Chapter 29 2. Hongmen Banquet, an occasional meal and drink

The Hongmen Banquet in many people's minds is a game full of murderous intentions and traps. It is a trap set up by Xiang Yu to solve Liu Bang at the dinner table.What's more, it was alarmist, calling it the most dangerous dinner in history.In fact, the real Hongmen banquet is far less thrilling than imagined.The meal was basically held in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere, but Fan Zeng added a "Xiang Zhuang Sword Dance" to add to the entertainment, which made the atmosphere a little tense. The root of the misunderstanding lies in the subjectivity of people's cognition, thinking that the banquet was deliberately arranged by Xiang Yu, and it was intentional.Intentionally, this sets the emotional tone for the meal, and then everything that happens next will follow this line of thought, which invisibly increases its thrilling nature.This is a common practice in singing and filming, in order to make the story more sensory impact.But this kind of interpretation, there is a dramatic tension, but it is contrary to the historical facts, and it is also unfair to Xiang Yu.

In fact, this meal was just an impromptu meal, and there was no premeditation.The matter is also very simple: Liu Bang occupied Guanzhong, so he sent troops to guard the Hangu Pass. Xiang Yu couldn't get in, so he rushed through the pass in a fit of anger, and he had to question Liu Bangxing's teacher.Liu Bang was afraid, so he had to go to Xiang Yu to explain and apologize. After the explanation was clear, the two sides shook hands, fisted, and even said that they had misunderstood. Xiang Yu took Liu Bang to dinner by the way.This is clearly stated in "Historical Records Xiang Yu's Benji": "Xiang Wang will stay with Peigong today to drink." It can be seen that this meal was not specially arranged, and there was no specific preparation in advance.This is not much different from when you are approaching noon, when a former colleague suddenly asks you to do something, and then drink some leisurely wine after finishing the work.

There are three reasons why I say this: First of all, Liu Bang's visit was hasty. Originally, Liu Bang didn't plan to apologize to Xiang Yu, or he did, and it wasn't on the agenda.It was because Xiang Yu's uncle Xiang Bo went to report to Zhang Liang the night before, and told Xiang Yu's military plan to destroy Liu Bang. The matter was explained clearly, and Xiang Yu was not greeted before going. Secondly, Xiang Yu didn't know that Liu Bang must come. Xiang Yu was very angry at first, so he let the soldiers eat and drink enough, and they were ready to deal with Liu Bang.As a result, Uncle Xiang didn't sleep at night, so he went to report to Zhang Liang's account, and was taken in by Liu Bang. When he came back, he persuaded Xiang Yu: "If Peigong doesn't break through the pass first, how dare you enter? Today, people who have made great achievements to attack him are unrighteous. It's better." Because of good encounters." He said that if Liu Bang hadn't won Guanzhong first, would you have come in so easily?It is so inhumane for you to beat someone who has made such a great contribution. We should treat him well.Xiang Yu therefore "promised".The promise is not to promise the next day's dinner, but to promise not to attack Liu Bang again.Gritting your teeth and sharpening your knives during dinner, and changing it to drinking together at noon tomorrow before going to bed, isn't it too sudden?It can be seen that Xiang Yu didn't know that Liu Bang would rush to apologize the next day.

Third, the banquet is not well prepared. It's really just a regular potluck.Drinks are plentiful, and the army always has them, but the food is very simple.Fan Kuai broke in, and Xiang Yu gave him wine and meat, and threw him a piece of "swallow shoulder" (swallow shoulder is a pork knuckle). It can be seen that the banquet at that time was similar to the usual dinner of the gang of thieves in Liangshan. It was a big bowl of wine and big pieces of meat .And the whole banquet didn't have much entertainment. When Xiang Zhuang asked Xiang Yu for sword dancing, he said: "The king drinks with Pei Gong. There is no fun in the army. Please dance with the sword." "There is no fun in the army." It was very clear that there were no beauties to drink with at the banquet, and there were no dancers dancing gracefully. It was no different from eating as usual.

Since Liu Bang's visit and Xiang Yu's reception were both uncertain, the lunch the next day was naturally not intentionally prepared.This is just a casual meal.