How did Zhang Liang react when he learned that Empress Lu and Xiao He were plotting to kill Han Xin?

Zhang Liang is Liu Bang's most trusted adviser. Liu Bang almost calls his subordinates by their first names, but only calls Zhang Liang "Zifang" to express his respect for Zhang Liang. Liu Bang almost obeyed Zhang Liang's advice throughout his life, and their relationship was like that between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. So why did Zhang Liang, who was one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, not come to save Han Xin when he saw his three tribes being wiped out? Before explaining this issue, we must first start with why Han Xin was killed.

Zhang Liang stills

Han Xin came from a poor family. Like some ambitious young people during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, he liked knight-errants but did not like farm work or doing business. Therefore, many jokes were made. For example, Han Xin once went to the pavilion chief's house to have a meal. The pavilion chief's wife got fed up and rejected Han Xin. Later, Han Xin went to the river to fish to satisfy his hunger, and met a woman. The woman saw him as pitiful and brought him food every day. Han Xin was once humiliated in the crotch area.

Xin was fishing under the city, and all the mothers were floating there. One mother saw that Xin was hungry and had no food for her, so she was floating for dozens of days. ?"Historical Records? Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin"

After the peasant uprising broke out in the late Qin Dynasty, Han Xin joined the army with a sword and defected to Xiang Liang. After Xiang Liang died in the battle, Han Xin transferred to Xiang Yu's command and served as a doctor, because When he was not reused, he left Xiangying and joined Liu Bang. Finally, with Xiao He's strong recommendation, Liu Bang appointed Han Xin as general. Han Xin formulated a strategy for Liu Bang to pacify the world. Han Xin believed that he should first capture Guanzhong and then use Guanzhong as a base to unify the world.

Han Xin stills

Han Xin took back Guanzhong by secretly building secret passages and secretly plotting against Chen Cang. Later, Han Xin went north to destroy Wei, Dai, surrendered Yan, Zhao, and Qi, and made great military achievements. During the period when Han Xin destroyed Qi, Liu Bang was besieged by Xiang Yu in Xingyang. This period was the most difficult time for Liu Bang to be passively beaten. He was looking forward to Han Xin sending troops to relieve the siege every day, but what he waited for was not Han Xin's reinforcements but Han Xin's troops. A letter requesting to be granted the title of King of Qi. Han Xin hoped that Liu Bang would make him acting King of Qi. After Liu Bang saw the letter, he cursed, but Liu Bang was too weak and had no choice but to comply with Han Xin's wishes.

From then on, Liu Bang became even more suspicious of Han Xin. Later, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought in Guling, and the Han army was defeated miserably. Han Xin actually disobeyed orders and did not participate in the battle. In desperation, Liu Bang used a seal to lure Han Xin, and Han Xin agreed to send troops. From then on, Liu Bang was completely disappointed with Han Xin. In his mind, Han Xin was just a villain who took advantage of others. Later, Han Xin's rebellion was just the trigger. Liu Bang had already been disappointed with him, and it was inevitable that he would be demoted and exterminated. Liu Bang always listened to Zhang Liang's advice, so why didn't Zhang Liang, who was also the founding hero of the country, advise Liu Bang to let Han Xin live?

Han Xin stills

First, Han Xin’s rebellion is a fact and he is not worth saving

Since Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu in Guling, Han Xin refused to obey At the beginning of the transfer order, Liu Bang had already had murderous intentions towards Han Xin. So after Liu Bang finished dealing with Xiang Yu, the first thing he did was to rush to Dingtao to seize Han Xin's military power.

After Xiang Yu's defeat, Liu Bang issued an order to kill Xiang Yu's generals. Xiang Yu's most valiant and skilled general Zhongli Mei fled to Chu and took refuge in Chu King Han Xin. Han Xin and Zhongli Mei were once both They were Xiang Yu's subordinates, so they naturally had some friendship, and Han Xinxin always took Zhongli Mei under his wing.

After King Xiang died, Zhongli Mei died and converted. The king of Han resented Mei and heard that he was in Chu, so he ordered Chu to capture Mei. ?"Historical Records? Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin"

This matter was caught by Liu Bang's men. When Liu Bang knew that Han Xin was harboring wanted criminals, he was very angry and immediately issued an edict ordering Han Xin to arrest Zhong Lizei. Han Xin suppressed Liu Bang's edict without executing the order, and even sent troops to protect Zhongli Mei. In this way, Han Xin caused big trouble for himself.

Not long after, someone falsely accused Han Xin of treason. Liu Bang secretly arrested Han Xin under the pretext of traveling to Yunmengze. In fact, Han Xin became uneasy after receiving the news that Liu Bang was traveling to Yunmengze. He wondered if Liu Bang was going to arrest him. At this time, Han Xin became confused. He had the idea of ????rebellion, but then he changed his mind and thought it was impossible. Liu Bang was so good to him that he would not attack him. When Liu Bang really arrested him, Han Xin regretted it.

