How to evaluate Liu Bang?

Since Sima Qian, the personality quality of Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, has not been highly valued. Even when he highly praised Liu Bang's achievements, he only said that he saved the people from fire and water, but did not praise his whole personality. Criticism of Liu Bang began with Ruan Ji's exclamation that "there is no hero in the world, and a son became famous" [1]. After "Lala" became popular, Liu Bang simply became synonymous with poor personality, and it has not changed so far. These views of denying Liu Bang's character are also derived from historical records, and it should be said that at least some of them are true. However, this situation is contradictory. This is not only unreasonable in reason, but also extremely impossible in fact, because great behavior comes from low character. If you are sure that Liu Bang's achievements are great, then his character must be great. Sima Qian called it the Great Sage, which was not empty talk, but supported by a large number of facts. Liu Xiang and Ban Gu called Historical Records "beauty that is not empty, evil that is not hidden", [2] which is basically a conclusion drawn from Sima Qian's description of Liu Bang. Beauty is not empty, that is, Sima Qian's praise of Liu bang is based on facts; Not hiding evil means that although Sima Qian praised Liu Bang's achievements, he did not shy away from his own shortcomings. As a result, later generations often ignored Sima Qian's true beauty, but especially took a fancy to his not hiding evil, which caused the embarrassment of Liu Bang's evaluation. In fact, a ruler like Liu Bang, who established the first stable dynasty in China's history, can't simply evaluate his personal qualities by good or bad, but should look at the mainstream, that is, the overall performance. Sima Qian's conclusion is to look at mainstream products. Today, when we evaluate Liu Bang's character, we should also evaluate it from a historical perspective, that is, from the perspective of Sima Qian, so as to draw a true conclusion about his character. 1. What is the basis of Sima Qian's evaluation? It was he who said in the Biography of Emperor Gaozu: "Xia Zhizheng, a man of loyalty, a field of villains, was accepted by the Yin people with courtesy. To us, villains are ghosts, so Zhou people inherited them in words. If she is weak, the villain will be loyal to her, so there is no way to save her. 3. If Wang Zhidao goes on, it will always start again. Between Zhou and Qin dynasties, it can be said that the writing is poor. It would be a shame if Qin Zheng did not amend the anti-torture law. Therefore, Han Xing has a changeable inheritance, which makes people tireless and unified. " This conclusion of Sima Qian seems to have too much fatalism, which seems to be out of date today after more than two thousand years. There are not a few people who disagree or disagree. However, as a serious historian, Sima Qian's conclusions drawn from thousands of years of historical investigation will not lose their reasonable components because they are not to people's taste or lack a sense of the times. In a sense, Sima Qian's profound understanding of the inherent laws of history is much better than most of us today. In Sima Qian's view, what Liu Bang did was "loyalty and righteousness", as "Justice in Historical Records" said: "The Han people inherited Qin's harsh laws and made three chapters. Oppose its loyal politics, make the people tireless, and get the unity of heaven and earth. Therefore, Tai Shigong quoted praise, and Mei Gaozu could change Qin to make the people safe. " If you participate in the preface to the bright moon in Qin dynasty, Sima Qian's meaning will be more clear. He said: "I was worried about the past and succeeded in the summer. After decades of accumulation of virtue, he is in charge of the people, taking administrative matters, taking the test in the sky, and then taking office. King Wu Tang was ruled by Qi and Hou Ji and practiced benevolence and righteousness for more than ten generations. He accidentally met 800 vassals in Jin Meng, but he still thought it was impossible, and then he was released. After Qin began to assist Gong, Zhang Youwen, Miao, Xian and Xiao wrote and spent a little time gnawing at the six countries for more than a hundred years. When you get to the first emperor, you can take the crown. If virtue is the same as others, it is difficult to overcome the difficulty of unifying scholars. Since Qin proclaimed himself emperor, he has suffered from wars and revolutions constantly, and only then can he have princes. Therefore, without the seal of the ruler, the famous city will be destroyed, the dysprosium will be sold, the hero will be gone, and the world will be peaceful. However, the prosperity of the trace of the king began in Lv Xiang, combined with the