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  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 82): The Defection of Ying Bu

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 2 Scroll 10 (continued)

    A Pagoda in Jiu Jiang, Jiangxi Province, photograph by Ding Ding

    The 3rd year of the Emperor Gaozu (204 B.C. continued)

    There was a solar eclipse on October 30, and the sky went dark during the day.

    Another solar eclipse occurred on November 29.

    Sui He, the envoy of the King of Han, arrived in Jiujiang. For three days, the head chef of the king of Jiujiang hosted him, but he had not secured an audience with the king. Sui He approached the head chef and said, “The king does not want to see me, mainly because Chu is strong, and Han is weak. That’s exactly why I’m here. If you let me meet the king, he will be interested in what I have to say. If he dislikes my words, he can behead me and my company of twenty in public to demonstrate his loyalty to Chu and his defiance of Han.”

    The head chef relayed this to the king, who agreed to meet Sui He. In the audience, Sui He addressed King Ying Bu: “The King of Han sent me to deliver a letter to your majesty. I wonder why your majesty is so close to Chu.”

    The King of Jiujiang replied, “I face north as a subject of the King of Chu.”

    Sui He questioned him, “King Xiang Yu and your majesty are both kings. You chose to be his subject because Chu is strong, and you felt secure with Xiang Yu as your suzerain. During the raid on Qi, Xiang Yu carried planks on his back to set an example for his soldiers. Your majesty should have led all the forces of Jiujiang as the vanguard of the raid. Yet, you only sent 4,000 men. Is that how you show loyalty? When Han invaded Pengcheng and Xiang Yu was in Qi, unable to return, your majesty should have led your troops across the Huai River to fight Han under the city of Pengcheng. But instead, with more than 10,000 soldiers, not one crossed the Huai River. You stood by and waited to see who would prevail. Is that how you seek protection? You claim to be a subject of Chu, but in reality, you are safeguarding your own interests. I don’t think this is a wise strategy.”

    “Your majesty has not turned against Chu because Han appeared weak. The military might of Chu may be superior, but Xiang Yu has an immoral reputation, having broken alliances and murdered the honorary emperor. The King of Han, on the other hand, has the support of allies and has held his ground in Chenggao and Xingyang. Han’s food supplies flow down from Shu and Hanzhong. Han has dug deep trenches, built bulwarks, and fortified every strategic pass and stronghold. Chu’s army has penetrated 800 to 900 li into enemy territory, with the weak and old forced to transport food from a thousand li away. If Han defends its fortresses and avoids direct battles, Chu will be trapped, unable to advance or retreat safely. That is why Chu is not invincible. Even if Chu wins a battle, all the other kingdoms will fear for their safety and come to Han‘s aid. By being the strongest, Chu has become the antagonist of all the other forces in the realm. In truth, Chu is in a worse position than Han. This should be obvious.”

    “It confounds me that your majesty has allied with a kingdom on the verge of peril instead of siding with Han, which has everything in its favor. I am not suggesting that Jiujiang’s troops alone overthrow Chu. I am proposing a rebellion against Chu. Xiang Yu will be forced to stay instead of moving west. Han will be poised to overtake Chu if Xiang Yu is bogged down by several months. By that time, I will accompany your majesty, with only my sword, to the kingdom of Han. The King of Han will divide the land of Chu and grant it to your majesty as a fief. Needless to say, Jiujiang will remain yours.”

    The King of Jiujiang replied, “I will follow your order.” He secretly agreed to ally with Han and break with Chu, though he dared not disclose it publicly.

    An envoy from the kingdom of Chu was also staying at a travel inn in Jiujiang. He requested an emergency meeting with Ying Bu, demanding that the king send troops to assist King Xiang Yu. Sui He entered their meeting, sat in a more prominent position than the Chu envoy, and declared, “The King of Jiujiang has already allied with the kingdom of Han. How can Chu demand troops from Jiujiang?”

    Ying Bu was dumbfounded, while the Chu envoy stood up and left the room. Sui He then advised Ying Bu, “What’s done is done. We should eliminate the envoy and prevent him from returning to Chu. We must join Han as soon as possible.”

    Ying Bu agreed, saying, “I will follow your advice, Mr. Ambassador!” He ordered the execution of the Chu envoy and mobilized his troops to attack King Xiang Yu.

