pappabearbooks Chapter 51 Chen Sheng's Uprising, Zhang Ling's Conferment of the Title of King
Chapter 51 Chen Sheng's Uprising, Zhang Ling's Conferment of the Title of King
Seeing that Zhang Ling had no intention of sending troops out of Hanzhong, the three of them were slightly relieved and even appointed Zhang Bi as the governor of Hanzhong, which was a subtle way of currying favor.
In Xianyang, Zhao Gao's ambition continued to grow as his schemes succeeded.
If Zhao Gao's success in persuading Huhai and Li Si to establish Huhai as crown prince was due to his eloquent and persuasive skills as a strategist during the Warring States period, then after achieving his first goal, he remained fixated on the Legalist ideas of power politics, namely, as Han Fei said: "Wisdom and intelligence are not enough to win over the masses, but power and position are enough to establish the virtuous."
In other words, whether one is highly capable or of good or bad character is not important; what matters is having power and status.
Therefore, he used power tactics to press forward step by step on the ladder of power and position.
Hu Hai was mediocre and incompetent. Although he ascended the throne, he made no political achievements and spent his days indulging in a life of hunting, playing, and revelry. He left the affairs of state entirely to Zhao Gao's control.
Zhao Gao decided to implement the second step of his insidious strategy: to use Hu Hai to eliminate dissidents, isolate Hu Hai, and seize the high position. His basic strategy was to gradually move from distant to close, from estranged to friendly; his main method was to sow discord; and under the guise of maintaining the Second Emperor's position, he massacred officials who disagreed with him.
It was not Zhao Gao's ultimate goal to put Huhai on the throne.
Zhao Gao couldn't forget that Meng Tian and Meng Yi held significant military power and were members of the imperial clan and ministers. He secretly harbored objections. Zhang Ling was in Hanzhong, and with veteran generals like Lord Ningguo and Lord Xunquan by his side, as well as a large army, he dared not make a move. However, it would be much easier to deal with Meng Yi and Meng Tian.
Meng Tian was ordered to garrison the border, drive the Xiongnu northward, recover lost territory, and supervise the construction of major projects such as the Great Wall and the Straight Road, making outstanding contributions to the Qin Dynasty.
Meng Yi was an important "senior advisor" to Qin Shi Huang. He rose to the rank of Shangqing and often participated in decision-making in the palace, enjoying the trust of Qin Shi Huang.
He accompanied Qin Shi Huang on his last tour, but before Qin Shi Huang fell ill, he was ordered to pray for the return of the mountains and rivers, and thus failed to discover and expose the conspiracy of Zhao Gao and others in time.
However, like Meng Tian, he always suspected that there was something wrong with the imperial edict, and his top priority was to get rid of these two important figures.
One day, Hu Hai sighed to Zhao Gao, "Now that I have ascended to the throne, how wonderful it would be if I could enjoy all the pleasures of life and fulfill all my wishes in my remaining years!"
After hearing this, Zhao Gao sowed discord among Hu Hai, saying, "Your Majesty, you cannot yet enjoy yourself in peace. The Meng brothers have long suspected the late emperor's will and feel that there is something fishy about it. Now, Meng Yi is also conspiring among the old ministers, harboring treacherous intentions."
The foolish Second Emperor believed it to be true and, enraged, ordered Meng Yi to be beheaded immediately.
Meng Tian was implicated and sentenced to death. Zhao Gao sent an envoy to Yangzhou, but fearing that if he directly announced the death order, the local officials would conspire with Meng Tian to rebel, he planned to poison him.
Meng Tian had seen through Zhao Gao's conspiracy ever since he defied the imperial order and did not commit suicide.
He said to the messenger, "You don't need to hide it from me. I will drink the poisoned wine I brought myself. Just take out the imperial edict."
Seeing that Meng Tian already knew, the envoy presented the imperial edict and poisoned wine. Meng Tian burst into laughter, a laugh tinged with sorrow, and then said painfully, "My Meng family has been loyal for three generations, rendering great service to the Qin Dynasty and receiving the Emperor's great favor. Although I am now imprisoned, my subordinates remain loyal to me, and I can still command my 30 troops. To live up to the loyalty of my ancestors and to be worthy of the late Emperor, I have no choice but to die in service!" After saying this, he laughed wildly a few more times, then drank the poisoned wine and died.
Killing the Meng brothers was merely removing the first obstacle to Zhao Gao's ascension to a high position; his actions continued.
Zhao Gao continued to incite the emperor to deal with the imperial clan and former officials of the First Emperor.
