A Thousand Pieces of Gold (22 page)

Arbitrarily dividing the Qin empire according to his likes and dislikes, Xiang Yu first set himself up as King and Lord Protector of the state of
Chu, seizing 25 percent of China as it existed at that time and ruling over nine provinces, with his capital at Pengcheng.

He and Old Man Fan were both worried that Liu Bang might cause them trouble later if he ruled the Land Within the Passes, but they were also reluctant to go contrary to the covenant for fear of causing ill will among the other generals. So they plotted between themselves and said to each other, “The district of Bashu and Hanzhong (present-day Sichuan Province), to the southwest, is difficult to reach because road conditions are hazardous. The First Emperor used to banish his convicts there. Why don’t we make Liu Bang the ruler of that area and name him King of Han?”

Liu Bang was therefore banished to an outlying area outside of central China, still considered wild and uncivilized at that time. To add insult to injury, Xiang Yu pared down the number of Liu Bang’s troops from 100,000 to only 30,000.

When the First Emperor had ascended the throne as King of Qin, China had been divided into seven states. It took him twenty-five years to unify the country. Now Xiang Yu went backward and separated the empire into twenty different states, each with its own king.

Besides seizing Chu for himself and banishing Liu Bang to Hanzhong and Bashu with the title of King of Han, Xiang Yu placed a barrier between himself and Liu Bang. He divided the Land Within the Passes into three different parcels and appointed three surrendered Qin generals as their three new kings, each ruling a third.

In partitioning the country, Xiang Yu rewarded those who were sycophantic and obedient but punished those who were independent and strong-minded. Many of the old feudal families who had reasserted their ancient claims were resentful of his authority, considering him an upstart still wet behind the ears. Xiang Yu’s decisions were impulsive and emotional. It never occurred to him to consider the ramifications and long-term consequences of his ordinances. Carving up the empire like a giant water-melon, he handed out pieces of territory not on merit or ability to rule but according to his personal preferences. He never recognized until too late that
he
would be the one expected to enforce the boundaries between the new kingdoms, a thankless and never-ending task.

Liu Bang wanted to be King of the Land Within the Passes and felt that Xiang Yu had gone contrary to the covenant. He was particularly incensed
that Guanzhong had been awarded to three surrendered Qin generals against whom they had all fought for three long years. He called a meeting to discuss launching an attack against Xiang Yu. But his chief administrator, Xiao He, said, “Although being the King of Han is not as desirable as being the King of Guanzhong, surely you prefer that to dying?”

“What do you mean by that?” Liu Bang angrily demanded.

“At present, we cannot match Xiang Yu either in manpower or in military equipment. If we attack him we’re bound to lose. Would that not be tantamount to seeking your own death? Why not simply accept our allotment and make Bashu and Hanzhong our base—train our troops, husband our resources, and await our opportunity? You can be sure that we are not the only ones who are unhappy. When the time is ripe we will mount a full-scale attack, reclaim Guanzhong, and take over the rest of the empire.”

On reflection, Liu Bang knew that Xiao He was correct. He decided to say nothing and abide by Xiang Yu’s ruling for the time being.

In May 206
B.C.E.
Xiang Yu made a formal announcement that warfare was over and discharged all the nobles. Each went to his own kingdom. Even though Liu Bang was given only 30,000 soldiers, such was his popularity that tens of thousands of people voluntarily followed him. The strategist Zhang Liang accompanied him halfway to see him off before returning to his own home state of Haan.

Between Guanzhong and Liu Bang’s allotted land of Hanzhong and Bashu were a series of precipitous mountain ranges that were hazardous to cross. From north to south they stretched for 150 miles and from east to west for 300 miles. The people of Qin had risked their lives to build two roads linking Guanzhong and Hanzhong. These were known as “cloud bridges” or
zhan dao,
literally meaning “plank road built along the face of a cliff.” When using these bridges hanging among clouds and suspended over chasms thousands of feet deep, travelers had to take extreme caution not to lose their footing or risk falling into plunging ravines and raging waterfalls below.

