, please tell me, the general."

The reason why Han Xin deliberately brought Xiang Yu out was not that he was too idle to make fun of Liu Bang, but that he consciously wanted to bring Liu Bang's thinking into an all-round comparison with Xiang Yu, "Know yourself and the enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles."This must be what Liu Bang is eager to know.And Han Xin used to be a spearman in front of Xiang Yu's tent, and he has been with Xiang Yu for a long time, and he already knows Xiang Yu very well, so it is more authoritative for Han Xin to interpret Xiang Yu.

"I boldly say that although the king is old with Xiang Yu, he doesn't know his face, but I know him well for a long time. Sitting down, my king, please listen to me to break down the pros and cons of the kings of Chu and Han." Han Xin had already sat down at the table.Liu Bang really didn't know Xiang Yu as well as Han Xin did, and he really wanted to know what kind of person Xiang Yu was in Han Xin's eyes.Liu Bang nodded and said, "Since the general knows it, I would like to hear about it."

Han Xin was in high spirits, and he raised his palm and said: "Xiang Yu is a man, there are advantages and disadvantages in what he does. His elders are good at fighting. His martial arts are tyrannical and unmatched in the world. When Xiang Yu was furious, thousands of people were frightened. Xiang Yu's anger can make people like this. The feather is as powerful as an ox, and can walk with a tripod, vertically and horizontally. There is no one who can surpass Xiang Yu. It is really wise to fight, otherwise you will be safe if you hit the stone with an egg!"

"The strength of this feather is known to few people, but what is its shortcoming?" Liu Bang interjected and asked.

Han Xin replied: "Although Xiang Yu is brave enough to win the world, he often relies on his own strength and despises talents, so he cannot be used for them. There is Fan Zeng, who is wise and resourceful, and he is a strong enemy in the world. However, Xiang Yu cannot use Fan Zeng's strategy and do the same Ambition, strategy is like dirt. Yu is frivolous, brave and ruthless, and does not know how to use wisdom to kill generals. Although the world is invincible, he is also a man of brave ears! Big men fight wits but do not fight bravely, kings prefer wisdom but not strength, Xiang Yukong has the courage of a man There is nothing to be afraid of." When Han Xin said this, it seemed that he was complaining for himself, accusing Xiang Yu of not reusing himself in front of Liu Bang, and he was suspected of raising his own value.

Liu Bang also understood Xiang Yu to a certain extent. After all, the two had been together for a while, and what Han Xin said was very reasonable, and Liu Bang couldn't help nodding.

"Xiang Yu is brave if he is brave, but is he benevolent?" the King of Han asked.

Han Xin knew that Liu Bang didn't like to hear that Xiang Yu had "benevolence", and he didn't quite understand it.In fact, benevolence is divided into two types, one is small benevolence, and the other is great benevolence. The benevolence of Xiang Yu mentioned by Han Xin is actually small benevolence.Han Xin explained to Liu Bang the relationship between these two kinds of benevolence: "Xiang Yu is not benevolent. He sees people as if he is a teacher. He acts respectfully and speaks respectfully. When people come, they worship and set up a banquet. When people go, they hold their hands and cry. If a person is sick, Yu will come to his couch in person and order a doctor to give him medicine to treat it. If the person can't afford it, Yu will shed tears like rain and weep in silence. When people see it, can they not feel the love of King Xiang? This is also benevolent."

Liu Bang said "oh", Xiang Yu does have this kind of behavioral traits, and he has also discovered it in ordinary times. This must be one of Xiang Yu's chiefs that Han Xin said, and behind Xiang Yu's "benevolence", there must be Xiang Yu that Han Xin wants to talk about a short.Liu Bang did not speak, but continued to listen to Han Xin's accurate interpretation of Xiang Yu.

