Chapter 15 Chapter Eleven Third Century BC-2

Liu Yingzheng Great Emperor The life of Emperor Yingzheng was colorful, which fully demonstrated his strong independent personality and independent thinking.What he was facing was a vast and all-encompassing empire, full of strange people. However, the light of the Great Golden Age is shining.One of the most important characteristics of the Great Golden Age is a mental state that only looks forward. People gradually stand out from the old-fashioned tradition of the Zhou Dynasty, and with a firm attitude, they exert their stubborn spirit of creating the future.Emperor Yingzheng is the representative figure of this mainstream thought. He is one of the most industrious emperors in China, serving his empire day and night.

In terms of government organization, Emperor Yingzheng established authoritative norms for the Chinese dynasties, so that hundreds of emperors in the future could only make small corrections in the circles he thought of, but were unable to make major changes.The Qin government was very different from the Zhou government. The Zhou government was nothing more than a large courtyard where the king's relatives and chiefs lived, while the Qin government was a truly centralized political institution.Under the emperor there was a prime minister, and under the prime minister there were Jiuqing—nine ministerial officials.We illustrate with the following table:

The organizational spirit of the Qin government is the separation of political, military, and supervisory powers without mutual control.The government is not combined with the military, which can prevent the emperor from being deprived of power.The power of supervision is the eyes and ears of the emperor, and its main purpose is to check whether the officials and the people are loyal or fulfill their duties. The official system of Jiuqing is another invention of the Qin government. The modern official titles we annotated in brackets are actually inappropriate, but otherwise the impression cannot be strengthened.The main reason is that government officials and court officials could not be divided during the Qin Dynasty.All officials are doing private affairs for the emperor, and at the same time doing public affairs for the country.This is the same as the situation where finance and management are often mixed together between a few sole proprietorship small shops and the owner's family in modern times.Later, the officials who handled private affairs for the emperor formed another court system, and Jiuqing became the government system.Although the organization of the central government of successive dynasties has been constantly changing, the official title of Jiuqing has remained unchanged for more than two thousand years. It was not until the twentieth century that it disappeared with the abolition of the imperial system.

We can assume a question, assuming that a certain country conquers all other countries on the earth by force and establishes a powerful world government, what will be its most urgent political measures?This was the question Ying Zheng faced in the 380s BC, and his efforts to consolidate his empire can be divided into two projects: One is digging canals and building roads.In addition to the Lingqu Canal, the Qin government dug another equally important canal between the Yellow River and Yingshui, a tributary of the Huaihe River, the Honggou Canal, which is now the Jialu River. , shipping irrigation, are highly valuable.The highway starts from the capital Xianyang (Xianyang, Shaanxi) in a radiating shape and goes directly to various counties, reaching Liaodong County (Liaoyang) in the north and Changsha Capital (Changsha, Hunan) in the south, covering the whole country like a spider web.The road is fifty steps wide, and a pine or cypress tree is planted every ten meters. This is probably the earliest tree-lined avenue in the world. , but also to promote economic and cultural exchanges in various places, so that the gap between differences is increasingly narrowed.

The second unified culture and weights and measures system.After a long period of political independence, states and kingdoms, like Europe after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, each country developed into a cultural and economic social unit, different from each other.The characters written by the Kingdom of Qi are different from those written by the Kingdom of Chu, the Shengdou of the Kingdom of Han is different from that of the Kingdom of Yan, and the mileage of the Kingdom of Zhao Yu is also very different from that of the Kingdom of Wei.Vehicles in various countries have their own widths. That is to say, vehicles can only travel within their own country, and once they leave the country, it is difficult to move an inch because they cannot fit in the same track.Emperor Yingzheng demanded that all these be unified. First, he ordered the adoption of a new script, that is, a simplified Chinese character, which simplified the complicated and different fonts used by the Zhou Dynasty and the six kingdoms into a "Xiaozhuan" ——In the future, it will be further simplified as "Clerical Script".This is the first drastic reform of writing initiated by the government in Chinese history, making the original cumbersome writing flexible, which is the biggest leap forward in Chinese culture.Secondly, Emperor Yingzheng stipulated the standard length (degree), standard capacity (quantity) and standard weight (weight).From then on, within the territory of China, the characters, dimensions, liters, jinliang, and the wheelbase of the vehicles are completely consistent.This incident laid the foundation for the Chinese people's ideological concept of eternal unity.

The leaders of the empire, from Emperor Yingzheng to senior officials including Prime Minister Li Si, were full of energy and lively imagination.In the (first three) decades of this century, they have done more things than unified the world at that time in the 1970s, and they have also done almost more things than most emperors combined in the next two thousand years. Burning Books and Burying Confucianism The famous Yingzheng shock also occurred in the 1980s, when he used violent means to deal with the Confucian school's reverence for the ancients. The four major schools in the surging academic trend of thought: Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism, and Law, developed into this century (the first three), Taoism itself has no organization, and never competes with others.The Mohist school also declined. The reason for its decline was not that its ideals were bad, on the contrary, but because its ideals were too good and its requirements were too high; so that it must have an extreme religious feeling of martyrdom to be competent. What can be done will soon be exhausted without successors, and gradually disappear among the crowd, leaving only admirable theories for people to study.

