One evening in October 206 BC, a gust of north wind passed over the Guanzhong Plain. It was already the early winter season, and a shaky day seemed to herald the demise of the Qin Empire. The entire sky was also filled with a chilling and cold air. At this time, the Chu army led by Liu Bang came to Bashang before all the princes in the world.
Bashang is Bailuyuan in the east of present-day Xi'an City. It was named after its dominance over water. There is a small city here called Bayi, which is about thirty miles away from Lantian County. Because it is closer to Xianyang, the size of Bayi is similar to that of some remote county towns. At this time, Pei Gong was very interested and wanted to march westward. Zhang Liang and Xiao He said, "Don't be anxious, Mr. Pei. Since the people say that the Chu army is a benevolent and righteous army, they might as well do benevolent and righteous things." Pei Gong asked them what they had in mind. Zifang said: "This place is very close to Xianyang. If your army of one hundred thousand goes forward, it will definitely cause fear in the Qin people, and those who don't know the truth will also flee. Besides, the trapped beasts are still fighting. If the third generation and Qin officials follow If you fight to the death, there will be unnecessary trouble. Therefore, you might as well station your troops and horses, and first send people to Xianyang to recruit the kings and ministers of the Qin State, and treat them with courtesy. The third generation has a benevolent heart and will definitely take into account various factors. Give up resistance, so as not to alarm the people, but also to enter Xianyang smoothly." Pei Gong agreed very much, and immediately sent an order to set up camp, and then said to Zhang Cang: "Master Yushi, you should know the situation of Qin best, and the Qin people treat you very well. I am also very familiar with it. You can serve as a special envoy to go with Li and Lu to recruit Emperor Qin to surrender and see if they are willing to sacrifice Xianyang?" Zhang Cang accepted the mission and took the surrender document with Li Shiqi and Lu Jia. Go to Xianyang.
After the sun sets in the west, the sky gradually darkens. At this time, Pei Gong and his soldiers were standing in front of the empty camp gate and looking at the western sky. They saw those elusive little stars and blinked their eyes, as if telling people the end of that unfortunate era in the past and another. The dawn of a new era. At this time, everyone's hearts were racing and excited, and the mysterious starlight and dreamlike night sky also made every hero imagine. Some people who love home imagine that if Qin surrenders, the war will end and everyone can go home, and maybe they can live a peaceful and happy life. After a while, the vast Bailuyuan was shrouded in night, all the noisy sounds quieted down, and everything returned to peace.
The news of Wang Wan's death was reported to Xianyang. The third generation beat his chest and cried loudly, and then summoned civil and military officials to discuss the funeral. However, many officials had already avoided going to court at this time, and only a few officials such as Nei Shi came to the court. The third life has reached the time when the world is calling for no response and the earth and the earth are not functioning properly. Suddenly Han Tan came in and said: "Your Majesty, there are many people in Xianyang running away with their young and old in their arms, crying loudly!" When the third generation heard the news, his arms stiffened, and there was nothing he could do. Soon, another official came to report that the Chu army had arrived at Bashang. Han Tan had no choice but to say to the Third Emperor: "Your Majesty, the matter is urgent. It is better to go to Longxi's hometown to summon the militia. You can also rely on the dangers of Longshan to resist the rebels!" The Third Emperor said: "The people in the hometown are often harassed by Rong and Di. Qin State And there is no favor to them, and there is no army to escort them. If they go there, something will happen!" Suddenly someone ran in and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Bang's special envoy has arrived." The third generation was almost stunned. He did not expect that Pei Guild would send an envoy. . Han Tan hurriedly said: "Since they have sent special envoys, we might as well let them in and listen to what they have to say." The third generation had no choice but to look up to the sky and shout: "I didn't expect that the foundation created by the ancestors of the Ying family would be destroyed in my hands. Come on!" The Third was silent for a while, and then said helplessly: "Please invite the special envoy of Chu State to come in."