"It's not that Xiang Yu doesn't have a heart of benevolence for others, but the benevolence of Xiang Yu mentioned by the minister is nothing more than small benevolence and small favors. According to my observation, anyone who indiscriminately treats people around him with small benevolence and small favors is cruel and easy to kill without exception. Xiang Yu kills people based on his own likes and dislikes, which is unreasonable. After Zhang Han surrendered, all 20 Qin soldiers were killed by Xiang Yu, completely inhumane! The essence of war is actually to win the hearts of the people. The real Daren, Xiang Yu will never be able to do this. Xiang Yu is narrow-minded, jealous of the virtuous and capable, and he will kill anyone who is more capable than him, such as the death of Han Sheng. His subordinates risked their lives to kill the enemy, but Xiang Yu No award, no reward, even when it was necessary to award a reward, Xiang Yu still held the jade seal and did not let go, just because this seal was carved from high-quality jade. Xiang Yu treats people so harshly, no wonder all the generals under his command are thinking of abandoning Chu every day. Ren, There is great benevolence, there is small benevolence, there is true benevolence, and there is false benevolence. Xiang Yu’s benevolence, small but fake, is not enough to accomplish great things.” Han Xin interpreted benevolence and inhumanity in one go, Liu Bang listened, and sighed in his heart: I don’t want this person to be so benevolent. So knowledgeable!Fortunately, this person returned to Han, otherwise Xiang Yu would reuse Han Xin, would there be a way out for us?
Liu Bang must have heard from Zhang Liang afterwards that during the Hongmen Banquet, after Liu Bang escaped, Xiang Yu was still playing with the pair of jade bis that he had given him, and couldn't bear to release it.Han Xin worked under Xiang Yu's sect, and revealed many details that Liu Bang didn't know, which not only opened Liu Bang's eyes, but also gave Liu Bang a deeper understanding of Xiang Yu's character, which played a very important role in defeating Xiang Yu later. effect.

In addition to hearing his understanding of Xiang Yu from Han Xin, Liu Bang also wanted to know the strengths and weaknesses between himself and Xiang Yu. First, out of curiosity, he wanted to know what he looked like in Han Xinxin;The sage Lao Tzu often said: "He who knows others is wise, and he who knows himself is wise."

It's time for Han Xin to flatter Liu Bang. Of course, Liu Bang does have "flattery" worthy of Han Xin's shooting, and Han Xin's understanding of Xiang Yu is far from enough. If he can't deeply analyze Liu Bang's pros and cons, he still can't get Liu Bang full trust.Or from another perspective, this is Liu Bang asking Han Xin a question indirectly: How to defeat Xiang Yu?

Han Xin should have been prepared for this question to Liu Bang. When Xiao He told him that the King of Han had decided to appoint him as a general, he had already started preparing lessons, sorting out his thoughts, what to say and what not to say. Pay attention.Han Xin did not answer immediately, but looked at Liu Bang for a long time. He read Liu Bang's confidence and generosity in the eye contact with Liu Bang.

Liu Bang's confidence is far more important than Han Xin's. After understanding this, Han Xin will be more confident.

Han Xin coughed lightly, and said, "As I said, the king is not as brave as Xiang Yu, and he is not as strong as Xiang Yu, but who is sure to beat Xiang Yu? Benevolence!"

"The general just said that Xiang Yu has benevolence, but now he says that few people have benevolence. Why is it different?" Liu Bang asked.

Han Xin is already in a mood. He is actually more eager to prove himself in front of Xiang Yu than Liu Bang. He has been under Xiang Yu's command for so long, just to be a halberd master, and he is still a thousand miles away from being a general.It was Liu Bang who was willing to be his ladder to heaven and give him a chance to prove that he was the unparalleled warrior of the country. Han Xin wished he could lead the Han army out of Qinguan now and fight with Xiang Yu, so that Xiang Yu could re-evaluate the gold content of Han Xin's name in the fiasco.

