100 Historical Stories That Unlock Teenage Wisdom

Chapter 14 3 Liu Bang seals the treasury of the Qin court

Chapter 23 Liu Bang seals the treasury of the Qin court
——Self-denial is self-interest. People have limited energy. If we spend more energy on having fun, we will spend less energy on personal career.If we are to achieve great things, we cannot indulge ourselves too much.If you want yourself to be more wonderful than others, you need ten times more, a hundred times more self-denial.Because self-denial is also self-interest, when you devote your energy to valuable things, one day, all the achievements will come to you!
In 206 BC, Liu Bang's troops broke through Wuguan (now southeast of Danfeng County, Shaanxi), and the capital of the Qin Dynasty was not far from Xianyang.Qin Ershi was very frightened, and quickly sent someone to ask Prime Minister Zhao Gao to send troops to resist.Zhao Gao knew that he would not be able to defeat the rebels, so he sent his henchmen to force the second emperor to death.

Zhao Gao killed the second emperor, summoned the ministers, and said to them: "Now that the six kingdoms have been restored, Qin can no longer be named emperor, and should be called king as before. I think the second nephew's son Ying You can make him King of Qin." The ministers did not dare to offend Zhao Gao, so they agreed.

Ziying knew that Zhao Gao killed the second king because he wanted to be king himself, but he was afraid that the ministers and princes would oppose him, so he pretended to make him king.He discussed with his two sons, and on the day he came to the throne, he said that he would not go because of illness, and when Zhao Gao went to urge Ziying himself, he killed Zhao Gao.

Ziying killed Zhao Gao and sent [-] soldiers to guard Hangu Pass.Liu Bang used Zhang Liang's strategy to send troops to plant countless flags on the hills around Guancheng as suspicious soldiers; he sent Zhou Bo to lead his troops around the front, attack from the southeast, kill the guards, and wiped out the Qin army.

Liu Bang's army entered the pass and arrived at Bashang (now east of Xi'an, Shaanxi).Prince Qin had no choice but to bring the ministers of the Qin Dynasty to surrender.Ziying was wearing a belt around her neck, holding Qin Huang's jade seal, military amulet and scepter in her hands, and was waiting hunched over by the roadside.

The general under Liu Bang advocated killing Ziying, but Liu Bang said: "King Huai of Chu sent me to attack Xianyang because he believed that I could treat people generously; besides, he has already surrendered, so it is not good to kill him again." After killing Yuxi, he handed over Ziying to his subordinates to take care of him.At this point, the Qin Dynasty perished.

Liu Bang's army entered Xianyang, and the soldiers rushed to find the warehouse of the palace. Everyone picked valuable gold and silver treasures, causing a commotion.Xiao He first ran to the prime minister's mansion of the Qin Dynasty, and collected all relevant documents and files such as household registration and maps, and kept them well.

Accompanied by soldiers, Liu Bang came to the luxurious Efang Palace.He saw that the palace was so rich and well decorated that people couldn't keep their eyes open.There are also many beautiful court ladies.He stayed in the palace for a few days and didn't want to leave.

One day, his general Fan Kuai broke in and said, "Peigong wants to conquer the world, or he wants to be a rich man? These extravagant and gorgeous things brought the Qin Dynasty down. What do you want? Why do you want to go back home?" Go to the barracks!"

Liu Bang didn't listen to him and said, "Let me have a rest."

Zhang Liang also came in. Hearing Fan Kuai's words, he said to Liu Bang: "As the saying goes, good advice hurts the ear and good action is good, and good medicine is good for the disease. Fan Kui's words are very correct. I hope you will follow his advice."

Liu Bang had always trusted Zhang Liang very much. After hearing his words, he immediately came to his senses and ordered the soldiers to seal up the warehouse, and led the troops back to Bashang.

Then, Liu Bang summoned the elders near Xianyang and said to them: "You have been harmed by the cruel decrees of the Qin Dynasty. Today, I agree with you elders three laws: those who kill people will be punished with their lives, and those who injure others and steal will be punished. These three items, other laws and prohibitions of the Qin State, are all abolished. The fathers and the people can live and work in peace and contentment without panic."

Liu Bang also asked the elders and the officials of the former Qin State to go to a place near Xianyang to announce these three decrees.

The people were very happy when they heard Liu Bang's three chapters of the agreement.Everyone scrambled to comfort Liu Bang's soldiers with beef, mutton, wine and grain. Liu Bang persuaded them to take these things back. He said: "There are grains in the granary, so don't let you bother."

Since then, Liu Bang's army has left a good impression among the people in Guanzhong, and people all hope that Liu Bang can stay in Guanzhong and become king.

Wisdom Interpretation:

Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, was obsessed with the sensual life in Afang Palace. Achieved a great cause.If he continues to indulge in sensuality, let alone achieve great things, even the rich man that Fan Kuai mentioned will not be long.

Teenagers who have great ambitions need to forge ahead with self-denial and keep their feet on the ground. Only in this way can we not miss our success.

(End of this chapter)