In the battle between Chu and Han, it took Liu Bang only four years to defeat Xiang Yu. In the more than 2000 years of later generations, the hero overlord got more sympathy and preference than the rogue emperor.
Most people think that all this started because Sima Qian, who is famous for his realism, deliberately favored Xiang Yu in Historical Records. So, is this really the case?
Indeed, the Chronicle in Historical Records seems to be the exclusive senior presidential suite of emperors, and ordinary people are not eligible to stay even if they have great achievements.
So many people are not emperors, why can they live in the senior presidential suite? Why are Xiong Xin and Liu Ying excluded?
It seems necessary to see what principles Sima Qian adhered to when writing Historical Records:
Luo Tian's demotion has lost its old news, and the king's trace is prosperous, and the original inspection has ended. See the ups and downs, take action, take an examination of three generations, record Qin and Han dynasties, record Xuanyuan, and write twelve biographies, which is bureaucratic.
Looking back, we can see that Xiong Xin and Liu Ying failed to move in, because although they were respected by the emperor, they were not the people who really ruled the land of China. Although the royal family in Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties is not called the emperor, it is the son of heaven and the de facto ruler of China.
After Xiang Yu entered the customs, with its great prestige, he gave the first statue to the righteous emperor Bin, and the vassal enfeoffed the whole country, becoming the overlord of Chu and the leader of the vassal (? The princes succeeded. ? -"Taishi Gongxu").
Xiang Yu did not claim to be the emperor because he was born in six nobles and was a staunch defender of the enfeoffment order. Therefore, I don't respect the centralized county system created by Qin Shihuang, and I don't care about the so-called? The emperor? Name, rather than his strength and prestige proclaimed himself.
Therefore, there is no doubt that Xiang Yu was the real master of China during the period from the death of Qin Dynasty to the rise of Han Dynasty.
Therefore, according to Sima Qian's standards, it is a truth that Xiang Yu and Lv Hou wrote in the annals, and it is also a truth that Xiong Xin and Liu Ying did not write in the annals, and they have no prejudice against Xiang Yu.
As for why Xiang Yu's record was before Liu Bang, not to belittle Liu Zun, but because? Original inspection? Four words: Xiang Yu dominated the world before Liu Bang, in chronological order, it should be like this.
Of course, if you have to say, Sima Qian can really write Xiang Yu in Family History or Biography, not Biography.
Although under Sima Qian's ruling system, the standard of entering "home" is people who are loyal to the monarch and the Lord; The standard of introduction is to make contributions and become famous all over the world.
Twenty-eight lodgings surround Beichen, with 30 spokes and one hub, running endlessly, assisting thigh and arm ministers, being loyal to deeds, and serving the Lord for 30 families. Help others, don't let yourself waste your time, and your exploits are famous all over the world, making 70 biographies.
But obviously, the princes in the Spring and Autumn Period and Chen Sheng at the end of Qin Dynasty were written into the family, while the outlying princes and outstanding figures who were not affiliated with the emperor were written into the biography.
After all, Xiang Yu did not unify China. If Xiang Yu is regarded as one of the princes, or a lean man who has made great contributions to the world, although it seems reluctant, it is not completely impossible.
In other words, Sima Qian can do this multiple-choice question. So, why did he choose to let Xiang Yu enter the chronicle?
Some people say, isn't that just to raise his position?
Maybe not.
Because on the other hand, as an opponent, is it more admirable to beat the tiger or the hyena? Of course, the opponent of the king of the forest and the tiger is more respectable, isn't it?
Between Liu Xiang and Liu Xiang, it is an unavoidable fact that Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu.
Similarly, instead of belittling Xiang Yu, it is better to make Liu Bang's victory look worthless; It is better to raise Xiang Yu, which can better reflect Liu Bang's great talents. Isn't it?
Therefore, let Xiang Yu enter the world record and admit that Xiang Yu was a figure who once dominated the world, just to set off Liu Bang more extraordinary: Liu Banglian can defeat such an opponent and then enter the world. If it is not a hero's talent and destiny, what is the reason?