Crusades, and was told in three generations. The Qin ban in rural areas is suitable for those who have the ability to drive away their ears. Therefore, I am angry that what I do is the best in the world, and I am not the king of the earth. This is the so-called great sage. Isn't it heaven? Isn't it heaven? It is not the Great Sage who can be emperor. " It turns out that Liu Bang's achievement is to return to normal the social life that has been turbulent for hundreds of years since Zhou Wang moved eastward. Of course, this achievement can only be described by Great Sage. In fact, Sima Qian's conclusion is not his own, but on the basis of absorbing previous summaries. After Liu Bang's death, all the ministers said, "Emperor Taizu started from the subtleties, set things right, and in turn settled the world. He was the Han Taizu, with the highest merit." [3] More than half of the familiar saying of setting things right today originated from Liu Bang. Why do you say that? Because Qin was established after the war, it is conditional to do so, that is, Qin will restart the three Wang Zhidao cycles since the summer. As Jia Yi said when commenting on Qin's death, "Today, when it is established, the world must lead and observe its management. Cold husbands are rich in brown, hungry ones are willing to spoil chaff, and the world is rich. This statement is easy for the people. " [4] However, the foundation of Qin's founding is not generosity, let alone untimely meanness and harshness, which makes the Three Wang Zhidao unsustainable. This historical situation of bringing order out of chaos was only achieved through Liu Bang's success. So, "said Lu Sheng," the emperor rose to learn from others, criticized Qin, punished strong Chu, promoted good and eliminated evil for the world, and succeeded five emperors Huang San to govern China. China has a population of several hundred million, and Wan Li is the most fertile place in the world. There are many people and cars, and everything is rich. From heaven and earth, there is no beginning. " [5] It can be seen that Sima Qian's evaluation of Liu Bang is based on his contribution to the people, and it is based on the fact that hundreds of years after Zhou Wang moved eastward, the world was in war and the people were displaced, and finally Han Xing was pacified. So, did Liu Bang make this contribution intentionally or unintentionally, or caused this situation? Judging from the historical records, it should be intentional from the heart. Second, the heart of benevolence is based on the heart of the world. When talking about Liu Bang's success, he always puts forward three advantages: 1, brilliant, resourceful and far-sighted; 2, can use people, especially control people; 3. The mind is flexible, the intelligence is extremely high, and the ability to improvise has reached a superb level; There is no mention of Liu Bang's benevolence for the needs of the times. In fact, this is Liu Bang's greatest advantage, handsome among the advantages. Other advantages are only subordinate to this. Sima Qian recorded: "Gaozu is a human being, ... being kind and loving others." [6] This kind of kindness can be found everywhere in historical materials: it was originally reflected in being a prisoner on the way to Xianyang for the imperial court. Then he didn't want to accept the position of Pei Ling at the beginning. Liu Ji said, "The world is in turmoil, and all the ministers have risen together. It is not good to set up generals now, and they will be defeated. I dare not love myself, but I'm afraid I'll lose weight and I'm afraid I won't be a father, brother and child. I want to make a better choice for this big event. " [7] Note that Liu Bang's words are different from those of Cao Can and Xiao He. Grass's words are a fear of failure, while Qin Dynasty is the home of race, and Liu Bang's words have no personal factors. The most typical way is to enter the customs to destroy Qin, and make three chapters with Qin people, knowing that Qin laws should be eliminated and not appreciated by Qin people; Then in the seventh year of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang attacked Han Wangxin and returned to Xianyang. Seeing that the Palace Que was very strong, he was furious and called Xiao He: Hungary in the world has struggled for several years, and its success or failure is unknown. What is the law of the palace of transition? [8] Finally, in the twelfth year of the Han Dynasty, the father and the old man kept drinking. Liu Bang said: "We are so numerous that my father and brother can't give it." [9] I don't want to disturb my hometown elders too much, expressing my deep sympathy for my hometown people. All this is not acting, but from the heart. Speaking of Liu Bang's benevolence and love, we may have to compare people's evaluation of Xiang Yu at that time. Xiao He said, "Wang Su