It was said that the old man had told Zhang Liang to visit him at his yellow rock grave 13 years later in Ji Bei (济北), at the feet of the mountain of Gu Cheng (谷城). This was fulfilled 13 years later. Zhang Liang placed the manual as an offering on the grave, and at his death, he was buried on the same site.
The meeting with the old man took place in a small town of Xia Pi (下邳) where Zhang Liang was in hiding. Another fugitive by the name of Xiang Bo (项伯)subsequently sought refuge there as well. The two men struck a friendship which would prove crucial in later years.
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Zhang Liang Meets Liu Bang
Ten years on, after the death of Qin Shi Huang, a peasant rebellion broke out, led by Chen Sheng (陈胜) and Wu Guang (吴广). It was one of the first to broke the control of the Qin dynasty over the empire, though that particular uprising failed.
Zhang Liang also assembled more than a hundred youths in revolt. He was planning to join the banner of the Jing Ju (景驹), the self-proclaimed acting King of Chu (楚假王), who was based in the city of Liu (留).
En route, he parleyed with the forces of Liu Bang who rose up in revolt in in Pei (沛), and joined him instead. After seizing Xia Pi, Liu Bang made Zhang Liang one of his commanders.
Zhang Liang explained what he learned from the manual to Liu Bang. Impressed, Liu Bang adopted the strategems proposed. In contrast, when Zhang Liang tried to explain the ideas to others, none were receptive. It was then that Zhang Liang thought Liu Bang as the master worthy of his service.
Liu Bang joined the banner of Xiang Liang (项梁) who backed a scion of the former royal family of Chu as King Huai of Chu (楚怀王).
Han Xin took the opportunity to get Xiang Liang to appoint another scion of the former royal family of Han, Han Cheng (韩成), whose title was Lord Heng Yang (横阳君) as the King of Han. Zhang Liang was appointed as an equivalent of a premier (司徒) to the revived State of Han, and set forth with the his new king and more than 1,000 troops to fight for Yin Chuan (颍川) in present day Yu Zhou of He Nan (河南禹州, 治阳翟).
Subsequently, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu (项羽) were ordered by King Huai of Chu to invade Qin. Zhang Liang reunited with Liu Bang (who set off from Luo Yang) during the march towards the Qin heartlands. On the way, they conquered more than ten cities formerly belonging to the State of Han, defeating the enemy general by the name of Yang Xiong (杨熊).
Liu Bang ordered King Cheng of Han to remain and defend the city of Yang Zhai (阳翟), while he and Zhang Liang went on to take the city of Wan (宛), present day Nan Yang (南阳) in He Nan (河南).
After entering the Wu Pass (武关) to the west, Liu Bang was planning to assault the Qin army in the Yáo (峣/嶢) Pass, present day NW of Shang county in ShaanXi (陕西省商县西北) with 20,000 troops.
Zhang Liang offered an alternative strategy, analysing that the Qin garrison was still a formidable force, but its commander was a coarse uncouth son of a butcher who could be exploited through his greed. He adviced Liu Bang to stand fast, prepare provisions for 50,000 troops, plant numerous banners on various hills around the area to make his numbers greater, and despatch the witty Yi LiShi (郦食其) with rich gifts to bribe the garrison commander.
Sure enough, the garrison commander agreed and was prepared to join forces with Liu Bang to attack Xian Yang (咸阳), the capital of Qin. However, Zhang Liang advised him saying it was only the commander who agreed to defect, but not the rest of the garrison who may not similarly willing. Such unreliable troops would be a threat to their forces. Instead, they should take advantage of the relaxed guard of the garrison and launch a surprise attack. Adopting this strategy, the Qin garrison were caught unawares, defeated and fled, pursued to Lan Tian (蓝田) where they were defeated and scattered.
The way to Xian Yang was now clear, and the Qin monarch ZiYing (子婴) surrendered to Liu Bang.
The Xian Yang Trap
Liu Bang's triumphal entry into Xian Yang almost caused his downfall.
The sight of the grand palace, riches from the Treasury, the fine horses and hounds, the beautiful palace maids and harem, tempted him to relapse into his old fondness of women and wine.
His general Fan Kuai (樊哙) remonstrated him to no avail, until Zhang Liang warned him he was going to become like the tyrannical Qin, giving rise to the idioms assisting Zhou in tyranny (助桀为虐), wise words do not sound attractive just as effective medicine taste bitter to the mouth (忠言逆耳利于行，毒药苦口利于病).
