The House of Marquis of Liu, Twenty-fifth

The Hereditary House of the Marquis of Liu, Part 1 of 4

Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu, had ancestors who were from the state of Han. His grandfather was named Kaidi, who served as chancellor under Marquises Zhaohou, Xuanhui, and Xiang'ai of Han. His father was named Ping, who served as chancellor under Kings Xi and Daohui of Han. In the twenty-third year of King Daohui of Han, Ping died. Twenty years after Ping's death, the state of Qin extinguished the state of Han. Zhang Liang was young at the time and had not held office in Han. After Han was destroyed, Zhang Liang's household had three hundred servants. When his younger brother died, he did not give him a lavish burial but used all his family wealth to seek an assassin to kill the First Emperor of Qin, to avenge Han—this was because his grandfather and father had served as chancellors of Han for five consecutive generations.

Zhang Liang once studied ritual in Huaiyang. He traveled east and met the Marquis of Canghai. He found a strong man and had an iron hammer weighing one hundred and twenty catties made for him. When the First Emperor of Qin made an eastern inspection tour, Zhang Liang and the assassin ambushed him at Bolangsha, but mistakenly struck the attending carriage. The First Emperor of Qin was enraged and conducted a massive nationwide search, pursuing the assassin with great urgency—this was because of Zhang Liang. Zhang Liang then changed his name and surname and fled to hide in Xiapi.

One day, when Zhang Liang was at leisure, he was strolling leisurely on a bridge in Xiapi. An old man, dressed in coarse cloth garments, came to where Zhang Liang was and deliberately dropped his shoe under the bridge. He turned to Zhang Liang and said, "Young man, go down and pick up my shoe!" Zhang Liang was startled and wanted to strike him. But because the man was old, he restrained his temper and went down to pick up the shoe. The old man said, "Put it on for me!" Since Zhang Liang had already picked up the shoe, he knelt respectfully and put it on for him. The old man stretched out his foot to let him put it on, then laughed and left. Zhang Liang was very surprised and watched him as he left. After walking about a li, the old man returned and said, "This young man can be taught. Meet me here at dawn five days from now." Zhang Liang, finding this strange, knelt and said, "Yes." At dawn five days later, Zhang Liang went. The old man was already there first and said angrily, "Meeting an elder and arriving late—why?" As he left, he said, "Come earlier five days from now." At the crow of the rooster five days later, Zhang Liang went. The old man had arrived first again and said angrily, "Arriving late again—why?" As he left, he said, "Come even earlier five days from now." Five days later, Zhang Liang went before midnight. After a short while, the old man also came and said happily, "This is as it should be." He took out a bamboo-slip book and said, "Read this book, and you can become a teacher of emperors. Ten years from now, you will rise to prominence. Thirteen years from now, young man, come and see me north of the Ji River; the yellow stone at Gucheng Mountain is me." Then he left without another word and never appeared again. When dawn came and Zhang Liang looked at the book, it turned out to be the Tai Gong's Art of War. Zhang Liang found it extraordinary and often studied and recited it.

While living in Xiapi, Zhang Liang acted as a chivalrous hero. Xiang Bo had once killed someone and came to hide with Zhang Liang.

Ten years passed. Chen She and others rose in revolt, and Zhang Liang also gathered together over a hundred young men. Jing Ju declared himself acting King of Chu and stationed his troops at Liu County. Zhang Liang wanted to go and join him, but on the way he met the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei led several thousand men and had captured the area west of Xiapi, so Zhang Liang attached himself to the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei appointed Zhang Liang as manager of the stables. Zhang Liang repeatedly presented strategies from the Tai Gong's Art of War to the Duke of Pei, who appreciated him and often adopted his plans. When Zhang Liang explained these military methods to others, they could not understand them. Zhang Liang said, "The Duke of Pei is probably a gift from Heaven." So he followed the Duke of Pei and no longer went to see Jing Ju.

