Li Nian continued, "Zhang Liang's intention to assassinate the King is rooted in the national enmity and family grudge. Deep down, he hopes to revitalize the state of Korea. Therefore, when Zhang Liang encountered Prime Minister Bei at the end of the Qin Dynasty, although they became close friends at first sight, he did not fully support Bei. He still remembered his homeland in his heart!"
"However, Zhang Liang was also serving Prime Minister Bei at that time. Prime Minister Bei was able to safely pass through Xiang Yu's 'Hongmeng Banquet' thanks to Zhang Liang's insight into the danger and his wit in resolving it."
"Only after King Han Sheng was killed by Xiang Yu did Zhang Liang fully dedicate himself to supporting Prime Minister Bei, providing strategic advice for him and reversing the situation between Prime Minister Bei and Xiang Yu with the 'Xiayi Strategy', leading to the gradual transition from Rong's strength to Han's strength in the struggle between Chu and Han."
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng interjected, "Does Xiang Yu know of Zhang Liang's wisdom and why he killed King Han Sheng?"
Li Nian pondered for a moment and replied, "Xiang Yu killed King Han Sheng after the 'Hongmeng Banquet'. Zhang Liang was also familiar with Xiang Yu's uncle Xiang Bo, so I think Xiang Yu should have known Zhang Liang's wisdom."
Ying Zheng said, "If this is the case, why did he still kill King Han Sheng? Isn't that cutting off Zhang Liang's loyalty to Korea and adding strength to Prime Minister Bei instead?"
Li Nian couldn't figure out what was going through Xiang Yu's head. Killing King Han Sheng was a completely unnecessary move, and he just went ahead and did it like that. If you were going to kill someone, you should at least set up the situation beforehand and kill Zhang Liang along with him.
In the end, it became that King Han Sheng died and Zhang Liang fled. With no constraints from King Han Sheng, Zhang Liang was able to fully showcase his talents at Liu Bang's side. If he had been killed along with Xiang Yu, there would be no need for such a conclusion!
If King Han Sheng had not been killed, even if Zhang Liang and Prime Minister Bei exchanged glances and did not ally with Xiang Yu, he would not have given his full heart to help Prime Minister Bei devise strategies.
Xiang Yu personally cut the ropes that bound Zhang Liang and also incurred a deep grudge against Zhang Liang.
Because Qin defeated Han, Zhang Liang dared to attempt to assassinate the founder. Xiang Yu killed King Han Sheng, and Zhang Liang indeed could not match your martial abilities in a physical confrontation. Can you really say that Zhang Liang did not have sufficient wit in his mind to seek revenge?
Ying Zheng said, "From this it is clear that Xiang Yu, when competing with Prime Minister Bei, eventually lost and was not wronged. He was undoubtedly strong and brave, but lacked wisdom and strategy. He only considered the cause but not the effect, and was quite arrogant."
Li Nian nodded, "Your Majesty has sharp eyes. Xiang Yu is indeed as you say, with the bravery of a warlord but not the wisdom of a king. Apart from the Hongmen Banquet and the Xiayi Strategy, Zhang Liang also refuted Lao Shi Ji's argument about dividing the kingdom."
Upon seeing that Ying Zheng had shown interest in Li Nian's mention of "division," Li Nian quickly explained, "It was not when Prime Minister Bei had already conquered the world, but rather during the struggle between Chu and Han. Prime Minister Bei was trapped in Yingyang and asked his ministers for advice on how to resolve the crisis at that time. Li Yi proposed reestablishing the six states, saying that the monarchs, subjects, and people of the six states would surely be grateful for Prime Minister Bei's benevolence, thus solving the crisis."
After hearing this, Ying Zheng felt that it sounded familiar, and he remembered that Chun Yu Yue also seemed to have said something similar. He asked, "What is the relationship between Li Yi and Chun Yu Yue?"
Can people really come up with such an idea?
Li Nian hesitated for a moment and replied, "Li Yi is also a Confucian scholar!"
Ying Zheng's doubts were immediately resolved.
"At that time, Prime Minister Bei believed Li Yi's words and was ready to carry out the plan. Fortunately, Zhang Liang returned from an outing and heard about it. He timely advised and stopped it. At that time, Prime Minister Bei was eating. After hearing Zhang Liang's advice, he stopped eating, spat out his food, and swore, 'The scholar, almost ruined your good work!'"
Upon hearing the phrase "The scholar, almost ruined your good work!" Ying Zheng suddenly felt a sense of envy. Although Prime Minister Bei appeared to be a scoundrel, he did not have to be as meticulous as him and could indulge in his emotions, freely cursing. However, he also knew that he was different from Prime Minister Bei and could not act in such a manner.
