Disciplining Emperor Gaozu of Han

Chapter 16 Lü Ze

"Xiang Yu massacred Chengyang?" Liu Ying was incredulous when he heard the two talking; his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

In Liu Ying's memory, the four most famous stories about Xiang Yu were: the Farewell My Concubine, Xiang Yu's unparalleled bravery, the massacre of 200,000 Qin soldiers at Xin'an, and the burning of Xianyang. As for the story of Xiang Yu massacring cities, he had never even heard of it.

However, Xiang Yu's words, "I am filled with hatred and I am going mad," do not seem like a lie.

Xiahou Ying overheard this and explained to Liu Ying: "Xiang Yu is cruel, a tyrant rarely seen throughout history. He always massacres the inhabitants of a city he attacks. The first time he led his troops to attack Xiangcheng, he slaughtered the entire city, leaving rivers of blood and mountains of corpses. The second time he led his troops with the King of Han to attack Chengyang, after capturing it, he also massacred the inhabitants of Chengyang."

Liu Ying felt a chill run down her spine: "He didn't stop it?"

Xiahou Ying naturally understood who Liu Ying was referring to, and said, "Of course the King of Han tried to stop him, but unfortunately he couldn't. Because of this, the King of Han and King Xiang almost came to blows, but still couldn't stop King Xiang from massacring Chengyang."

Seeing Xiahou Ying's serious expression, Liu Ying had no choice but to believe that Xiang Yu had indeed massacred the city.

"Because of this, King Han offended King Xiang, which displeased King Xiang. As a result, when King Xiang enfeoffed the princes in Guanzhong last year, he did not want to enfeoff King Han." Xiahou Ying's words were astonishing.

Liu Ying was shocked: "Isn't the reason Xiang Yu refused to grant him a fiefdom because he led his army into Guanzhong and stole Xiang Yu's opportunity?"

"There's a reason for that. King Han's act of stopping King Xiang from massacring the city in Chengyang had already offended King Xiang, and King Xiang had always remembered it." Xiahou Ying continued, "Fortunately, King Huai learned of this and praised King Han as a kind and virtuous elder, and from then on, he held King Han in high regard."

"Is he really so highly regarded by Prince Huai?" Liu Ying found it unbelievable.

"Indeed!" Xiahou Ying said regretfully, "You've been in Pei County all this time, so you don't know how chaotic it is outside. It's truly in utter chaos. Wherever the army passes, not a blade of grass grows, and the common people are treated worse than dogs."

"You've seen it?" Liu Ying's face turned pale; it was too frightening.

"Too many!" Xiahou Ying shook his head, as if trying to shake off some bad memories.

There were too many words, too much weight to bear, and Liu Ying truly didn't know how to respond.

"In such a chaotic world, it is truly remarkable that the King of Han did not massacre the city and even tried his best to stop the King of Xiang from doing so." Xiahou Ying sighed, "There are too few people like the King of Han."

Liu Ying remained silent. Liu Bang was a womanizer and a drunkard, yet he was able to gain the empire. Perhaps this was the reason.

"Xiang Yu's cruelty far exceeds your imagination." Xiahou Ying looked at Liu Ying and said, "Back then, King Huai sent people into Guanzhong to destroy Qin. Because the Qin army was still strong and its military prestige remained, no one dared to go. Only King Han and Xiang Yu were willing to go. In the end, King Huai chose King Han because King Han was benevolent and Xiang Yu was cruel."

Liu Ying had a vague recollection of this matter; it seemed she had heard someone mention it, but she had forgotten who it was.

"What about this Tian?" Liu Ying asked, looking at Tian, ​​who was close to Liu Bang.

"This Tian was from Chengyang. He and his family were slaughtered by Xiang Yu. He was lucky to survive." Xiahou Ying explained to Liu Ying, "After Xiang Yu left, the King of Han led us to search for survivors among the corpses. We found that Tian was not dead, but seriously injured. The King of Han ordered his men to dig him out and sent people to treat his wounds."