is slow and rude. Today he worships the general like a child. " [10] Han Xin said: "When Wang Xiang meets people, he is respectful and affectionate, and he spits out his words. When he is sick, he drinks with tears. To make people meritorious, to be knighted, to seal up the disadvantages, can't stand it. This so-called woman's benevolence is also. " [1 1] Chen Ping said: "Wang Xiang is a man who respects his lover, and those who are honest and polite will repay him. As for Gongshi, it is important, and scholars do not attach it. Today, the king is slow and polite, and those who are cheap and frugal don't come. But the king can spare the respect of the city, and those who are stubborn and shameless will also return to the Han Dynasty. If you go to the other side's shortcomings and attack their two strengths, the world will refer to people. However, the king cannot get an upright man by insulting others. " [12] Li Shiqi said: Hanwang "accepted the soldiers of the world and made princes. When you come to the city, you wait for your general. When you get a bribe, you share your talents, benefit the whole world, and be proud of your talents. ..... Xiang Wang has the name of double contract, killing Yi Di. People's merits are not remembered, and people's sins are not forgotten. Failure without reward, pulling out the city without sealing, using it instead of using it. Carve it for the people, cut it without giving it. Siege will be rewarded, but not rewarded. The world is everywhere, and talented people complain about it instead of using it. Therefore, all the people in the world belong to Hanwang and can sit and decide. " [13] Gao Qi and Wang Ling said, "Your Majesty is slow and insulting, while Xiang Yu is kind and loves others. However, your majesty made people attack the city, and everyone who came down gave it, which is also beneficial to the world. "[14] The above is actually the way to treat others, not the way to love others. Nevertheless, we can still see the essential difference between Liu and Xiang. Liu Tong is the world, and this item is its own patent. With this premise, The Lover of Xiang has no substantive content, but more of a performance component. On the other hand, Liu benefits the whole world as much as possible. This way of dealing with people, its arrogance has no substantial harm to people, and it is of great benefit to people's promotion. This also confirms the essence of Liu Bang's benevolence. It is precisely because of this kind heart that the world can return to its original heart and win the final victory. As can be seen from the historical records, Liu Bang, the hero, benefited more from the seal. In fact, the people in the early Han Dynasty also benefited a lot. The Qin dynasty was extravagant and extravagant, and received half of the gifts in the world. By the beginning of the Han Dynasty, everything was in ruins, but taxes did not increase but decreased. "Song Zhou Mi's" Qi Dong Yu Ye "cloud: The mining field method is abolished, with many names, and Han is the lightest. Since the high, benefit, fifteen taxes have been paid, and Wendi has given a half-rent order. In the first year of Jingdi, I also tasted half rent; It will be 30 next year, tax 1, which is the so-called half rent. At the beginning,/kloc-was taxed at the age of 0/5 and at the age of 30. Now it is one of the taxes, which is the so-called semi-rental system. It is not easy to defend oneself from behind, so Emperor Guangwu said: Those who are equipped with divisions and brigades have not solved it, so they pay tithes. Today's grain storage is poor, so we have to pay 30 tax, just like the old system. It is known that thirty taxes are one, and Han people often make it. "[15] This situation, which lasted for hundreds of years, shows that the biggest beneficiary of Liu Bang's victory is not himself and his subordinates, but the broad masses of the people. This is just in line with what Laozi said: "People are hungry, depending on the amount of grain tax, it is hunger", "So the sage said: I do nothing, but the people are self-sufficient; I am so quiet that the people are self-righteous; I have nothing to do and the people are rich; I am just without desire, and the people are simple. "Sima Qian's evaluation also has a foothold. Third, dare to take responsibility, not boast of its merits, and dare to blame yourself. Although Liu Bang had a disgraceful record of running for his life and kicking his children out of the car when the situation was unfavorable, what is more important is that he showed a responsible spirit in the face of great responsibilities. This is the nature of the above-mentioned prisoners and Pei Gong. The real responsibility is to destroy Qin and resist Chu. After Xiang Liang's defeat, Chu Huaiwang took charge of the overall situation with all his heart, and when the general Molly entered the customs