When the Duke of Pei arrived at Xue, he met Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang had established King Huai of Chu. Zhang Liang then persuaded Xiang Liang, saying, "You have already established a descendant of the King of Chu. Among the various scions of Han, Hengyang Jun, Han Cheng, is worthy and can be made king to increase our allies." Xiang Liang sent Zhang Liang to find Han Cheng and made him King of Han. He appointed Zhang Liang as minister of the state of Han, and together with the King of Han, he led over a thousand men westward to seize the old territory of Han. They captured several cities, but Qin forces soon retook them. Zhang Liang and his men then operated as guerrillas in the Yingchuan area.

When the Duke of Pei traveled south from Luoyang through the Huanyuan Pass, Zhang Liang led troops and followed him. They captured over ten cities in Han territory and defeated Yang Xiong's army. The Duke of Pei then ordered King Cheng of Han to hold Yangdi, while he himself, together with Zhang Liang, marched south, captured Wancheng, and entered the Wu Pass to the west. The Duke of Pei wanted to use twenty thousand troops to attack the Qin army at the Yao Pass. Zhang Liang advised him, saying, "The Qin army is still strong and should not be underestimated. I have heard that the Qin general guarding the pass is the son of a butcher; such a merchant-born person is easily swayed by profit. I hope you will temporarily hold your camp, send someone ahead to prepare food for fifty thousand men, and have many banners displayed on the surrounding mountains as a feint. Then send Li Yiji with valuable treasures to tempt the Qin general." The Qin general indeed rebelled and wanted to join forces with the Duke of Pei to attack Xianyang from the west. The Duke of Pei was about to agree. Zhang Liang said, "This is just the general wanting to rebel; I fear the soldiers will not follow. If they do not follow, there will certainly be danger. It is better to attack them while they are off guard." The Duke of Pei then led his army to attack the Qin forces and inflicted a great defeat on them. He pursued them north to Lantian, fought another battle, and the Qin army was ultimately completely routed. They then reached Xianyang, where the Qin emperor Ziying surrendered to the Duke of Pei.

When the Duke of Pei entered the Qin palaces, he saw the halls, curtains, dogs, horses, precious treasures, and beautiful women numbering in the thousands, and he wanted to stay and live there. Fan Kuai advised the Duke of Pei to leave and stay outside, but the Duke of Pei would not listen. Zhang Liang said, "Because Qin was tyrannical and unjust, you were able to come here. To remove the cruel bandits for the realm, you should take simplicity as your foundation. Now, just after entering the Qin capital, you indulge in pleasures—this is what is called 'helping Jie in his cruelty.' Moreover, 'loyal words grate on the ears but benefit actions; strong medicine tastes bitter but cures illness.' I hope you will heed Fan Kuai's words." The Duke of Pei then led his army back to Bashang.

When Xiang Yu arrived at Hongmen and wanted to attack the Duke of Pei, Xiang Bo galloped through the night to the Duke of Pei's camp and privately met with Zhang Liang, wanting to take him away. Zhang Liang said, "I am escorting the Duke of Pei on behalf of the King of Han. Now that the situation is urgent, fleeing would be an act of injustice." He then reported everything to the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei was greatly startled and said, "What should be done?" Zhang Liang said, "Do you truly intend to turn against Xiang Yu?" The Duke of Pei said, "A shallow fellow taught me to hold the Hangu Pass and not let the other lords in, so I could become king in the land of Qin. That is why I followed his advice." Zhang Liang said, "Do you estimate that you can repel Xiang Yu?" The Duke of Pei was silent for a long time and then said, "I cannot. What should be done now?" Zhang Liang then earnestly invited Xiang Bo. Xiang Bo met the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei toasted Xiang Bo, pledged brotherhood, and made a marriage alliance with him. He had Xiang Bo explain in detail to Xiang Yu that the Duke of Pei did not dare to turn against Xiang Yu and that his reason for holding the Hangu Pass was to guard against other bandits. When they met Xiang Yu later, the matter was settled peacefully, as recorded in detail in The Basic Annals of Xiang Yu.

