Chapter 23 6. Against all odds, use Chen Ping

After Chen Sheng established the Zhang Chu regime, the world was in chaos, and the flames of war spread to the Yangwu area. This is the hometown of Chen Ping, the founder of the Han Dynasty.Many poor people who couldn't stand the rule of the Qin Dynasty were moved by the wind and formed gangs to join the rebel army.Chen Ping also made waves in his heart. Chen Ping can be considered a celebrity here.Chen Ping's parents died very early. He lived with his brother and sister-in-law since he was a child. His family was poor, and he ate every meal without rest. His elder brother was an honest farmer who farmed at home, working at sunrise and resting at sunset ,Very hard.And Chen Ping is somewhat similar to Liu Bang. He hated and despised farming and farming since he was a child, and he liked to read and talk about current affairs.Chen Ping's elder brother loves his younger brother very much. He thinks that Chen Ping can achieve something in the future and should not farm the land, so he fully supports him to go out to study.

When Chen Ping grew up, he was handsome and talented, and because he had never done farm work, he was very fair. Standing with those farmers whose heads were turned to the loess and their backs to the sky, he looked very outstanding, and he was a well-known handsome man in the local area.But handsome men also have to eat. In the eyes of the neighbors, Chen Ping does not do any work and relies on his brother all day, so he is considered worthless.So Chen Ping and Liu Bang are similar in that they have a bad reputation. Some people asked Chen Ping's sister-in-law: "Your family is so poor, how did you raise Chen Ping so strong? What does he usually eat?" His sister-in-law hated Chen Ping so much that he didn't help his brother farm the fields and was idle all day long. , I complained: "What can I eat? It's not bad food. What's the use of being so good? It's delicious and lazy..." Soon the words reached Chen Ping's elder brother. Chen Ping's elder brother had high hopes for Chen Ping, and He was very proud of his younger brother, and when he heard his wife say this about Chen Ping, he was very angry, went back and had a big fight, and divorced her.

But after this happened, Chen Ping's reputation became even worse.The reason why his sister-in-law was divorced changed from time to time. It was said that Chen Ping had an improper relationship with his sister-in-law, and his brother divorced his wife. Naturally, Chen Ping would not pay attention to these things. As for Chen Ping's elder brother, he didn't care what others said. The two brothers still lived together affectionately.However, these rumors almost affected Chen Ping's future. Besides, when Chen Ping heard the news of the uprising, his blood boiled with excitement. Later, he heard that the land of Wei had been pacified by the rebels, and Chen Sheng made Wei Jiu king of Wei.Chen Ping couldn't hold back any longer, so he started to move around in his own village. His family said what his family said and what his family said.A dozen young men in full swing, just at the age of fashion (it was also a fashion for young people to revolt at that time), were all persuaded by Chen Ping.Seeing that the time was ripe, Chen Ping said to his brother: "The times make heroes. Now the opportunity has come. I can't wait any longer." He went to King Jiu of Wei alone.

At that time, there were many wars, and the officials of the Qin Dynasty, the bandits who fell into the grass, and ordinary farmers all stood up and held high the banner of righteousness. Some became kings themselves, and some were named kings. power.These forces are in urgent need of growth, and they can't wait for someone to join them, no matter how many. Chen Ping's dozens of people grew to dozens on the way to Weidi. They met the king of Wei and were warmly welcomed.As soon as King Jiu of Wei was happy, he appointed Chen Ping as a servant.A servant is not a small official, and his social status is much stronger than that of a peasant. Chen Ping felt that he could finally show his ambition.Chen Ping has been wronged for so many years, and has accumulated a lot of strategies, giving some ideas to King Wei from time to time.But Wei Wang seemed to be absent-minded, and changed the topic after a while. Chen Ping asked Wei Wang bluntly: "Is my strategy not working?" It’s a good idea, but it needs to be considered in the long run.” After doing this several times, Chen Ping was very distressed, and it seemed that King Wei could not accomplish great things.So, Chen Ping thought of leaving.Just at this moment, King Wei was talking with Chen Ping, and he said sourly: "Li Ji praises Mr. for his grandeur..." Li Ji is King Wei's concubine, why did King Wei suddenly ask this?Chen Ping suddenly realized that his handsome appearance had caused trouble again.Almost all the fellow villagers who came with him knew about Chen Ping's rumors, whoever was unconvinced or jealous said a few bad things, it was really enough for him.After this conversation, Chen Ping thought about it, and felt that King Wei was not the wise master, and he already suspected himself that if he didn't leave soon, he would get angry sooner or later.So Chen Ping ran away overnight without taking anything with him.

