Chapter 53 Use people like tools

To sum up Liu Bang's life, his success lies in his ability to employ people. Know people and do well.There is a Chinese saying that goes, "All things are used to the best of their abilities, and people are to make the best use of their talents."To realize "full use" and "full use of talents", the key lies in putting things in the right place and putting people in the right positions.The key point of knowing people and being good at tasks is to know people, and then to be good at tasks. Knowing others, knowing yourself, and knowing the enemy, among them, knowing oneself means that people should have self-knowledge, and the place where people are smart is to have self-knowledge.This is indeed difficult for many people.And Liu Bang is just a very self-aware person. He knows better than anyone that the most important ability of an emperor is how to mobilize the enthusiasm of the soldiers. What position is most suitable, and can maximize and fully exert one's enthusiasm and role.Liu Bang used the basic truth of knowing people well and being good at assignments very well, which is why Liu Bang established such a Han Dynasty group.

Confucius said, "Government with virtue, such as the North Star, dwells in its place, and all the stars share it." It means to govern political affairs with moral education, you will be like the North Star, you will live in a certain position, and all the stars will be there. wrap around it.In the vast sky, the Polaris may not be the brightest, but it always points to the north, pointing to the place where the mind and soul move forward.The North Star never moves, and the Big Dipper always moves around the North Star.It is not difficult to see that in the revolutionary army of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang is the eternal North Star.And Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Han Xin, Chen Ping, etc. are the Big Dipper, and Liu Bang has been leading their direction.

This is a very important reason why Liu Bang can succeed. The selection of people is eclectic, and the employment is based on their strengths.This is the way of employing people successfully at all times and in all over the world.It is most taboo to choose talents according to the frame and leverage. Some people are very knowledgeable, but they are very incompetent in doing things because they don't know how to adapt.Some people have a lot of experience, but because of their poor comprehension, they never make progress.Reusing such a person may cause mistakes.A successful emperor selects talents, first of all ability, and there is no secular prejudice.Therefore, they are always full of talents.In ancient times, Mingjun chose talents eclecticly, that is, he dared to break the concept of family status and academic qualifications.Many wise emperors deeply know that many talents come from the families of ordinary people and come from the bottom of society.Therefore, they actively searched for talents among the people, and broke the concept of family status to select talents. For example, Emperor Shun in the period of the Five Emperors was the son of a blind man, Yi Yin in the Shang Dynasty was a slave who cooked, Fu Yue was a slave who smashed rams, Many of Genghis Khan's generals were slaves, and Zhao Hei, the general of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, was also a slave...

In Liu Bang's revolutionary team, Zhang Liang was an aristocrat, Chen Ping was a tourist, Xiao He was a county magistrate, Fan Kui was a dog butcher, Guan Ying was a cloth dealer, Lou Jing was a coachman, Peng Yue was a robber, Zhou Bo was a trumpeter, Han Xin It is an unemployed youth.It can be said that they are at all levels of society and understand all levels of society.Everyone has it, it can be described as a motley crew.But what Liu Bang requires is that all talents can play their roles to the maximum. Many people in Liu Bang's team came from Xiang Yu's camp. Liu Bang's generosity in letting go of his previous suspicions was so incomprehensible that it was "great" beyond the understanding of ordinary people.The most fundamental problem is that Liu Bang grasps the big and let go of the small, and does not stick to the small details.Recruiting surrender and accepting rebellion, letting go of past suspicions, is tolerance, it is the way of employing people, not the art of employing them.

The reason why the sea is so wide is that the sea not only accommodates the water source brought by the rivers and lakes, but also accepts the silt and impurities brought by the rivers and lakes.The reason why Liu Bang's army is strong is because of his inclusive mind.Liu Bangzhi is strong and Liu Bang not only accepts the advantages of people, but also accepts the shortcomings of people. Those who used to be under Xiang Yu's command all flocked to Liu Bang's side, just because Liu Bang was magnanimous and treated them equally.For example, Han Xin and Chen Ping.Han Xin was originally a subordinate of Xiang Yu. Han Xin was talented, but Xiang Yu looked down on Han Xin. He could not play a real role under Xiang Yu, so he defected to Liu Bang.Chen Ping originally defected to the king of Wei, and later transferred to Xiang Yu's subordinates as a counselor.Chen Ping didn't get Xiang Yu's attention, and he was depressed until God arranged for him to meet Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet.The good bird chose a tree to live in. After that, he escaped from Xiang Yu's army with great talent, and was recommended by Wei Wuzhi to join Liu Bang.The two talked about major events in the world, and they were very speculative.Liu Bang made an exception and appointed Chen Ping as the captain, and stayed with him as a member (an official who accompanied him on trips and drove the carriage for him), and ordered him to supervise the generals of the three armies.

