Chapter 24 4. The real reason for burning Xianyang

Xiang Yu set fire to Xianyang, he acted swiftly, decisively and decisively. Later generations often label him as reckless and lack of political savvy. In fact, there are many reasons for this, including subjective, objective, internal and incentive.Let's talk one by one. First, Xiang Yu's wish.This is subjective. "The Xiang family has been the general of Chu for generations", and they have been eating the salary of the Chu state for generations and serving the king of Chu. where.However, in Xiang Yu's generation, everything is gone. First, his grandfather Xiang Yan sacrificed his life for the country, and then his uncle Xiang Liang died on the battlefield. This is all thanks to Qin.It can be said that the hatred of the family and the country are all concentrated on Xiang Yu alone. This burden is very heavy, and it will eventually become a destructive force.

As early as six years ago, when Xiang Yu saw the majesty of Qin Shihuang's travels, he had already gritted his teeth and hated him to the marrow.In the following years, he has been working hard for this hatred.Therefore, when Xiang Yu faced the majestic Xianyang Palace, his years of grievances would suddenly burst out. At that time, there was no envy in his eyes, only hatred.It can be said that the destruction of Xianyang Palace has been Xiang Yu's long-cherished wish, and it is also his motivation to fight on the battlefield. What he wants is the result, and now his goal has been realized.

Speaking of this, let's make a digression by the way. Later generations have a negative attitude towards Xiang Yu's behavior, saying that Xiang Yu destroyed cultural relics and buildings. The luxurious palace is a place for emperors to enjoy, but it is also the crystallization of the wisdom and sweat of the working people, which can be passed on to future generations. A brilliant achievement to be admired forever.I think this means standing up and talking without back pain, purely worrying for the ancients.If everything is not broken or built, this matter must be viewed from two aspects. Without the burning of Xianyang, there would not be a more prosperous Chang'an City later, right?With China's thousands of years of history, if all the buildings are preserved, there will be nothing else on the ground in China.Are those courtyard houses in old Beijing not cultural heritage?Isn't it replaced by reinforced concrete?Xiang Yu is far worse than those engaged in real estate. Even if it was not burned at the time, it may not be able to keep it now, so there is no need to worry about it.

Second, the limitations of thinking.This is an objective factor.Xiang Yu lived in a very special era. At the end of the Warring States period and the beginning of the Qin Dynasty, it should be said that the political system at this stage had not yet formed a very clear thing.Although the Qin Dynasty achieved national unification, the time was short and this unification was still not reliable, and Qin Shihuang's concept of great unification had not been fully accepted by people.One of the most important reasons why Qin Shihuang ruled with severe punishments was that people's national concepts were still deeply rooted, and he wanted to prevent the resurgence of the six kingdoms. This customary thing and regional differences are hard to change. It requires a long process of adaptation and digestion.

For example, when Chen Sheng and Wu Guang started an uprising in Daze Township, they named the country "Zhang Chu", which means "Zhang Da Chu State", and they played the card of reviving the Chu State; Xiong Xin is the king, and he played the card of Chu; another example is Zhang Liang, who assassinated Qin Shihuang in Bolangsha, with the purpose of avenging South Korea, because Zhang Liang is a descendant of Korean nobles, and his grandfather and father accompanied five Korean kings. There is a fight with the Xiang family.After Zhang Liang's assassination failed, he lived in seclusion. Later, when Chen Sheng rebelled, he followed Liu Bang and defected to Xiang Liang. "I asked Xiang Liang to help him restore the Korean system, so that he could strengthen his anti-Qin power, but in fact he still wanted to recover South Korea.Later, Zhang Liang followed Liu Bang to enter the pass, Xiang Yu cracked the soil and became a marquis, and Zhang Liang asked to assist Han Wangcheng. It can be seen that his concept of the motherland is very stubborn.Even more stubborn than Zhang Liang is the Tian family of Qidi.The Tian family is a branch of the Qi royal family. After Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose up, Tian Dan was the first to act.Chen Sheng sent people to attack Dicheng in Weidi, and Tian Dan, who lived in Dicheng, took the opportunity to kill the county magistrate of Dicheng, proclaimed himself king of Qi, and raised the banner against Qin.The subtle thing is that Tian Dan drove Chen Sheng's army out of Dicheng while raising the anti-Qin banner.It is true that he wants to oppose Qin, but the purpose of opposing Qin is not to respond to Chen Sheng, but to restore Qi.

It can be seen that after Qin destroyed the Six Kingdoms, the descendants of the Six Kingdoms were actually very powerful, but they were forced by Qin Shihuang's lust, so they could only behave with their tails between their legs. control.Chen Sheng and Wu Guang just played the role of the fuse. After they rose up, the descendants of the six countries that were wiped out by Qin Shihuang stood up one after another, revived, and the world returned to the situation in the Warring States Period.It can be seen that people's thinking at that time still stayed in the period of the Six Kingdoms, and the mainstream was still independent. The descendants of the kings of the Six Kingdoms still did not have the grandeur of Qin Shihuang's unification of the world.

