Preface.
Speaking of Liu Bang's founding of the country, we have to say three people. They are the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty. It was with the help of these three people that Liu Bang successfully conquered the world.
But unfortunately, although Han Shin has great achievements in military affairs, he is very immature politically. It was because of his immaturity that he lost his life.
It can be said that the ups and downs of Han Xin's life are inseparable from one person - Xiao He. As the saying goes: what is the failure, what is the failure, and what the failure is exactly that.
1. From Chu to Han.
Han Shin was also a mediocre person when he was young. In his early years, his family was poor, and he was not treated well because of what he did. The young Han Shin went through some hardships, including humiliation under the fence.
With the beginning of the peasant uprising, Han Shin also realized that he should find a way out. At first, he took refuge in Xiang Liang, but in the second year, Xiang Liang died in battle and sat on Xiang Yu's side. After reaching this position, Han Xin felt that his opportunity had come.
Since Han Xin was only an unknown junior in the army when Xiang Liang was there, Xiang Yu asked Han Xin to be his doctor. Just when Han Xin was complacent in helping Xiang Yu with advice, he was rejected by Xiang Yu without exception.
When Liu Bang entered the Han Dynasty, Han Xin decisively left Xiang Yu and came to Liu Bang's command. But at the beginning, Han Xin was not reused by Liu Bang, and Liu Bang did not find any difference in Han Xin. It wasn't until later that Han Xin met a man in Liu Bang's military camp.
Meeting Xiao He was the beginning of Han Xin's life. It was precisely because of Xiao He that Han Xin was able to be reused by Liu Bang, which led to the later Civil War.
It can be said that the turning point of Han Shin's life was his most glorious period. Han Xin made great contributions in the Chu-Han War, but once the war ended, to a certain extent, it meant that Liu Bang no longer needed generals like Han Xin.
2. Character determines success or failure.
Because the overall situation has been decided now, it can be said that even without Han Xin, Liu Bang will not suffer too much loss, and there is a more important reason, that is, the military power in Han Xin's hands. It can be said that no monarch can tolerate a large amount of military power in the hands of his generals, let alone Liu Bang?
There is a more important reason for Han Shin's character. Although he was a famous general and had made great achievements on the battlefield, his political quality and political methods were very poor. lack, which was also the most important reason for his later tragedy.
As we all know, Han Xin's background is not good, and it can be said that he is at the bottom of society. It is precisely because of this that Han Xin never thought of some lofty ambitions, such as becoming an emperor like Liu Bang. He did not have particularly lofty political ideals. It can be said that his greatest ambition in life is to become king and become a prince with his own territory.
Looking back at history today, we can also see that Liu Bang's fears about the Han Shin rebellion were completely impossible to realize. Most importantly, Han Shin-zhi is not here. Originally, Han Xin only wanted to meet a Master and help him realize his ambition to dominate the world.
As we all know, the Qin and Han dynasties have always practiced a feudal system, just like Xiang Yu back then. Therefore, after Han Xin followed Liu Bang, he made such an oath in the letter. Perhaps it can be said that the only drawback is that Han Shin has gone too far. This is obvious, which makes Liu Bang unhappy.
In fact, according to Han Xin's own words, according to his military exploits, even if Liu Bang crowned him king and made him king, it would be nothing. But the only thing Han Xin didn't expect was Wang Xin. Such a noble Han Xin, how could Liu Bang tolerate it. On the other hand, Han Xin, after seizing the throne of King Qi from Liu Bang, was satisfied.
Later, when Liu Bang doubted him, he was not thinking about taking the opportunity to rebel against Liu Bang, but about how to regain Liu Bang's trust. This can also see Han Shin's character.
But Han Xin's loyalty to Liu Bang is beyond doubt. For people like Han Shin who have lived at the bottom of society for a long time and experienced social hardships, the most important thing is to know him and meet his kindness. Liu Bang not only treated him more than brave, but also appointed him as a general.
After Han Xin came to Liu Bang's military camp, Xiang Yu also used lure him by lure, but Han Xin resolutely refused.
It can be said that the last thing Han Xin should do in his life is to use his own merits to blackmail Liu Bang and make him king. This was the most wrong step Han Xin took, and it was this step that made Han Xin lose trust in Liu Bang's heart.
At that time, Liu Bang was confronting Xiang Yu. Arguably, this is the most critical moment. In order to defeat Xiang Yu, Liu Bang racked his brains. But at this time, Han Xin put forward the idea of asking Liu Bang to make him king, which directly planted the seed in Liu Bang's heart.
In exchange for the throne through military exploits, the relationship between him and Liu Bang also changed because of Han Xin's actions. It is no longer a simple relationship between monarchs and ministers. From ancient times to the present day, no minister has dared to force the monarch to make himself king. At this time, Liu Bang also began to think about getting rid of Han Xin.
The ensuing battle made the relationship between Liu Bang and Han Xin never go back to what it used to be.
3.Tragic ending.
In the second year, Liu Bang and Han Xin agreed to jointly send troops to attack Xiang Yu. However, when the two armies fought, Han Shin did not arrive. Liu Bang's own strength was simply not enough to defeat Xiang Yu. Needless to say, the end result was Liu Bang's failure.
At this time, Zhang Liang gave Liu Bang an idea, asking Liu Bang to promise the land to Han Xin, and he would definitely send troops to support. Sure enough, after Han Xin received the news that Liu Bang had given him the territory, he immediately sent troops. With the help of Han Xin, Liu Bang achieved a great victory.
Although he won, Liu Bang was not very happy. Of course, this displeasure comes from Han Shin. It can be said that Liu Bang was extremely disappointed in Han Xin. He was defeated at the front, but he did not send troops, because he was not given territory. At this time, Liu Bang had already determined his intention to get rid of Han Xin as soon as possible.
But the only pity is that now is not the best time, Liu Bang still needs him. But Han Xin was still complacent in his heart, thinking that he could use this to show his military exploits, but he didn't know that disaster would also follow. It can be seen that in Han Xinxin, he doesn't know how to be a minister and how to be a dedicated minister.
In fact, even if Han Xin was not under Liu Bang at that time, but under Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu might not tolerate him. Mercenary and arrogant can be said to be intolerable to a monarch no matter what. At the beginning, Han Xin was under the command of Xiang Yu, but later because he was not reused, he came to Liu Bang's command.
It can be said that without Xiao He, it would be impossible for Han Xin to stay under Liu Bang. But in the end, the two made it this far.
Later, some scholars said that Liu Bang did not trust Han Xin at the beginning and only used him. Even if Han Xin didn't do anything later, Liu Bang would get rid of him after he succeeded to the throne. Of course, it's all for future generations. Guess.
Conclusion. In 197, Empress Lu got the news of Han Xin's rebellion and immediately found Xiao He, hoping that Xiao He could help him. It can be said that Xiao He couldn't believe it after listening to Empress Lu's words. The dilemma of "loyalty" has been a dilemma of multiple choices since ancient times.
In the end, Xiao He chose to be loyal to the emperor. He teamed up with Empress Lü to kill Han Xin. After Han Xin's death, Xiao He looked at Han Xin's corpse and said four words: "Eliminate traitors for the country." ”