"Xiang Yu's strength is not too strong, his army is not too large, his land is not too big, and his food is not too much. However, if the ministers say that Xiang Yu is not enough to accomplish things, he is not benevolent, and the king is benevolent. A benevolent man loves all people in the world as his own son. Xiang Yu likes to kill people and often bury hundreds of thousands of people. Although he is called the overlord, he has lost the will of heaven and the hearts of the people. The princes do not respect Xiang Yu as the overlord, but the strength of Chu State The princes dare not pluck their hairs. The princes have never believed in Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu can cheat Qin today, and Zhao Qi and Yandai tomorrow. People are in panic and can't live all day. This is Xiang Yu's biggest shortcoming of public opinion. The king wants to return to his hometown If you want to defeat Xiang Yu, you must first defeat Xiang Yu. If you want to defeat Xiang Yu, you must do it in the opposite way, and you can win the hearts of the heroes in the world. What is the opposite? Xiang Yu is violent, and the king is benevolent; He has a generous nature; Xiang Yu regards the world as a thing to play with, who in the world does not hate it? The king should regard the world as a matter of the world, who in the world does not love it? If this is the case, the strong and the weak will change their positions. Although Xiang Yu has a strong army of millions, he will eventually One day, I will be captured by the king! I ask the king to do three things, and the world can decide whether to talk or laugh. First, let the world's brave talents do their best, so why can't they be punished! What people want is wealth and honor. King Gou did not hesitate to give money to his children, and gave the city to Kuma's meritorious officials. Who would not be willing to die for the king? Why not obey! Third, all the people under the king's command are from the Kanto (east of Hangu Pass). If you don’t think about returning home every day to see your parents, wives and children, your majesty will impress you with his virtue and lead him with your deeds, and the officers and men will be weeping and fighting, so why not kill them!” The more Han Xin spoke, the more excited he was, but he paused consciously, perhaps I'm a little thirsty.Liu Bang knew that Han Xin hadn't finished speaking, so he didn't interrupt, but listened attentively.

What Han Xin said above is in the category of strategy, which is too macroscopic. Politics and war require macroscopic strategies, but they also require microscopic tactics. Without one of the two, success is inevitable.Han Xin needs to point out the specific areas in which Xiang Yu made tactical mistakes, so that Liu Bang can prescribe the right medicine and wipe them out in one fell swoop.

"Xiang Yu is conceited and strong, and he doesn't know how to make changes. This is the shortest thing. Please tell me his short-sightedness. Xiang Yu is a man with short-sightedness. He is good at arrogance and fortune but doesn't know how to advance or retreat. He is stuck in the quagmire and doesn't know the danger is coming. He is still singing He sings old-fashioned songs. Guanzhong, a place where the world is victorious, advances to take the world, and retreats to defend the Sanqin, but Xiang Yu is greedy for the prosperity of Pengcheng. Pengcheng, the place of the Four Wars, has more than enough to advance but not enough to defend. For this reason, once Chu is defeated, Xiang Yu will have no escape. Also, Xiang Yu does not know how to use people, and blindly imposes on others based on one person's likes and dislikes. Xiang Yu is the overlord, enfeoffing the princes, and making the one who flatters himself the king For those who are disobedient, they are made little kings, and some are not made kings, such as Chen Yu and Tian Rong. So, who is convinced? Xiang Yu's most blunder is arbitrarily abolishing King Huai and moving him to the south of the Yangtze River. Chu people are already very Dissatisfied. Your Majesty was favored by King Huai, so he could hold high the banner of King Huai and call on the capable men of the world to use it for himself. In this way, Xiang Yu must die! Xiang Yu made a fatal mistake. In order to avenge the people of Chu, he killed 20 Qin soldiers. The three of Zhang Han were established as the King of Qin. You must know that Qin has 20 children, and their fathers and elders are still alive. There was a pit in Xin'an, and the people of Qin were weeping with blood, but Xiang Yu did not kill Zhang Han, Dong Yi, and Sima Xin. Don’t you hate these three people? Eating their flesh and chewing their bones can’t solve the hatred of Qin’s elders! The three kings live in the pass, and they don’t have the hearts of the Qin people. The king entered Xianyang from Wuguan. And abolished the tyranny of Qin, made three chapters of the agreement, and treated Qin people generously. Every time Qin's fathers and elders thought about it, they all cried. To be a king, the great king came first, so he should be established as the king of Qin. But Xiang Yu, relying on his military strength, tore up the covenant of King Huai, burned Qin's palace, and plundered the wealth of Qin's children. The Qin people all hope that the king will live in Guanzhong. The hearts of the people are against each other, Xiang Yu will abandon it, and the king will take it. Do your best to help the Han. If so, the Sanqin will be overthrown!"

