"And, Xiang Yu truly enjoyed cooking people. He cooked Xu Sheng, cooked Zhou Ke, and even cooked the mother who had committed suicide himself, WANG LING. With such precedents, it was no empty talk for him to cook LIU TAI GONG."
Hearing Li Nian say that Xiang Yu would cook Liu Taigong, Guan Guo sought a bowl of meat soup from Xiang Yu. Emperor Qin said, "This is Guan Guo's plan. Only in this way can Liu Taigong be spared from death. On the other hand, Xiang Yu's action not only angered Guan Guo but also angered Liu Taigong. Besides, Nu Zhi was also in Xiang Yu's camp, and she would also be angered."
In one fell swoop, the act of cooking Liu Taigong led Xiang Yu to become enemies with both Xiang Yu himself, Liu Taigong, and Lu Zhi.
What he wanted to do was cook Guan Guo's father. If it really happened, even if Guan Guo was truly callous and heartless, he would still hate Xiang Yu until the end of his life for the sake of presenting a good appearance to the people of the world.
As the person who was to be boiled, when Liu Taigong heard that Xiang Yu wanted to cook him, couldn't he not be afraid? And after the event, couldn't he not generate hatred?
At the time, Lü Zhi was also held captive by Xiang Yu. Could she not have thought about who would be the next ingredient to be cooked after Liu Taigong?
Li Nian nodded and said, "As Your Majesty pointed out, so I think that in the end, Xiang Yu was surrounded at Gai Xia and suffered a defeat like a mountain falling. Even if he surrendered, it would still be difficult to escape death."
Even without mentioning Liu Bang or Liu Taigong who wanted to kill him, just Zhang Liang, Wang Ling, and Fan Kuai who didn't want to kill him?
Han Xin might have wanted to give him a couple of slaps: "You look down on others like a dog. Back then, you didn't listen to Han Yu's strategy, and now you've become a prisoner under the stairs, isn't that so, King of the Warriors?"
Xiang Yu had been ruling the world for three years when he cooked Wang Ling's mother. If he still acted so impulsively, it can be seen that he had not grown much during those three years.
Hearing Li Nian talking about Xiang Yu's defeat at Gai Xia, unwilling to return to Jiangdong, committing suicide on the Wujiang River, Emperor Qin made a sharp evaluation: "He didn't really want to return to Jiangdong. In reality, he knew that the situation had gone beyond repair. Even if he went back to Jiangdong, it would be difficult to turn things around. How many talented people does he have in Jiangdong? Can they compare with the ministers under Guan Guo?"
"Are there any who can match the talents of Xiao He, Han Xin, Zhang Liang, and Wang Ling?"
"If he were to return, it would only bring misfortune to his Jiangdong neighbors. He could be considered a man of integrity, knowing that returning to Jiangdong would be a disaster and choosing to commit suicide instead."
Li Nian agreed with Emperor Qin's evaluation, believing that after the defeat at Gai Xia, Xiang Yu's prospects were completely lost. Even if he returned to Jiangdong, he would only lead his disciples into the flames of hell. Xiang Yu was no longer able to make a comeback.
What about "There are many talents in Jiangdong, and it's unknown if he can rise again?" He was facing the entire founding team of the Han Dynasty, with many senior officials who wanted him dead. In that era, could he pull together a group of people from Jiangdong to stand against them?
After recounting many of Xiang Yu's deeds, Emperor Qin's hatred for Xiang Yu seemed to have lessened. Xiang Yu did not exhibit the demeanor of a king, and some of his actions even seemed abnormal. Counting with him would only lower his status.
The Emperor said: "Even if Xiang Yu gained the heavens and the earth, he would soon be in disarray and destruction. Although he has the valor of a king, he lacks the talent of a monarch. He can be a general, but he cannot be a ruler. How will posterity evaluate him?"
Li Nian said curiously, "In later generations, there are many who denounce Liu Bang and favor Xiang Yu. They believe that Liu Bang is despicable and shameless, a scoundrel and a rascal, while the King of the Yangtze has feelings and righteousness, a true hero."
"Particularly the siege at Gai Xia, his parting with Yu Ji, and there is a saying 'Emperor Xiang Yu Parting with Yu Ji' that has been passed down for thousands of years and is praised by later generations. It is often used to describe the end of heroes."
"A poem to accompany 'Emperor Xiang Yu Parting with Yu Ji' is also composed by Xiang Yu himself: 'I can pull mountains with my strength and my might surpasses the world. However, if the time is unfavorable, my horse ZHUI will not run. ZHUI does not run, what can I do? Yu Ji, Yu Ji, what can I do to you?' "
"The word 'ZUI' refers to the horse that Xiang Yu rode frequently, and 'YU' specifically refers to Yu Ji, who was Yu Ji!"
The Emperor commented: "He has reached such a situation, which is not the result of his own actions, what's the point of lamentation, and what's the point of regret?"
As he said this, the Emperor Qin thought of the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty, and that Xiang Yu would end up with "Emperor Xiang Yu Parting with Yu Ji" and "committing suicide at Wujiang." This was mainly due to Xiang Yu's own reasons. The rapid fall of the Great Qin Dynasty was also due to its own faults, wasn't it?