    In response, Chu sent General Xiang Sheng and General Long Ju to attack Jiujiang. After several months of fighting, General Long Ju defeated Jiujiang‘s forces. Fearing that Chu‘s troops would catch up and kill him, Ying Bu considered fleeing to Han but hesitated. He ultimately decided to take Sui He with him along back roads to reach Han.

    In December, Ying Bu arrived at Xingyang. The King of Han, in bed and washing his feet, summoned Ying Bu for an audience. Ying Bu, feeling outraged and humiliated by the king’s casual treatment, briefly contemplated suicide and regretted coming to Han. However, when he returned to his guesthouse, he was astounded by the lavish accommodations, with food service and attendants provided at the same standard as those of the King of Han. Overwhelmed with joy, he sent messengers back to Jiujiang to escort his family.

    By that time, however, King Xiang Yu had already sent Xiang Bo to take over Jiujiang’s troops and executed Ying Bu’s wives and children. Ying Bu‘s assistants gathered his remaining friends, ministers, and officers—about a few thousand people in total—and returned to Han. The King of Han reinforced Ying Bu‘s forces with additional soldiers and assigned him to help defend the city of Chenggao.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 81): The Battle of Jingxing

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 2 Scroll 10

    Duration of 2 years

    Jingxing Pass, Hebei Province

    The 3rd year of the Emperor Gaozu (204 B.C.)

    In October of that winter, Han Xin and Zhang Er led tens of thousands of troops eastward to attack the Kingdom of Zhao. The King of Zhao, Zhao Xie, and Lord Cheng’an, Chen Yu, assembled their army at Jingxing Pass, claiming to have two hundred thousand soldiers.

    Li Zuoche, known as Lord Guangwu, advised Chen Yu: “Han Xin and Zhang Er are on a long-distance expedition, advancing on the momentum of consecutive victories. Engaging them head-on is unwise. There’s a saying: ‘Soldiers go hungry when you have to procure food from a thousand miles away; the army won’t sleep with their stomach full if you chop firewood at cooking time.’ The path at Jingxing Pass is so narrow that two chariots can’t pass side by side. The cavalry can’t maintain their usual formation, and their marching train stretches for hundreds of miles, with their supply train at the rear. If you lend me thirty thousand troops, I’ll attack their baggage train from the backroads. Meanwhile, you should dig trenches and build defensive walls. Avoid direct engagement. They won’t be able to fight you from the front or retreat. Within ten days, the heads of Han Xin and Zhang Er will be displayed under your banner. Otherwise, we will be captured by them.”

    However, Lord Cheng’an, proud of his army’s reputation for an honorable style that was above trickery, rejected Lord Guangwu’s plan: “Han Xin’s army is small and weary from battle. If we hold back from fighting, other monarchs might see us as cowards and attack us without thinking in the future.”

    Han Xin sent spies to gather intelligence on the Kingdom of Zhao. Upon learning that Chen Yu had not adopted Lord Guangwu’s plan, he was overjoyed and issued the order to proceed. They set up camp ten miles from Jingxing Pass, and at midnight, Han Xin gave the signal to act. He selected two thousand light cavalry, giving each soldier a red flag, and sent them to hide on a summit reached by trails near Zhao’s camp. He instructed: “When the troops of Zhao pursue us during our retreat, you will enter their camp, take down their flags, and raise the red flags of Han.”

    He told his lieutenant generals to have a light meal, promising a grand lunch after they defeated the army of Zhao. The generals, doubtful, replied sarcastically: “Sure.” Han Xin explained: “The Zhao army holds the strategic positions and has fortified their defenses. They won’t come out to attack us unless they see my commander’s banner, fearing we might retreat when faced with danger.” He then ordered ten thousand soldiers to advance through Jingxing Pass and set up a formation with their backs to the river. The soldiers of Zhao ridiculed this maneuver.

    At dawn, Han Xin raised his commander’s banners and led his army through Jingxing Pass with a fanfare of drums and trumpets. The Zhao forces, seeing this, left their fortresses and attacked Han’s army. A fierce battle ensued for a long time. Han Xin and Zhang Er pretended to retreat, abandoning their banners and drums, and fled toward their formation by the river. Their troops let them in and fought fiercely against Zhao’s pursuing forces.