Therefore, in fact, only Confucianism and Legalism are confronting each other, and the scholars of both schools are eager to win the favor of the monarchs. The method of the Legalist school is to analyze the interests of the monarchs and propose specific plans, so that the monarchs are terrified and have to give power. .The Confucian school refuses to talk about interests. They only talk about benevolence and righteousness, and only sing praises to the monarchs, so that the monarchs can appoint them to official positions in a very comfortable state of mind.The Great Golden Age was the era when the Legalists were in power. In the struggle for life and death in various countries, the Confucianism was naturally excluded from the gate of power, but this did not discourage the Confucianism.

Under the "Fengchang" (Minister of Sacrifice), one of the Nine Ministers, Emperor Yingzheng set up an indefinite number of "doctoral" officials (the Ministry of Sacrifice is also in charge of education).Doctors at that time were different from modern doctors. Doctors at that time were the highest academic researchers in the country. They had generous salaries and their status was second only to the Minister of Sacrifice. They could often meet with the emperor, and the emperor often summoned them.Doctors of the Qin government, including disciples and scholars of various schools.In fact, only the three schools of law, Confucianism, and Taoism are the main schools, so Taoism is also recruited, because at this time Taoism has begun to develop a new branch, which combines with Yinyang School, holding high the signs of Li Er and Zhuang Zhou, They fabricated that Ji Xuanyuan was also one of their patriarchs, and engaged in two major actions that had nothing to do with Taoist thought: one was that they claimed that they could use a stove to refine an elixir that would make people immortal if they ate it; Claims to be able to refine gold in the same way.The elixir of death or elixir and alchemy, with their unmistakable claims, are enough to tug at any heartstrings.This new branch, in this century (the first three) and the next century (the first two), is called "Fangtu", that is, a kind of high-level wizard, and Taoism, which occurred later, originated from this.

Emperor Yingzheng likes to go on tour, and his footprints are almost all over the famous mountains and rivers in all parts of China.Every time I go on a tour, there is of course a huge and majestic entourage, and the doctor is among them.Everywhere he went, Emperor Yingzheng must build a stone monument as a memorial.The stele boasts of his great achievements in conquering six countries and unifying the world.This is exactly what Confucianism is good at. The famous Stele of Praise for Virtue erected on the top of Mount Tai in 219 BC is a masterpiece of Confucian doctors and Confucian scholars (Confucians) from the old state of Lu. Happy.

Therefore, the Confucian school thought that the opportunity had come, and they went one step further and did something they were confident that Emperor Yingzheng would be very happy, that is, they suggested that Emperor Yingzheng entrust his sons to be kings in various places.In 213 BC, Dr. Chun Yuyue formally wrote a letter to Emperor Yingzheng, saying: "In the past, the Shang and Zhou dynasties both established their countries for nearly a thousand years (press, this is a cultural slapstick. In fact, the Shang Dynasty only established a country for six hundred and sixty years. In the 12th year, the Kingdom of Zhou included the days of selling Jiuding in Luoyang, but it was 879 years, which is far away from the millennium), the main reason was to entrust his sons and brothers as branches and leaves. Although His Majesty is rich in the world now, But your sons are like ordinary people, no one will rescue them when they are in danger. I have never heard of a person who does not follow the example of the ancients and can last for a long time."

