Hanzi

When Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, first established the Han Dynasty, there were still many vassal kings of different surnames. Once, Liu Bang led troops to suppress Chen Xi's rebellion in Dai. Passing through the Kingdom of Zhao, King Zhang Ao, fearing Liu Bang's displeasure, prepared many exquisite dishes and personally served them to Liu Bang. However, Liu Bang deliberately showed off his imperial authority, sitting arrogantly with his legs apart. Not only did he not return the courtesy, but he immediately reprimanded Zhang Ao for poor hospitality.

Zhao Wu, the chancellor of Zhao, and others were extremely indignant at Liu Bang's provocative humiliation of King Zhao. Back in the palace, they vehemently urged King Zhao to rebel against Liu Bang. King Zhao adamantly refused, even biting his finger until it bled, asking his ministers not to mention it again.

Seeing that King Zhao would not agree, the ministers decided to assassinate Liu Bang without his knowledge. However, the plot was exposed, and Liu Bang was furious, ordering the arrest of King Zhao and his close retainers. Zhao Wu and others committed suicide; only King Zhao and his minister Guan Gao were captured and were to be escorted to the capital, Chang'an.

Many loyal former ministers of King Zhao wanted to accompany him to Chang'an. Liu Bang learned of this and immediately ordered that anyone who dared to follow would have their entire clan exterminated. Despite this, more than a dozen ministers, including Tian Shu and Meng Shu, shaved their heads, wore red clothes, and put iron collars around their necks, disguising themselves as members of King Zhao's family, and went to Chang'an together.

In Chang'an, Liu Bang personally interrogated Guan Gao, demanding he reveal the details of King Zhao's alleged rebellion. Guan Gao recounted in detail how King Zhao had refused to rebel and had even prevented his ministers from doing so. Only then did Liu Bang believe that King Zhao had indeed not rebelled. However, he still used the excuse that King Zhao had failed to properly educate his ministers and demoted him to Marquis of Yiping.

King Zhao thanked Liu Bang for his grace and requested him to pardon the ministers like Tian Shu and Meng Shu who had accompanied him. Upon hearing about such loyal ministers, Liu Bang summoned them. Through conversation, Liu Bang truly understood their exceptional talent, courage, resourcefulness, unwavering loyalty, and noble character. He sighed with emotion, saying, "Currently, among the Han ministers, there is not a single one who can surpass them." Feeling pleased, he intended to appoint them to important positions. Some became governors of commanderies, some became prime ministers of vassal states, and Tian Shu was given significant responsibility, becoming the Prefect of Hanzhong.