Liu Bang stills

In fact, Liu Bang knew clearly that this was a false accusation. On the way to Chang'an, Liu Bang pardoned Han Xin and demoted him to the rank of Marquis of Huaiyin. Liu Bang did not let Han Xin return. Huaiyin took office, but kept him under house arrest in Chang'an. However, Liu Bang did not restrict Han Xin's personal freedom, and Han Xin could still move freely in the palace. Naturally, Han Xin felt very uncomfortable when he was trapped in the palace. He complained that he was ill all day and could not go to court. Liu Bang did not have the same understanding as him.

Han Xin was depressed and unavoidably complained about Liu Bang. Later, Han Xin instigated Chen Wei, the governor of Julu County, to rebel. Han Xin told Chen Wei that as long as he rebelled against the Han, he would be Chen Wei's internal agent. Later, Chen Xi really rebelled, and Han Xin prepared to release the prisoners to attack the palace, but Xiao He and Empress Lu found out. Han Xin was exterminated for his rebellion.

Xinfang was beheaded, and the three tribes of Xin were barbarized. ?"Historical Records? Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin"

(1) If Han Xin did not rebel, then who would have the courage to touch the founding hero? Would Empress Lu dare? Of course I don't dare. The year when Han Xin rebelled was the year when Liu Bang had the strongest desire to depose the crown prince Liu Ying. If Empress Lu massacred the founding hero and Liu Bang took advantage of it and took the opportunity to depose the crown prince Liu Ying, wouldn't it be worth the loss?

The emperor wanted to depose the prince and establish Mrs. Qi’s son as King Zhao Ruyi. The ministers often give advice and argue, but fail to gain firm resolve. ?"Historical Records? Liuhou Family"

(2), when Empress Lu arrested Han Xin, she did not directly send people to arrest Han Xin, but also lured him to Changle Palace. If Han Xin had not rebelled, Empress Lu would directly send people to arrest him. That's good, why use deception? It's obvious that Han Xin's residence is already full of troops.

Zhang Liang stills

Second, the significance of Liu Bang’s eradication of princes and kings with different surnames has been decided, and it is useless to say it

First, Han Xin was replaced by the original King of Qi After being granted the title of King of Chu, Liu Bang named his eldest son Liu Fei the King of Qi. Liu Fei had no experience in governing and had not made any great achievements, but he was named the King of Qi by Liu Bang.

The Emperor Gao made his eldest son Fei the King of Qi and Shen the Prime Minister of Qi. ?"Historical Records? Cao Xiangguo Family"

Second, Liu Bang killed Xiang Yu's old tribe, which made Yan King Zang Tu panic, so he rebelled against the Han Dynasty. After Liu Bang quelled the Yan rebellion, he granted Lu Wan the title of Yan. King, who is Lu Wan? He is Liu Bang's childhood friend, and he is also Liu Bang's classmate and fellow villager. He can be called a close friend. But Lu Wan did not make any great achievements, so Liu Bang named Lu Wan King of Yan, obviously because of his family relationship.

So Liu Bang’s policy of making kings has changed. Zhang Liang saw it clearly. Liu Bang had made up his mind to eradicate the princes and kings with different surnames. Liu Bang’s purpose was to own the world, not to share the world, so Zhang Liang knew that it would be useless if he said anything.

Zhang Liang stills

Third, for the sake of self-protection

After Liu Bang ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, Zhang Liang asked Liu Bang to retire. He told Liu Bang that he was not in good health. Well, and Qin has been destroyed, he has avenged his homeland, South Korea, and his long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, so he is going to travel around. In fact, Zhang Liang was protecting himself under the guise of poor health. Zhang Liang was a first-class counselor. He knew the relationship between the founding heroes and the monarch. They always felt like brothers when they fought together to conquer the world, but regarded them as a serious concern when they conquered the world.

So, when Han Xin was falsely accused of treason for the first time, Zhang Liang did not step forward to clear up Han Xin's grievances. What's more, did Han Xin really commit treason later? What if he intercedes for Han Xin and Liu Bang is suspicious of him? Zhang Liang knew that Liu Bang was very suspicious of heroes after he ascended the throne. Even Xiao He was suspected, so he didn't want to get into trouble.

Still photos of Xiao He

All in all, Han Xin’s life was a tragedy. He was an outstanding military strategist, not an experienced politician. He didn’t know how to get along with Liu Bang. , and do not understand the hidden political rules under authoritarian centralization. In general, Liu Bang was kind to Han Xin, but Han Xin violated military orders several times and treated Liu Bang like a villain. How could he get Liu Bang's favor? Zhang Liang did a good job at this point. Therefore, among the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, Han Xin was executed and Xiao He was imprisoned. Only Zhang Liang was able to survive alone. This is inseparable from Zhang Liang's resourcefulness.