——Pay attention to the last three sentences, which show the central idea of ​​Confucianism. However, this was a challenge to the Qin Dynasty’s spirit of establishing a country with its eyes only on the future. Prime Minister Li Si retorted: "The systems of the five emperors should not be repeated, and the systems of the three generations should not be copied. Each uses its own system, and it is not intentional to go against the ancients. But the times are moving forward, and it has to be like this. Your Majesty created a great cause, and what he built is the meritorious service of all ages. Confucian scholars are ignorant, so they can't appreciate this new situation. What Chun Yuyue said was about the primitive society of the three generations two thousand years ago. How can we imitate? Confucian scholars do not learn from the times, but worship the ancients wholeheartedly, and use hypocritical words to attack the truth. When they see new things, they talk about them first. They insist that the current system is not as good as the ancients, and disturb the hearts of the people." Emperor Yingzheng adopted Li Si's opinion, and it was the first time Confucianism encountered a political tough guy.Emperor Yingzheng's methods were brutal. He ordered the burning of Confucian books (poetry books) that had forced the king of Lu to kowtow.Those who do not burn for more than 60 days will be sentenced to whale punishment (face tattooing) and hard labor.If two or more people discuss Confucianism, they will all be executed.Anyone who thinks that the ancient times are good and the modern times are wrong—"the past is not the present" will have their entire family beheaded.However, Confucian books collected by the government library for the study of doctors, as well as works of other schools of thought, as well as works on medicine, divination, and tree planting, are not included in the burning list. This was the biggest blow to the Confucian school, but doctors were still allowed to study, so the impact was not great.The biggest impact came later in the 1990s, when the unruly Xiang Yu invaded Xianyang and set fire to the city. The books kept by the government, including many works of Confucianism and other schools of thought, were permanently lost. Although Emperor Yingzheng burned Confucian books, the purpose was only to limit the spread of advocating ancient ideas. Confucian scholars continued to retain their positions and continued to encourage them to study.However, the next year of the book-burning incident (212 B.C.), another alchemist incident occurred, which aroused Emperor Yingzheng to adopt a bloody suppression policy.Two Taoist alchemists, Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng, who were afraid of being beheaded because of ineffective spells, escaped quietly.When he fled, he advertised: "Yingzheng is a vicious man by nature, and he only trusts his officials. Although there are more than 70 doctors, they are just idlers and not taken seriously. He also likes to kill people and refuses to listen to his mistakes. Occasionally, alchemists’ spells could not be fulfilled, so they were executed. He only knew how to make elixir and ask for elixir. No one would be so stupid as to give him the elixir of immortality.” After hearing this, Emperor Yingzheng roared: “ I hired so many intellectuals for the purpose of promoting permanent peace. Some of them suggested that they could make elixir for elixir, like Xu Fuzheliu, who wasted countless money and got nothing in the end. And among you, you Attack me, I attack you, and keep telling each other. Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng, I respect them very much, but unexpectedly they blamed me alone and slandered me with such absurd words." All senior intellectuals in the capital Xianyang (Xianyang, Shaanxi) were arrested and investigated whether they had made satirical remarks about the emperor.As a result of the investigation, there were 460 people who were convicted of crimes. The punishment for them was to kill them all, just like how they dealt with the surrendered chariots of Zhao Kingdom in the Battle of Changping.Among the four hundred and sixty people, judging by the situation, all of them should be Taoist alchemists, but since worshiping the ancients is also a crime, I am afraid that many Confucian scholars are inevitably included. ——The above two incidents called "burning books and burying Confucianism" made the Confucian school hate Emperor Yingzheng to the bone.During the long period of two thousand years when the Confucian school was in power, as soon as Emperor Yingzheng was mentioned, he would curse and pile up all the bad words in the dictionary on his head like coal fire. Emperor Yingzheng also had stupid actions that he could not surpass the times. There is a Chinese folk proverb that says: "When you become an emperor, you want to become a fairy." In fact, everyone wants to become a fairy, but ordinary people cannot make this pursuit earth-shattering.Emperor Yingzheng holds the highest power and glory in the real world, but he knows that he cannot escape death unless he gets help from the