In the first year of Han, the first month, the Duke of Pei was enfeoffed as the King of Han, ruling the Ba and Shu regions. The King of Han rewarded Zhang Liang with one hundred yi of gold and two pecks of pearls, all of which Zhang Liang presented to Xiang Bo. The King of Han also used this opportunity to have Zhang Liang give lavish gifts to Xiang Bo, asking him to help request the Hanzhong region. Xiang Yu then agreed, and the King of Han thus obtained the Hanzhong region. When the King of Han set out for his kingdom, Zhang Liang escorted him as far as Bao. The King of Han ordered Zhang Liang to return to Han. Zhang Liang then advised the King of Han, saying, "Why not burn the plank road you have passed along, to show the world that you have no intention of returning, and thereby secure Xiang Yu's mind?" The King of Han then sent Zhang Liang back. As he went, he burned the plank road.

When Zhang Liang returned to Han, because Zhang Liang had followed the King of Han, Xiang Yu did not send King Cheng of Han to his kingdom but made him accompany him eastward. Zhang Liang advised Xiang Yu, saying, "The King of Han has burned the plank road and has no intention of returning." He then wrote a letter reporting the rebellion of Tian Rong, King of Qi, and presented it to Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu therefore no longer worried about the King of Han to the west and sent troops north to attack Qi.

In the end, King Xiang refused to let King Cheng of Han return, instead enfeoffing him as a marquis and later killing him at Pengcheng. Zhang Liang fled, taking a byway back to the King of Han. By then the King of Han had also turned his army around and pacified the Three Qin regions. He again enfeoffed Zhang Liang as Marquis of Chengxin, and Zhang Liang followed him eastward to attack the state of Chu. When they reached Pengcheng, the Han army was defeated and withdrew. Arriving at Xiayi, the King of Han dismounted, sat on his saddle, and asked: “I wish to give away the region east of Hangu Pass as rewards. Who can join me in establishing our enterprise?” Zhang Liang advised: “King Qingbu of Jiujiang is a fierce general of Chu and has a grudge against King Xiang. Peng Yue and King Tian Rong of Qi are rebelling against Chu in the Liang region. These two can be used immediately. Among Your Majesty’s generals, only Han Xin can be entrusted with important tasks and hold his own on a single front. If you truly wish to give away the land east of Hangu Pass, bestow it on these three men, and then Chu can be defeated.” The King of Han then sent Sui He to persuade King Qingbu of Jiujiang and also sent others to contact Peng Yue. When King Wei Bao rebelled, he sent Han Xin to lead troops against him, taking advantage of the situation to seize Yan, Dai, Qi, and Zhao. In the end, it was the strength of these three men that defeated Chu.

Zhang Liang was frail and often ill, never leading troops in battle on his own. He always served as a strategist, constantly accompanying the King of Han.

In the third year of Han, Xiang Yu besieged the King of Han urgently at Xingyang. The King of Han was greatly frightened and distressed, and he deliberated with Li Yiji on how to weaken Chu’s power. Li Yiji said: “In ancient times, Tang of Shang attacked Jie of Xia and enfeoffed Xia’s descendants at Qi. King Wu of Zhou attacked Zhou of Shang and enfeoffed Shang’s descendants at Song. Now Qin has lost virtue and abandoned righteousness, invading and attacking the altars of the feudal lords, extinguishing the descendants of the six states, leaving them no ground to stand on. If Your Majesty can truly re-establish the descendants of the six states and give them all seals of authority, then their rulers, ministers, and people will all surely be grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness. None will fail to yearn for Your Majesty’s virtue, admire Your Majesty’s righteousness, and willingly become Your Majesty’s subjects. Once virtue and righteousness are implemented, Your Majesty, facing south as the hegemon, will see the King of Chu straighten his robes and come to pay homage.” The King of Han said: “Excellent. Quickly have the seals carved, and you, sir, take them and carry this out.”