Chen Ping experienced the first setback since his debut. Chen Ping was very depressed, because he was afraid that his brother would be disappointed, and he didn't want to go home, so he wandered outside for a long time.During this period, Xiang Yu rose rapidly and emerged among many military forces, which attracted Chen Ping's attention.Later, Chen Ping heard that Xiang Yu was fighting on the banks of the Yellow River, so he defected to Xiang Yu again.Perhaps because Xiang Yu was born in a noble family, he was born to have a good impression of handsome people, and Xiang Yu's mind is also higher than that of King Wei. He is good at tactics and strategies. Hearing Chen Ping's words, he feels that Chen Ping is a talent , Immediately conferred the title of honor and entrusted him with important tasks.Chen Ping just stayed by Xiang Yu's side safely.

Later, the general trend of the conflict between Chu and Han gradually became clear. Yin Wang Sima Ang rebelled against Chu, and Xiang Yu sent Chen Ping to conquer.Chen Ping defeated the king of Yin and brought him back to Chu. Xiang Yu was very happy and gave him gold as an official.In the second year of the Han Dynasty (205 BC), Sima Yang surrendered to the Han Dynasty, and Xiang Yu was furious. He angered the generals of Dingyin, and Chen Ping was the first to bear the brunt.From then on, Xiang Yu always said that Chen Ping was rewarded in vain. In the end, Sima Ang returned to the King of Han, and he was impatient to listen to some of Chen Ping's strategies. This made Chen Ping very annoyed. He thought: Xiang Yu also As a generation of heroes, why is he so small-bellied?Even a little woman, being appointed as an official is like someone else stealing a few eggs from her. What future does such a person have?So Chen Ping sealed the general seal and Xiang Yu's gift of gold, and ordered someone to give it to Xiang Yu, which was regarded as a reward for mocking him.Chen Ping is also very spineless, penniless, and escapes alone with a sword.He had already thought about it, and went to his good friend Wei Wuzhi, and asked Wei Wuzhi to recommend him to meet Liu Bang, the king of Han.

When it was getting dark, Chen Ping fled to the bank of the Yellow River, recalling his previous two setbacks, and thought, if I don't meet the Ming Lord next time, I am afraid that my talent in this life, Chen Ping, will be buried. After Chen Ping crossed the river, after two months of wandering, he finally came to the territory of the Han army to practice martial arts. He found his old friend Wei Wuzhi and made his wishes clear.Wei Wuzhi didn't delay, and immediately took him to see the King of Han in a hurry.As soon as Liu Bang heard Wei Wuzhi's introduction and learned that Chen Ping was just a "deserter" in Chu, he didn't care, so he said casually: "General Wei will treat this gentleman well when he goes back..." Hearing that Liu Bang didn't mean much to him, thinking of his strategic talent and his previous two grievances, he felt very sad and indignant, and said loudly: "I have something to come today, and I won't say what I want to say after today! "

Liu Bang thought to himself: What a big tone, is there really a good plan?At this time, Liu Bang had been instructed by Zhang Liang many times, and he felt that no one in the world could compare with Zhang Liang.But Chen Ping's words worked in the end, and Liu Bang said: "Then just tell me if you have anything to do." After some in-depth discussion, Liu Bang thought that although Chen Ping couldn't surpass Zhang Liang, he was almost the same, and he was very happy. Happy.On the same day, he was worshiped as the captain, accompanied him around, and ordered him to supervise the generals. Later, he was promoted as the second general and let him work hard.