    As the Zhao soldiers poured out of their camp to seize the abandoned banners and drums, Han Xin’s two thousand cavalry swooped in and captured Zhao’s empty camp, replacing their flags with Han’s red flags. Meanwhile, Han Xin and Zhang Er led their forces by the river in a fierce counterattack. The Zhao army, distracted by looting, was startled when they saw Han’s red flags flying over their camp. Believing their king and commander had been captured, they panicked and fled in disarray. Even when generals of Zhao executed fleeing soldiers, they could not restore order. Han Xin’s forces attacked from both sides, crushing the Zhao army. Lord Cheng’an was beheaded by the Zhi River, and the King of Zhao, Zhao Xie, was captured.

    The generals of Han returned with severed heads and prisoners of war, congratulating one another. Then they asked Han Xin,  “The military manuals say: ‘A battle formation should be positioned with mountains and highlands to the right and behind, and rivers and lakes to the left and front.’ Yet you ordered us to do the opposite, placing our backs to the river. You also said, ‘We’ll have a big lunch after defeating the army of Zhao.’ We were skeptical at the time, but now we’ve won a great victory. What strategy did you use?”

    Han Xin replied: “This strategy is also in the manual—you simply overlooked it. The art of war says: ‘Place your soldiers in a position of death, and they will fight to survive; put them in a hopeless situation, and they will find a way to live.’ I didn’t have the luxury of commanding a well-trained army. I had to lead civilians onto the battlefield. In such a situation, I needed to force them into a desperate position where each soldier had to fight for his life. If I had given them an easy way out, they would have fled, and how would I have kept them under command?”

    The generals were awestruck: “Brilliant! General Han is truly beyond us!”

    Han Xin declared that whoever captured Lord Guangwu alive would be rewarded with thousands of catties of gold. Sure enough, someone soon delivered the bound Lord Guangwu to his headquarters. Han Xin, however, released him and seated him facing east, treating him as a mentor. Han Xin humbly sought advice: “I plan to raid the kingdom of Yan to the north and the kingdom of Qi to the east. How can I ensure success?”

    Lord Guangwu demurred, “I am a captive of a losing battle; should I really be consulted on such important matters?”

    Han Xin persisted: “I have heard of Baili Xi, who lived in the state of Yu. Yu was annexed, but when Baili Xi lived in the kingdom of Qin, Qin became dominant. It wasn’t because Baili Xi was foolish in Yu and suddenly became brilliant in Qin—it all depended on whether the king adopted his proposals. Had Lord Cheng’an followed your advice, I would have been captured. I can listen to your advice today because your plan was not adopted. I sincerely seek your guidance. I hope you won’t turn me down, your honor.”

    Lord Guangwu responded: “General Han, you crossed the Yellow River, captured the king of Wei, and then Xia Yue. You marched through Jingxing eastward and crushed the mighty Zhao army of 200,000 soldiers before noon, even beheading Lord Cheng’an. Your fame is widespread, and you inspire awe throughout the country. Even farmers lay down their plows and cease tilling. They now live hedonistically, consuming their finest foods and wearing their best clothes, eagerly waiting for fate’s next arrangement. That’s your strong hand. But the people are weary of war, and the soldiers are exhausted. If you drive these worn-out troops against Yan’s strongholds, they won’t engage you in battle. You might not breach their fortress, and they’ll know your troops better. You’ll lose your momentum. As the war drags on, your supplies will run out. If Yan holds firm, Qi will bolster its defenses and become more assertive. If both Yan and Qi hold out, the balance of power between Chu and Han will become unpredictable. That’s your weak hand. A good strategist uses his strong hand to cover his weak hand, not the other way around.”

    Han Xin asked, “What should I do then?”

    Lord Guangwu replied: “If I were you, I would let the troops rest and pacify the people of Zhao. The locals within a hundred miles would bring in beef and wine to cater to your staff. You should adopt an aggressive stance toward the north but send emissaries to showcase your strength to Yan. Yan won’t dare disobey. Once Yan submits, you can move on to Qi. By then, even a wise strategist will have no plan to save Qi. This way, you will be on the path to conquering the whole country. Warfare begins with bluff and bluster, followed by real actions. That’s what I mean.”