Before Li Yiji had set out, Zhang Liang returned from outside to see the King of Han. The King of Han was eating and said: “Zifang, come forward! A guest has devised a plan for me to weaken Chu’s power.” He then told Zhang Liang what Li Yiji had said and asked: “What do you think of it, Zifang?” Zhang Liang said: “Who devised this plan for Your Majesty? Your Majesty’s great enterprise is ruined.” The King of Han said: “Why?” Zhang Liang replied: “Allow me to borrow the chopsticks before me to plan this out for Your Majesty.” He continued: “In ancient times, Tang of Shang attacked Jie of Xia and enfeoffed Xia’s descendants at Qi because he judged he could bring Jie to his death. Can Your Majesty now bring Xiang Yu to his death?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the first reason why this cannot be done. King Wu of Zhou attacked Zhou of Shang and enfeoffed Shang’s descendants at Song because he judged he could obtain Zhou’s head. Can Your Majesty now obtain Xiang Yu’s head?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the second reason why this cannot be done. After King Wu entered Yin-Shang, he honored the lane where Shang Rong lived, released the imprisoned Jizi, and repaired the grave of Bigan. Can Your Majesty now repair the graves of sages, honor the lanes of worthies, and pay respects at the doors of the wise?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the third reason why this cannot be done. King Wu distributed the grain from Juqiao and scattered the wealth from Lufu to reward the poor. Can Your Majesty now distribute the wealth from the treasuries to reward the poor?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the fourth reason why this cannot be done. After the Shang matter was concluded, King Wu abandoned war chariots for carriages, stored away weapons upside down, covered them with tiger skins, and announced to the world that arms would no longer be used. Can Your Majesty now cease military preparations, promote civil culture, and stop using arms?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the fifth reason why this cannot be done. King Wu let the warhorses rest on the southern slope of Mount Hua, showing they would no longer be used. Can Your Majesty now let the warhorses rest and stop using them?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the sixth reason why this cannot be done. King Wu pastured the oxen north of Taolin, indicating they would no longer transport grain and supplies. Can Your Majesty now pasture the oxen and stop transporting grain and supplies?” The King of Han said: “No.” Zhang Liang said: “This is the seventh reason why this cannot be done. Moreover, the wandering persuaders under heaven left their families, abandoned their ancestral graves, bid farewell to old friends, and followed Your Majesty, only hoping day and night for a small fief. Now, if you restore the six states and establish the descendants of Han, Wei, Yan, Zhao, Qi, and Chu, these wandering persuaders under heaven will each return to serve their lords, rejoin their families, and go back to their old friends and ancestral graves. With whom will Your Majesty seize the empire? This is the eighth reason why this cannot be done. Furthermore, Chu currently has no equal; the restored descendants of the six states will again be weakened and submit to Chu. How can Your Majesty make them your subjects? If this guest’s plan is truly used, Your Majesty’s great enterprise is finished.” The King of Han stopped eating, spat out the food in his mouth, and cursed: “This worthless pedant has nearly ruined your father’s business!” He ordered the seals to be quickly destroyed.

In the fourth year of Han, Han Xin conquered Qi and wanted to make himself King of Qi. The King of Han was very angry. Zhang Liang advised the King of Han, who sent Zhang Liang to bestow the seal of the King of Qi upon Han Xin. This matter is recorded in the “Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin.”

That autumn, the King of Han pursued the Chu army to the south of Yangxia. The battle was unfavorable, and he held firm at Gulin. The feudal lords did not arrive on schedule. Zhang Liang advised the King of Han, who adopted his plan, and the feudal lords all came. This matter is recorded in the “Basic Annals of Xiang Yu.”

In the first month of the sixth year of Han, meritorious officials were enfeoffed. Zhang Liang had no military achievements in battle. Emperor Gao said: “Devising strategies within the tent and deciding victory a thousand li away—this is Zifang’s merit. Choose for yourself a fief of thirty thousand households in Qi.” Zhang Liang said: “When I first rose up from Xiapi, I met Your Majesty at Liu County. This was Heaven sending me to Your Majesty. Your Majesty adopted my plans, and fortunately they sometimes proved correct. I wish to be enfeoffed at Liu County—that is sufficient. I dare not accept thirty thousand households.” So he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Liu, receiving his fief together with Xiao He and others.