Chen Ping had just returned to Han. With such courtesy, many people in the Han army paid attention to him, and some flexible people even gave him gifts to befriend him.Many of Liu Bang's generals were dissatisfied with this "little white face" who appeared suddenly. Some generals, such as Zhou Bo and Guan Ying, etc., reported sourly to Liu Bang, saying that Chen Ping just had a pretty face, and that his stomach might not be the same. In stock.He also listed Chen Ping's three major crimes: one is that he has a bad conduct and has the notoriety of "sister-in-law stealing"; Going, it is very dangerous; the third is too greedy, accepting bribes from the generals is not counted, if you give more, you will look good, and if you give less, you will deliberately embarrass.In the final analysis, Chen Ping is basically a "repetitive chaotic minister" and cannot be entrusted with important tasks.

As the saying goes, "All talk makes money, and accumulation destroys bones." Originally, Liu Bang was a person who paid great attention to the opinions of the masses. Such "small reports" were issued too much, and even Liu Bang began to doubt his original judgment.In order to properly handle this matter, he first asked Wei Wuzhi, who recommended Chen Ping, to interrogate him. Wei Wuzhi said, "I'm just recommending you a man of ingenuity. Some issues of character are not worth mentioning at all." The answer was ambiguous, which obviously did not satisfy Liu Bang.

He summoned Chen Ping again and said: "Rumors about you are spreading in the army now, and I don't believe them at all. But you originally helped the king of Wei, and then left the king of Wei to help the king of Chu, and now you come to help me again. Why don't 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, and the king of Wei can't use me. I left him to help the King of Chu, and the King of Chu took his anger out on me because of Sima Ang. I heard that the King of Han is a wise, open-hearted, and sincere leader who knows how to use people. A virtuous minister chooses the master to do things', I will not travel thousands of miles to join the King of Han, what is wrong with doing so?" Liu Bang lost most of his doubts when he heard this, and then asked: "Is it true that everyone said you accepted other people's money? Chen Ping said in the same unhurried manner: "I didn't bring any property rewarded by the king of Chu when I came, just to show my determination to return to Han. I was penniless, so I accepted the gift from others. Your Majesty If you think I can be used, then please use it; if you think it is not worth using, then I will immediately hand over the money I collected and go home." With just a few words, Liu Bang was overwhelmed by Chen Ping's eloquence. All doubts are gone.At this time, Chen Ping said mockingly: "Did your Majesty also hear the rumors of 'sister-in-law stealing'? I don't think it is necessary to explain such nonsense." Liu Bang quickly said: "There is no need to explain, I don't believe those rumors at all." Then he sincerely apologized to Chen Ping, and promoted him to the rank of lieutenant of the guard army to supervise all the generals. After twists and turns, Chen Ping finally got the trust and reuse of Liu Bang.From then on, Chen Ping devoted himself to "six tricks" for Liu Bang, helped Liu Bang out of danger many times, and finally helped Liu Bang win the world, and became a famous adviser in the Western Han Dynasty to stabilize the country. Chen Ping judged the situation and finally stood on the right team. He became the founding official of the Han Dynasty and assisted the Gao, Hui, and Wen dynasties, which became a good story in history.The key factor for Chen Ping to display his talents is Liu Bang's wisdom in employing people. He resisted all opinions and reused Chen Ping regardless of trivial matters, which reflected his imperial courage and broad mind.In contrast, Xiang Yu had huge flaws in employing people. The return of the king of Yin to Han was not a major event at the time, but Xiang Yu turned his anger on the generals who pacified Yin, which led to Chen Ping returning to Han.Many of Liu Bang's subordinates had opposed him or surrendered to Xiang Yu, but they were not held accountable.Therefore, although Xiang Yu was always victorious, he fought with fewer and fewer people; although Liu Bang was often defeated, the more people he fought, the more he fought.