    Han Xin appreciated the advice: “A good strategy!” He followed Lord Guangwu‘s counsel and sent envoys to Yan. The king of Yan immediately conceded. Han Xin then sent messengers to report the good news to the king of Han and petitioned for Zhang Er to be made king of Zhao. The king of Han approved. There were several sneak attacks from Chu‘s army, which crossed the Yellow River to raid Zhao. Zhang Er and Han Xin busied themselves defending Zhao, bringing its towns and cities under control. They even drafted soldiers and sent them to aid the king of Han.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 80): Know Thine Enemy

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 1 Scroll 9 (continued)

    Guanque Tower, Linjin, Shanxi Province

    The 2nd year of Emperor Gaozu(205 B.C. continued)

    The King of Han returned to his capital, Yueyang, in June. On June 6, he designated his son, Liu Ying, as the Crown Prince and declared an amnesty for all criminals in the kingdom.

    The Han army besieged and flooded the city of Feiqiu, leading to its surrender. General Zhang Han, seeing no escape, committed suicide. The Kingdom of Yong, which came under the control of the Han, was divided into three commanderies: Zhongdi, Beidi and Longxi.

    During this time, a severe famine struck the Guanzhong region, causing the price of a bushel of rice to soar to ten thousand money units (about half a kilogram of gold). In desperation, some people resorted to cannibalism. The Han government encouraged the starving population to relocate to the more fertile regions of Shu and Hanzhong commandery.

    When the Qin Empire fell, the wealthy hoarded gold and jade. However, Mr. Ren from Xuanqu focused on stockpiling grain in his family cellars. As the Chu and Han armies engaged in prolonged warfare near Xingyang, preventing farmers from tending their fields, the value of food soared. The wealthy soon traded their gold and jade to Mr. Ren in exchange for grain, leading his family to amass substantial wealth that sustained them for generations.

    In August, the King of Han traveled to Xingyang. He assigned Xiao He to remain in Guanzhong to oversee the care of the Crown Prince, granting him full authority over legislation, the construction of altars for ancestral worship, royal palaces, and the administration of counties and towns. Xiao He was empowered to make decisions promptly without the need to consult the King, with the understanding that these decisions would be ratified upon the King’s return. Xiao He also created a comprehensive registry of all households in the Guanzhong region, and he efficiently managed the transport of food supplies and conscripts to the army, ensuring that the forces never faced shortages.

    The King of Han sent Li Yiji to persuade Wei Bao, the King of Wei, to return to Xingyang. However, Wei Bao refused, saying, “The King of Han is rude and abusive. He treats his allies and ministers as if they were slaves. I cannot bear to face him again!”

    In response, the King of Han appointed Han Xin as Vice Chancellor, with Guan Ying and Cao Shen as his lieutenants, and tasked them with leading the campaign against the Kingdom of Wei. The King of Han then inquired of Li Yiji, “Who is the commander-in-chief of Wei?” Li Yiji replied, “Bo Zhi.” The King of Han dismissed this with disdain, saying, “Bo Zhi is just a child, still wet behind the ears! How could he stand up to Han Xin?”

    He continued his inquiry, asking, “Who is their cavalry commander?” Li Yiji answered, “It is Feng Jing.” The King of Han remarked, “He is the son of Feng Wuze, a general of Qin. He is capable, but he will not be able to defeat Guan Ying.” Then he asked, “Who is their infantry commander?” Li Yiji responded, “It is Xiang Tuo.” The King of Han relaxed, saying, “He is no match for Cao Shen. I have no worries.”

    Han Xin also questioned Li Yiji, asking, “Is the commander-in-chief of Wei not Zhou Shu?” Li Yiji assured him, “No, it is Bo Zhi.” With that reassurance, Han Xin felt relieved and commented, “He is just a juvenile.” Confident in their advantage, Han Xin initiated the campaign against the Kingdom of Wei.

    The King of Wei, Wei Bao, positioned his forces at Puban to defend against the Han army stationed at Lijin Pass. Han Xin executed a tactical ruse by deploying decoy troops and displaying numerous boats at Linjin Pass, creating the illusion of a large-scale crossing of the Yellow River. Meanwhile, he secretly sent another force across the river at Xiayang county using pontoons constructed from tree logs and ceramic urns. This surprise attack force swiftly advanced on Anyi County.

    Caught off guard, Wei Bao quickly led his troops to confront Han Xin‘s forces but was defeated. In September, Han Xin captured King Wei Bao, who was then taken to Xingyang. With the fall of Wei Bao, the entire territory of the former Kingdom of Wei came under the control of the King of Han. The conquered region was reorganized into three commanderies: Hedong, Shangdang, and Taiyuan.