After a while, Zhang Cang and three other people came in. They politely bowed to the emperor and ministers and addressed themselves as "Your Majesty." Seeing this, the third generation's fear was instantly eliminated. He did not expect that the people called traitors by the people of Qin turned out to be a few gentle Confucian scholars. Moreover, they behaved well and spoke elegantly. They did not look like murderous demon kings at all. Especially Zhang Cang, who was a former official of the Qin State. When the third generation thought of this, a sense of security suddenly enveloped his whole body, and he asked Zhang Cang: "What do you want to do here?" Zhang Cang said: "The world has rebelled against Qin, and it is not your majesty's fault. We just thought that the matter has come to this, so please consider the overall situation As a matter of priority, if we can give up resistance and negotiate for the handover of Xianyang, the Chu army will not enter the city and will not scare the people again." Upon hearing this, the Third Emperor realized that they were here to recruit surrender, so he bowed his head and remained silent. At this time, the internal history officer said: "Your Majesty, what you dreamed about a few days ago is a sign of Qin's demise! Now the total number of guards and officials in Xianyang is less than a thousand, so just agree to their request!" Li Shiqi and Lu Jia also said: "Your Majesty, you have tried your best, but the rise and fall of the country is determined. Besides, General Liu is generous and kind, and he will not embarrass your Majesty. Please follow everyone's advice and deliver Xianyang safely." Your treasury, household registration, money and food, and the people will also praise your wisdom." Seeing that the matter had come to this, Han Tan could only say: "Your Majesty, it seems that what Mr. Zhang said is reasonable, just agree to their request!" At this time, the third generation Only then did he feel completely desperate, so he had no choice but to say to Zhang Cang in pain: "Tomorrow morning, I am willing to lead all the officials to Zhidao to welcome the Chu army into the city. At that time, I will present the national jade seal to General Liu!" Zhang Cang and others kowtowed: "Your Majesty is so wise!" After Zhang Cang and others left, the third generation said to Han Tan: "Now show me the proclamation and tell the people that I am willing to dedicate Xianyang to the Chu State, so that the people will not flee again." Han Tan wiped his tears and agreed to do it.
That night, the third generation came to Shanglinyuan Ancestral Temple for the last time. He knelt in front of the memorial tablet of the late king and cried loudly: "I have only been on the throne forty-five days, and tomorrow I will hand over hundreds of years of foundation to others. Please list me." Ancestors, please forgive me for my incompetence! I only regret that Zhao Gao has misled the country. All the national power has been exhausted, and I am really helpless!" After the third generation said this, he burst into tears, and his eyes were swollen from crying. Han Tan endured his grief and persuaded him to return to Xianyang Palace.
The next day, a red sun rose over Xianyang City, and the bright sunshine filled the land of Guanzhong. People already felt a little warmth and started a new day. Pei Gong had already made preparations and led his soldiers to Zhidao in advance. Zhi Road is about twenty miles away from Bashang. There is a Changting Post Station here, which is a place specially used to receive passing envoys and officials. Pei Gong was eagerly waiting for him after his arrival. After a while, I saw a white line approaching on the official road ahead. Pei Gong turned around and joked to everyone: "You all stand up neatly. Don't make a fuss when you see the emperor, otherwise people will laugh at us for being countrymen!" The soldiers agreed with a smile. At this time, the soldiers of the Chu army lined up and waited, letting the hunting north wind blow the horns of the battle flags on the helmets and cheeks of the soldiers.
When the people of Xianyang heard that the emperor was leaving the city to surrender, many people came to watch. When they came to Zhidao, they felt relieved when they saw that the Chu army was in good order and disciplined, and did not look like thieves at all. At this time, the officials of the Qin State led by the Third Emperor, about one hundred people, arrived in front of Pei Gong with plain chariots and white horses, and they bowed respectfully. Pei Gong and the soldiers also returned the gift. After the meeting ceremony, the third generation presented the emperor's six seals to Pei Gong one by one, including the jade seal carved from He's Bi and known as the emperor's seal. This seal is priceless, and the Xianyang Order. print. This means that the third generation dedicated his power as emperor and the entire Xianyang city to the Chu army.