Heeding their advice, Liu Bang ordered the Treasury sealed, the palace secured and then withdrew to Ba Shang (霸上). He won support from the populace for abolishing the harsh laws of Qin, refusing to receive gifts from them and treated them kindly.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yu's advance was delayed because he was busy fighting the Qin general Zhang Han (章邯) at the Battle of JuLu (巨鹿). By the time he vanquished the enemy forces, news was received that Liu Bang had secured the HanGu Pass (函谷关).
Xiang Yu was enraged and despatched his generals, including Ying Bu (英布), to take the Pass. They broke through the Pass and advanced till XiXi (戏西), east of present day LinTong county in ShaanXi (今陕西临潼县东).
Cao WuShang (曹无伤), a general who served under and later betrayed Liu Bang, reported that Liu Bang was planning to make himself King of Guan Zhong (关中), appointing the deposed Qin ruler ZiYing as premier and keep the all the loot for himself. Xiang Yu got angrier and ordered his army to prepare for total assault on Liu Bang the following day.
It was at this time that the Left Minister of Chu (楚左尹), Xiang Bo, made a secret visit at night to Liu Bang's camp to persuade Zhang Liang to flee. Xiang Bo wanted to repay for his debt to Zhang Liang.
Zhang Liang felt it was unseemly for him to desert Liu Bang in his hour of trouble, and brought Xiang Bo to Liu Bang to warn him of the impending doom.
Liu Bang was alarmed and sought Zhang Liang's counsel.
Zhang Liang asked him,"Do you really want to turn against Xiang Yu?"
Liu Bang said,"It was an ill-conceived advice from Yu Lou (愚陋) that I accepted the suggestion to secure Han Gu Pass against other warlords in order become King of Guan Zhong."
Zhang Liang asked him again,"How do you estimate your strength against Xiang Yu?"
Liu Bang thought a long while before answering,"It was incomparable to begin with."
Zhang Liang estimated that Xiang Yu had a force of 400,000 against Liu Bang's mere 100,000, and decided eating the humble pie was the only solution.
Zhang Liang said,"Let me tell Xiang Bo that you were thought of turning against Xiang Yu."
Xiang Bo was invited into the meeting, and Liu Bang treated him respectfully as an elder brother, toasting him wine and even proposed marriage alliance.
The securing of Han Gu Pass was explained as preventing other looters from entry, not meant to defy Xiang Yu. Xiang Bo instructed Liu Bang to come personally to Xiang Yu's camp the next day to apologise.
The meeting that followed on the next day was immortalised in the Chinese phrase Hong Men Yan (鸿门宴), or Banquet at the Swan Gate.
The Banquet
Liu Bang's humbling submission of himself pacified Xiang Yu's anger. He further explained that ZiYing, the Treasury and Palace were all secured and awaited Xiang Yu's pleasure. In contrast to Liu Bang, Xiang Yu had Zi Ying killed, looted the treasury and burned the Palace. His conduct was a great contrast to Liu Bang.
During the banquet, Xiang Yu's general Fan Zeng (范增) felt Liu Bang was too dangerous and tried to kill him while performing a sword dance. Liu Bang's life was spared only when Xiang Bo interposed himself into the dance, using his body to shield Liu Bang.
In 206BC, Xiang Yu divided Qin's empire and enfeoffed various commanders. Liu Bang was conferred as King of Han (汉王), with territories in Ba (巴), Shu (蜀) and Han Zhong (汉中).
Zhang Liang was rewarded with a hundred taels of gold and two pecks of pearls, which he presented to Xiang Bo.
Before Liu Bang departed for his new territories, Zhang Liang advised him to destroy the road of Zhan Dao (栈道) behind him in order to allay suspicion that Liu Bang had eastward ambitions. It also prevented any enemies from pursuing from his rear.
Zhang Liang returned to the State of Han, but his master King Cheng of Han was ordered to follow Xiang Yu to the east instead of being allowed to return to Han. Xiang Yu was concerned because King Cheng of Han had fought alongside Liu Bang earlier.
Zhang Liang warned Xiang Yu of treachery from the Tian Rong (田荣), the King of Qi (齐王). This occupied Xiang Yu's attention for a northern punitive expedition, distracting him from caution against Liu Bang in the west.
Openly Repair the Gallery roads,
but Sneak through the Passage of Chencang
Xiang Yu's expedition against the State of Qi gave Liu Bang the opportunity to move eastwards.