gods.The alchemists recommended various methods to him and reported the deeds of various gods to him.One of the most important alchemists is Xu Fu, who was mentioned by Emperor Yingzheng earlier.Xu Fu told Emperor Yingzheng that there is a fairy mountain named Penglai on the eastern sea, where the gods live. If you can find that fairy mountain, you can get the elixir of immortality from the gods.Emperor Yingzheng agreed to his request and ordered him to go.In 219 B.C., Xu Fu led 3,000 virgins and virgins, and set off to the eastern sea on a specially-made huge ship. The 3,000 virgins and virgins may have been used as sacrifices, or Xu Fu may have deliberately gone there from the very beginning. Do not return, use them to open up new territories. After Xu Fu set off, there was no news. Some people said that he sank in the sea and drowned.Some people say that he finally found Penglai Xianshan, which is now Japan, and settled down, and the modern Japanese still have their blood.Both legends are possible, but the Xufu Temple built along the coast of Japan seems to support the latter theory. Although Emperor Yingzheng was looking for the elixir, he didn't take it rashly.On the contrary, those emperors who obeyed the Confucian school and cursed Emperor Yingzheng in the future, some people continued to die because of the elixir of the priests. The Eighth Qin Dynasty suddenly collapsed The national power of the Chinese Empire is like the rising sun. However, one of the biggest shortcomings of the autocratic regime is that most of the ruling class is not as good as one generation after another.No wise prince can guarantee that his successor will be as capable and zealous in governing the country as he is. In the first year of the 1990s (before 210), Emperor Yingzheng walked to the sand dunes (Pingxiang, Hebei) on his way back from a tour, and died of illness. After the death of Emperor Yingzheng, his eldest son Yingfusu was ordered to succeed him. Yingfusu was not with him at that time, but was supervising the frontier troops led by general Meng Tian in Shangjun (South of Yulin, Shaanxi Province) to defend the northern Xiongnu.The air distance between Sand Dune and Xianyang is 650 kilometers. On the long way home, Ying Huhai, the youngest son of Emperor Yingzheng, launched a conspiracy to seize the heir with Prime Minister Li Si and eunuch Zhao Gao. He destroyed the will and wrote two more copies of it. , One life wins Fusu to commit suicide, and one life wins Hu Hai to succeed to the throne. Although the Qin Dynasty was a regime that evolved from a kingdom with a long history, the time to establish a great empire was very short. It had just entered a dangerous bottleneck era, but unfortunately a playboy appeared as its helmsman.Ying Huhai has all the faults of a playboy, but he is especially selfish and willful.Not long after he came to power, he had the following wonderful conversation with his confidant Zhao Gao. He asked Zhao Gao, "Life is only a blink of an eye. Since I have the status I have today, I have the power and money, what do I want to do?" I can do whatever I want, so I want to enjoy all the beauty and happiness in the world, what do you think?" Zhao Gao replied, "This is a very wise opinion, and foolish people will never think of it." So, almost instantly, the imperial ship was off course , sailed into the stormy shoal, and crashed towards the ferocious reef, no one could save him. The great change came too fast. Next year (before 209) when Hu Hai took the throne, Yangxia County (Taikang, Henan) sent a small team of reserve troops to Yuyang County (Miyun, Beijing), an important town in northern Xinjiang, 1,000 kilometers away. When I walked to Daze Township, which belongs to Qijun (Nanqi County Collection in Suzhou, Anhui Province), there was continuous heavy rain and the road was interrupted. Calculating the time, it was impossible to arrive within the time limit. The imperial military law was strict and might be severely punished.Therefore, the captain Chen Sheng and the vice-captain Wu Guang took the risk and led them to rebel, attacking the local government and seizing weapons. A group of desperadoes challenging the huge empire is equivalent to jumping into the darkness with their eyes closed.Unexpectedly, this jump caused a chain of civil uprisings in various places. In order to expand their influence, the leaders of the changed people used the names of the six kingdoms that had disappeared for twelve years, and called themselves kings, or supported the old kings of the six kingdoms. Descendants of the King.In just fourteen months, the glorious empire established by the Qin Dynasty collapsed, and the old Warring States era was restored.The six kingdoms are revived in their homeland impressively.The order in which these reckless kings rose, with their bases, is given in the following table: Zhang Chu Wang Chen Sheng Chen Qiu (Huaiyang, Henan) King of Chu Xiangjiang East City (Dingyuan, Anhui) Qi Wangtian Dandi County (Gaoqing, Shandong) Zhao Wang Wuchen Handan (Handan, Hebei) King Yan Han Guangji County (Beijing) Wei King Wei Jiu Linji (Fengqiu, Henan) Zhao Wang