Fan Zeng ( Chinese trad. 范增 , pinyin : Fàn Zēng ) (c. 278 BC. E. - 204 BC. E.) - Counselor Xiang Liang , and then Xiang Yu in 207-204 BC. er during the uprising against the Qin dynasty and the time of troubles after the fall of this dynasty; represented the interests of the restored state of Chu . I also received the name I-fu (second father).
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Fan Zeng found cunning political and strategic decisions that could strengthen Chu and make Xiang Yu the ruler of all of China.
The activities of Fan Zeng are known from a series of episodes in Shi Ji (historical notes) by Sima Qian . Some of the episodes of historians question, considering them mythological.
Content
Origin
Fan Zeng was born on the territory of Juchao (居巢 современного, the modern urban county of Juchao, the city of Chaohu , Anhui Province).
In the service of Xiang Liang
In 207 BC. er Chen She , who revolted against the Qin dynasty , died, and the Chu warlords gathered in Xiu. Fan Zeng, who was at that time already 70 years old, was known as an old man who knows how to make ingenious plans. He came to Xiang Liang , analyzed the failure of Chen She and explained that in order to unite the Chu warlords, it is necessary to find and put on the throne a legitimate representative of the former Chu dynasty. The people at that time was very popular image of Huai-wang (who ruled 90 years ago), and therefore required the restoration of the royal dynasty. The impoverished grandson of Huai-wang was found, who was put on the throne as Chuai-wang of the second ; he became an obedient puppet of Xiang Liang [1] .
After the death of Xiang Liang
After Xiang Liang was defeated against the Tsin army and died, Huai-van gathered military commanders and made appointments. Fan Zeng was promoted to junior commander and was sent to help the kingdom of Zhao [2] .
Counselor Xiang Yu
Later, his nephew Xiang Liang Xiang Yu , who took over command of the troops, approached Fan Zeng as an adviser and bestowed upon him the name I-fu (second father). He was considered the wisest advisor to Xiang Yu.
Fan Zeng immediately noted the rivalry between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang (who later united China and created the Han dynasty ), and warned Xiang Yu that Liu Bang is his most dangerous rival - he is not interested in women and wealth and is going to become emperor. Therefore, it is necessary to take urgent measures to attack him and destroy [3] .
"Hongmen Festival" 鴻門宴
Feeling the lack of strength to wage war against the huge army of Xiang Yu , Liu Bang , using the help of advisers, decided to come to Xiang Yu with an apology, restore friendship and give him the capital of Xianyang , which he occupied, defeating the Qin troops. Xiang Yu gave him a good reception, but Fan Zeng decided to take the opportunity and kill Liu Bang. During the reception, he tried to make signs to Xiang Yu, but he did not react. Then Fan Zeng recalled Xiang Yu's cousin, Xiang Chuang, and explained to him the plan according to which Xiang Chuang was supposed to show the guests a sword dance. However, during the dance, Xiang Bo (uncle Xiang Yu, who was on good terms with counselor Liu Bang) also got up and joined the sword dance, blocking Liu Bang with him. Accompanying Liu Bana saw the danger and drew up a plan to let Liu Ban quickly run from the evening, and at the same time send Xiang Yu an apology for unexpected departure, along with precious jasper vessels, as a gift for Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng. Fan Zeng, in a rage, smashed his vessel with a sword, indignant that he had missed an opportunity to get rid of Liu Bang, who would take away from Xiang Yu the Celestial Kingdom [4] .
Fight Against Liu Bana
When Xiang Yu took over the supreme power and exiled Yed, he could not fail to give Liu Bang the promised title of Wan Guanzhong (a fertile area near the capital), and then, on the advice of Fan Zeng, he gave him only a third - Ba and Shu territories (western Hunan and Sichuan ), and gave closer territory to the former Qin warlords, who expressed obedience, hoping that they would be able to besiege Liu Bang.
Fan Zeng received the title of Liyang-hou (ruler of the city of Liyang in Anhui Province).
Later, the confrontation with Liu Bang became protracted, the war was accompanied by victories of Xiang Yu and truces, however, Liu Bang was able to enlist the support of many princes. Fan Zeng tried to destroy Liu Bang by any means, even by violation of treaties and truces. Once upon a time in 204 BC. er Liu Bang was stranded with food and was ready to conclude a truce on concessions to Xiang Yu. Fan Zeng insisted that Xiang Yu besiege Yingyang , in which Liu Bang settled [5] .
Suspension from Xiang Yu and Death
Chen Ping , one of the generals of Liu Bang , proposed a plan to eliminate Fan Zeng. For this, a man from Xiang Yu’s entourage was bought off for a large amount of gold, which began to spread rumors about the betrayal of Fan Zeng.
In addition, Liu Bang decided to reinforce Xiang Yu's suspicions of betrayal of Fan Zeng with cunning intrigue. Upon the arrival of the messenger from Xiang Yu, he gave a plentiful treat, but suddenly said: “So you are from Xiang Yu? And I thought you were from I-Fu (that is, Fan Zeng). ” Treats were immediately removed from the table, and the messenger was fed bad food. When the messenger told him about such a reception, Xiang Yu suspected Fan Zeng of secret contact with the Han, and began to restrict his rights. Fan Zeng was displeased with disbelief and resigned.
Xiang Yu accepted his resignation, and Fang Zeng went to Pengcheng (now Xuzhou ), but on the way he jumped at the boil on his back, and he died [6] .
Having lost the best adviser, Xiang Yu after some time began to suffer defeat and died. After becoming emperor, Liu Bang noted that Xiang Yu had the only wise adviser, Fan Zeng, whom he failed to use, which is why he lost [7] .
Notes
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, pp. 121-122
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, p. 124
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, p. 131
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, pp. 131-136
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, pp. 141, 144
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 7, pp. 141, 145
- ↑ Sima Qian . Historical notes. v.2, part 8, p.188
Links
Literature
- Sima Qian . Historical notes. Translation by R.V. Vyatkina. v.2, part 7
- Sima Qian . Historical notes. Translation by R.V. Vyatkina. v.2, part 8