Moreover, although Xiang Yu himself was written into the chronicle, his generals had no chance to be included in the historical records.
For example, Xiang Yu in Chen Ping's eyes? Secretary Bones? Fan Zeng, Zhong Limei, Long Qie and Zhou Yin didn't even share a room. Xiang Yu's position is not low, such as Cao Blame, General Pu and others, and only sporadic records can be found.
So, are Liu Bang's men equally treated? Obviously not. Liu Bang's counselors account for five in Home, and countless in Biography.
This is enough to show that Sima Qian wrote Xiang Yu in Historical Records not to raise Xiang Yu, but to set off Liu Bang.
Actually, it may not be what you think.
Indeed, Sima Qian used many beautiful words in Biography of Xiang Yu, describing his bravery, decisiveness and heroic use of troops wonderfully.
But at the same time, Sima Qian also made many achievements? Trap? ：
When Ji Xiang was young, he could not learn books, but neither could he learn swords. Xiang Liang flew into a rage. Yue Ji:? Books are enough to register surnames. The sword is an enemy, and it is not enough to learn. We should learn from 10,000 enemies. ? Therefore, Xiang Liang was overjoyed as a teacher of the art of war. He knows a thing or two about it, but he refuses to learn.
This record of Xiang Yu's appearance, on the one hand, can be said that Xiang Yu is gifted, on the other hand, a boy who is unlearned and unwilling to persevere is vividly on the paper.
Qin Shihuang visited Huiji and visited Zhejiang, and Liang and his family felt the same way. Yue Ji:? He can replace it. He can replace it. He is more than eight feet long, can carry the tripod, and is brilliant, although all Wuzhong children are afraid of him.
This can not help but remind people of the monarch of Qin state 100 years ago. Their similarities are not limited to? Can you move the tripod? , a word? Can he replace it? Let Xiang Yu and Qin Wuwang have another * * * in common:
At the beginning of Qin Wuwang's reign, before the domestic government affairs were straightened out, he rushed to send troops to Zhou; A teenager, with no foundation, is in a hurry to shout? Replace it? .
Yes, Xiang Yu and Qin Wuwang have one thing in common: they are eager for great success, ambitious but not sparse. In later records, there are many such as? A woman's kindness? Records, etc. Are suggesting that Xiang Yu is a man with great ambition but little talent.
Don't say that Sima Qian just talked about things and didn't think so much. Even we can read these. How can Tai Shigong, who has read widely and studied history for many years, not know the allusions of 100 years ago?
So, there is only one reason. Sima Qian did it on purpose.
Gaozu is kind, loves others, likes to pay, and is open-minded with his heart. Often generous, not about homework. Court officials are full of abuse, good wine and lust. Wu Fu and Wang Wei were surprised to find that there were often dragons on it.
Gaozu often goes to Xianyang. Looking at Qin Shihuang, he felt very sad and said, Well, a gentleman should be like this! ?
First of all, in Liu Bang's records, there are many? Destiny theory? There are almost no words in Xiang Yu's records, which is one of them. In order to save space, this point will not be explained in depth.
From a factual point of view, Liu Bang's appearance has a lot of black history, but every time Sima Qian reveals the black history, he will add one to the previous sentence or the following sentence? Terrier? .
Said he didn't give birth, but at the same time said? Always generous? ; Say his wine is good, but replenish it right away? Drunk? And then what? There are often dragons in the world? . Other black history is roughly the same, so I won't go into details.
And what about Liu Bang? A gentleman should be like this? , what else? Why are you so depressed? Tone, and Xiang Yu blurted out? Replace it? The atmosphere created is completely different:
Xiang Yu is like a child without talent. When he saw the rich man, he said savagely, well, when he grows up, he will take all the money. Liu bang is like a sophisticated middle-aged man. When he saw the rich people passing by, he said to himself, if only I could earn so much money.
Liu Bang's real black history should be two broken contracts during the Chu-Han War.