    When the Han army suffered a major defeat to the west of Pengcheng, Chen Yu discovered that Zhang Er was still alive. Upon this realization, he immediately turned against the King of Han. After successfully taking control of the Kingdom of Wei, Han Xin proposed leading a force of thirty thousand elite troops to launch a campaign against the northern Kingdoms of Yan and Zhao, as well as the eastern Kingdom of Qi. He also aimed to cut off the supply lines of the Chu forces from the south. The King of Han approved Han Xin‘s strategic plan and assigned Zhang Er to assist him on the mission.

    Han Xin‘s army advanced eastward before turning north to attack the Kingdoms of Zhao and Dai. During the leap month of September, Han Xin decisively defeated the army of Dai and captured Xia Yue, the Prime Minister of Dai, in the town of Yuyu. Following these rapid victories over Wei and Dai, the King of Han ordered Han Xin‘s elite troops to return to Xingyang to reinforce defenses against the advancing forces of Chu.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 79): Passing the Helm

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 1 Scroll 9 (continued)

    Xingyang Pass, Xingyang, Henan Province

    The 2nd year of Emperor Gaozu(205 B.C. continued)

    Tian Heng launched an attack on Tian Jia, the King of Qi appointed by Xiang Yu, forcing Tian Jia to flee to the Kingdom of Chu, where he was eventually killed. Tian Heng then unified the three regions that made up the Kingdom of Qi, bringing them all under his rule.

    The King of Han consulted with his ministers, saying, “I want to step down from leading the campaign to conquer the lands east of Hangu Pass. I wish to pass on the leadership to a few capable leaders and let them conquer on their own. To whom should I hand over this responsibility?” Zhang Liang recommended the candidates: “The King of Jiujiang, Ying Bu, is an outstanding general of Chu, but he does not see eye to eye with Xiang Yu. General Peng Yue, in collaboration with the Kingdom of Qi, is reclaiming the land of Liang (Wei). These two can immediately share the burden. Among the generals under your command, only Han Xin has the ability to take on this significant task and operate independently. If Your Majesty truly wants to step down, passing the leadership to these three generals will lead to the defeat of the Kingdom of Chu.”

    Earlier, King Xiang Yu had requested troops from the Kingdom of Jiujiang for his attack on the Kingdom of Qi, The King of Jiujiang, Ying Bu, took a leave of absence and sent only one of his generals with a few thousand troops. Later, when the King of Han broke into Pengcheng, Ying Bu claimed to be ill again and did not assist in defending the Kingdom of Chu. King Xiang Yu was displeased with Ying Bu‘s actions, sending numerous messengers to reprimand him and summon him to his headquarters. Ying Bu, growing even more fearful, did not dare to comply.

    At the time, King Xiang Yu‘s primary concerns were the Kingdoms of Qi and Zhao in the north and the Kingdom of Han in the west. Despite his frustration with Ying Bu, Xiang Yu valued Ying Bu‘s military prowess and knew that the King of Jiujiang was his only ally in the region, so he refrained from attacking Ying Bu’s camp.

    Meanwhile, the King of Han moved his headquarters from Xiayi county to Dang county and then to Yu county. Frustrated with his situation, he vented to his advisors, saying, “I cannot discuss the important matters of this country with men like you!” Sui He, one of his internuncios, stepped forward and asked, “I don’t understand what Your Majesty means.” The King of Han sighed and said, “Who can be my envoy to Jiujiang to persuade Ying Bu to break faith with Xiang Yu? If Ying Bu could lead his troops to support us and hold Xiang Yu in check for just a few months, I would have a hundred percent chance of winning the country!” Sui He volunteered, saying, “I would like to be the envoy.” The King of Han then sent Sui He as his representative to Jiujiang with a retinue of twenty people.

    The King of Han reached the city of Xingyang in May, where several scattered and defeated troops regrouped. Xiao He also provided drafted soldiers from Guanzhong, including those who were previously unregistered because they were deemed too old or too young, all converging in Xingyang. This bolstered the strength of the Han army and greatly improved its morale.

    The Chu army, having routed the Han forces in Pengcheng, pursued the fleeing Han soldiers northward all the way to Xingyang, riding the momentum of their victory. They engaged the Han army in several skirmishes in Jing County and Suo town, south of Xingyang. As more Chu cavalry joined the battle, the King of Han sought to appoint a cavalry commander from among his forces. His advisors recommended the former cavalrymen of the Qin army, Li Bi and Luo Jia, both from nearby Zhongquan County.