"This person is incredibly lucky," Liu Ying exclaimed, having survived a walk through a pile of corpses.

"Excellent!" Xiahou Ying added, "After his injuries healed, he followed the King of Han. His greatest wish was to kill Xiang Yu and avenge his family and the people who were massacred in Chengyang!"

"Others might betray him, but Tian would never." Liu Ying finally understood. After Liu Bang recognized Tian, ​​he immediately relaxed and even went over to befriend him.

"Excellent!" Xiahou Ying agreed.

Liu Bang put his arms around Tian's neck and put his arm around his back, acting like best buddies.

Tian, ​​however, kept his head down, showing utmost respect, his admiration for Liu Bang coming from the bottom of his heart.

"How is Zhou Lühou?" Liu Bang asked.

"I dare to inform the King of Han: Marquis Zhou Lü has governed well and performed his duties diligently; all is well in our city." He added with utmost respect.

"Is there any unusual activity in Xiayi?" Liu Bang asked again.

"I dare to tell the King of Han: No!" Tian always answers any question.

Liu Bang was finally relieved and ordered, "Send someone to inform Marquis Zhou Lü to come and welcome me."

"Yes, sir!" Tian accepted the order and designated someone to ride his horse to inform Lü Ze.

"Get on," Liu Bang said, pointing to an empty warhorse that had followed them.

"I dare to tell the King of Han: I do not wish to ride a horse, but only to lead the horse for the King of Han." Tian's gratitude towards Liu Bang was genuine.

"You are all fine men, why bother leading my horse? Go, get on the horse." Liu Bang waved his right hand and said magnanimously.

"King Han..." Tears welled up in Tian's eyes; he was very excited.

"Does my word not carry weight?" Liu Bang glared.

"Thank you, King Han!" Tian Heng wiped away his tears with his sleeve, went to his warhorse, and mounted it.

Liu Bang returned to his warhorse, leaped onto it, and with a wave of his right hand, ordered, "Let's go!"

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers responded in unison.

Liu Ying rode his horse along, looking at the soldiers protecting Liu Bang, and thought to himself, "Liu Bang is quite adept at winning people's hearts."

Liu Bang's appreciation of Tian's magnanimity must have been an attempt to win people's hearts.

Tian rode his horse beside Liu Bang, and Liu Bang took the opportunity to inquire about the affairs of Xiayi. Tian answered all his questions.

Nothing major happened; Lü Ze governed well, and everything in Xiayi was peaceful, with the army remaining intact.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bang felt relieved. He had come straight to Xiayi specifically to confront this army. If anything had happened to this army, he would have been in serious trouble.

After traveling less than ten miles, Liu Ying came into view of a fortified city, with high walls and thick ramparts; this was Xiayi.

The seat of Dang Commandery was not Xiayi, but Xiayi was very important, so the Qin Dynasty built Xiayi very well.

Han soldiers stood guard on the city wall, fully armored, with swords at their waists and bows on their backs, heads held high and chests out, displaying excellent spirit. Every now and then, patrols of Han soldiers would pass by the city wall, maintaining a very disciplined appearance.

There were also Han soldiers on duty at the city gate, just like the Han soldiers on the city wall.

This was completely different from what he had seen in Feng County. Liu Ying secretly praised Lü Ze for his skillful military command.

Before they even reached the city gate, a group of people, all dressed as scholars, poured out of the city.

The man at the forefront, around forty years old, dressed in brocade robes with a sword at his left waist, was none other than Zhou Lühou Lü Ze. He was not armored, but rather carried a scholar's spear, appearing very refined, like a learned man, and not at all like a general under Liu Bang.

"This is a formidable figure!" Liu Ying sized up Lü Ze for a while, and combined with Empress Lü's high praise for him, he thought much more highly of Lü Ze.

"Greetings, King of Han!" Lü Ze clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.

