God of War through the ages: Han Xin

Chapter 52 Changle Palace, Han Xin's Death
Xiao He's idea to Lu Zhi was very simple, the safest way to kill Han Xin was to lure Han Xin into the palace, a strong man could kill him, just like Liu Bang captured Han Xin in Chenjun before.If Han Xin is arrested with great fanfare in Chang'an City, if Han Xin is allowed to escape, the consequences will be disastrous.

As for the excuse, Chen Xi, who was far away in Daibei, staged a show for Xiao He for free.Xiao He sent a confidant to quietly leave the city, and then entered Chang'an from the north as Liu Bang's envoy.This person came to the palace and said in a serious manner that the emperor had killed Chen Xi and made peace on behalf of Beiping.As the prime minister, Xiao He distributed invitations, asking the princes and ministers to attend the celebration banquet in the palace on time.

"Historical Records Huaiyin Hou Biography" records that Han Xin's illness should be true, so Han Xin did not accompany Liu Bang to conquer Chen Xi, but stayed in Chang'an to recuperate, and his condition was very serious.Because Han Xin's weight is too heavy, if someone else invites him, Han Xin may not give face, so this trip can only be done by Prime Minister Lao Xiao.

Outside the residence of the Marquis of Huaiyin, a carriage came galloping and stopped in front of the stone steps.The attendant at Fenghou's mansion opened the door, then knelt under the carriage, asked the prime minister to step on his back, and walked down slowly.The prime minister is also old, with gray beard and hair, and a slightly hunched back, but he is still in good spirits, with wisdom in his eyes.

Xiao He paused in front of the car, looked up at the not-so-luxurious Huaiyin Hou Mansion, and sighed softly in his heart, this was the last time he saw the word "Huaiyin".The door opened, and Xiao He and his party swept in.

Han Xin was still lying on the couch with a brocade quilt on his body, but his complexion was fine. It was not a life-threatening illness, and he might get better after taking a few doses of medicine.

Xiao He had already come to the bed, Han Xin wanted to struggle to stand up and salute Xiao He, but Xiao He stopped him with a smile.

Xiao He's face was full of spring breeze, and his eyes were full of love and kindness, which moved Han Xin very much.Han Xin's feelings for Liu Bang are very complicated, sometimes he respects him, but sometimes he expresses indignation at Liu Bang's stinginess, but to Xiao He, Han Xin is only grateful and grateful.

If it hadn't been for Xiao He who almost tore his old face back then, Liu Bang would not have been extremely reluctant to worship Han Xin as a general, let alone Han Xin's success in the future.Han Xin often said that without the kindness of the King of Han, he would not be where he is today. In fact, he was talking about Xiao He.

Liu Bang's strict precautions towards Han Xin made Han Xin's heart chill.It's just that Han Xin still thinks that Liu Bang supported him back then, and Han Xin always sticks to his bottom line, but the two parties have no relationship anymore.Liu Bang's northern conquest of Chen Xi wanted to bring Han Xin there, but Han Xin's resolute refusal to go was a forced resistance to Liu Bang's various rogue behaviors.

Xiao He is different, in Han Xin's heart, Xiao He exists like a father.Han Xin dared to refute Liu Bang's face, but he would never show any disrespect to Xiao He, because this is his benefactor.So today Xiao He came to invite Han Xin, and without any hesitation, Han Xin ordered people to prepare chariots and horses to enter the palace.

Han Xin forced himself out of bed, put on court clothes, cheered up, and followed Xiao He into the palace.The two people's chariots and horses galloped on the spacious avenue, all the way to the east, and the destination was the Changle Palace in the east of Chang'an City.

The Changle Palace was originally the Xingle Palace of the Qin Dynasty. After Liu Bang decided to make Chang'an his capital, he overhauled the Xingle Palace in September of the fifth year of the Han Dynasty (202 BC).Two years later, the brand-new Changle Palace appeared on the horizon of Chang'an. Liu Bang designated Changle Palace as a temporary office space. Usually, all officials congratulate and hold grand banquets in Changle Palace.

In February of the same year, the Weiyang Palace presided over by Prime Minister Xiao He was completed.The circumference of Changle Palace is only 28 miles, and the circumference of Weiyang Palace is [-] miles. It is extremely luxurious, but Liu Bang seems to be used to Changle Palace, and did not immediately move to Weiyang Palace to work.A few years later, after Prince Liu Ying succeeded to the throne, he moved to Weiyang Palace, and Changle Palace became the bedroom of Empress Dowager Lu Zhi.

Han Xin came to Changle Palace more than once, and when he stood in front of the majestic hall, he didn't feel anything unusual.What Xiao He said was right, not only the two of them, but all the senior officials in Chang'an came to participate in the celebration meeting to eliminate the traitor Chen Xi.

Han Xin straightened his clothes, stepped up the steps, and climbed up the steps.Every few steps on both sides stood a mighty and majestic warrior, the weapon in his hand was shining brightly under the reflection of the sun, Han Xin suddenly felt a little emotional.These warriors may have been under his command back then. Under the command of the general, they crossed the Yellow River skillfully, fought their last battle, sacked sand in Weishui, and fought decisively in Gaixia.

Han Xin will never forget the most glorious moments in his life, but he is more eager to have the opportunity to continue fighting against the enemy.The value of Han Xin's life is on the battlefield, not the temple of intrigue.Seeing these warriors, Han Xin always has the urge to cry. Maybe Han Xin has realized that his military career has ended early, and he will never have the chance to be a general again.