The emperor had already enfeoffed over twenty major meritorious officials. The rest, day and night, argued over their merits without resolution, and no enfeoffments could be made. The emperor was at the Southern Palace in Luoyang. From the elevated walkway, he saw the generals often sitting together on the sandy ground, talking. The emperor said: “What are they saying?” The Marquis of Liu said: “Does Your Majesty not know? They are plotting rebellion.” The emperor said: “The realm has just been pacified. Why would they rebel?” The Marquis of Liu said: “Your Majesty rose from commoner status and relied on these men to seize the empire. Now that Your Majesty has become the Son of Heaven, those you have enfeoffed are all old friends close to your heart, like Xiao He and Cao Shen. Those you have executed are those you usually resent. Now the military officials calculate their merits and think the realm cannot be fully enfeoffed. These men fear that Your Majesty cannot enfeoff them all and also fear being suspected of past faults and executed. Thus they gather together plotting rebellion.” The emperor then worriedly said: “What should be done?” The Marquis of Liu said: “Among those Your Majesty hates most, and whom the officials all know, who is the most prominent?” The emperor said: “Yong Chi has old grudges with me. He has often trapped and humiliated me. I want to kill him, but because of his many merits, I cannot bear to.” The Marquis of Liu said: “Now quickly enfeoff Yong Chi first to show the officials. When the officials see Yong Chi enfeoffed, everyone will be at ease.” So the emperor then held a banquet, enfeoffed Yong Chi as Marquis of Shifang, and urgently urged the Chancellor and the Recorder of Merit to assess merits and carry out enfeoffments. After the officials finished drinking, they all happily said: “Even Yong Chi has been enfeoffed as a marquis. We have nothing to worry about.”

Liu Jing advised the High Emperor, saying: “Establish the capital in Guanzhong.” The emperor hesitated and could not decide. His courtiers, most of whom were from east of the mountains, urged the emperor to establish the capital at Luoyang: “Luoyang has Chenggao to the east, the Xiao Mountains and Mianchi to the west, with the Yellow River at its back and the Yi and Luo Rivers in front—its natural defenses are sufficient to rely on.” The Marquis of Liu said: “Although Luoyang has these natural defenses, its central territory is narrow, no more than a few hundred li, with poor soil, and it is exposed to attack from all sides—this is not a place for waging war. As for Guanzhong, to the left are the Xiao Mountains and Hangu Pass, to the right are Long Mountain and the Shu region, with fertile fields stretching a thousand li. To the south lies the wealth of Ba and Shu, to the north the benefits of the Hu pastures. Holding the three-sided defenses, one need only control the eastern front to command the feudal lords. When the feudal lords are stable, the Yellow River and the Wei River can transport the goods of the empire westward to supply the capital; if the feudal lords rebel, one can sail downstream, sufficient to move troops and supplies. This is what is called a city of a thousand li of gold, a land within the four seas—Liu Jing’s advice is correct.” Thereupon the High Emperor set out that very day, traveling west to establish the capital in Guanzhong.

The Marquis of Liu followed into Guanzhong. The Marquis of Liu had been frail and sickly since birth, so he practiced daoyin exercises and abstained from grains, closing his door and not going out for over a year.

The emperor wished to depose the Heir Apparent and establish the son of Consort Qi, Zhao Wang Ruyi. Most of the great officials remonstrated and advised against it, but they could not secure a firm decision. Empress Lü was terrified and did not know what to do. Someone said to Empress Lü: “The Marquis of Liu excels at devising strategies, and the emperor trusts and relies on him.” Empress Lü then sent the Marquis of Jiancheng, Lü Ze, to coerce the Marquis of Liu, saying: “You have always been the emperor’s strategist. Now the emperor wishes to replace the Heir Apparent—how can you sleep on a high pillow in peace?” The Marquis of Liu said: “In the past, the emperor was repeatedly in dire straits and by chance adopted my plans. Now that the empire is at peace, because of personal favor he wishes to replace the Heir Apparent—this is a matter of flesh and blood. Even a hundred men like me would be of no use.” Lü Ze insisted, saying: “Devise a plan for me.” The Marquis of Liu said: “This matter is difficult to argue with words. But there are four men in the empire whom the emperor cannot recruit. These four are already advanced in age, and they all consider the emperor arrogant and contemptuous of others, so they have fled into the mountains to hide, adhering to principle and refusing to become ministers of Han. Yet the emperor greatly respects these four men. Now if you can spare no expense in gold, jade, silks, and jade disks, have the Heir Apparent write a letter with humble words, prepare a comfortable carriage, and send eloquent persuaders to invite them firmly, they should come. Once they come, treat them as honored guests, and often have them follow the Heir Apparent to court, so that the emperor sees them. Then the emperor will surely be surprised and inquire. After inquiring, knowing that these four men are worthy, it will be a help to the Heir Apparent.” So Empress Lü had Lü Ze send someone with the Heir Apparent’s letter, using humble words and generous gifts, to welcome these four men. The four men came and lodged in the residence of the Marquis of Jiancheng.