However, now, the Great Qin can certainly avoid the fate of falling into the second generation and Xiang Yu doesn't have to worry about parting with Yu Ji in Wujiang and committing suicide. He will never have the opportunity to meet Yu Ji again.
This time, the Emperor Qin did not ask Li Nian how to deal with the Xiang family, for he had already made up his mind and did not need Li Nian to give him further advice.
Li Nian knew that the Emperor Qin was undoubtedly filled with a desire to kill the Xiang family, but he had no intention of advising him. He had a good relationship with Liu Bang and Zhang Liang, but he had little affection for Xiang Yu.
The Emperor Qin then thought of a question and asked: "Why do many people in later generations prefer Xiang Yu to Liu Bang?"
Although Li Nian did not deliberately defame Xiang Yu, the Emperor Qin still noticed the difference in his attitude towards Liu Bang and Xiang Yu.
Li Nian said: "Although many people in later generations may have gone to school and read books, not everyone knows history. On the contrary, some legends, such as 'Emperor Xiang Yu Parting with Yu Ji,' are almost universally known. And 'Emperor Xiang Yu Parting with Yu Ji' is a tragedy that often makes people feel sympathetic."
"Moreover, historical records are written by people, and people have emotions. Naturally, there will be likes and dislikes. What I said about historical facts mostly comes from the 'Records of the Grand Historian' written by the grand historian Sima Qian. And as far as I can see, Sima Qian had some disdain for Liu Bang and was advocating for Xiang Yu."
This is not just idle talk from Li Nian; it is indeed recorded that way in the 'Records of the Grand Historian'.
Sima Qian used extensive description to depict Xiang Yu's experiences before his death, as if he had been there himself. He portrayed him as a tragic hero.
Moreover, in the 'Project biography' he did not write about Xiang Yu's cruelty, or wrote it in a single sentence. But for the good things Xiang Yu has done, he would write extensively about them.
Although the 'Records of the Grand Historian' contains historical facts collected and organized by Sima Qian, and it is believed that Sima Qian did not alter historical facts due to personal bias, his preferences are evident!
The Emperor nodded in agreement. Historians are also human, and when recording history, they may accurately record historical facts. However, when writing specific descriptions, they may contain personal emotions.
After nodding, the Emperor Qin looked at Li Nian and asked: "How have the historical books in later generations recorded me?"
After the question, without waiting for Li Nian to answer, the Emperor Qin asked himself and answered: "It can't be favorable reviews. They would probably write me as a tyrannical and foolish ruler."
Li Nian had never directly told him how he was portrayed in history books in later generations. However, the Emperor Qin would certainly not guess it. If there were favorable reviews, the boy would not have brought it up himself.
And since Li Nian said that the Great Qin fell into a second generation, analyzed the main reason for its fall at that time, he knew that his historical reputation was probably not good. It's estimated that he could sit at the same table with Xie and Zhu.
After all, with such a vast empire as the Great Qin, it fell within a decade of his ascension to the throne. Although it did not fall directly under his rule, it collapsed just a few years after his death.
He had originally not intended to ask, but today, after listening to Li Nian talk about Liu Bang, the "Three Excellencies" of the Han Dynasty, and Xiang Yu, he couldn't help but feel curious.
Li Nian also knew that the Emperor Qin would eventually ask, so he had made preparations in advance. He replied honestly: "The king's evaluation in later generations is a mix of good and bad. In general, people do not consider him a foolish ruler."
If not a foolish ruler, then it must be that people think I am a tyrant, right?
"While the King has great achievements in the Han people, after unifying the country, he frequently engaged in large-scale construction projects and abused the people's strength, causing their lives to become unbearable. This laid the foundation for the second generation of the Qin Dynasty to fall."
"Burning books and burying scholars alive, building the palace of Erlang, repairing the Great Wall, and repairing the tomb of Li Mountain are all considered manifestations of your excessive use of manpower and ruthlessness."
"Does the King know how many criminals were working at Li Mountain when Zhang Han was fighting against Chen Sheng's army?"
The Emperor Qin narrowed his eyes at Li Nian and said, "If I knew, would I need you to tell me?"
Li Nian said: "It was said to be seven hundred thousand criminals!"
The entire hall fell silent, and the Emperor Qin himself fell into a moment of silence.
He had thought of many things, but seven hundred thousand criminals? This number was just too large.
Even if not all were brought to Li Mountain during his reign, most of them were likely acquired by him. How long did Hu Hai really harm the country?
Ignoring the Emperor Qin's silence, Li Nian continued, "The burning of books and burying of scholars has been discussed with you before. The palace of Erlang has a poet who once wrote an essay called 'Assignment on the Palace of Erlang.' When I was a student, this article was one of the must-memorize ancient texts. Please allow me to recite it for you."
"Six kings ended, the four seas unified, Wushan barren, and the palace of Erlang emerged. Covering over three hundred miles, it blocked the sky and separated day from night. The northern side of the Lishan extends westward and straight towards Xianyang..."
The entire Zhuangtai Palace was silent, with only Li Nian's clear recitation.