    However, when the King of Han announced their selection, Li Bi and Luo Jia declined, saying, “We might not have the full trust of the Han soldiers because we were once subjects of Qin. We would prefer to support a leader who is both close to Your Majesty and a skilled horseman.” In response, the King of Han appointed Guan Ying as the cavalry commander, with Li Bi and Luo Jia as the Colonel of the left and right wings.

    This newly appointed cavalry force, led by Guan Ying, engaged the Chu horsemen and won a decisive battle to the east of Xingyang. After this victory, the Chu army never advanced west of Xingyang again. The King of Han then set up camp in Xingyang and constructed an express highway from Xingyang to the crossing of the Yellow River, enabling the rapid delivery of grain from his warehouses in Ao’cang.

    Zhou Bo and Guan Ying approached the King of Han, expressing their concerns: “Although Chen Ping is a very handsome fellow, his character is questionable. We’ve heard that he had an affair with his sister-in-law when he was still at home. He worked for the Kingdom of Wei and did not do well there. He then went to the Kingdom of Chu and failed to succeed there as well. Now, he has come to serve the Kingdom of Han. Your Majesty holds him in high regard and has appointed him as the supervisor of the army officers. We’ve heard that he has accepted bribes in gold, giving good positions to those who offered him more gold and bad positions to those who offered less. Chen Ping seems to be an opportunist and a corrupt official. Your Majesty must look into this!”

    The King of Han became suspicious of Chen Ping and summoned Wei Wuzhi, who had recommended Chen Ping, to reproach him. Wei Wuzhi defended himself, saying, “What I spoke of was Chen Ping‘s ability, not his character. Suppose we have a person with an impeccable character like Weisheng or Xiaoji (ancient people known for honesty and filial piety), but who has no influence on winning or losing the war—why would Your Majesty employ such a person? Now, the Kingdoms of Chu and Han are in fierce contention. When I recommended Chen Ping, I did so based on his intelligence and clever ideas that could help the Kingdom of Han. His personal affairs with sister-in-law or accusations of accepting bribes do not disqualify him.”

    The King of Han then called in Chen Ping and berated him: “You didn’t achieve success in the Kingdom of Wei, then you left the Kingdom of Chu, and now you are here with me. Does a loyal person change his allegiances so easily?”

    Chen Ping replied, “I served the King of Wei, but he wouldn’t listen to my advice, so I left. When I worked for King Xiang Yu, he did not trust anyone whose surname was not Xiang or who wasn’t related to him by marriage. Even if he had talented individuals under his command, he wouldn’t make full use of them. I came to work for Your Majesty because I heard that you make the most use of talented people. I came with nothing and accepted donations because I had no resources. I hope Your Majesty will adopt my proposals if they are useful. If not, the money I accepted is all here, and I beg you to take it back and let me leave empty-handed.”

    The King of Han apologized to Chen Ping, rewarded him with more gifts, and promoted him to the Central Commandant of army supervision, responsible for overseeing all the generals. This promotion silenced the complaints among the generals.

    The King of Wei, Wei Bao, took a leave of absence to visit his mother, who was supposedly ill. Upon crossing the Yellow River, he blocked the crossing and switched his allegiance to the Kingdom of Chu.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 78): The Debacle in Pengcheng

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 1 Scroll 9 (continued)

    Yunlong Park in Xuzhou (Pengcheng), Jiangsu Province

    The 2nd year of Emperor Gaozu(205 B.C. continued)

    The King of Han crossed the Yellow River to the south at the crossing of Pingyin Ford. His procession was halted in the town of Xincheng in Luoyang City by Mr. Dong, a local ethics educator(Three Elders of the Town). Mr. Dong addressed the King of Han: “I have heard it said, ‘Those who follow morality will prosper, and those who defy it will perish.’ Another saying goes, ‘A military campaign without a moral justification will not succeed.’ That is why people say, ‘Expose the evil of your enemy first, then you can overthrow it.’ Xiang Yu is profoundly immoral; he exiled his lord and then murdered His Majesty. He is the greatest wrongdoer in the land. A benevolent government does not resort to violence, and seeking justice does not rely on brute force. Your Majesty should mourn the death of the Honorary Emperor by dressing your entire army in white. You should send manifestos to all the kings in the realm, calling on them to unite against Xiang Yu. This would follow the example of the three kings who founded the dynasties (Xia, Shang, Zhou).”