The first time was when the enfeoffment system was completed, Liu Bang went out to attack the Three Qin Dynasties in Guanzhong without authorization. The second time, after the flood contracting and demarcation, Xiang Yu obeyed the agreement and retreated. Liu Bang tore up the agreement and pursued Xiang Yu. This is Liu Bang's final victory.
But on these two issues, Sima Qian did not accuse Liu Bang from the standpoint of justice, but defended Liu Bang from many aspects.
Such a contrast, we will find that in Sima Qian's works, the advantages of Xiang Yu are mostly personal heroism (such as? Can you move the tripod? ), but the shortcomings mostly affect the temperament of the leader (such as? A woman's kindness? ); On the contrary, Liu Bang's shortcomings are mostly personal character (? Good wine and lust? ), but the advantages are all possessed by an excellent leader (? Benevolence and love? )。
Do you still think that Liu Bang's records are all black history, while Xiang Yu's records are all praise?
If it is purely a factual record, others may be able to, but Sima Qian is a figure who has visited the National Library and traveled all over the world. He wrote Historical Records all his life. In these two records of more than 10,000 words, it is everywhere? Trap? .
If Sima Qian didn't mean it, I really didn't see it, so people who praised Sima Qian for thousands of years are probably blind.
So, what are these in Liu Xiang's records? Trap? It is a big move that Sima Qian painstakingly managed.
In the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a story:
In the Battle of Qin Jin, Qin Jun got into trouble and was completely annihilated. General Meng and others were captured. After returning home, Qin Mugong personally greeted him in plain clothes, putting the responsibility for the defeat on himself, while Meng Xibaisan did not pursue it.
Qin Mugong said? What is the doctor's charge? Besides, I don't want to hide my virtue. ? ("Zuo zhuan? Xi gong thirty-three years)
I believe Sima Qian must have read this story from Zuo Zhuan. On the contrary, Sima Qian's description of Liu Bang in Biography of Gaozu coincides with this point.
Therefore, the real intention of Sima Qian's move is: Liu Bang's black history is all some minor shortcomings, which cannot be covered up. What is the so-called? Don't hide your virtue with a brush? .
There is also an antonym of this sentence, don't cover up all ugliness with a beautiful man. It means that we can't ignore the ugliness of the whole because of the beauty of the part.
And what kind of heroism is Xiang Yu described by Sima Qian? A handsome guy? It's hard to hide that he is the owner of China? Ugly? .
Then, some people may want to say, as Mizi said, it would be great to write Liu Bang perfectly and Xiang Yu badly. Why such a big circle? Did Mizi misinterpret Sima Qian's meaning and make it up?
Absolutely not.
Liu Bang reached his peak in his forties. How can there be no black history among the people? Xiang Yu was born in a famous family, and Julu became famous in World War I, once dominating the world. How can it be an unbearable image?
No one is perfect. People can't live without shortcomings, and they can't live without advantages. The contrast between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu is even more so, and Sima Qian understands this truth.
If Sima Qian's works are a perfect Liu Bang and an unbearable Xiang Yu, it is not in line with Sima Qian's original intention of writing historical records.
Then people will read this history and send it out? Like Zhuge's wisdom and almost demon? Feeling, this will be considered as dare not face up to this period of history, and may dig up a more unbearable Liu Bang? Historical facts? Come out.
So Sima Qian wrote Liu Bang's insignificant black history, which made up for the fatal flaw of Xiang Yu's perfect life.
Among them, all over Liu Bang's records? Fate? And how did Xiang Yu feel before he died? Killing me by heaven is not a war crime? , but also let people know:
Liu Bang became emperor, and the Han Dynasty ruled the country. This is an act of god, which is beyond human power, not even a hero like Xiang Yu!
It can be seen that Sima Qian recorded Xiang Yu in Historical Records, not for the sake of respecting Liu Xiang, but for the sake of promoting Liu Bang? Han's fate? .
What Sima Qian didn't expect was that his painstaking efforts pushed Liu Bang to the position of rogue emperor and made Xiang Yu a hero remembered by people for many years.
If there is knowledge under the spring, I wonder if Liu Bang and Sima Qian will sigh like Xiang Yu: Killing me by heaven is not a crime of war!