In the eleventh year of Han, Qing Bu rebelled. The emperor was ill and wished to send the Heir Apparent to lead the army to attack. The four men consulted among themselves, saying: “The reason we came is to protect the Heir Apparent. If the Heir Apparent leads the army, the matter becomes dangerous.” They then advised the Marquis of Jiancheng, saying: “If the Heir Apparent leads the army and achieves merit, his status will not exceed that of the Heir Apparent; if he returns without merit, then from this point he will suffer disaster. Moreover, the generals who go with the Heir Apparent are all fierce warriors who once pacified the empire with the emperor. Now placing the Heir Apparent in command of them is like having a sheep lead wolves—none of them will exert themselves for the Heir Apparent, and it is certain that the Heir Apparent will achieve no merit. We have heard that ‘if the mother is favored, the son will be held close.’ Now Consort Qi serves the emperor day and night, and Zhao Wang Ruyi is often held in the emperor’s presence. The emperor has said, ‘I will never let an unworthy son be placed above a beloved son’—clearly he intends to replace the Heir Apparent. Why do you not quickly ask Empress Lü to seize an opportunity to weep before the emperor, saying: ‘Qing Bu is a fierce general of the empire, skilled in warfare. Now all the generals are former equals of Your Majesty, yet you send the Heir Apparent to command them—this is like having a sheep lead wolves, and none will be willing to be used by him. Moreover, if Qing Bu hears of this, he will march westward with great fanfare. Although Your Majesty is ill, if you force yourself to ride in a covered wagon and oversee them while lying down, the generals will not dare not to exert themselves. Though Your Majesty may be weary, for the sake of wife and children, you must exert yourself.’” So Lü Ze went that night to see Empress Lü, and Empress Lü took an opportunity to weep before the emperor, speaking these words as the four men had taught. The emperor said: “I originally thought this boy was not fit to be sent—I will go myself.” Thereupon the emperor personally led the army eastward. The courtiers remained behind, all seeing him off up to Ba Shang. The Marquis of Liu was ill but forced himself to rise and went to Quyou, where he met the emperor and said: “I should have accompanied you, but I am gravely ill. The people of Chu are fierce and swift—I hope Your Majesty will not contend head-on with the Chu army.” He then took the opportunity to advise the emperor: “Let the Heir Apparent be appointed general to oversee the troops of Guanzhong.” The emperor said: “Zifang, though ill, must force himself to lie down and assist the Heir Apparent.” At this time, Shusun Tong was the Grand Tutor, and the Marquis of Liu acted as the Junior Tutor.

In the twelfth year of Han, the emperor returned from the front where he had defeated Qing Bu. His illness grew more severe, and he became even more determined to replace the Heir Apparent. The Marquis of Liu remonstrated, but the emperor did not listen, so the Marquis of Liu pleaded illness and ceased to attend to affairs. Grand Tutor Shusun Tong cited examples from antiquity and the present, arguing to the death for the Heir Apparent. The emperor pretended to agree, but in his heart he still wished to replace him. When a banquet was held, wine was set out, and the Heir Apparent attended at his side. The four men followed the Heir Apparent; they were all over eighty years old, with white beards and eyebrows, and their robes and caps were very grand. The emperor was surprised and asked: “What are they?” The four men stepped forward and answered, each giving his name: Dongyuangong, Jiaoli Xiansheng, Qili Ji, and Xiahou Gong. The emperor was greatly startled and said: “I have sought you for years, and you avoided me. Now why do you willingly associate with my son?” The four men said: “Your Majesty despises scholars and is fond of cursing. We adhered to principle and would not suffer insult, so we fled in fear and hid. We have heard privately that the Heir Apparent is benevolent and filial, respectful and loving toward scholars, and that no one in the empire does not crane their neck, wishing to die for him. Therefore we have come.” The emperor said: “I trouble you to consistently instruct and protect the Heir Apparent from beginning to end.”

