Here, I want to talk about the evaluation of the ancients first. First of all, historical records of Xiang Yu. Should Xiang Yu be listed in the biography? What is Sima Qian's intention? At least since the Tang Dynasty, people have had different views. However, Sima Qian's writing about Xiang Yu is very diligent, well written and eye-catching. Wang Shizhen of Ming Dynasty wrote in Biography of Xiang Yu: "When I was young, I was sleepy at night. When I wanted to sleep, I had to tell the story of Xiang Yu, that is, I suddenly woke up. Think that non-feather can't send official secrets of Taishi; You can't write a feather anger unless you are too old. "
According to Sima Qian's records, Liu Bang, who defeated Xiang Yu, had an evaluation of Xiang Yu. Sima Qian's record is the historical basis for later generations to evaluate Xiang Yu. Most people regard Xiang Yu as a hero. He lived vigorously and died generously and tragically, which is why Li Qingzhao has the reputation of "life is a hero and death is a ghost hero". According to Sima Qian's records, later generations have different opinions on the merits and demerits of Xiang Yu and the reasons for his failure, which can be used for reference. Some comments are interesting and worth re-examining. Following Wang Shizhen's above works, there are also many specific expositions about Xiang Yu's right and wrong. It can be seen that he also discussed this matter with his friends. He wrote: "In the dispute between Chu and Han, Yu defeated Han and Han defeated Chu. Why did Gaozu see feathers in the ground when he died? Yu's old friend Zong Chen shouted at everyone who made wine: "I'd rather be a chicken feather than a great-grandfather. " "
"Of course this is a private discussion, some personal opinions. There are also comments on more formal occasions. In the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong and his courtiers talked about "eating what he believed" and said: "Xiang Yu entered Xianyang, ruled the world, believed in his ability, and who won? This is "Xiang Yu led the troops to kill Xianyang, kill Qin, surrender, burn Qin Gong, amass his wealth, and the woman returned to the east, but he was disappointed", criticizing Xiang Yu for being heartless and unbelieving. Xiang Yu was mentioned more than once.
There are different views and standards on Xiang Yu's merits and demerits in history, which can be illustrated by examples. Sima Qian recorded that Liu Bang said, "Xiang Yu has a Fan Zeng, so it can't be used. Give it to me. " Actually, there is a problem. Have you ever used it? Or in what way? What is useless? This deserves further discussion. Su Shi wrote Zhenguan Politicians and Incorruptibility in Song Dynasty, and made specific comments, which seemed to be an affirmation of Fan Zeng. "It's great to increase the population!" Shiyang in the Southern Song Dynasty had different views. He wrote, "I studied in the Han Dynasty until Emperor Gaozu said that Wang Xiang had a Fan Zeng that could not be used, and he always believed it. After reading Biography of Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng's assistant Yu, I know that although Yu is used to increase, it is not conducive to defeat. " Although there are different opinions on them, what Fan Zengzhi did and his relationship with Xiang Yu still need to be studied in detail. Some previous evaluations seem to be "biased". For example, Zhao Bi's "Zhenguan Dignitary" in the Ming Dynasty: "If Xiang Yu killed Yi Song as right, Confucianism first thought it was wrong; When killing Prince Qin Ying, slaughtering his clan and cutting down his tomb, Confucianism first discussed his violent behavior; On the issue of Xiang Yu not killing Pei Gong, some people can't show it in front of Confucianism; In addition, Xiang Yu got squire and Lv Hou, and had no intention of whoring and killing people within three years. Smell me, loyal friends, Confucianism; Volume 89: The theories of Sima Qian and Yang Xiong are wrong. Regarding the beauty of feathers that has not existed since ancient times, the death of Wujiang River is not a feather crime.
Some works are not specifically aimed at Xiang Yu, but also comment on Xiang Yu. For example, Shi Li's On Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng in the Southern Song Dynasty wrote: "According to legend, Xiang Yu took Guanzhong and retired from Pengcheng, taking drama as a monkey. Yu Gong means that Xiang Yu will not lose. " A heated discussion ensued. Can you guarantee Guanzhong and even Jiangdong? These strategic issues also deserve further study. Not going back to Jiangdong is also one of the problems that people have been paying attention to. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, there were many discussions about this issue. Du Mu's view on Xuefei: "This is a family where men win and soldiers lose." Children in Jiangdong are versatile. I wonder if they can make a comeback. Wang Song Anshi also wrote in the General Catalogue of Sikuquanshu: "It is difficult to return to the Central Plains after repeated wars and defeats. Although the son of Jiangdong is here today, he is willing to go back with the king. " Both of them thought that if Xiang Yu returned to Jiangdong, he could recover lost ground. But as Hu Ceng's epic "On Health" said, "It is shameful to send troops to Wudong instead of crossing the Wujiang River." This is the so-called Jiangdong veteran who has no face, which involves Xiang Yu's character and character. Therefore, some people commented on Xiang Yu: "However, if you look at peace of mind, you may know that there is Chu, but you don't know that there is a world. Therefore, its greed for the glory of its motherland is as fast as Zhou Jin's, and its ambition is pathetic. It is best to let the world own it. "
From a historical point of view, there are many debatable problems in the evaluation of Xiang Yu, and these positions and viewpoints are closely related to his times. Therefore, the study of Xiang Yu should and will continue, and there are still many problems to be discussed. I think there should be the following aspects:
First of all, what should we think of the above example? Starting from Sima Qian's evaluation, even including Sima Qian's evaluation of Xiang Yu's contemporaries, this can be said to be a kind of research. For example, in the year of Wujiang River, Yi Song said to Xiang Yu: "A husband is ambitious, but righteousness is not equal to the masses." Sitting on the road is not as good as justice. "For example, Wang Song Mailu Han Xin said," Please say that Wang Xiang is alone. "Wang Xiang is evil, one thousand people are useless. However, he cannot be appointed as a saint, which is the ear of the brave. When Wang Xiang saw that people respected and loved him, he vomited, fell ill and cried for food and drink. This is also the so-called gentle nature of women. Although Wang Xiang is a vassal in the world, he lives in Pengcheng, not Guanzhong. There are promises to support Yidi, but the ministers are unfair to our king. The king is still alive, the world is uneven, and the people don't value themselves, especially stealing Wei Qiang's ears. Although it is hegemony, it has lost the heart of the world. " These comments are enough for our discussion.
Secondly, it is of greater cultural significance for us to evaluate Xiang Yu today, analyze and discuss his character, feelings and destiny, and explore his spirit and personality charm. It should be said that there are differences between realistic Xiang Yu and imaginary Xiang Yu, tangible Xiang Yu and intangible Xiang Yu, which is also a problem worthy of attention and research.
Thirdly, Xiang Yu is a strategist, and his historical contribution is mainly reflected in the military. In his short life, he experienced several important battles, such as the Battle of Julu, the Battle of Pengcheng, the Battle of Altitude and the Battle of Gai, which can be further studied.
Fourthly, some issues can be further discussed. For example, the study of "Western hegemony". It is necessary to make textual research on some events discussed by Sima Qian, but we must seek truth from facts and follow the basic principles and methods of textual research. Such textual research and research can bring more good academic achievements.