Xiang Yu had originally taken the precaution of stationing three vassals, Zhang Han (章邯), Sima Xin (司马欣) and Dong Yi (董翳) in various parts of the former Qin territories against Liu Bang.
As the main road had been burned, the three generals relaxed their guards. When Liu Bang sent a small workforce to restore it, they did not take note because it was thought the work would take too long to be of concern.
But the repair work was just a ruse, Liu Bang actually led his forces in secret by alternative routes and attacked the three vassals. By the time Liu Bang's general Han Xin (韩信) successfully subdued the three vassals, Xiang Yu had demoted the King of Han to a marquis, and eventually had him killed in the city of Peng (彭).
/// Side note: Click here on more information relating to this stratagem
Zhang Liang escaped and joined Liu Bang, who conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Cheng Xin (成信侯). Their eastwards march was trounced by Xiang Yu at the battle of Peng.
Retreating to Xia Yi (下邑), present day An Hui (安徽砀山县), Liu Bang considered offering the territories east of Han Gu Pass to seek allies who would support his quest for dominance.
Zhang Liang advised him that King Qiong Bu of Jiu Jiang (九江王黥布), the notorious general of Chu, have disagreements with Xiang Yu. Peng Yue (彭越) and the King of Qi also oppose Xiang Yu. We should exploit them instead. Your general Han Xin is capable of taking the field by himself. Together with these three, we can defeat Xiang Yu.
Liu Bang accepted the advice. Sui He (隋何) was sent to ally with Ying Bu (英布)，and another to ally with Peng Yue. When King Bao of Wei (魏王豹) turned against Liu Bang, Han Xin was despatched to bring him down, and at the same time, seized the lands of Yan (燕), Fa (代), Qi (齐) and Zhao (赵).
Thus, Ying Bu, Peng Yue and Han Xin were instrumental in Liu Bang's final victory over Xiang Yu. But there were still more wars in between and Liu Bang was on the verge of total defeat more than once.
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204 BC, Liu Bang was besieged by Xiang Yu's forces in the city of Ying Yang (荥阳) in present day He Nan (河南). He conferred with his advisor Yi LiQi (郦食其) on ways to weaken Xiang Yu's Kingdom of Chu.
Yi LiQi pointed out to the examples of King Tang (汤) who after deposing the tyrannical King Jie (桀) of Xia (夏) dynasty, established the Shang (商) dynasty but at the same time confer the descendants of the Xia dynasty a fief in Qi (杞), and also the example of King Wu of Zhou (周武王) who overthrew the despotic King Zhou (纣) of Shang (商) and confered the descendants of Shang the fief of Song (宋).
Yi LiQi proposed that since the descendants of the Six States conquered by Qin had become stateless, Liu Bang should revive the Six States, conferring the scions royal seals and thus gain the backings of the former subjects and populace of the Six States. With their support, Xiang Yu's Kingdom of Chu will have no choice but to submit.
Liu Bang was very excited and ordered him to make and deliver the seals.
Shortly afterwards, before Yi LiQi could set off, Zhang Liang arrived to visit Liu Bang. Liu Bang was happily having a meal and told Zhang Liang that all his problems were solved and all that Yi LiQi had proposed.
Zhang Liang was astounded and asked who gave him the idea that would spell his own doom.
Liu Bang anxiously asked what was the problem.
Zhang Liang analysed carefully the difference between Liu Bang's current situation and the situations of King Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou when they "killed off" the other lords.
King Tang and King Wu had already achieved victories over their respective foes, and were in the position to bring death to King Jie and King Zhou.
King Wu had suffered physical humiliation when he submitted earlier to King Zhou of Shang, and was thus identified with Bi Gan (比干), a well loved minister of Shang. He already established his reputation.
Those Kings had already established deeds by various undertakings which reflected their merits and their trustworthiness. The populace in their own home states displayed a high degree of civility which was admired by other states.
Another critical issue was if the Six States were to be revived, then all their former lands and subjects would revert to the Six States, including many of Liu Bang's current troops and officers. There would be no place in the realms left for Liu Bang's Kingdom of Han. At the present, Xiang Yu's Kingdom of Chu was strong, and it was unlikely the revival of the Six States would elevate Liu Bang to be the hegemonist.
Upon hearing Zhang Liang's analysis, Liu Bang spat the food out of his mouth and swore at the pedant whose idea nearly finished him off for good. The newly carved royal seals were destroyed immediately.