The four elders, having offered their toast of blessing, hurriedly withdrew. Gaozu watched them as they departed, then summoned Consort Qi and, pointing to the four elders, said: "I wished to replace the Heir Apparent, but those four men assist him—the Heir Apparent's wings have already grown full, and it would be difficult to move him. Empress Lü truly will be your master now." Consort Qi wept, and Gaozu said: "You perform a Chu dance for me, and I will sing a Chu song for you." He then sang: "The swan flies high, a thousand li in one flight. Its feathers are full, crossing the four seas. Crossing the four seas—what can be done! Though one has a bow and arrow, where can one shoot!" He sang it several times, Consort Qi sobbed and wept, and Gaozu rose and departed, ending the feast. In the end, the Heir Apparent was not replaced—this was indeed the merit of the Marquis of Liu in recruiting these four elders.

The Marquis of Liu followed Gaozu in attacking the land of Dai, presenting a brilliant plan at the city of Mayi, and also advised the establishment of Xiao He as Chancellor. He discussed many matters of the empire with Gaozu at leisure, but these were not matters concerning the survival of the empire, so they are not recorded. The Marquis of Liu then declared: "My family served as chancellors of Han for generations. When Han was destroyed, I did not begrudge a fortune of ten thousand in gold and property, to avenge Han against the powerful Qin, shaking the empire. Now, with a three-inch tongue, I have become the teacher of an emperor, enfeoffed with ten thousand households, and ranked among the feudal lords—this is the highest station a commoner can achieve, and for me, Zhang Liang, it is enough. I wish to abandon worldly affairs and follow Master Red Pine to wander." Thereupon he studied the art of abstaining from grains and practiced daoyin and light-body techniques. Just then, Gaozu died, and Empress Lü, grateful for the Marquis of Liu's kindness, forced him to eat, saying: "Human life in this world is like a white colt passing through a crevice—why torment yourself like this!" The Marquis of Liu, unable to refuse, reluctantly complied and ate.

Eight years later, the Marquis of Liu died and was posthumously titled Wencheng Hou. His son, Zhang Buying, inherited the marquisate.

When Zhang Zifang first met the old man on the bridge at Xiapi and was given the Tai Gong's Art of War, thirteen years later, when he accompanied the High Emperor through Jibei, he indeed saw the yellow stone at the foot of Gucheng Mountain. He retrieved it and reverently enshrined and made offerings to it. After the Marquis of Liu passed away, the yellow stone was buried together with him. Every year at the Fu and La festivals, when sacrifices were made at his grave, the yellow stone was also worshipped.

Zhang Buyi, the Marquis of Liu, had his fiefdom abolished in the fifth year of Emperor Xiaowen's reign for the crime of disrespect.

The Grand Historian says: Scholars mostly claim there are no ghosts or spirits, yet they speak of strange physical phenomena. As for the old man who gave the book to the Marquis of Liu, that too is quite extraordinary. The High Ancestor encountered many difficulties, and the Marquis of Liu often rendered meritorious service at these critical moments—can this not be called the work of Heaven? The High Ancestor said, "Devising strategies within the tent curtains and deciding victory a thousand miles away, I am no match for Zifang." I originally thought this man must have been tall and imposing, but when I saw his portrait, his appearance was like that of a woman or a delicate maiden. Confucius said, "To judge a man by his appearance is to misjudge Ziyu." The same applies to the Marquis of Liu.

The Marquis of Liu was free and unrestrained, harboring indignation in his heart. For five generations he served as chancellor of the state of Han, then in one turn submitted to the Han dynasty. The incident with the shoe was worth making use of, and his strategies within the tent were divinely subtle. The Lord of Hengyang was established as king, and Shen Tu served as his guardian. On the Ba River he supported the precarious situation, at Guling he quelled the chaos. He was called one of the three heroes of the early Han, and in debate he advanced the eight difficulties. He wished to follow Master Red Pine in his wanderings, but the white colt was hard to tether. Alas, his great talent and bold strategy—yet he was not a tall and imposing man.