There is a famous proverb that says: "One or two pieces of honesty are better than one ton of wisdom." What talents need most is respect.In interpersonal communication, any person in the world hopes that the other party will be honest and honest with him, instead of talking nonsense or talking with lies.The most important thing to value talents is respect and trust. If you want to respect these talents, the only way is to treat them with sincerity. Of course, Liu Bang has this advantage.People like Zhang Liang, Han Xin, and Chen Ping talked to Liu Bang when they had problems, and Liu Bang solved them truthfully, even if such a solution would make him unable to step down.

Zhang Liang got the news before the Hongmen Banquet that Xiang Yu was going to send troops to destroy Liu Bang. Zhang Liang once asked Liu Bang if he could beat Xiang Yu with his own strength.Liu Bang truthfully replied, "It's not as good as it is."Later, when Han Xin came to Liu Bang's army, he also asked such a question, "Is your ability and charm comparable to Xiang Yu, my lord?"Liu Bang was silent for a long time, and finally said frankly, "It's not as good as it is." One of the important reasons why these people can advise Liu Bang is that Liu Bang tells the truth about everything he does and never hides it.If you trust and respect each other, you will get the same return, the same trust and respect from the other party, so they will do their best to help Liu Bang make suggestions.

It is a traditional Chinese way of trusting people not to be suspicious, but not to be suspicious. It is also a principle that has been praised since ancient times.During the revolution, doubting others is the most taboo. Liu Bang has this courage. Once he decides to use someone, he will never doubt it and use it freely.The most typical example is Chen Ping.After Chen Ping defected to Liu Bang from Xiang Yu's army, he gained Liu Bang's trust, which dissatisfied many of Liu Bang's old subordinates: We followed Liu Bang for so long, made great achievements, and went through life and death. As soon as the boy came, he was given such a high position.So some people went to Liu Bang to speak ill of Chen Ping.They all said that he had bad conduct and was greedy for bribes, which is what later generations sometimes referred to as "money money" and "sister-in-law stealing". They thought that such a person could not be trusted and reused.

Liu Bang couldn't stand the people's repeated slander against Chen Ping, so he also felt suspicious, and called Chen Ping to question: "I heard that you were originally helping the king of Wei, and then left the king of Wei to help the overlord of Chu, and now you come to help me again, why not?" Let others doubt your faith?" Chen Ping replied unhurriedly: "The same useful thing has different effects in the hands of different people. I serve the king of Wei, but the king of Wei can't use me. You trust me, that’s why I came here to serve the King. Although I am still me, the people who use me are different. I have long admired the King for being good at employing people, so I have traveled thousands of miles to join the King. I didn’t bring anything. I came here, That's why I have nothing, so I accepted the gift from others. Without money, I can't live, and I can't do things. If the king listens to the slander and refuses to use me, then, the gifts I accepted have not been used, and I can use them all. Hand it over, and ask the king to give me a way out, let me resign and go home, and die of old age in my hometown."

In a few words, the political advantages and disadvantages of all parties are explained, and there is something in the words. Liu Bang said: "I'm sorry. I have treated Mr. poorly. Please stay in the army." Liu Bang's doubts disappeared, and he became more fond of Chen Ping. He rewarded him heavily and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant of the guard army, specializing in supervising the generals.From then on, Chen Ping devoted himself to conquering the world for Liu Bang's "six tricks", and became a famous adviser in the Western Han Dynasty to stabilize the country.