Finally finished speaking, Han Xinchang let out a long breath.

In fact, it didn't take long to say these words, only half an hour before and after, but this was the most important conversation in Han Xin's life, because it was the first time that Han Xin sold himself in front of such a high-level figure. amazing talents.I still have reservations about what I said to Xia Houying and Xiao He before.

Han Xin knew that Liu Bang had no choice but to establish himself as a general because of Xiao He's stalking. Han Xin didn't want to live in the shadow of Xiao He's face all the time. He needed to find a suitable opportunity to completely convince Liu Bang.If you become a general of the Han state but cannot gain the respect and trust of the King of Han, how is it different from being a halberd-bearer in front of Xiang Yu's tent?
This match between the monarch and his ministers after the general obeisance ceremony was an excellent opportunity for Han Xin to dispel Liu Bang's doubts about himself. All the realities, let Xiang Yu suffer enough, the more the better, only in this way can prove the greatness of Han Xin.

After listening to Han Xin's talk, Liu Bang was completely dumbfounded. He really didn't expect that this young man with an uncommon face in front of him actually had a lot of beauty in his chest!Thinking of this, Liu Bang was even a little afraid. If he insisted on not using Han Xin's wrong idea, he would miss an unborn genius, and this genius would be the greatest guarantee for him to return to his homeland and defeat Xiang Yu.If Xiang Yu suddenly opened his mind one day and reused Han Xin, would he still have a way out?Thank God, Xiang Yu didn't know how to inlay gold and jade, so he gave this priceless treasure to the widow for free, God's will!
Convinced, this time it is really convincing!Not only Liu Bang admires Han Xin so much now, but even Fan Kui, who stands beside Han Xin and is about to watch Han Xin's jokes, is speechless. What else can he say?Based on Han Xin's insight, is Fan Kui his opponent?It's better to be the king's minion honestly and serve the general.

Liu Bang knew in his heart that Han Xin had already talked about this, and he should do one thing immediately, which was to fully delegate power, or in other words, to establish Han Xin's absolute military authority within the Han Dynasty, an unquestionable absolute authority.Liu Bang knew that Fan Kui had always been difficult to deal with and was easily disobedient. Now that Han Xin had basically subdued Fan Kui, Fan Kui was obedient to Han Xin.

Liu Bang stood up from the table again, but did not draw his sword, because Liu Bang no longer needed to use his status as King of Han to force the generals to obey Han Xin's command, and Han Xin himself had conquered everyone.Liu Bang just told the generals around him in a calm tone: "How fortunate I am! With the help of the general, I will wipe out the violent feathers, and return home to see my father, wife and children. Tomorrow. The general is here, so the widow is here. Seeing a great general is like seeing a widow, the etiquette must not be less, and the affairs must be obeyed. If there is any violation, the military law will punish it." After finishing speaking, Liu Bang glanced at Fan Kuai.

The King of Han had already spoken, and Fan Kui just climbed up the pole. The generals of the Han Kingdom, from Fan Kui down, Li Shang, Ji Xin and others all wore armor and swords, lined up in front of Han Xin in the shortest time, and then bowed He bowed his hands and replied in unison: "Here! Dare you follow the order of the general!"

Han Xin is smiling, life is so wonderful!

(End of this chapter)