Of the two roads, the first, called Baoxiedao, “Commending the Tilt Road,” was shorter and more direct. The second, called Chengcang or Gudao, “Former Road,” was longer but less precipitous. Over the years, because most people chose to use the shorter road, the existence of the neglected Former Road was forgotten.

Studying the terrain as they inched along the cliff-hanging planks on each other’s heels, Zhang Liang said to Liu Bang, “The reason Xiang Yu is banishing you to Hanzhong is to isolate you so that you will not cause him problems. Why don’t you play along and lull his suspicions by burning some of these plank roads? That will not only prevent would-be attackers from entering your kingdom but also send a clear message to Xiang Yu that you have no intention of returning east and competing with him. Besides, only the locals are aware that there are two roads between Hanzhong and Guanzhong.”

Liu Bang thought it an excellent idea. Just before they parted, Zhang Liang added with a smile, “Be sure to burn only those portions of the road that are easily reparable!”

Liu Bang and Zhang Liang made sure that news of the road burning traveled all over the empire, especially to the ears of Xiang Yu.

In his new kingdom of Han, Liu Bang and his chief assistant, Xiao He, pored over the maps, policies, records, and files that they had procured from the First Emperor’s palaces in Xianyang. Through them they learned about the terrain of the empire, the people’s grievances, distribution of the population, and the water supply and grain productivity of various regions.

Many of Liu Bang’s followers were from provinces east of the pass and had expected to return home after a short stay in Han. They were greatly disappointed to see Liu Bang burning the cliff roads and giving the impression of settling down in Han for good. The officers and soldiers sang songs of their native states and spoke of returning east to their
lao jia.
Some simply left and went home.

Administrator Xiao He also had run away, leaving Liu Bang feeling bereft, since the two had grown up together in the same village. But after two days Administrator Xiao He returned as suddenly as he had disappeared. Liu Bang was both overjoyed and annoyed, and he scolded him upon his return.

“I did not run away, Your Majesty,” Xiao He protested. “I went in search of someone who ran away and persuaded him to come back to us—Hahn Xin, the keeper of the granary.”

Liu Bang was incredulous. “What? Hahn Xin!” he shouted angrily. “So many officers have run away, and you go after a mere keeper of the granary! What’s so special about him?”

“I am very impressed by him. I have had several occasions to speak to him in depth, and I say to you that his talents are extraordinary and unique.
Guo shi wu shuang!
‘There is no other officer like him in our entire country!’ If Your Majesty is satisfied with being King of Han, then you do not need him. However, if your ambition is to control the empire one day, there is nobody else who can plan better than Hahn Xin.”

Becoming curious, Liu Bang asked, “Tell me about him. What is his background?”

“He was born in Chu and came from a poor family. Though an intellectual, he could not make a living and was reduced to living off his friends. To satisfy his hunger, he went fishing by the river. There were several old women washing and rinsing clothes. One of them took pity on the hungry young man and fed him lunch. This went on for a few months, and the old woman brought him food every day. Hahn Xin was grateful and said to her, ‘Should I become rich someday, I’ll reward you very handsomely. Thank you for your
piao mu zhi en,
“kindness from a washerwoman.”’

“But the old lady said, ‘You are obviously an educated young man temporarily down on your luck and unable to
zi shi qi li,
“feed yourself by your own effort.” I help you because I feel sorry for you. Who needs to be rewarded?’

“No matter how poor he was, Hahn Xin always wore his sword on his belt. This annoyed some youths around town. One day a butcher’s son accosted him and said, ‘Even though you are tall and well built and wear a sword, actually I think you are a coward at heart.’ They were soon surrounded by a crowd, and the youth said, ‘Hahn Xin, if you are really brave, draw your sword and kill me. But if you don’t dare to kill me, then crawl between my legs under me.’

“Hahn Xin looked around at the jeering crowd, then he calmly lowered his body and crawled between the young man’s legs. Everyone sneered, but Hahn Xin knew that he had passed a test of supreme courage by undergoing
kua xia zhi ru,
‘insults from under the hips,’ and voluntarily enduring the worst kind of humiliation.”