Pei Gong accepted them one by one and handed them over to the officials for safekeeping. At this moment, someone suddenly said: "Brother! Kill this guy!" There was a buzz in the head of the third generation, and everyone was surprised. As soon as Pei Gong heard the rough voice, he knew it was coming from Fan Kuai. He turned around and glared at him and said: "King Chu Huai knew that I would not kill innocent people indiscriminately, so he ordered me to enter the prison. If I kill the innocent three generations, What do the people think of me? Besides, Zhao Gao has been eliminated in the third generation. He has contributed to Qin and the world. It is ominous to kill him!" He said to Xiao He: "I hand over Emperor Qin to you, you must protect him. , if someone wants to plot against him, you can kill him first and then tell him!" After saying that, he took off his sword and handed it to Xiao He. Xiao He took the sword and said loudly: "I will obey the order of General Pei!" Fan Kuai was stunned and stunned. Seeing Pei Gong like this, the third generation immediately knelt down to thank him. Pei Gong then said to the ministers of Qin: "You are all loyal ministers of Qin. Now that you are with the army, you will be my teachers!" When the officials of Qin heard that Pei Gong asked them to be their teachers, they all knelt down with tears of gratitude and thanked him. At this time, Cao Wushang, who was standing in the back row, had a strange expression, and a strange smile seemed to flash across the corner of his eyes.
Suddenly there was a loud ringing of bells, and no one knew which Taoist temple was ringing the bells. When the third generation heard this sound, it was like a death knell, but when Pei Gong heard the bell, his heart was shocked. It was a deafening sound. He has already had a premonition that a new era is coming, and he is the leader of this era, or the new master of the entire Guanzhong. Because when setting off from Pengcheng, King Huai of Chu made an agreement that "whoever enters the pass first will be the king of Guanzhong." This loud slogan is like a huge bait, attracting countless heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the country. They march to Xianyang at all costs for this supreme honor. Peigong is the best among these heroes, and he is the leader today. the winner. Pei Gong could not suppress his inner joy at this time, and then led the army to move forward.
Everyone finally arrived at the long-awaited Xianyang City. Chu Jun was really shocked when he saw everything in front of him. It turned out that there were tall and majestic buildings everywhere, including palaces, temples, pavilions, pavilions, and colorful galleries. Especially the incomparable Rainbow Bridge on the Wei River shocked people's hearts. Everyone's eyes were almost dazzled by this fairy tale world, because every scene attracted their attention. At this time, a miracle happened. All the lanes in Xianyang were empty, and the people all lit incense burners and knelt on both sides of the road to welcome the Chu army and the Duke of Pei as he entered the city. Pei Gong waved to the people from time to time. When the army came to the city, Pei Gong ordered the army to be stationed outside the city and only brought a few hundred people into the city. But at this time, the sergeants had to struggle to go to the city to visit the world-famous Xianyang Palace. Pei Gong smiled and said: "There are so many people and animals. If everyone pees and poops, they will kill the beauties in Xianyang Palace! After I finish checking the treasury, I will let you visit in batches." ." After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Duke Pei, accompanied by Zifang, Xiao He and others, came to the city. They saw that the walls of the inner city were painted with colors, just like a rainbow. Duke Pei asked strangely why the city was painted with paint. The official of the Qin State replied: "This is because the second emperor was afraid that thieves would climb up the city wall, so he used the dwarf's trick and painted it with paint. He thought that if the wall was smooth, it would be difficult for thieves to climb up." Pei Gong smiled and asked: "This thief refers to us Chu people, right?" The official who spoke quickly got down and apologized. Pei Gong laughed and said: "It doesn't matter whether he is a thief or a good man. What matters is what kind of person they think the emperor is." The Qin officials were obedient. Pei Gong continued: "I came here on a business trip before, and I was lucky enough to see the scene when the First Emperor was on tour. It was quite spectacular!" Fan Kuai smiled and said: "Brother, are you squeezed into a corner? Peeping?" Xia Houying interjected: "My eldest brother and I were peeping openly, who said it was peeping?" Pei Gong said: "It's not peeping, just mixing in the crowd. If the great First Emperor could see at that time, If I come to occupy his palace today, he will have to kill me!" Pei Gong said to Zhang Liang again: "It's better for you sir! I can only envy the First Emperor when I see him, unlike you, who threw him away He picked up a big iron cone weighing dozens of kilograms! Haha, sir, you are the earliest anti-Qin hero in Shandong!"