"Haha!" Liu Bang was overjoyed. He jumped off his horse, strode over, grabbed Lü Ze's hand, and laughed loudly, "Brother, we're all family, there's no need for this."

"Thank you, King Han." Lü Ze straightened up, his manners impeccable.

"Uncle! Uncle!" Liu Le was overjoyed and waved to Lü Ze from horseback, wanting to dismount but not daring to.

"Le...er?" Lu Ze opened his eyes wide, looked Liu Le up and down, recognized him, his face full of joy. He rushed over, reached out his hands, picked Liu Le up from the horse, and kissed Liu Le's cheeks.

"Hehe." Liu Le was overjoyed, wrapping her arms around Lü Ze's neck and laughing non-stop.

Lu Ze kissed Liu Le, placed her on his left shoulder, and looked at Liu Ying: "Is this Ying'er? She's grown so much?"

Four years ago, when Lü Ze followed Liu Bang in his quest for the throne, Liu Ying was only three years old—that's the traditional Chinese age reckoning, which would make him two in modern terms. Now, Liu Ying has changed drastically, and it took Lü Ze quite a while to recognize him.

Lu Ze strode over, reached out and picked up Liu Ying, kissing her repeatedly before placing her on his left shoulder. He wrapped one arm around her legs, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

Note:

Xiang Yu was brutal and massacred entire cities—this is a true historical fact. Historical records confirm six such massacres: in Xiangcheng, Chengyang, Xin'an, Guanzhong, Qi, and Waihuang.

This time, Waihuang was stopped by Waihuang'er, and the massacre didn't happen. There were only five actual massacres of the city.

These are only those recorded in historical books; there are countless others that are not recorded.

It was precisely because of Xiang Yu's brutality that King Huai of Chu chose Liu Bang to lead the army into Guanzhong to destroy Qin, rather than Xiang Yu.

The *Records of the Grand Historian*, in the chapter on Emperor Gaozu, states: "At that time, the Qin army was strong, and they always pursued their victories. None of the generals were inclined to enter Guanzhong first. Only Xiang Yu, resentful of Qin's defeat of Xiang Liang's army, was indignant and wished to enter Guanzhong westward with Liu Bang. The veteran generals of King Huai all said, 'Xiang Yu is a fierce, cunning, and treacherous man. Xiang Yu once attacked Xiangcheng, leaving no survivors, burying them all alive. Wherever he went, he left nothing but destruction. Moreover, Chu has repeatedly advanced, and the former King Chen and Xiang Liang have both been defeated. It would be better to send an elder to uphold righteousness westward and persuade the Qin elders. The Qin elders have long suffered under their lord; if an elder were to go now, they would not be violent and should be able to surrender. But Xiang Yu is fierce and cannot be sent now. Only Liu Bang is known for his magnanimity and virtue; he can be sent.' In the end, Xiang Yu's request was denied, and Liu Bang was sent westward to conquer territory and gather the scattered troops of King Chen and Xiang Liang."

The *Book of Han, Annals of Emperor Gaozu* records: "At that time, the Qin army was strong and often pursued the defeated enemy. None of the generals were inclined to enter Guanzhong first. Only Xiang Yu, resentful of Qin's defeat of Xiang Liang, was eager to fight and wished to go west with Liu Bang to Guanzhong. The veteran generals of King Huai all said, 'Xiang Yu is a fierce and ruthless man. He once attacked Xiangcheng, leaving no survivors. Wherever he went, he left nothing but destruction. Moreover, Chu has repeatedly advanced, and both King Chen and Xiang Liang have been defeated. It would be better to send an elder to uphold righteousness and go west to persuade the Qin elders. The Qin elders have suffered under their lord for a long time. If an elder can go now, and they do not act violently, they should be able to surrender. Xiang Yu cannot be sent. Only Liu Bang is known for his generosity and virtue.' In the end, Xiang Yu was not allowed, and Liu Bang was sent west to gather the scattered troops of King Chen and Xiang Liang."