Zhao Xie Xindu (Xingtai, Hebei) Zhang Chuwang Jing Juliu County (southeast of Pei County, Jiangsu Province) Chu Wangkou Xin Xuyi (Jiangsu Taitai) Hanwang Hancheng Yingchuan (Yuzhou, Henan) Qi Wangtian false Linji (Di County was renamed Shandong Gaoqing) Linzi, Qiwangtian City (East Linzi Town, Zibo, Shandong) Wei Wang Wei Bao Pingyang (Hua County, Henan) The reappearance of the names of the six kingdoms does not mean the reconstruction of the six kingdoms.The ashes cannot be revived, and even if they are revived, they will not last long.The law of history is that once the old regime is destroyed, the longer it takes, the less likely it will be revived. What is really important are the two little people who did not proclaim themselves kings in the early days. One is Xiang Yu, the grandson of Xiang Yan, a general of the old Chu Kingdom, and the other is Liu Bang, one of the local hooligan leaders in Pei County (Pei County, Jiangsu Province).After Xiang Yu killed the head of the local government in his hometown of Kuaiji County (Suzhou, Jiangsu), he set up an army and found the grandson of the 21st king of the old Chu Kingdom, Kouhuai (the one who was played by Zhang Yi). , at this time has been reduced to a poor shepherd.Xiang Yu supported the king of Chu in his heart to call on the survivors of the old Chu kingdom.Liu Bang has no connection with the old six kings' families, and has no chance to use the remaining power.He only relied on his status in the underworld to gather thousands of chaotic people to join him.The popular Chu Kingdom established its capital at Xuyi (Xuyi, Jiangsu) and encouraged generals who defected to him to directly attack the imperial capital Xianyang (Xianyang, Shaanxi).He ordered that whoever captures Xianyang first will be the king of the Qin Kingdom.Liu Bang led his troops along the routes of Nanyang (Nanyang, Henan) and Wuguan (Shangnan, Shaanxi). Had the Qin government responded quickly, the chaos might have ended long ago.But the second emperor Ying Huhai didn't like to hear unpleasant words, and any unpleasant words were interpreted as malicious.When the news of the rebellion from various places was reported to the central government, Ying Huhai was furious and threw all the unlucky officials who reported the news to prison.As a result, the reports from all over the world were very different, and they all said: "Although there is a small commotion here, it is just a few idlers, robbing business travelers, and stealing chickens and dogs. The local government has hunted and suppressed them, and they have all been eliminated." Win. Hu Hai was very happy.Under the protection of Ying Huhai, the civil uprising spread like wildfire.It wasn't until Chen Sheng's general Zhou Wenshi hit Xishui (Xinfeng Town, Lintong, Shaanxi Province) only 30 kilometers away from Xianyang like a broken bamboo, that he woke up from his dream after winning Huhai. With 100,000 slave laborers and prisoners, Zhang Han, Minister of Supply (Shaofu) of the court, was appointed as the commander-in-chief to lead the battle.As a result of the confrontation, Zhou Wen was defeated and Zhang Han went out of Hangu Pass to pursue eastward. Just repelling Zhou Wen did not solve the problem.But Zhao Gao has started his new conspiracy. Under the sophisticated design, he framed the founding father and prime minister, Li Si, for fornicating the traitor in the East, and Li Si and his son were cut in half at the same time.Zhao Gaosui became prime minister, the first and most powerful eunuch in Chinese history. In order to establish his authority, he specially presented a deer to the second emperor at a court meeting. When presenting, he declared that what he presented was a horse horse.Ying Huhai said: "It's a deer, how can you say it's a horse?" Zhao Gao said: "It's a horse, how can you say it's a deer? If your Majesty doesn't believe it, please ask everyone." The senior officials were divided into two factions, one faction One thought it was a horse, while the other thought it was a deer.After this incident was over, the officials who thought it was Lu's faction soon fell into a well-documented conspiracy case and were all killed. Zhao Gaosui took full control of the government. Zhang Han swept several reckless kingdoms in a series. In 208 BC, his army besieged Julu (Pingxiang, Hebei), an important town in the newly established Zhao Kingdom.Zhao Wang Zhao Xie asked for help from some reckless kingdoms that were newly established at the same time. The kingdoms did not disappoint him and sent reinforcements one after another.However, they repeated the scene of the Warring States Period that feared Qin Ruhu. There were many military fortifications, but no one dared to challenge the besieged Qin army.Finally, the Chu Corps led by Xiang Yu arrived and launched an attack as soon as they arrived. This was a fierce battle famous in history.In the end, the Qin army was defeated and retreated westward.Xiang Yu invited the generals of various countries to discuss the joint pursuit. Those generals were respectful and fearful. When they entered the gate of the Chu army camp, they did not even dare to