Core Insights - The story of Ying Bu illustrates the consequences of broken promises and shifting allegiances in the context of power struggles during the early Han Dynasty [1][3][4] - Liu Bang's failure to uphold his commitments to his generals led to a breakdown of trust, ultimately resulting in rebellion and conflict [5][8][21] Group 1: Historical Context - Ying Bu, initially a loyal general under Xiang Yu, switched allegiance to Liu Bang after feeling neglected and threatened by Xiang Yu [1] - Liu Bang's rise to power involved a series of betrayals against his former allies, including the execution of prominent generals like Han Xin and Peng Yue [5][6][14] Group 2: Trust and Betrayal - Liu Bang's initial promise to his generals was to grant them kingships after defeating Xiang Yu, but he later reneged on this agreement, leading to widespread discontent [5][8] - The perception of Liu Bang's actions as a "Ponzi scheme" highlights the erosion of trust among his former allies, who felt their contributions were disregarded [6][7][8] Group 3: Consequences of Actions - Ying Bu's rebellion was a direct response to Liu Bang's repeated violations of trust, as he believed his position was increasingly precarious [21] - The dual standards applied by Liu Bang, favoring his own family while eliminating former allies, contributed to the eventual downfall of his regime [14][15][21]