    The King of Han conducted a funeral for the Honorary Emperor, baring his arms and weeping loudly during the ceremony, which lasted three days. He then sent messengers to all the kings with this message: “The Honorary Emperor was inaugurated by the realm, and we all pledged our allegiance to him. Xiang Yu exiled the Honorary Emperor to the south of the Yangtze River and then murdered him. Such an act is an abomination! I will mobilize all the forces of Guanzhong, recruit warriors from Henan, Hedong, and Henei commanderies, and sail down the Yangtze and Hanshui Rivers. I call upon all monarchs to join in avenging the Honorary Emperor!”

    When the messenger reached the Kingdom of Zhao, Chen Yu responded, “We will join if the Kingdom of Han kills Zhang Er.” To meet this demand, the King of Han found a man who resembled Zhang Er, beheaded him, and sent another messenger carrying the severed head to Chen Yu. Satisfied, Chen Yu then dispatched troops to aid the army of Han.

    Tian Rong’s younger brother, Tian Heng, reassembled Tian Rong’s fleeing soldiers and gathered a force of tens of thousands. They launched a rebellion in Chengyang commandery. In April, during the summer, Tian Heng declared Tian Rong’s son, Tian Guang, as the King of Qi and openly challenged Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu engaged in multiple battles with Tian Heng but was unable to defeat him. Although he learned that the army of Han was advancing eastward, Xiang Yu remained bogged down in the land of Qi, as he needed to break Qi‘s resistance before turning to confront Han‘s forces.

    Meanwhile, the King of Han commanded 560,000 soldiers from allied kingdoms to launch a raid into the land of Chu. Upon reaching Waihuang county, Peng Yue led his thirty thousand soldiers to join forces with Han. The King of Han remarked, “General Peng has recaptured a dozen cities of Wei and wants to quickly enthrone a descendant of Wei. Here, the King of West Wei, Wei Bao, is a true descendant of Wei.” He then appointed Peng Yue as the prime minister of the Kingdom of Wei, allowing Peng Yue to command his troops independently to expand their territories in the land of Wei.

    The King of Han entered Pengcheng, the capital of West Chu, and seized Xiang Yu’s treasures and harem. He began to indulge in daily celebrations, wining and dining to mark his victories.

    Xiang Yu, upon learning that his home had been raided, ordered his generals to continue the fight in Qi while he led thirty thousand elite troops southward. Starting from Lu County, they passed through Huling County and reached Xiao County. At dawn, they launched a surprise assault on the Han army, pushing eastward, and by noon, they reached Pengcheng, where they decisively routed the Han forces. The soldiers of Han fled in disarray, many running into the Gu River and Si river, where hundreds of thousands drowned. Others fled south toward the mountains, pursued relentlessly by the Chu fighters, who drove them to the Sui River, east of Lingbi County. There, the Chu forces pressed several hundred thousand Han soldiers against the river, causing so many to perish that their bodies clogged the riverbed, halting its flow.

    Xiang Yu‘s troops encircled the King of Han with three rings of soldiers. Just then, a strong northwesterly wind arose, uprooting trees, tearing roofs off houses, and creating a cloud of dust and sand that turned day into darkness. The blinding storm struck the Chu army, scattering their ranks. Seizing the moment, the King of Han, along with a few dozen cavalry guards, broke through the encirclement and escaped. They planned to stop by Pei County to retrieve their family members, but by the time they arrived, the soldiers of Chu had already beaten them to it, and the King of Han’s family members were nowhere to be found.

    The King of Han eventually encountered his children, Prince Hui (Liu Ying) and Princess Yuan of Lu, and got them into his wagon. As the cavalry of Chu drew near, he panicked and, in his desperation to speed up the carriage, repeatedly pushed his children off it. Duke Teng, Xiahou Ying, who served as the Grand Coachman of Han, was forced to jump off the wagon to retrieve them each time. After the third time, Xiahou Ying pleaded, “I understand the urgency, but the horses cannot go any faster. How could you ditch your children?” He maintained the carriage at moderate speed. The King of Han, enraged, attempted to kill Xiahou Ying dozens of times, but Xiahou Ying’s soldiers protected the retinue, ensuring the safety of both the King’s children and the group.

    Meanwhile, Shen Yiji was escorting the King of Han‘s father (the Grandpa Liu) and wife, Queen Lü, along an alternate route. They attempted to rendezvous with the King of Han but encountered Chu soldiers and were captured, eventually being taken to Xiang Yu‘s camp, where they were held as hostages.