lift their heads.Xiang Yu's leadership position was determined by this battle. The defeat of Zhang Han, to the imperial government of the Qin Dynasty, was just a defeat in a battle and had no effect.But when Zhang Han sent his Secretary-General (Chang Shi) Sima Xin to Xianyang to ask for reinforcements, Zhao Gao was starting his second conspiracy, intending to shift the responsibility for the growing civil uprising to Zhang Han. Play Kou, you can achieve your goal.Sima Xin didn't see the chancellor for three days in a row. When he got the news, he fled back in a hurry when he got the news. He didn't dare to walk the way he came here and took another path. Zhao Gao sent someone to hunt him down, but he was not caught .Now that Zhang Han was at a loss, he had no other choice but to surrender to Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu led the coalition forces westward. Liu Bang, who set off earlier than Xiang Yu, was faster, and he had already reached Wuguan (the place where Chu Wang Huahuai was deceived).Thousands of urgent warning documents flew to Xianyang like a snowflake. Ying Huhai did not refuse to read these uncomfortable reports at this time. He hurriedly summoned Zhao Gao, whom he considered the most loyal prime minister, but Zhao Gao was sick in bed.He was summoned many times, and Zhao Gao was always bedridden.Zhao Gao was the first-class expert in the internal struggle, but he was helpless against the enemy. He could not repel Liu Bang, so he had to be ill in bed.But being sick in bed couldn't solve the problem. He was afraid that Ying Huhai would suddenly discover the truth and execute him, so he decided to kill him first. At the end of 207 BC, Zhao Gao's son-in-law, Yan Le, the mayor of Xianyang (Xianyang Order), led his troops into the palace and killed Ying Huhai who begged for mercy.Then Zhao Gao Yingli Ying Fusu's son Yingying succeeded to the throne, announcing that he would cancel the title of emperor and restore the old title of king of the Qin Kingdom, hoping to let go of the burden easily like the abolition of "Western Emperor" in the 1900s.Ying Ying was more capable than his uncle Ying Hu Hai. He beheaded Zhao Gao immediately after he ascended the throne.In a blink of an eye, next year (206 BC), Liu Bang approached Xianyang, and Yingying couldn't gather an army, so he had to surrender.The empire established by the huge and glorious Qin Dynasty came to an end in the sound of killing. It was only 16 years since it wiped out the six kingdoms (221 BC), and only 3 years since the death of Emperor Yingzheng (209 BC). The reasons for the rapid demise of the Qin Dynasty can be summarized into the following three items: The rule of law of the ancient Chinese legalist school is based on monarchy, which is very different from the modern rule of law based on human rights.The Qin Dynasty has gradually developed into a mechanical and rigid rule of law for more than a hundred years since Gongsun Yang's reform and the implementation of the rule of law.Chen Sheng and Wu Guang delayed the deadline due to rain, and he has good reasons to be exempted from punishment, but he does not think it is possible.The main point is that the rule of law is inseparable from political enlightenment. Once government officials become corrupt, the law will become poisonous and become a cruel tool to persecute kind and law-abiding people. The result is tyranny, and officials force the people to rebel. The time for the unification of the Qin Dynasty was too short, only ten years before and after, and the people's loyalty to the new government had not yet formed a habit.The vested interest classes who have been deprived of vested interests, such as the nobles and the ruling class in the six kingdoms and their parasites, as well as a large number of excluded Confucian intellectuals, estimated at 50,000 people in each country, there are 300,000 people The opposition forces of the Communist Party of China are lurking among the people, and there are many complaints there.This is a huge number, and the Qin government has not fully digested it.They are destroying the new society and the new order day and night, hoping that the Qin government will collapse as soon as possible so that they can restore their good old days.So any shock happens, they take their chances.For example, Kong Jia, a descendant of Confucius, and some Confucian scholars from the old state of Lu, as soon as they heard that Chen Sheng was raising troops, they couldn't wait to hold their Confucian books and go to seek refuge. 