Chapter 43 2. Countdown to the Death of the Empire

After receiving Chen Yu's letter, Zhang Han thought about it for a long time, and then quietly sent his confidant Hou Cheng to talk to Xiang Yu to see if there is any possibility of cooperation. But the two sides failed to reach a cooperation.There may be many reasons for the failure to reach a cooperation intention, but the main reason should be that Xiang Yu still has enough food and grass, so he can eat for a while.As a result, after Hou Cheng left, he recruited Xiang Yu's General Pu instead.According to historical records, Xiang Yu ordered General Pu to lead his troops across Sanhujin and began to attack Zhang Han.

At this time, Zhang Han no longer had the will to fight, so he was naturally killed by General Pu. Seeing that the Qin army was vulnerable, Xiang Yu was overjoyed, so he led his entire army across the river and continued to attack the Qin army.Zhang Han kept losing battles, and continued to send envoys to negotiate with Xiang Yu, and finally persuaded Xiang Yu. So Xiang Yu called a meeting of the military officials and said: "Everyone can eat too much. In the past few days, the rice barn has bottomed out. Now that there is little food, I am considering making an alliance with Zhang Han. What do you all think?"

Everyone said in unison: "The general is wise, the general's decision is too great." So Xiang Yu informed Zhang Han's envoy, the highest military and political officers of the two armies, to meet at Yin Ruins south of Huan River.When the time came, Xiang Yu arrived with several trusted generals, and Zhang Han, Chang Shi Sima Xin, and Dong Yi came on foot.Seeing Xiang Yu's face, Zhang Han burst into tears, held Xiang Yu's hand tightly, and cried out: "Who is that, Zhao Gao, Zhao Gao bullied me, you have to stand up for me in this matter, Xiao Xiang, and seek justice. Come."

"Take care, take care of this matter, I will take care of it." Seeing Zhang Han being so wronged, Xiang Yu softened his heart, and said, "That's good, don't you think this is the Yin Ruins? Come here, draw a big circle, everything is your territory, whoever dares to refuse, I will beat him for you." Zhang Han burst into tears and smiled: "Xiao Xiang, you are so kind. I have sacrificed my life for the state of Qin for so many years, and I haven't even sealed a fart. As soon as we meet, you will make me king, and I will do it with you in the future." !"

Zhang Han has already been crowned king, and Chief Shi Sima Xin has to be promoted too.So Xiang Yu left Zhang Han in the Chu camp and appointed Sima Xin as the general-note that Xiang Yu was only a general at this time, but he had already become the most powerful figure, so it would not be wrong to confer the title of king and general. Some people dare to object. The reason why Xiang Yu appointed Sima Xin to lead the army was because the two sides had a close relationship before.In the era of Qin Shihuang, Sima Xin worked as the warden in Liyang, and Xiang Yu's uncle Xiang Liang was imprisoned in Liyang Prison for murder, and he was being repaired by Sima Xin.So Xiang Yu went to Cao Jiu, the governor of Qi County, and asked Cao Jiu to write a letter to Sima Xin, pleading for Xiang Liang.So Sima Xin released Xiang Liang.So Sima Xin is the benefactor of the Xiang family. Since he defected here, Xiang Yu immediately gave him unconditional trust.In addition, Cao Jiu, the governor of Qixian County, who was also kind to Xiang's family, also became Xiang Yu's confidant, and finally he deceived Xiang Yu.This is a later thing, let's not mention it for now.

Sima Xin returned to the camp and led the Qin soldiers. As the vanguard, his sharp edge pointed at Xianyang.At this time, the last viable force of the Great Qin Empire was lost due to the power struggle.The Qin Empire has entered the countdown to death, and there is no longer any suspense. At this time, we must answer such a question: Why did the Great Qin Empire fall so quickly? There is a secret here, the secret of power. The Great Qin Empire is a typical and authentic autocratic empire. This kind of country uses fear as the force to maintain society. It is extremely difficult for anyone who wants to shake it from the bottom.But if one sets out to destroy it from the upper echelons of power, it will be effortless.

This is because, all autocratic empires present a social game situation in which one controls many.That is to say, a small number of people who hold power are high above the top, wantonly oppressing the bottom, and exploiting the common people.Theoretically speaking, there are a very small number of people who hold power. How come the majority of people are oppressed by the very few? The establishment of an autocratic empire relies on a social system in which the people at the bottom are mutually restricted.In such a country, everyone is a prisoner, but at the same time, everyone is a jailer, and has the responsibility of reporting.The most typical example is the implicated party policy introduced by Qin Zheng.This is not just a policy, but a rule of the social game.In this game, anyone who dares to challenge the unjust power will implicate the entire family, and the neighbors cannot be protected.Therefore, in order to avoid causing disasters, the people can only monitor each other. Once they find someone challenging power, they will report it as soon as possible to avoid getting involved.Whistleblowers can enjoy reduced criminal responsibility, while those who attack power challengers can receive material and official rewards.

The authoritarian system encourages people to inform each other, and even more encourages people to attack each other.Because only when the people are enemies of each other can the authority be ensured.Therefore, in all autocratic empires, there is no doubt that there are jitters and enemies everywhere.The subjects of the autocratic empire even sleep with their eyes open, vigilantly monitoring their neighbors and even their family members, in order to catch any clues and find and discover the enemy.A clever autocratic ruler is best at creating enemies, making the people exhausted and hunting around.For example, in the era of Qin Shihuang, he kept creating enemies for the people. From the royal families and nobles of the six countries to the intellectuals who could read and write, they were all included in the category of enemies by Qin Shihuang.Under this iron net-like restraint, even Liu Bang, an emperor like Liu Bang, could not find a chance to breathe, so he could only remain silent, and even became a fugitive or a thief.

If there is no Chen Sheng's gravity blow, breaking a big hole in the autocratic iron net, such as Liu Bang, Xiang Yu and other people, it is still impossible to have a chance.But what Chen Sheng brought them was just an opportunity, and if Liu Bang and Xiang Yu wanted to overthrow the autocratic Great Qin Empire, there was still no possibility at all—unless the empire itself didn't want to live anymore, then only then would there be a chance. Opportunities for great people are given by others.Just as the Qin State swept the Six Kingdoms, it was not because Qin Shihuang was wise and powerful, nor was it that Qin was invincible, but that the Six Kingdoms fell into the vicious rules of power and eventually killed themselves.For example, the State of Zhao killed the famous general Li Mu himself, so that the State of Qin could attack and destroy the State of Zhao in one fell swoop.For example, Wei Guo, it was himself who got rid of the most prestigious Lord Xinling, which led to the country's demise.For example, Chu State, such as Qi State, stood idly by Qin State's attack on Zhao State, and sat idly by. When they found that Zhao State was destroyed, it was their turn next, and it was too late.There is also a state of Yan, which is obsessed with thinking that it is an ally of the state of Qin, and has repeatedly cooperated with the state of Qin to attack the state of Zhao.In this series of processes, if the six countries did not make a mistake, Qin would not have a chance.

Similarly, at this time Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were facing the behemoth of the Qin Empire, just as Qin was facing the Six Kingdoms. As long as the Qin Empire did not make a mistake, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu would lose all opportunities.You must know that although Liu Bang and Xiang Yu have become popular, the Qin Empire still controls countless social resources. If the empire suddenly launches a counterattack, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu will definitely be the best! However, with Zhao Gao around, he would not let this happen. Eunuch Zhao Gao, he cut in from the commanding heights of power, determined to put the Great Qin Empire to death.Since the day Qin Shihuang died in the sand dunes, all this has been doomed.

No one can change.