Zhao Gao advised Huhai, "Your Majesty wishes to live a life of pleasure, but that's not possible yet. Many princes and some ministers are suspicious of what we did at Shaqiu. Those princes are all your brothers, and the ministers were all trusted by the late emperor. You've just become emperor, and your brothers aren't entirely convinced, nor are some ministers happy. Whenever I think of these things, I tremble with fear, lest something unforeseen happens. If we don't find a solution soon, and these major threats remain, how can you expect to enjoy a life of pleasure for the rest of your life?"
Hu Hai was terrified upon hearing this, and nodded repeatedly in agreement, hurriedly asking, "What brilliant idea do you have? Please speak freely."
Zhao Gao feigned thought, then slowly said, "Now we must immediately revise the laws again, making them even harsher. Punish the disgruntled ministers and princes one by one, find a way to punish all the ministers of the late emperor, make them implicated, execute those who deserve death, exterminate those whose families should be exterminated, just like the Meng brothers. Also implicate the disgruntled princes and find a way to kill them. That way, no one can seize your throne anymore, and no one will dare to disobey. Then promote all your confidants, making the poor rich and the lowly noble. Wouldn't these people be grateful for your kindness and do their utmost to serve you? In this way, as the ruler of the country, you can rest easy and enjoy yourself without worry."
Hu Hai already trusted Zhao Gao completely, and upon hearing this, he was overjoyed, clapping his hands and praising, "Excellent! What a brilliant idea! You shall be in charge of revising the laws."
In an instant, Xianyang City was engulfed in bloodshed, filled with wails and screams, as a brutal massacre began.
As a result, twelve princes were executed in Xianyang, and ten princesses were dismembered in Duyou (east of present-day Xianyang, Shaanxi). Countless others were implicated. Seeing that all his brothers had met untimely deaths, Prince Gao knew that Zhao Gao would not let him go. He wanted to escape, but fearing that his family would be implicated, he proposed to be buried alive with his father.
In addition, the three brothers of Prince Jianglu were imprisoned in the inner palace. Before being sentenced to death, they all wept bitterly, looked up to the sky and cried out three times, "Heaven, I am innocent!" Then they drew their swords and committed suicide.
Zhao Gao then reported to Huhai, "Now everyone is living in constant fear and anxiety, too busy to even look after themselves, and has no intention of rebelling against their superiors."
Hu Hai was overjoyed and expressed his deep appreciation for him. Following this, Zhao Gao ousted many officials who dared to speak frankly and offered honest advice, and installed a large number of his cronies in his place.
His brother Zhao Cheng was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office; his son-in-law Yan Le became the Magistrate of Xianyang County.
From then on, Hu Hai neglected state affairs and began to pursue a life of extravagance and debauchery.
To demonstrate the emperor's majesty, in the spring of his first year on the throne (209 BC), he imitated the grandeur of Qin Shi Huang and embarked on an inspection tour along the eastern route.
With Zhao Gao's help and arrangement, Hu Hai's route extended east to the Jieshi Sea and south to the Kuaiji Mountains. The entourage was grand and imposing. Along the way, he instructed Zhao Gao to expedite the construction of the Great Wall, increase the corvée labor for the Epang Palace, and expand the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. He devoted the nation's financial, material, and human resources to these three major projects. He also conscripted 50,000 strong men to guard Xianyang and collected rare flowers, exotic plants, and rare birds and animals from all over the world for his own enjoyment, to the point that "no one within 300 li of Xianyang could eat his grain."
Heavy taxes and constant forced labor had already fraught the Qin Dynasty with crises. The tyranny that had existed since Qin Shi Huang had become even more severe under Hu Hai. "Those who levy heavy taxes on the people are wise officials, and those who kill many people are loyal ministers." The heavy corvée labor and taxes, along with the cruel and oppressive laws, were unbearable for the poor people, who suffered terribly.
When Chancellor Li Si accompanied the Second Emperor on his tour, he strongly advised the emperor to implement benevolent policies. In a joint memorial submitted with Right Chancellor Feng Quji and General Feng Jie, he said, "Your Majesty, please stop the construction of the Epang Palace, reduce taxes and corvée labor, and allow the people to live in peace and prosperity, and recuperate."
Upon hearing this, the Second Emperor was enraged and shouted, "These are all achievements established by the late Emperor, and they must be continued! I have only just ascended the throne, and now you are advising me to stop projects that began during the reign of the late Emperor! As high-ranking officials of two dynasties, you have failed to repay the late Emperor and have not been loyal to me. What right do you have to occupy the positions of Prime Minister and General! What use are you to me?"