"When Prime Minister Bei established the Han Dynasty and was discussing where to establish the capital, many of his officials and advisors favored establishing the capital in Luoyang. However, Zhang Liang advised Prime Minister Bei to establish the capital in Chang'an. This is why Chang'an has been the capital of the Han Dynasty for two hundred years!"
"After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang was granted the title of Liuhou for his merits. Having been weak and sickly since young, after the stability of the country, he gradually retired from official affairs. Later, he abandoned worldly affairs, studied fasting and meditation, practiced Taoist exercises to lighten his body, and passed away eight years later."
Ying Zheng said, "Indeed, he was wise, knowing how to safeguard himself with prudence and achieve a good outcome."
Even if Zhang Liang had remained, it is likely that he would not have been killed. His relationship with Liu Bang and Lu Zhi were good, and during Liu Bang's plan to change the crown prince, Lu Zhi consulted Zhang Liang for advice. Zhang Liang's plan actually preserved Liu Ying's position as the crown prince.
"The wisdom of Liuhou is immortalized in history and is revered as 'the supreme strategist of all ages' in later generations. Among monarchs of later dynasties, the highest praise for their strategists was the phrase 'My son is Liuhou'."
Li Nian decided to let go completely. Whether or not Emperor Qin killed Zhang Liang was not something he could decide. It was better to focus on discussing the character of Liuhou.
"In later dynasties, emperors established the Martial Temple and Zhou Yu was the main priest, while Liuhou was the secondary priest. His status was even higher than the ten sages and generals."
After hearing this, Ying Zheng fell into a long silence. Such a man, such a talent, "the supreme strategist of all ages," "second in the Martial Temple," and one sentence "My son is Liuhou" is the highest praise for strategists.
Unfortunately, it is hard to make use of such a person!
Even if he wanted to spare Zhang Liang, would Zhang Liang be willing?
Although he had not yet met that "strategist," Ying Zheng already knew the answer in his heart. Such a great man of all ages is undoubtedly a person with strong willpower and resilience, making it difficult to change their ideas and positions.
If one does not have a resolute spirit and the courage to say "even if there are ten thousand people, I will go forward," how could one achieve great things or leave a name in history?
Ying Zheng sighed in his heart and looked at Li Nian, thinking about the young man's words full of praise for Zhang Liang, and he asked with a smile, "What do you think I should do about Prime Minister Bei and the 'Three Excellencies' of the early Han Dynasty?"
'This question must be because Emperor Qin knows that I have a good impression of Prime Minister Bei and Zhang Liang. He asked this on purpose.'
Li Nian did not hide his thoughts, speaking frankly, "In my personal opinion, I hope that Your Majesty can recruit Prime Minister Bei and the 'Three Excellencies' to Your side and make use of their talents. They are all people who are known throughout history. I do not want them to die like this."
"However, for the sake of the Great Qin and the Qin Dynasty, Prime Minister Bei can be killed or not killed. Xiao He and Han Xin can be used by Your Majesty, but Liuhou must be killed!"
Emperor Qin replied after hearing this, "You are indeed sincere!"
If Li Nian had directly said that he wanted to kill Prime Minister Bei and the "Three Excellencies," Emperor Qin would not have believed him and would have thought that Li Nian was not honest.
After explaining his view, Li Nian added, "At that time, Prime Minister Bei had not yet made a name for himself. He was just a scoundrel in Xian County. How could he become a dragon one day and transform from the Prime Minister of Chu to the Emperor of Han? Only when the world is at peace and the people are prosperous can such a leap be possible."
Just like Jackie Chan in the movie "Wu Zhuang Yuan Su Qier," he said, "The number of members in Beggar's Association is not determined by me, but by you. If you are truly wise and powerful, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity, who would want to be a beggar?"
If Emperor Qin could govern the world well, Prime Minister Bei would forever be just a Prime Minister Bei, and he would not transform into a dragon with the rise of favorable winds. If the world cannot be governed well, then killing one Liu Ji from Pei County is of no use at all.
There will be Jiao County Jiao Ji, Jiao County Jiao Ji, Chen County Chen Ji, and others will definitely emerge to ask the Qin Dynasty to die!
"The Xiao He and Han Xin pose no threat to the Great Qin. If it were not for the rebellion of all the world, when the Pei County magistrate wanted to kill Xiao He, he would probably do his job as the chief clerk in Pei County without any complaints, and even decline to get promoted."
"And what Han Xin seeks is simply for someone to recognize his talents and allow him to showcase his skills, to obtain some 'due rewards' in the process that he deems appropriate."