What Han Xin didn't expect was that his life would end the moment he boarded the Changle Palace.

Because the emperor Liu Bang was not in the capital, the empress Lu Zhi presided over the celebration.In the main hall of Changle Palace, high-ranking officials gathered, and many ministers who usually had good personal relationships took advantage of the fact that the meeting had not yet been held, and gathered in twos and threes to chat.

Han Xin had already seen Empress Lu sitting in the hall, and he didn't have a good impression of this woman.Han Xin and Lu Zhi have basically never had any dealings, but Han Xin should be able to guess that he was demoted and placed under house arrest, and Lu Zhi's "credit" was indispensable.

Before Han Xin stepped forward to salute Lu Zhi, he heard a metallic sound of armor shaking behind the scenes, and Han Xin's heart sank suddenly.Looking at Lu Zhi's gloomy old face with heavy makeup on, Han Xin subconsciously took a few steps back.

Relying on his natural sensitivity, Han Xin wanted to escape from this ominous place, but it was too late.

Dozens of heavily armed soldiers immediately surrounded Han Xin amidst the screams of the crowd.Han Xin didn't make any resistance. He already knew that this was a Hongmen banquet arranged by Lu Zhi and Xiao He, and there was absolutely no way he could escape.

After seeing Han Xin being tied up, Lu Zhi in the hall let out a long sigh.Han Xin has always been Lu Zhi's heart disease. If Liu Bang hadn't stopped him, Lu Zhi would have attacked Han Xin long ago.Now that Han Xin has been captured, it means that the most threatening enemy in her power field has been successfully eradicated, and no one can threaten her status.As for the powerless Mrs. Qi, Lu Zhi smiled coldly, she knew how to deal with this woman who almost robbed her of her status.

As for Xiao He, there was still no expression on his face that had experienced many vicissitudes, and he didn't even dare to meet Han Xin's angry eyes.Xiao He knew that Han Xin would surely die if he fell into Lu Zhi's hands, the scene of him and Han Xin talking under the moon at night on the bank of the Han River suddenly appeared in his mind, and he couldn't help feeling tense.

Han Xin was still staring at Xiao He coldly, he did not show any anger.In the past few years under house arrest, Han Xin has tasted the warmth and coldness of the world, and his personality has become calm and quiet.Han Xin knew that with Liu Bang and Lu Zhi as people, this day would come sooner or later.It's just that Han Xin didn't expect that it was his benefactor Xiao He who worked as a thug for Lu Zhi.

Han Xin couldn't say a word to Xiao He, and after knowing Xiao He for so long, Han Xin thought that he and Xiao He were confidantes.It wasn't until today that Han Xin realized that he was just a cold pawn in Xiao He's hands.When his use value has completely disappeared, he will be thrown away by Xiao He like a rotten rag.

Han Xin saw through Xiang Yu, but not Xiao He.

Lu Zhi was getting impatient, she didn't care about the grievances between Han Xin and Xiao He, she only cared about her own interests.

Lu Zhi might admit the greatness of Han Xin, but only the dead Han Xin can make her feel at ease.Lu Pheasant screamed and cursed in the hall, saying that Han Xin had rebelled against him, and that he should die.Moreover, Lu Zhi will definitely bring out Liu Bang's gold-lettered signboard. Lu Zhi also knows that her prestige is not enough, and only with the help of Liu Bang's prestige can she get the result she wants.

Lu Zhi ordered the warriors to escort the "rebel" Han Xin to the bell room at the side corner of the main hall, where Han Xin's legendary life would end.

The heavily bound Han Xin was pushed and shoved by the warriors, and he staggered towards the bell chamber, leaving only a series of mournful laughter in the empty hall.Everyone was silent, Lu Zhi did not hear the cheers.

The bell room, according to Yan Shigu's "Hanshu Notes", is the side room where the chime bells are stored, "the bell room is the room where the bells hang".As for why Lu Zhi executed Han Xin here, there is no direct record in the history books, but for more than 2000 years, there has been a mysterious saying, that is, the famous "three don't kill".

The rumor of "Three Don't Kill" is Liu Bangxu's promise of immortality to Han Xin, which is equivalent to the "Iron Coupon of Dan Shu" or "Gold Medal to Avoid Death" in novels and dramas.Three no-kills means not to kill when you see the sky, don’t kill when you see the ground, and don’t kill when you see iron. Because in ancient times, killing people was usually done in the wild with a knife, so Liu Bang’s "three don’t kills" promise ensured that Han Xin would never be killed by Liu Bang. Death for any crime is a treatment that Xiao He, Cao Can and others did not receive.

In fact, this is just a vulgar misinterpretation of this public case by later generations. What's more, it adds fuel to the plot of Han Xin's murder.There is a saying that when Lu Zhi killed Han Xin, he did not see the sky, so he was in the house; he did not see the ground, but there was a bamboo mat on the ground; he did not see the iron, so he stabbed Han Xin to death with a sharp bamboo.

Han Xin's real way of death is actually the traditional way, beheading him with a knife.

A cold light flashed, a human head rolled to the ground, and the legend of a generation of God of War came to an end.

Han Xin left only one sentence before his death: "I regret that I didn't use Kuai Che's plan, but I was deceived by my son and daughter. Isn't it heaven!"

(End of this chapter)