The emperor immediately ordered them to be punished. Feng Quji and Feng Jie were deeply grieved and, to avoid further humiliation, soon committed suicide in resentment.
In the same year, in Dazexiang, two men named Chen Sheng and Wu Guang took the lead in raising the banner of rebellion!
In the autumn of the first year of Qin Er Shi (209 BC), the local officials of Yangcheng (southeast of present-day Dengfeng, Henan) sent two military officers to escort nine hundred laborers to Yuyang (southwest of present-day Miyun, Beijing) for defense.
The officer selected two tall and capable men from among the able-bodied men to be village chiefs, and put them in charge of the others.
One of these two men was named Chen Sheng, a native of Yangcheng, whose courtesy name was She. He was a farmhand. The other was named Wu Guang, a native of Yangxia, who was a poor peasant.
When Chen Sheng was young, he was once hired to plow the fields with others. One day, when he stopped working and went to rest on the edge of the field, he sighed and lamented for a while, saying, "If any of us become rich and powerful in the future, let's not forget each other."
His fellow employees laughed and replied, "You're just hired to till the fields; how can you possibly become rich?" Chen Sheng sighed and said, "Alas! How can small birds like swallows and sparrows understand the lofty ambitions of geese and swans!"
In July, a torrential downpour blocked the roads, and they realized they had missed the deadline to reach Yuyang. According to the law, missing the deadline meant certain execution.
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang discussed, "We'll die whether we flee or rise up in rebellion. Since we're going to die anyway, why not die for our country?"
Chen Sheng said, “The people have suffered under the rule of the Qin Dynasty for too long. I have heard that the Second Emperor was the youngest son of the First Emperor, and he should not have succeeded to the throne; the rightful heir should have been Prince Fusu. Because Fusu repeatedly advised the First Emperor, the First Emperor sent him to lead troops to garrison in a distant region. Now, some people have heard that he committed no crime, yet he was killed by the Second Emperor. The common people all hear of his virtue and do not know that he is dead. Xiang Yan was originally a general of Chu, who repeatedly rendered meritorious service and cared for his soldiers; the people of Chu loved and respected him greatly. Some people think he is dead, while others think he has fled and is hiding. Now, if we impersonate Prince Fusu and Xiang Yan and issue a call to rebellion to the people, many people should respond.”
Wu Guang agreed. So he went to have his fortune told. The diviner, knowing their intentions, said, "Your affairs will succeed, and you will achieve great things. However, have you consulted the spirits about good or bad fortune?"
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were delighted. They pondered the diviner's meaning in asking the spirits about good and bad fortune, saying, "This teaches us to first establish prestige among the people."
So he wrote the three characters "Chen Sheng Wang" on a piece of white silk with cinnabar and stuffed it into the belly of a fish that someone else had caught in a net.
The soldiers bought fish and cooked it, only to find a silk scroll inside the fish's belly, which naturally struck them as very strange.
Chen Sheng then secretly sent Wu Guang to an overgrown ancient temple near their camp. At night, Wu Guang lit a bonfire and, imitating a fox's cry, proclaimed: "The Great Chu will rise! Chen Sheng will be king!"
The soldiers were terrified when they heard the cry in the dead of night. The next morning, the soldiers were all talking about it and pointing at Chen Sheng.
Wu Guang always cared about others, and many soldiers were willing to serve him.
The county constable escorting the convoy was drunk. Wu Guang deliberately threatened to escape several times to provoke the constable into publicly humiliating him, thereby enraging the crowd.
As expected, the county magistrate whipped Wu Guang. The magistrate then drew his sword, and Wu Guang bravely seized the sword and killed the magistrate.
Chen Sheng helped him, and together they killed the two county magistrates. He then summoned his men and addressed them: "You all encountered this heavy rain and missed your deadlines. Missing a deadline is punishable by death. Even if you aren't beheaded, six or seven out of ten will surely die on the frontier. Besides, a true man either lives or dies, and if he dies, he should be remembered for posterity. Are kings and generals all hereditary titles?"
Upon hearing this, the subordinates all said in unison, "We are willing to obey your orders."
So they launched an uprising in the names of Prince Fusu and Chu general Xiang Yan, in order to appease the people's wishes. Everyone showed their right arm as a symbol, and called themselves the Great Chu. They also built a high platform to swear an oath and used the heads of their generals as sacrifices.
Chen Sheng appointed himself as general and Wu Guang as captain.
First, they attacked Dazexiang, and after capturing it, they attacked Qixian. After capturing Qixian, they sent Ge Ying from Fuli to lead troops to conquer the area east of Qixian.