Throughout my dismal childhood, my siblings discriminated against me. Being the youngest of five stepchildren, I was considered the lowest of the low. When treats were handed out, the two children of my stepmother were always given first choice,
followed in order of birth by my four older siblings. My turn invariably came last. Not infrequently, my oldest sister and second older brother would help themselves to whatever they fancied from my plate when no adult was around. I learned from an early age that protests and tears got me nothing but beatings. The best defense was to study hard and get as good a report card as I could because that was the way to my father’s heart.

I did not know it then, but during all those years in Shanghai, my childhood traumas were erecting my life’s foundation and building up my inner resistance. By the time I entered medical school in London, I had been conditioned to take the slings and arrows of discrimination unflinchingly, with equanimity and fortitude. After being challenged by a whole series of
kua xia zhi ru,
“insults from under the hips,” I had passed the test and was prepared to face the world.

Xiao He continued, “Hahn Xin enlisted in Fourth Uncle Xiang Liang’s army as an ordinary soldier. After Fourth Uncle’s death, Hahn Xin became one of Xiang Yu’s bodyguards. He offered a variety of military strategies to Xiang Yu but was repeatedly rebuffed. Disillusioned, he decided to follow you instead. Soon afterward, he committed an offense and was sentenced to death with thirteen others. When all the others had been executed and the guards were leading Hahn Xin to the execution block, he happened to see your personal assistant, Xia Houyin, walking by. Hahn hailed him and said, ‘I hear that Liu Bang wishes to conquer the world. If this is true, why is he killing a warrior like me, who can help him achieve his goal?’

“Xia was intrigued and halted the execution. After interviewing Hahn Xin, he realized that the man did have many ingenious ideas. So Xia pardoned him and recommended him to you. You promoted him to be keeper of the granary but ignored all the strategies he proposed. That’s why he ran away. When I found him gone, I hurried after him and persuaded him to return. In order to keep Hahn Xin, you must promote him. Otherwise, he will leave again. If Your Majesty intends to conquer All Under Heaven, you will need Hahn Xin.”

“All right! All right!” Liu Bang exclaimed impatiently. “Because of your recommendation, I shall promote Hahn Xin to be a general.”

“I’m afraid he might leave again if you make him only an ordinary general.”

“How about general in chief?”

Xiao He visibly brightened, “As general in chief I think he will stay.”

“Tell him to come over and I’ll appoint him!” Liu Bang said.

“If you are sincere in wanting to designate Hahn Xin as your general in chief,” Xiao He replied, “how can you be so arrogant as to summon him hither and thither like a little boy? You must demonstrate some respect. Make his appointment special and hold a grand ceremony for the occasion. Then
deng tan bai jiang,
‘perform the ceremony on a platform in front of the entire army.’ Only then will Hahn Xin be convinced to stay.”

When it was announced that “someone” was about to be appointed general in chief of Liu Bang’s army, excitement ran high among the rank and file. Every officer wondered whether he was going to be the lucky one.

An auspicious day was selected by the court astrologer. Liu Bang fasted for three days, bathed, and changed into ceremonial robes. The whole army assembled in front of a high platform specially erected for the occasion, surrounded by tall red flags fluttering in the early morning breeze. (Red was the color chosen by Liu Bang to represent his new kingdom of Han.) Liu Bang knelt and prayed to Heaven at the altar. Then he stood up, turned to the audience, took the seal and tally with both hands, and announced in a solemn voice, “Will the general in chief please ascend the platform to accept his seal of office.”

There was a gasp of astonishment when the tall figure of Hahn Xin stood up and strode forward to the sound of beating drums. He went up the stairs to the platform, knelt in front of Liu Bang, and accepted the seal and tally into his two outstretched hands with his head bowed. Never did anyone imagine that the new general in chief would be the former keeper of the granaries, who had narrowly escaped execution a few months earlier.

After the ceremony a banquet was held. For the first time, Hahn Xin found himself seated next to Liu Bang.

“Xiao He has told me repeatedly of your abilities,” Liu Bang began. “Now that we have an opportunity to talk, please tell me your plans and strategies.”

“I thank Your Majesty,” Hahn Xin replied. “May I begin by asking you a question? When you go east to conquer All Under Heaven, would your chief opponent be Xiang Yu?”