Chapter 14 Chapter Five: The Battle of Gaixia between Chu and Han

Just as Xiang Yu wiped out the main force of the Qin army in Julu (now Pingxiang County, Hebei Province), the westward uprising army led by Liu Bang also made progress smoothly.In October of the first year of King Han (206 BC), Liu Bang's army entered Guanzhong and occupied Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty.Liu Bang was a man of great political insight, knowing what the people at that time wanted and hated.In order to buy people's hearts, he paid great attention to controlling his subordinates and appeasing the people.He ordered the closure of Xianyang's palace gates and treasury, and strictly prohibited his subordinates from using the pearl treasures in the palace.He stationed troops outside the city of Xianyang, summoned the elders of Guanzhong, and made three rules for his subordinates: murderers should be punished with death, and those who hurt others and steal should be punished according to the seriousness of the circumstances.He also announced the abolition of all harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty.These measures of Liu Bang were warmly welcomed by the people of Guanzhong.A month later, Xiang Yu's army came to Hangu Pass (now southwest of Lingbao County, Henan Province).He was very angry when he saw that Liu Bang was supported by King Huai of Chu and wanted to be the king of Guanzhong. He personally commanded an army of 400,000 to break through the pass and stationed the army in Hongmen (now east of Lintong County, Shaanxi Province).From then on, the conflict between Liu and Xiang became acute.

At this time, Liu Bang had only 100,000 people.Relying on his large number of troops, Xiang Yu planned to eliminate Liu Bang and monopolize Guanzhong.Liu Bang wanted to resist, but he was afraid that he would not be able to beat Xiang Yu, so he had to accept Zhang Liang's suggestion and apologize to Xiang Yu in person.Xiang Yu hosted a banquet in honor of Liu Bang at Hongmen.At the banquet, Fan Zeng, Xiang Yu's counselor, signaled Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang, Xiang Yu hesitated, and Liu Bang escaped with an excuse.This is the famous "Hongmen Banquet" in history. A few days later, Xiang Yu led his troops into Xianyang, killed Qin Prince Ying, collected countless rare treasures, plundered a large number of women, set fire to the palace of the Qin Dynasty, and then returned to the east.The people were disappointed with Xiang Yu's actions.Xiang Yu enfeoffed many old aristocrats of the six countries who supported the separatist regime as kings; he made Liu Bang the king of Han, and asked Liu Bang to move from the Guanzhong area to Hanzhong and Bashu.Xiang Yu claimed to be the overlord of Western Chu, with the highest status, and actually commanded all the princes and kings.Xiang Yu's enfeoffment violated the people's desire for unification at that time, and was very unpopular.Therefore, not long after the enfeoffment was enfeoffed, the war broke out.Tian Rong, an old aristocrat of Qi, claimed to be the king of Qi. Xiang Yu personally led troops to Qi (now Shandong Province) to attack Tian Rong. Liu Bang took the opportunity to reoccupy Guanzhong, and the prelude to the war between Chu and Han began.In April 205 BC, Liu Bang contacted an army of 560,000 princes, sent troops eastward, and occupied Pengcheng, the capital of Chu (now Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province).