They attacked and captured several places in succession, including Zhi, Zan, Kuzhe, and Qiao. As they advanced, they continuously replenished their troops and expanded their forces. By the time they reached Chen County, they had six or seven hundred chariots, more than a thousand cavalry, and tens of thousands of infantry.
When they attacked Chen County, neither the prefect nor the magistrate were there. Only the prefectural assistant, who was left to guard the city, led his troops to fight the rebels at the city gate. As a result, the prefectural assistant was defeated and killed, and the rebels entered the city and occupied Chen County.
A few days later, Chen Sheng ordered a meeting to be held with the three elders in charge of education and local heroes.
Those present all said, "General, you are clad in armor and wield a sharp weapon. You have overthrown the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, re-established the Chu state, and deserve to be called king for your merits." Chen Sheng then declared himself king, and the state was named Zhang Chu.
At this time, people in various counties who could no longer endure the tyranny of Qin officials arrested, pronounced judgments on their officials' crimes, and killed them in response to Chen Sheng. Wu Guang was then appointed acting king, leading various generals to attack Xingyang to the west. Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu from Chen County were ordered to conquer the former territory of Zhao, and Deng Zong from Ruyin was ordered to conquer Jiujiang County. Meanwhile, countless others in Chu rose up in rebellion, numbering in the thousands.
Less than three months after the uprising, people in Zhao, Qi, Yan, Wei and other places declared themselves kings under the banner of restoring the six states.
Chen Sheng dispatched the rebel army led by Zhou Wen to attack westward, and they quickly entered Guanzhong (referring to the area west of Hangu Pass) and approached Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty.
Qin Er Shi panicked and quickly sent his general Zhang Han to release the prisoners and slaves who were doing hard labor at Mount Li and form them into an army to counterattack the rebels.
The nobles of the original six states each occupied their own territories, and none of them went to support the rebel army.
Zhou Wen's rebel army fought alone and ultimately failed. Wu Guang was killed by his subordinates in Xingyang.
Six months after the uprising, Chen Sheng was murdered by his charioteer Zhuang Jia while fleeing. Zhuang Jia then took Chen Sheng's head to the Qin army to claim credit and reward.
During the uprising, Zhao Gao and Hu Hai were afraid that Zhang Ling would also join the rebellion and cause trouble for them.
So they bestowed even more rewards upon Zhang Ling, and even restored his fiefdom in Liang, making him known as the King of Liang. In addition, they dispatched a large army to Jiangcheng to guard against Zhang Ling's northward advance.
Although uprisings are constantly breaking out in various places, Zhang Ling has not yet raised the banner of rebellion. His ancestors said that now is not the time.
Why? Because Zhang Zhao discovered that although the Zhang family's destiny value could increase, it fluctuated, and he understood that now was not the time for the Zhang family to rule the world.
Inside the ancestral temple, Zhang Zhao stood with his hands behind his back in the void, with a panel that only he could see floating in front of him.
The numbers in the "Destiny Value" column are fluctuating. Ever since Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raised the banner of rebellion in Dazexiang, counties and prefectures across the land have responded by killing Qin officials and the former nobles of the six states have restored their kingdoms and proclaimed themselves kings. The destiny of the nine provinces has been churning like boiling water.
Zhang's destiny value also rose accordingly, but it rose quickly and fell quickly, sometimes soaring up and sometimes dropping by several points.
"The time isn't right," Zhang Zhao murmured. "When exactly will that time come?"
He brought up the detailed panel of his Destiny Value and looked at the rows of numbers that kept jumping around.
The signs of the Water Virtue have long ceased to grow. Qin was associated with the Water Virtue, but now that Qin's empire is in chaos, the fortune of the Water Virtue is also crumbling.
While the control over Hanzhong remained stable at 85%, the number of forces claiming kingship or imperial authority within the Nine Provinces was increasing, and the annual reduction in destiny points was also rising accordingly.
With this ebb and flow, the net increase in a year is only a few points. At this rate, it's hard to say how many years it would take to accumulate 100 points of Destiny.
Moreover, the Fate Value must not experience a significant drop, but given the current situation, who can say for sure what will happen tomorrow?
"Chen Sheng declared himself king, but died only six months later." Zhang Zhao stared at the fluctuating numbers on the panel, his voice calm. "Zhou Wen conquered Guanzhong, but was defeated by Zhang Han in one battle. The former nobles of the six states restored their kingdoms, but none of them helped anyone else. These people were all used as stepping stones for Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. The Zhang family cannot be the stepping stones."
"I'm frustrated that my reputation is stuck at 50,000 points. Otherwise, if I upgraded the panel, I would have a better understanding of the current situation of the Zhang family. Sigh..."