Everyone came to the gate of Xianyang Palace talking and laughing, and saw twelve tall and majestic bronze giants still standing on both sides of the palace gate, as if to welcome everyone, without any hostility towards the onlookers. Zhang Liang looked at the bronze giant and said: "The great First Emperor destroyed all the weapons in the world before casting these bronze figures. The purpose was to prevent anyone from rebelling. But he never expected that King Chen would use wood as a weapon. The one who rose up!" Zhang Liang's thoughts were rolling like a tide at this time. At first, he embarked on the path of anti-Qin with a small revenge mentality, and only wanted to achieve the purpose of revenge with a blow from Bolangsha, but he failed. After that, he lived in seclusion in Xiapi, learned from the pain, and spent ten years honing his strong will. Later, he finally walked out of Xiapi and met Liu Bang at his residence. From then on, they met by chance and devoted themselves to the vigorous anti-Qin trend. . Not only did he have a grand vision, but he also had the Confucian philosophy of saving the world, and he upheld the principles of heaven's movement. With his strong determination to constantly strive for self-improvement, a gentleman finally assisted the wise and foolish Liu Bang to complete his mission of entering the pass and destroying the Qin Dynasty. He achieved unparalleled achievements and also completed The arduous and glorious task entrusted to him by the old man Qiao Qiao.
Xiao He could not calm down in his heart. He started with a kind and benevolent heart and wanted to make a difference in politics. But things went against his wishes, and Qin's xenophobic policies aroused dissatisfaction among the people of the world. He had long seen that Qin would not last long and would be destroyed sooner or later, so he rejected Zhang Cang's recommendation in Peixian County. Later, Chen Sheng raised an army, and he With a foresighted vision, he saw the great power of the uprising, and finally decided to support the elder Liu Bang as the leader and devoted himself to the trend of the uprising. After three years of arduous and bloody fighting, he finally defeated the powerful enemy and ended an era. .
As the commander-in-chief of the army, Liu Bang spread benevolence and righteousness. Although he lacked grand strategies, he had a broad mind and was polite to others. He regarded Zhang Liang and Xiao He as his comrades. He also pooled his wisdom and listened to suggestions from all sides. In addition, he The brave fighting of the soldiers and the careful planning of many counselors finally completed the mission assigned to him by history. He and his civil and military generals will be remembered forever as the pride of the Chinese nation and great historical figures. They will always be worthy of the respect and admiration of future generations. Talented people have emerged from generation to generation, and each has led the way for hundreds of years.
At this time, in front of the magnificent Xianyang Hall, there were rolled red flags and swarming heads everywhere. The soldiers also enjoyed this great and sacred place. The palace maids who have lived here for many years also began to come out of the palace to party with everyone. Xianyang Palace is boiling, Xianyang City is boiling, and all the people who heard about the demise of Qin are boiling. The Qin State lasted for 694 years from the founding of Feizi in 900 BC to the unification of the world by Qin Shihuang and his official title of emperor, to the death of the third son of Qin as an infant. This is the end of this story about heroes and sages and working people who, in the face of suffering, stood up to fight without fear of violence, and finally overthrew the x-government.
The poem says:
Qin Guan is desolate and the high autumn is moving, but the arrow is flying to the west in vain.
Twelve golden men greeted the iron halberd, and three thousand pink ladies descended from the Qiong Tower.
Weihan cannot stop the chaos in Shandong, and the Wei River cannot stop flowing day and night.
In different generations, empress Chen came out, and there was an imperial state in Guanhe.