3. The last reason is that the helmsman of the empire won Hu Hai. We don't need to emphasize him too much, just understand that no matter the ship is big or small, the helmsman is very important.If the helmsman is determined to slam into the rocks, whoever stops him will become a traitor and be killed or thrown into prison. No matter how strong the ship is, it will sink. The Nine Western Chu Kingdom was a flash in the pan In 206 BC, shortly after Yingying surrendered to Liu Bang, Xiang Yu's allied forces from Julu (Pingxiang, Hebei) also arrived in Xianyang. Xiang Yu is a famous general, but his fatal injury is that he doesn't understand politics; after winning several battles, he suddenly thinks he understands politics very well. He doesn't know that politics is much more complicated than military affairs.When Xiang Yu arrived in Xianyang, because Liu Bang first destroyed the Qin Dynasty and did not leave him this world-famous honor, and heard that Liu Bang had robbed all the gold, silver and treasures, he became furious and ordered Yingying to be executed like a wild beast. Cut, set fire to Xianyang City.He also ordered to prepare for war and prepare to attack Liu Bang.Liu Bang immediately bowed his knees, went to the Chu army camp in person, apologized to Xiang Yu, and presented the precious white jade he had just snatched from the palace.So Xiang Yu was full of ambition, kicked away the nominal king of the Chu Kingdom, and announced that he was the overlord of Western Chu, and his capital was Pengcheng (Xuzhou, Jiangsu).He ordered the abolition of all emerging kingdoms and placed the whole country under the rule of the Western Chu Kingdom he established.Then, in one go, the kings of the nineteen kingdoms listed in the following table were re-entrusted: If you study this watch carefully, you will find that Xiang Yu is a reckless man with no political sense.What he established was not a unified country, but a League of Nations, all equals, not even qualified as a confederacy.Because everyone is an independent kingdom, in terms of system, King Xiang Yu cannot be higher than other kings.Especially when we pay attention to the original positions of the new kings in the above table, we will find that Xiang Yu's handling of this enfeoffment is completely manipulated by his own emotions and those third-rate politicians who control him, so he created unnecessary for himself. serious crisis.Like Kou Xin, a small imperial court with no power, Xiang Yu moved him to the wild Chen County (Chenzhou, Hunan) a thousand kilometers away, and after Kou Xin obeyed, Xiang Yu still did not allow him to exist and sent someone to kill him Lose.Like Liu Bang, Xiang Yu should make him the king of Qin according to his original agreement, at least he should be sealed to an area closer to his hometown to satisfy the homesickness of Liu Bang and Liu Bang's subordinates. This is no loss to Xiang Yu.But Xiang Yu still remembered Liu Bang's great hatred of entering Xianyang before him, and expelled Liu Bang to Nanzheng (Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province), which was considered a barren place at that time.Like Qi Wang Tianshi, very enthusiastically sent his general Tian Du to lead the army to participate in Xiang Yu's coalition expedition to the west. be promoted.However, Xiang Yu showed off his authority; he made Tian Du the king of Qi, and expelled the original Qi king Tianshi from the capital Linzi (East of Zibo, Shandong), and relegated him to the remote Jimo (Pingdu, Shandong) as the king of Jiaodong.The same is true for Yan Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom.Later, Han Wang Han Cheng was caught and killed as a criminal, causing Han Cheng's think tank Zhang Liang to defect to Liu Bang and fight against Xiang Yu to the end.There is a Chinese proverb that says: "The world is not chaotic, but it is the low-energy people who mess it up." It is the portrayal of Xiang Yu. ——One thing can also help us understand Xiang Yu. Cai Sheng, a scholar at that time, suggested that Xiang Yu should establish his capital in Xianyang (Xianyang, Shaanxi), because Xianyang has the most moderate location and can rule the whole country.Xiang Yu refused to accept it, saying: "If you are rich, you don't go back to your hometown, it's like walking in the dark in beautiful clothes." Xiang Yu's purpose was just to show off his wealth to his villagers, so he insisted on returning to the East.Cai Sheng told his friends, "People say: Xiang Yu looks like a monkey in human clothes and hat, which is really good." When this word reached Xiang Yu's ears, Xiang Yu threw Cai Sheng into a huge pot and boiled him to death. Only two months after the establishment of the Western Chu Kingdom, the war broke out again. Tian Rong, the prime minister of Wangtian City in the old Qi Dynasty, first sent troops to meet his old colleague Yutiandu in the new Qi Dynasty.Chen Yu, the prime minister of Zhaoxie, the former king of Zhao, also sent troops to attack his old friend Zhang Er, the new king of Changshan.But Xiang Yu thinks that these rebels are digging their own graves, and his strong military force can implement any of his absurd policies.He attacked Tian Rong first, and after preparing to destroy Tian Rong, he sent his army westward to destroy Chen Yu.Tian Rong was really vulnerable, defeated and died. Xiang Yu massacred his troops. In order to protect their lives and property, the people had to gather armed resistance. The rebellion expanded with Xiang Yu's continuous military victories, and the Western Chu Corps was exhausted. of the quagmire.Tian Rong's younger brother Tian Heng led the newly assembled Qi Bingtuan to start a hide-and-seek guerrilla war with Xiang Yu. Liu Bang, the king