first. In this case, Chu Huaiwang ordered Liu Bang's general to attack Qin with less than 10,000 troops, paving the way for Chu to help Zhao. Liu bang didn't flinch and accomplished the task well. In this regard, you can refer to my book "Analysis of Liu Bangxi's War Route and Historical Achievements in the Expedition to Destroy Qin", [16] which is not superfluous. In the war against Chu, the most difficult thing is to confront Xiang Yu directly. Because Xiang Yu was the most talented person at that time, no one could beat him. This important task was personally undertaken by Liu Bang. He confronted Chu in Xingyang for three years, suffered repeated defeats and wars, was injured many times and was almost captured several times. "Historical Records" quoted Sanzhu's story: "Chu and Han were separated from Beijing for six years, and suffered twelve blows and four stones. "The authenticity of this record is difficult to verify, but it is enough to prove that confrontation with Xiang Yu is extremely dangerous. It was Liu Bang who effectively contained Xiang Yu and ensured the smooth progress of other battlefield situations. Liu Bang dared to shoulder the heavy responsibility, not only before the world was undecided, but even after he became emperor, whether Han Wangxin, Chen Yi or Qing Bu, or whether he was in good health or not, he took pains to lead troops in person. When Liu Bang was emperor, the vassal * * once said, "At first, Qin Wei died, and everyone ruled him. My late king won the king of Qin and settled in Guanzhong, making the most contribution to the world. Life and death are at stake, the defeat can be saved, and the people are safe and virtuous. It also benefited governors and Wang Yougong, making the country a country. The division of land has been fixed, but the rank number is comparable, and the division of death is up and down. The merits and demerits of the king will not be announced by future generations. "At that time, Liu Bang's contribution was considered to be the ultimate and could not be higher. He still refuses to become emperor. He said: "I heard that the emperor had a sage with an empty name, but he didn't take it. "Now that the princes have pushed me up, what should I do?" [17] This record of not forgetting others' contributions under indisputable circumstances is of course the embodiment of his benevolent heart. The most famous is his dialogue with ministers after the world was stable. Talking about how to win the world, he said: "My husband is thousands of miles away, and I am not as good as my ovary. Town, people, food, endless route for providing foodstuff, I am not as good as Xiao He. Even if it is a million-strong army, we must win the battle and attack it. I am not as good as Han Xin. These three are outstanding people, and I can use them, so I win the world. Xiang Yu has a Fan Zeng, so he can't use it. That's why he was arrested for me. " [18] Because Liu Bang has such an evaluation, later generations often think that Liu Bang has exposed too much light. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss this issue. Although the contributions of the above three people are not small, they are all made under the leadership of Liu Bang. For example, with the help of Xiang Liang, Sean led more than 1,000 soldiers to North Korea in his early years. Every city he won was immediately taken away by Qin Jun, and he got nothing in the end. Of course, Sean certainly has his strong points. According to historical records, Liu Bang benefited a lot from his tricks. There will certainly be some unwise ideas that have not been adopted by Liu Bang and left out by history books. Liu Bang is not good at Xiao He's works at all. It should be said that Liu Bang's evaluation of Xiao He is pertinent, but Sima Qian commented on Xiao He: "Why did Xiao become a knife and pencil official in Qin? This is nothing to be surprised about. And Han Xing, according to the last light of the sun and the moon, why did he keep the key? Because of the illness of the people, Qin Fa went down the river to start a new stove. " [19] This shows that Xiao He's credit was obtained under the trust of Liu Bang. Han Xin originally came to take refuge in Hanwang alone. Although the meritorious military service was great, after all, he did not directly fight Xiang Yu. Whether his combat capability is definitely higher than that of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu at that time is not easy to draw a conclusion. It's just that Liu Bang was not famous for fighting in history. History has a low opinion of his ability. In fact, he is very capable. Only Liu Bang himself can quell the rebellion in Qing Bu, Chen Sihe. When fighting Qin, Han Xin had not joined Liu Bang's camp, and Liu Bang could still win Qin. Sean called his use of troops a gift, which shows that Liu Bang's military ability is quite high.