With Liu Bang's trust, Chen Ping can finally use his hands and feet and do a lot.Soon afterwards, Liu Bang was besieged by Xiang Yu and asked Chen Ping for advice. Chen Ping said, "I worked under Xiang Yu and knew Xiang Yu very well. Xiang Yu was born in a noble family, and he treated people according to the noble way. I am usually respectful and polite, so I am very moral and courteous, and I value my identity and reputation very much. I cherish feathers and guard the holiness and beauty that I think will never change. The pain of a feather can also be an escape. An excuse to work hard. So these people are gathered under Xiang Yu's command. Although these people are loyal to Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu is suspicious. His loyal subordinates are only a few people. The renunciation of the monarch and his subjects can naturally be broken." So Liu Bang handed over 40,000 gold to Chen Ping, and let him use it at will, regardless of his access.Chen Ping paid a lot of money to send people to Xiang Yu's barracks to spread the news. Sure enough, Xiang Yu became suspicious. Of course, this was a special measure under special circumstances at that time, expressing Liu Bang's trust in Chen Ping. An award is a tangible affirmation of a talent's contribution.Rewarding for meritorious deeds can also be said to be awarded for deeds of meritorious deeds, which means that according to the size of meritorious service, rewards will be given.After Liu Bang seized the world, one of the problems he faced was how to reward these heroes. When Liu Bang discussed meritorious deeds and rewards, he decided Xiao He as the first meritorious service, and named him Marquis Feng, who had the most food.Many heroes were aggrieved and talked endlessly in private.They said that they traveled north and south with Liu Bang and experienced hundreds of battles, while Xiao He just sat at home to discuss and do paper work, without any military achievements. Why does he have more food cities than us? After Liu Bang heard about this, he said to them: "Do you know hunters? When hunting, hunting dogs are the ones chasing and killing wild animals, but people are the ones who show the whereabouts and let dogs chase wild animals. Now you can only hunt wild animals, which is equivalent to The contribution of the hunting dog. As for Xiao He, he was able to release the hunting dog and give instructions to chase the target. Ten people followed me, how can these credits be obliterated?" After hearing this, everyone was speechless to answer. After the feudal enfeoffment of the princes is completed, the next step is the ranking.All the ministers said: "Pingyang Hou Cao Shen followed His Majesty in the southern and northern wars, and suffered more than 70 battle injuries. He captured the city and conquered the territory. He has made the most contributions and should be ranked first." Liu Bang has already overwhelmed everyone once and re-sealed Xiao He, so it is difficult to say anything about the ranking, but he still believes that Xiao He should be ranked first. At this time, Guannei Hou Ejun said: "During the Chu-Han War, Your Majesty's entire army was defeated several times and escaped alone. It was all due to Xiao He sending troops from Guanzhong to supplement. Sometimes, even without His Majesty's order, Xiao He would send several troops at a time. Thousands of people, just to supplement the urgent needs of His Majesty. Not only the soldiers, but also the military rations are guaranteed by Xiao He's transfer to Caoguanzhong. These are the great achievements of the establishment of the Han family and passed down to future generations. How can people like Cao Shen and others be just One-time military exploits are ranked ahead of eternal achievements! According to my opinion, Xiao Heying ranks first, and Cao Shen ranks second." E Jun's remarks hit Liu Bang's heart, so he pushed the boat along the way and ranked Xiao He as the first, allowed him to wear shoelaces and swords to go to the palace, and sealed Xiao He's father, son and more than ten brothers.In this way, Xiao He ranked first among the ministers and was called "the first prince who founded the country". After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, Xiao He's position in the government was second only to Liu Bang, which can be said to be above one person and below ten thousand people.For example, if Liu Bang Group is a company, Liu Bang is the chairman and Xiao He is the general manager.Even though Liu Bang gave Xiao He great trust, he was secretly controlling and monitoring Xiao He.However, Liu Bang's control and surveillance are not like Xiang Yu's. He is always calm and does not write the word "doubt" on his face. In the autumn of the twelfth year of the Han Dynasty, Yingbu rebelled, Liu Bang's imperial conquest was personally conquered, and Xiao He stayed in the capital.During the course of this war, Liu Bang sent envoys back constantly, and every time he came back, he would go to see Xiao He, and it was said that the emperor asked Xiao Xiangguo what he was doing recently, and he was very caring and considerate, so Xiao He was very moved and devoted himself to Liu Bang's battle. Good logistics support. At this time, a doorman said to Xiao He: "What does the Prime Minister think of Your Majesty treating you?" Xiao He said: "The emperor trusts me very much, and frequently sends envoys to care for me, asking me how I am and what I am doing." The doorman sneered: "Prime Minister, you are not far from the catastrophe of exterminating the nine clans." Xiao He was puzzled, and the doorman said: "Do you think the emperor cares about you? He is worried, so he keeps sending people back to see what you are doing. Since you entered the customs for more than ten years, you have won the hearts of the people, and the people are willing to attach themselves to you. , The emperor has repeatedly sent people back to inquire about the current situation, because he is afraid that you will provoke the people to rebel in Guanzhong. You are the number one hero of the Han Dynasty, and there is no room for you to be named, how can he trust you?" Xiao He said: "What you said is very true, so what should we do?" The doorman said: "There is only one way. You can ruin your own image. Corruption is the best way. Let him know that you are greedy for small profits and have no big ambitions." After Liu Bangping fixed Yingbu, he returned to the capital and found that many people sued Xiao He, saying that they used their power to forcibly buy land at a low price.Liu Bang learned that he really laughed at Xiao He's "small peasant consciousness", so he was relieved. But later, someone reported to him that Xiao He had financial problems.Liu Bang immediately turned his face and was ruthless, and put him in prison, preparing to destroy him physically.Fortunately, Xiao He had a good relationship and had already become one with Empress Lu's system. With the protection of these networks, he was finally acquitted. Therefore, Liu Bang's method of employing people is a typical emperor's method. On the one hand, he has no doubts about employing people, and on the other hand, he is afraid that the heroes will be powerful and powerful, and they will rob the throne.But this is not just Liu Bang's emperor. All in all, Liu Bang was able to trust talents, use talents, fully mobilize their enthusiasm, and secretly prevent and control them, thus gathering all the talents in the world at that time around him, forming an optimized combination.That's why he defeated Xiang Yu and went to victory.Liu Bang believes that this is the root of his success, and it should be said that there is a certain reason.