of Han, who was far away in the mountains in the west, seized this opportunity and quietly set off from Nanzheng (Hanzhong, Shaanxi), crossed the Qinling Mountains, and wiped out some of the kings built by Xiang Yu on the territory of the former Qin Kingdom.Then the army marched eastward, mourned the poor shepherd, and called on the whole country to crusade against Xiang Yu's crime of regicide. In April 205 BC, Liu Bang captured Xiang Yu's capital Pengcheng (Xuzhou, Jiangsu). Ten Great Unification of the Western Han Dynasty When Xiang Yu got the news of Pengcheng's fall, he immediately gave up Tian Heng and led 30,000 elite soldiers to counterattack south.The Han army was defeated, and more than 100,000 people were squeezed into the valley water and drowned by swimming, and retreated to Lingbi (Suixi, Anhui).When the pursuers of the Western Chu Corps arrived, the Han army was defeated again, and more than 100,000 people were squeezed into the Sui River and drowned.The two battles illustrate Xiang Yu's flexibility and bravery in using troops. When Liu Bang arrived in Xingyang (Xingyang, Henan Province), the Western Chu Corps surrounded Xingyang, which was blocked.Liu Bang was in a panic, and his general Ji Xin pretended to be Liu Bang and opened the east gate to surrender.Liu Bang took advantage of the cheers of the Chu army and shouted "Long Live", so when his guard was relaxed, he escaped quietly from the west gate.Although Liu Bang himself suffered a series of setbacks, the general Han Xin he sent out used his troops like a god. After entering the north of the Yellow River, he made some kings built by Xiang Yu in the north of the Yellow River, such as Western Weiyu, Changshan King, Dai Wang, and Yan Wang. , Yin Wang, and the old Qi kingdom under the jurisdiction of Tian Heng, who made Xiang Yu exhausted, conquered them one by one in just a few months. The Western Han Dynasty was established on the basis of three outstanding figures, namely General Han Xin, Chief of Staff Zhang Liang, and Chief Logistics Officer Xiao He.Han Xin was a poor vagabond in the old Chu Kingdom, Zhang Liang was a descendant of the nobles in the old Han Kingdom, and Xiao He was a low-level official of the county government in the old Qin Dynasty.If it weren't for the turmoil of the times, they would only be submerged in the sea of ​​people.Han Xin used to be a low-ranking officer in Xiang Yu's imperial guards and served as a guard for Xiang Yu. He offered advice and suggestions to Xiang Yu many times, but Xiang Yu could not adopt them.Only a hero can know a hero. Xiang Yu is just a brave general, not a politician, so he cannot understand Han Xin, just like a primary school student cannot understand the courses of college students.Xiang Yu not only missed Han Xin, but also couldn't tolerate his only think tank, Fan Zeng, who was honored as "Yafu", and finally expelled Fan Zeng from the government.Only Liu Bang had the talent that all the leaders at that time did not have. The high wisdom and magnanimity he cultivated in the underworld made three outstanding figures work for him, making him the first great monarch of commoner origin in Chinese history. . After the Battle of Xingyang, the war became a stalemate, Xiang Yu continued to attack, and Liu Bang continued to fail.Liu Bang was defeated in almost every battle, but he was like a fly. After his failure, he went around in a circle, cleaned up the remnants, and then turned back to fight.Xiao He's logistics work is top-notch. He is based in the capital Liyang (Lintong, Shaanxi), and Liu Bang has never been short of food and soldiers in the front.And Han Xin, who raided the north of the Yellow River, began to plunder Xiang Yu's retreat after occupying the area of ​​​​the old Qi Kingdom.Xiang Yu soon fell into the plight of being unable to fight, let alone win. 九十年代纪元前二○三年，项羽要求和解，只有和解才能救他。结果双方同意以鸿沟（赢政大帝开凿的运河）为界，瓜分世界，鸿沟以西归汉，鸿沟以东归西楚。 签约之后，项羽大大地舒了一口气，把所俘虏的刘邦的父亲送还给刘邦，率领大军东归，以为从此可以休息一段时间。然而，刘邦不是受诺言拘束的人，当项羽大军刚刚移动的时候，刘邦即行叛盟，从背后追击。 项羽仓促应战，刘邦仍然不是对手。但项羽的克星韩信适时赶到，局势遂急转直下，发生了历史上有名的垓下会战。纪元前二○二年，汉兵团在韩信指挥下，于垓下（安徽灵壁东南）设下十面埋伏，项羽陷入重围。他此时才发现百战百胜并不能保证最后一胜。当天夜晚，他忽然听到四周汉兵团军营中响起楚王国的歌声，大惊说：“难道楚军全都投降了吗，为什么楚歌如此之多？”他不能入睡，怆然下泪，左右将领也跟着下泪。他的爱妻虞姬为他作最后一次歌舞后自杀。明晨，项羽率领残军突围南下，汉兵团急追，项羽奔到乌江（安徽和县乌江镇），只剩下二十六个骑兵。乌江村长劝项羽南渡长江，他安慰项羽说：“江东（太湖流域）虽小，地广数百公里，人众数十百万，仍可以复兴。”项羽说：“我当初率领江东的子弟八千人，渡长江西征，如今没有一人生还。即令江东父老仍怜恤我，尊奉我当国王，我也无颜见他们。”于是把坐骑赠给那位村长，举剑自杀。 西楚王国骤然而兴，骤然而亡，短短的只有五年。 汉王刘邦击败项羽后，完全统一中国，他效法赢政大帝的作法，改称皇帝，建立西汉王朝，定都距咸阳南郊两公里的长安城（陕西西安）。 他力排众议才远离家乡，把首都置在西方，从这一点可看出他比项羽高明。这时，正是本世纪（前三）最后第二年。 十一东西方世界 纪元前二七三年（秦军攻陷楚王国首都郢都（湖北江陵）后五年），印度孔雀王朝阿输加王即位，中国称他为阿育王。 纪元前二六九年（秦王国用范睢当宰相前三年），罗马共和国铸造银币，世界用银作为钱币自此始。 纪元前二六四年（长平战役前四年），第一次布匿战争爆发，持续二十四年。 纪元前二六三年（长平战役前三年），印度阿育王皈依佛教，屡次颁布诏书制定人民生活规范，都刻在岩石上或柱竿上，俾使国人周知。史学家称为《岩石诏书》、《柱竿诏书》。 纪元前二四一年（楚、赵、魏、韩、卫五国联军攻函谷关，秦军开关出战，五国联军惊惶逃走），第一次布匿战争结束。二十四年战争中，罗马战舰沉没七百艘，士卒死二十万人。然迦太基损失更重，乞和，赔偿战费黄金三千二百泰伦，割西西里岛给罗马。 纪元前二三二年（韩非被杀的次年），印度阿育王逝世，二孙争立，各据一方，帝国大乱。 纪元前二一九年（徐福率三千童男童女，泛海往求仙药），第二次布匿战争爆发。迦太基大将汉尼拔由伊比利安半岛（西班牙）东征，把战争带入罗马本土，持续十八年。 纪元前二○二年（项羽乌江自杀，西楚王国灭亡），罗马大将西庇阿直捣迹太基本土，汉尼拔补给断绝，退回迦太基，与罗马兵团会战于撒马，汉尼拔首次战败（汉尼拔与项羽、韩信，同是本世纪（前三）九十年代名将）。 纪元前二○一年（本世纪最后一年），第二次布匿战争结束，迦太基再乞和，赔偿战费黄金一千万泰伦，交出全部军舰，割伊比利安半岛给罗马，迦太基永远解除武装。