The Battle of Gaixia

As the songs of the Chu kingdom echoed from all directions, Xiang Yu spoke, "My strength has uprooted mountains, and my spirit has covered the world. Yet, the will of fate is against me, and even Chu does not advance. If even Chu does not march forward, what am I to do? Wuyi, Wuyi! What should I do with you?"

To this, Wuyi replied, "The Han has already taken control of the world. The song of Chu is heard from all directions. If the great king's spirit is gone, what is the use of my living?"

 

 

1. The King of Heroes, Xiang Yu
The Qin Dynasty, which unified China during the Warring States period, ruled the entire country with harsh laws. The people of the former six states, who were not accustomed to Qin's severe rule, harbored deep resentment. After the death of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, rebellions broke out across China. Although Qin remained intact due to the efforts of the general Zhang Han, the fall of the Qin Dynasty accelerated when Xiang Yu, who had risen in Chu, decisively defeated the Qin army at the Battle of Gaixia. Subsequently, Xiang Yu initiated the massacre at Xin'an and captured the Qin capital of Xianyang. As a result, the Qin Dynasty, which had unified China, collapsed 15 years after its founding. At around the same time, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang met at Hongmen, where Xiang Yu's strategist, Fan Zeng, repeatedly plotted to kill Liu Bang, due to Liu Bang having entered Xianyang before Xiang Yu. However, Liu Bang narrowly survived. Ultimately, Liu Bang was forced to flee to the distant region of Ba, a land almost as remote as a barren village.

 

2. Liu Bang's Counterattack
However, Liu Bang, with the assistance of advisors like Xiao He, managed to gain control of Guanzhong. With Han Xin at the forefront, he launched a major counteroffensive. At that time, Xiang Yu was engaged in a war against the rebellious forces of Zhaocheng. Xiang Yu, fully occupied with the conflict in Zhaocheng, could not effectively counter Liu Bang. Ultimately, Liu Bang’s coalition of feudal lords captured the Chu capital, Pengcheng. Meanwhile, Xiang Yu, having defeated Zhaocheng’s rebels, marched south to launch a surprise attack on Pengcheng with his elite force of 30,000 men, catching Liu Bang’s army of 560,000 by surprise. Liu Bang’s forces suffered a crushing defeat, and Liu Bang barely escaped with his life. However, Liu Bang's crisis was far from over.

 

3. Xiang Yu’s Encirclement
Though Liu Bang’s situation was precarious, with steady support from Xiao He, he managed to regroup his forces. After a series of battles, Liu Bang faced Xiang Yu at Hengyang, but that area soon fell under Xiang Yu’s control. Liu Bang, narrowly escaping with the sacrifice of his general Ji Xin, found the situation gradually slipping into Xiang Yu’s favor. However, with continued disruptions to Xiang Yu’s rear by Pang Wu and the pacification of Hebei by Han Xin, the situation began to reverse. The Han forces, now led by Liu Bang, Han Xin, Pang Wu, and Jing Po, surrounded Xiang Yu, gaining a superior position both militarily and in terms of supplies. Xiang Yu grew desperate. The prolonged deadlock threatened his inevitable defeat. It was then that Liu Bang proposed a division of China’s territory. In a state of desperation, Xiang Yu agreed, releasing Liu Bang's father, Liu Taigong, and his wife, Empress Lu. After the agreement, Xiang Yu disbanded the forces of the feudal lords that had fought alongside him and prepared to return to Pengcheng.

 

4. Liu Bang's Betrayal
Liu Bang, also seeking to return to his homeland, was confronted by his advisors Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, who urged him to attack Xiang Yu. Despite the cowardice of breaking an agreement, they convinced Liu Bang that now was the perfect opportunity to defeat Xiang Yu. Accepting their advice, Liu Bang launched a surprise attack on Xiang Yu. Though Xiang Yu initially repelled the attack, the battle soon shifted in Liu Bang's favor. Meanwhile, Liu Bang promised Pang Wu and Han Xin additional land in exchange for their support, convincing them to join the conflict. With their armies combined, Liu Bang's coalition now had overwhelming strength. In 202 BCE, the united forces of the Han, led by Han Xin, marched toward Xiang Yu’s final stand.

 

5. The Battle
Liu Bang’s coalition army, with Han Xin commanding 300,000 troops, faced Xiang Yu’s 100,000 men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Xiang Yu’s forces were no weaklings, having previously defeated Liu Bang’s 560,000 men with only 30,000 in the Battle of Pengcheng. The battle began with Han Xin's forces fighting Xiang Yu’s main army. Though Han Xin's vanguard initially gained the upper hand, Xiang Yu’s forces pushed back. However, Han Xin’s troops retreated, luring Xiang Yu’s forces deep into enemy lines. This allowed Liu Bang’s army to strike from both flanks. Surrounded on three sides, Xiang Yu’s forces were overwhelmed, losing about 80,000 men. Only around 20,000 of his soldiers managed to escape, but the morale of the Chu army had already collapsed, and many soldiers began to desert.

 

6. Xiang Yu’s Flight
That night, Xiang Yu, with only 800 men, broke through the Han encirclement. The next morning, when the Han army realized Xiang Yu had escaped, they sent a cavalry of 5,000 to pursue him. By the time Xiang Yu reached the river, only 100 of his soldiers remained with him. During his flight, he met an old man who, whether out of a grudge or mischief, directed him toward a marshland. Xiang Yu, following the advice, found himself trapped. As the Han army closed in, Xiang Yu and his 100 warriors fought valiantly, killing hundreds of Han soldiers. However, by the time they reached Dongxing, only 28 men remained with Xiang Yu. Soon, Han forces arrived, and Xiang Yu fought fiercely, killing hundreds of men while only losing two of his own. Despite his bravery, it was clear that the end was near. Realizing that victory was impossible, Xiang Yu led his remaining forces to the banks of the Wu River, where, knowing the situation was hopeless, he charged into battle and died by his own hand. This marked the end of the Chu-Han Contention.

 

7. Emperor Liu Bang
Having defeated Xiang Yu, Liu Bang eventually ascended to the throne as Emperor of Han. After the long wars of the Warring States period and the Chu-Han contention, peace was finally restored in China. While the Qin Dynasty lasted only 15 years, the Han Dynasty endured for over 400 years. In terms of unification, the Qin was a failed dynasty, while the Han was a successful one. The concept of "China" as a unified entity was shaped by the Han, and the terms “Han characters” and “Han people” derive from the Han Dynasty.