Although Xiang Yu once said a cruel remark when Qin Shihuang was traveling, "he can be replaced by another", it was just a casual remark he hated Qin Shihuang to the extreme. He wanted Qin Shihuang to die, but he didn't want Qin Shihuang to die. Do Qin Shihuang's position.Liu Bang actually didn't have such big ambitions at the time. At first, he wanted to be the king of Guanzhong. For him, the former pavilion chief of Surabaya, it was already a blessing.It was only with the development of the situation that Liu Bang finally had the idea of ​​proclaiming himself emperor, which was a gradual process.

Xiang Yu's biggest ambition in politics is actually to become a character like Duke Huan of Qi, to be the overlord of the princes, and to order the world; this is actually what he meant by splitting the soil and making him a prince.Therefore, when Xiang Yu became the overlord of Western Chu, he should be very satisfied.It is precisely because of the guidance of this kind of thinking that he will show kindness to the princes and kings, and will be lenient to Liu Bang. As long as Liu Bang is soft and obedient, he does not want to destroy Liu Bang.Xiang Yu will not want to occupy the favorable terrain in Guanzhong to consolidate his future career (we will talk about this later). As for the future, he has not thought too much about it. The most important thing is to go back to his hometown and let his fathers and villagers see of.

Furthermore, Xiang Yu did not have the conditions to become Qin Shihuang at that time.Chen Sheng set up the banner, and the princes gathered together. Although the final strength of this group of people was not as good as Xiang Yu, they were not vegetarians.The coalition of princes also contributed to the defeat of Zhang Han. It was not Xiang Yu alone, but he played the leading role.Therefore, Xiang Yu had to consider the feelings of the princes from all walks of life. This group of people opposed Qin for nothing more than two purposes: restoring the country and enriching themselves, that is, money and power.If you can’t get enough of these two things, if you’re full, you’ll follow you to your death. After all, there were no great ideals, beliefs, and slogans to liberate the entire nation and liberate all mankind at that time.Therefore, Xiang Yu must satisfy them as much as possible. Burning and killing is to establish prestige, and looting is to satisfy the princes.Those women's treasures were not taken by Xiang Yu alone, but "shared by the princes". These spoils, like land, are also something that the princes need.Later, Tian Rong rebelled against Chu, isn't it because Xiang Yu didn't make him king!

Third, personality factors.This is the internal cause.Burning Xianyang made Xiang Yu vent his anger, which was due to his character.He is a daring man, he doesn't think too much about the details, just like eating a big bowl of wine and eating meat, he just wants to eat and drink happily, and he doesn't think about vomiting if he drinks too much, or stomach if he eats too much will be uncomfortable. Not only against Xianyang, Xiang Yu has always liked to slaughter cities, we only need to look at his battle history to know.At the beginning of the uprising, Xiang Yu attacked Xiangcheng, "Xiangcheng has no survivors, and they are all destroyed (pit), and everything that has passed is destroyed." Later, "Pei Gong and Xiang Yu attacked Chengyang and slaughtered them." This is with Liu Bang He did it, but Xiang Yu did it with great vigor. At that time, both of them were under Xiang Liang's command. Xiang Yu belonged to a confidant, and his words had weight; "There are more than 200,000 Qin soldiers in the pit (pit)"; and when dealing with Tian Rong later, the policy of iron and blood was also implemented.It can be seen that Xiang Yu's slaughter of Xianyang was not accidental, just as those veteran officials of King Huai of Chu commented on him: "He is a sly and cunning thief", Xiang Yu was originally an extremely tough person.