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203 BC, Liu Bang's general Han Xin subdued the State of Qi. He wrote to Liu Bang, citing the uncertainty of the populace not to turn against their new master and the proximity to the Kingdom of Chu to the south, and suggested that it would be better for Liu Bang to appoint him (Han Xin) as the acting King (viceroy) of the state in order to stabilise the situation.
When Liu Bang received the message, he was still besieged by Xiang Yu's forces in the city of Ying Yang. Upon reading the message, he swore out loud,"Damned it, I have been waiting for you to come and relieve the siege here and there you are dreaming about becoming a King!"
Zhang Liang and Chen Ping (陈平) discretely stepped on Liu Bang's toes and whispered to him, telling him that he was at a disadvantage and there was little he could do about Han Xin. Better to treat him favourably to win his support to avoid another fall out.
Liu Bang immediately realised his folly and continued to swear out loud,"Damned it, a real man who subdued other lords should be a real King, what's with this "namby pamby" acting that he is already the king. ..."
Zhang Liang was dispatched to Qi to present Han Xin with the royal seal and to confirm him as the real King of the State of Qi, and to ask him to deployed the army against Xiang Yu.
Xiang Yu suffered grave defeats and finally sued for peace.
Xiang Yu's Kingdom of Chu and Liu Bang's Kingdom of Han (汉) agreed on Swan Waterway (Hong Gou, 鸿沟) as the boundary dividing the entire realm between them, east to Xiang Yu, west to Liu Bang.
Xiang Yu withdrew his troops eastwards, thinking he could finally enjoy his position as hegemonist of the east.
Liu Bang was preparing to do the same until Zhang Liang and Chen Ping advised him that Liu Bang already had the submissions from various lords, and that Chu's troops and supplies were exhausted, Liu Bang should seize the opportunity to finish Xiang Yu once and for all and take over Xiang Yu's lands. If Xiang Yu was given the chance to recover, there will be no end of trouble that would follow.
Liu Bang took their advice and decided to "retire" his rival.
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In the winner of 202 BC, Liu Bang pursued Xiang Yu all the way to the city of Yang Xia (阳夏), present day Tai Kang in He Nan (河南太康). There, he made an agreement with Peng Yue and Han Xin to attack Xiang Yu together.
Upon reaching the village of Gu Ling (固陵), south of present day Tai Kang in He Nan 河南太康县南), Peng Yue and Han Xin had not arrived. Liu Bang inquired of Zhang Liang.
Zhang Liang surmised that it was because Peng Yue and Han Xin had not been granted a permanent fief. He pointed out Liu Bang may not win the war without their support. He proposed that Liu Bang grant Han Xin the lands east of Chen county (陈县) all the way to the coast, and to Peng Yue the lands north of Sui Yang (睢阳) all the way to the city of Gu (毂城). These were part of Xiang Yu's territories, and hence Han Xin and Peng Yue would have the incentive of fighting to win their own lands. Motivated by self-interest, they would be able to fight and beat Xiang Yu.
Liu Bang followed the plan, and sure enough, Han Xin and Peng Yue and other lords joined forces with Liu Bang at Gai Xia (垓下), present day south of Ling Bi in An Hui (安徽灵壁南).
At the battle of Gai Xia, Xiang Yu's army was destroyed and the war finally ended.
Establishing the Han Dynasty
In 201 BC, after establishing himself as the sole overlord, Liu Bang began doling out rewards to those who rendered services.
Though Zhang Liang never fought in combat, Liu Bang pointed out that it was Zhang Liang's strategies and planning within the camp that determined the victories that were thousands of miles away.
Liu Bang wanted to confer Zhang Liang a fief in Qi (齐) with 30,000 families.
Zhang Liang modestly declined saying he never forgot his first meeting with Liu Bang in Liu (留) after coming out of seclusion from Xia Pi (下邳). He said he greatly appreciated the way Liu Bang trusted and employed him, and it was also fortunate that the ideas proposed to Liu Bang were effective. Zhang Liang then requested the humble holdings of Liu (留).
The remembrance of their first meeting at Liu (留) brought back nostalgic memories to Liu Bang who was very moved and agreed to Zhang Liang's request.
After conferring more than 20 followers, the rest were arguing day and night on the relative merits of the services they rendered. Some generals grouped together in twos and threes discussing among themselves, making various diagrams and markings on sandy grounds.
