At the end of the Qin Dynasty, with the outbreak of the peasant uprisings of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, Liu Bang, who was a pavilion chief in Surabaya (equivalent to the current street cadre or village director), and Xiang Yu, a descendant of Xiang Guo, also rose up, and gradually became two strong forces in many rebel armies.
So, in the end, why was Liu Bang able to successfully sit on the throne of the emperor, and why did Xiang Yu, who was many times stronger than him, fail to kill himself in Wujiang?
Of course, when it comes to the success and failure of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, there are many reasons. However, just comparing a "divine operation" after they occupied the imperial capital Xianyang, we can know who won and who lost.
Now, let's talk about Liu Bang first.
In October 206 BC, Liu Bang led the rebel army to finally attack Bashang (now Xi'andong, Shaanxi, Lu), and then attacked the city of Xianyang. The unborn monarch Qin Wangying, who had just sat for forty-six days, had to surrender to the rebels on a white horse and chariot, seal the emperor's seal, and surrender to the rebel army next to the southeast road of Xianyang City (now northeast of Xi'an, Shaanxi).
Subsequently, Liu Bang led the rebel army into Weiyang.
At this time, Liu Bangjun's "divine operation" also came.
After entering Weiyang, among them, Xiao He, Liu Bang's important adviser, did not do anything else, but first collected the prime minister of the Qin Dynasty and the laws and decrees of the Imperial History Mansion.
These books record the legal system of the Qin Dynasty, the fortresses of the passes, the national household registration, as well as the customs and economic development of various places. These precious materials not only provided a reference for Liu Bang to anticipate the enemy's victory in the Chu-Han War, but also provided a guarantee for the timely formulation of major policies after the establishment of the Western Han Dynasty.
Of course, the foresight of Xiao He, an important adviser, has made the first contribution to Liu Bang's success in the world.
At this time, Liu Bang, like all ordinary people, almost made a fatal mistake.
After Liu Bang and his subordinates entered the city, some soldiers began to scramble to loot gold and silver treasures, and even Liu Bang himself wanted to stay in the palace to enjoy himself when he saw the luxurious palace of the Qin Dynasty. However, after the persuasion of Fan Hao and Zhang Liang, Liu Bang finally ordered the Qin Dynasty's heavy treasures and treasures and all the treasury to be sealed, and immediately returned the army to the overlord.
Then, in order to further win the hearts of the people, Liu Bang also summoned the fathers and heroes of Guanzhong counties to make three chapters of the law with them, announcing the abolition of the harsh laws and punishments of the Qin Dynasty, stipulating that those who kill people will be executed, and those who injure people and steal will be punished according to the severity of the circumstances. For all levels of the Qin Dynasty, they still acted according to their original duties.
Liu Bang's actions were not only conducive to stabilizing the turbulent social situation at that time, but also won more popular support for successfully resisting the subsequent attack of Xiang Yu.
Next, let's talk about Xiang Yu.
Because at the beginning, King Chu Huai, who was supported by everyone (that is, the grandson of King Chu Huai who was found from the people to shepherd sheep), had "made an appointment with the generals and said that the king who entered the customs first".
Liu Bang entered Xianyang first, and he wanted to fulfill his promise to be king.
But Xiang Yu, who has long regarded himself as the "one who determines the world", is willing to be willing in his heart. Hearing that Liu Bang was going to claim the throne in Guanzhong, after defeating Zhang Han, he immediately took the 200,000 Qin troops who had just surrendered and quickly marched towards Weiyang.
At this time, the difference between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang also began to fully manifest.
When Xiang Yu arrived at Xin'an (now Mianchidong, Henan), the surrendered Qin soldiers made some inappropriate complaints, and when Xiang Yu heard about it, he thought that they were not convinced, and buried all the more than 200,000 surrendered troops alive in the south of Xin'an overnight.
In November 206 BC, Xiang Yu arrived at Yougu Pass, and ordered Duo Bu and other generals to break through the pass. Immediately afterwards, he marched to the play (now the northeast of Lintong County, Shaanxi), stationed 400,000 troops in Hongmen (now the northeast of Lintong County, Shaanxi), and set up a Hongmen banquet to let Liu Bang enter the game.
Liu Bang saw through the Hongmen banquet and refused to enter the game. Xiang Yu simply led the army straight into Xianyang, and first killed the prince of Qin, who Liu Bang refused to kill. Next, the tomb of Qin Shi Huang was dug up and a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry were taken away. Then, another fire burned down Qin's palace, so that the fire was not extinguished for three months, and all the treasures of Xianyang City were looted.
Xiang Yu's behavior in Xianyang City quickly caused dissatisfaction among the people in Xianyang City. In addition, he was unjust in the next division of the king, so that everyone rebelled and left, and eventually led to Wujiang killing himself.