Of course, we can't just see Xiang Yu destroying Xianyang City, but at the same time he also destroyed the ruling tool of the Qin Dynasty!Only by completely destroying the landmark buildings that symbolize the previous dynasty can we really give an explanation to the people. Didn’t the people of the Qin Dynasty "suffer for a long time?"The common people should be grateful to Xiang Yu. As for eating a few sweet dates from Liu Bang and saying that Liu Bang is good, that is a mediocre person, whoever has milk is a mother.But then again, most common people are mediocre, and you have to use methods to deal with mediocre people. If you sell them, you have to make them willing to count the money for you.You can only become a real ruler if you let the vast majority of mediocre people support you. Isn't the ruler better than those who are ruled?Who would you be king without these people!Is it to let them till the land and let them live a good life?What are you thinking?It is to make them work more and pay more taxes, so they must be coaxed and deceived, and they must be willing to contribute their surplus value.Liu Bang did this, but Xiang Yu didn't, and he didn't bother to do that. Fourth, Liu Bang's factor.This should be an inducement.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang originally had different military goals: one went north to save Zhao, and the other entered Guanzhong, and the two had nothing to do with each other.However, it is impossible for Xiang Yu to have no knowledge of Liu Bang's actions in Guanzhong. This understanding will become more and more profound when Xiang Yu leads the coalition of princes to defeat the main force of the Qin army and marches westward, especially after entering Guanzhong. First of all, Xiang Yu already knew that Liu Bangxian entered the pass first, and King Huai of Chu had an agreement with them before, "The king who enters the pass first", it is impossible for Xiang Yu not to be touched at all.Although Xiang Yu didn't like the position of the Guanzhong King in his heart, and he didn't want to compete with Liu Bang, he would also care about Liu Bang's influence. After all, the two major military deployments of King Huai of Chu had been realized. The achievements are equally with him. Then, Xiang Yu was about to enter the pass, but Hangu Pass was guarded by Liu Bang's heavy troops, preventing Xiang Yu's army from entering.Xiang Yu is now "the general of the vassals, and all the vassals belong to Yan". Then, Xiang Yu "heard that Pei Gong had broken Xianyang".Liu Bang has already completely taken down Guanzhong. According to the agreement, the king of Guanzhong must be him, and what Liu Bang is doing now is obviously the king of Guanzhong.But even if you, Liu Bang, become the king of Guanzhong, you can't refuse me, Xiang Yu!The princes from all walks of life are only looking forward to me. Where will I put my face, what will the princes think?So Xiang Yu was even more angry, and in a rage, he sent Dangyang Jun Yingbu to charge through the pass with force.After breaking through the barrier with force, Xiang Yu regained his face and his anger subsided. Unexpectedly, at this time, someone poured oil on the fire that had not been completely extinguished. Liu Bang's Zuo Sima Cao Wushang sent someone to tell Xiang Yu: " Peigong wants to be king in Guanzhong, so that Ziying will be his prime minister, and he will have all the treasures." This made Xiang Yu's impression of Liu Bang even worse, and his anger rose again. In the end, Yafu Fan Zeng carefully analyzed Liu Bang's behavior to Xiang Yu, and said two opinions: First, "When Peigong lived in Shandong, he was greedy for wealth and goods, and he was a beautiful concubine. Now when he enters the customs, he has nothing to take from property and women have nothing to do. Its ambition is not small."This kid used to be a greedy and lustful person, but now he has suddenly become so well-behaved, there must be a lot of articles in it; the second is "I make people look up to him, all of them are dragons and tigers, and they are all colorful, and this is the spirit of the Son of Heaven".It is said that Liu Bang has the appearance of the emperor, and he is by no means an idle generation. He advised Xiang Yu to "hit quickly and not lose", and not to raise a tiger as a trouble.Fan Zeng's two points can be said to be on point.It goes without saying that there must be a reason for a person to behave abnormally. The theory of "the spirit of the Son of Heaven" seems absurd, but it was very important at that time, and the ancients were all superstitious about it.Putting aside whether the emperor is not the emperor, at least it means that Liu Bang will not be inferior to Xiang Yu in the future, so this is more entangled with Xiang Yu than "the ambition is not small". Therefore, even though Liu Bang was subdued later, these knots were still deposited in Xiang Yu's heart, lingering, the only way to destroy Xianyang, to destroy this situation that Liu Bang painstakingly managed, to wipe out Liu Bang's "aspirations" and to destroy Liu Bang's "Qi" Without a trace, Xiang Yu will feel at ease. In addition to the above subjective, objective, and internal and external factors, there is another crux of Xiang Yu's burning of Xianyang, which is the principle of succession. No matter where, no matter when, the relationship between the superior and the subordinate is always very delicate. Although the two have never worked together before, and there is no conflict of interest, once they become the superior and subordinate, there will be a grievance .During the handover of the banquet hosted by the five chiefs, six six six, hi, hello, hello, good, their hearts are actually not as glamorous as they appear on the surface.And in the following work, this kind of deliberately created harmony has long since disappeared: the person who was reused by the predecessor will not be used by the next one, and he will re-train his cronies; , or even slander, the great achievements that were advertised as myths before will be found out a lot of faults, because these things are recognized and people will never forget, it will affect the success of the next successor, and it will also bring out the incompetence of the next successor. Xiang Yu and Liu Bang do not belong to the relationship between superiors and subordinates, but they belong to the front and rear feet when they entered Guanzhong, which is similar to this.Liu Bang was preconceived and preemptively presented his best side, laying a good foundation for the masses.People who support Liu Bang are bound to neglect and ignore Xiang Yu, so it is normal for Xiang Yu to feel uncomfortable. From this point of view, Xiang Yu's burning of Xianyang is the same as those successors who avoid talking about the achievements of their predecessors. It is to eliminate the previous positive influence and make those superficial things no longer exist.It's just that Xiang Yu did a better job in this regard, and was directly burned to ashes, which fundamentally cut off people's thoughts. Xiang Yu is a bold man by nature, he won't do things in secret.From this point of view, although Xiang Yu's behavior is a bit extreme and his actions are a bit reckless, his virtue is better than that of many modern people. After all, he has evil things clearly.