Many became apprehensive because according to their calculations of conferring territories according to military services, there is not enough land in the entire realms!
Emperor GaoZu (Liu Bang) again turned to Zhang Liang for advice.
Zhang Liang suggested the Emperor's next conferring should be to Yong Chi (雍齿). Everyone knew how Liu Bang personally hated Yong Chi. Once it was seen that even Yong Chi was conferred as a marquis with his own holdings, they ceased to worry and became relieved. This alleviated the tensions among the followers.
The next important decision following the unification was the choice of the location of the Imperial capital.
During a discussion by the emperor and his ministers, Liu Jing (刘敬) proposed the Guan Zhong (关中) region. Most of the ministers on the emperor's left came from Shan Dong (山东) and advocated for the ancient city of Luo Yang (洛阳), former capital of the Zhou dynasty. They reasoned that Luo Yang had Cheng Gao (成皋) to its east, Gu (殽) and Min (黾) to the west, bounded by the river Xiang Qu (乡雒), and is thus a hardy and self sufficient location.
According to "Han Su, Accounts of Zhang Liang" 《汉书·张良传》, it was Zhang Liang who advised the indecisive Liu Bang to arrived to a decision on where to establish his new capital.
Zhang Liang analysed that Luo Yang may appear hardy, but it was small. The territories it commanded were only measured in hundreds of miles, and the soil was not rich. It was indefensible to attacks from the four cardinal directions and was a poor choice as a strategic command base.
On the other hand, Guan Zhong also had the strategic advantages of Gu (殽) and Han (函) to the east, the fertile lands of Long (陇) and Shu (蜀) to the west for thousands of miles. The west could act as the support to the capital, while in any event of rebellion of the feudal lords, punitive expeditions could be launched downstream of the Yellow River. Zhang Liang's conclusion was that it was the Golden City commanding thousands of miles of territories, backed by the land of great abundance. Liu Jing also agreed to the assessment.
Liu Bang set off on the very day to establish his new capital in the Guan Zhong region, in the city of Chang An (长安).
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Zhang Liang Advising Liu Bang
After becoming the emperor, Liu Bang felt that his designated heir Liu Ying (刘盈), born by the Empress Lü (吕后), was too weak willed by nature and unlike him (Liu Bang). He preferred his other son, RuYi (如意), who was born by Concubine Qi (戚姬) and had been conferred as Prince of Zhao (赵王), even though RuYi was just a child. Liu Bang thought many times of changing the Crown Prince (太子) from Liu Ying to RuYi.
In feudalistic societies, changing of the Crown Prince was a grave matter that directly affects the stability of the political establishment. Senior ministers such as Shusun Tong (叔孙通) and Zhou Cang (周昌) protested strongly, but could not talk the Emperor round.
Empress Lü was especially fearful and tried all means to no avail. Finally, she cornered Zhang Liang for his assistance. Zhang Liang felt that it was not a matter that the Emperor could be persuaded by means of arguments.
He suggested that the Crown Prince Liu Ying humbled himself and sought four highly revered sages that the Emperor himself had sought repeatedly but never succeeded. The four sages, wizened white haired old men, were known as the Four Luminescents (四皓), agreed and accompanied the Crown Prince into the Imperial Court. When Liu Bang saw that Liu Ying had won the support of the four sages that he (Liu Bang) could not, he was led to believe that the Crown Prince had popular support and a solid political base, and hence gave up the idea of deposing Liu Ying as the Crown Prince, who eventually succeeded the throne as Emperor Hui (惠帝).
Incidentally, Liu Ying was not the warrior like his father. When his father ordered him to lead an expedition against nomad raiders in the north, he was not up to the task. Liu Ying had no military experience while the generals he was supposed to lead were veterans of his father's campaigns, being fierce warriors who needed a strong leader like his father. But Liu Ying was not a coward either. When he ascended the throne, his mother held much power but Liu Ying made a great effort to prevent his mother from harming RuYi.
Since then, Zhang Liang quitted politics, remaining at home with the excuse of being ill. He followed a strict practice of Daoism which include greatly reducing food intake. Grateful for his help, Empress Lü tried to make him eat, questioning his needless suffering in the short span of humanlife. Zhang Liang was forced to comply, but his body rejects much of the food.
Six years later, Zhang Liang passed away and was posthumously conferred as Marquis of Cheng (成侯). His march was succeeded by his son Zhang BuYi (张不疑).
- more to come -
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Click here for part 2
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