    The brother of Queen Lü, the Marquis of Zhoulü, led a force stationed at Xiayi county. The King of Han managed to reach this location by taking alternate routes, gathering several soldiers who were fleeing. However, as the situation grew dire, many of the allied forces began to defect and return to Xiang Yu‘s camp. The King of Sai, Sima Xin, and the King of Di, Dong Yi, switched their allegiance to the Kingdom of Chu.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 77): Chen Ping, A Handsome Careerist

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 1 Scroll 9 (continued)

    Chen Ping’s hometown, Yuanyang(Yangwu) County

    The 2nd year of Emperor Gaozu(205 B.C.)

    In October of that winter, King Xiang Yu issued a secret order to the King of Jiujiang, the King of Hengshan, and the King of Linjiang to attack the Honorary Emperor. They murdered the emperor and disposed of his body in the river.

    Chen Yu drafted a force from his three-county fiefdom and joined a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Changshan alongside the troops from the Kingdom of Qi. The King of Changshan, Zhang Er, failed to defend his kingdom and fled westward to the army of Han, where he sought refuge with the King of Han in Feiqiu County. The King of Han received him with high regard. Chen Yu welcomed back the former King Zhao Xie from the Kingdom of Dai and reinstated him as the King of Zhao. In gratitude, the King of Zhao granted Chen Yu the title of King of Dai. However, Chen Yu did not go to his kingdom; instead, he remained in the capital to assist the new King of Zhao in establishing a new government. He sent Xia Yue to the Kingdom of Dai as the prime minister.

    Zhang Liang escaped from the Kingdom of Hán and returned by taking an alternate route. The King of Han awarded him the title of Marquis Chengxin. Zhang Liang was in poor health and had never commanded an armed force on his own. He often served as a strategist, remaining at the King of Han‘s side.

    The King of Han went to Shan County to console the people outside the Kingdom of Qin. The King of Henan, Shen Yang, submitted to the King of Han, and the Kingdom of Han established the administration of Henan Commandery.

    The King of Han appointed Xin, the grandson of King Xiang of Hán, as the chief commander of the armed forces of Hán. He ordered Xin’s troops to recapture the territory of the former Kingdom of Hán. Xin led a blitzkrieg on Yangcheng County, compelling Zheng Chang, the King of Hán appointed by Xiang Yu, to surrender. The King of Han then granted Xin the title of King of Hán. Xin continued to command the armed forces of Hán, staying by the side of the King of Han most of the time.

    The King of Han moved the capital to Yueyang City. 

    Several generals of the Kingdom of Han conquered the Longxi Commandery.

    In January of that spring, King Xiang Yu and his army advanced north, arriving at Chengyang Commandery. The King of Qi, Tian Rong, led his troops into a decisive battle there but was defeated. Tian Rong fled to Pingyuan County, where he was killed by the local people. King Xiang Yu then reinstalled Tian Jia as the King of Qi.

    King Xiang Yu’s troops continued north to Beihai Commandery, pillaging cities, burning castles, and destroying residential houses along the way. They buried Tian Rong’s surrendered soldiers alive and took the elderly, the young, and women as prisoners, enslaving them. The devastation they left in their wake forced the people of Qi to unite and rise in revolt.

    A general of Han conquered the town of Beidi and captured Zhang Ping, the younger brother of the King of Yong, Zhang Han.

    In March, the King of Han crossed the Yellow River at Linjin Pass. The King of West Wei, Wei Bao, surrendered and placed his troops under the King of Han’s command. The Han army then sacked the Kingdom of Henei and captured the King of Yin, Sima Ang, establishing an administration in the Henei Commandery.

    A man from Yangwu county named Chen Ping came from a poor family but had a passion for reading. He was once in charge of distributing sacrificial meat among his community after the ceremonies of progenitor worship. Chen Ping sliced and divided the meat so evenly that he received praise from the community. The locals said, “We are fortunate to have this young man in charge of the meat sharing.” Chen Ping sighed and replied, “Ah! If only you could make me responsible for the whole country; public affairs would be as well taken care of as this meat!”

    When the allies rebelled against the rule of Qin, Chen Ping worked for the King of Wei, Wei Jiu, as the minister of transportation. He proposed some ideas to Wei Jiu, but they were not adopted. Disheartened, he left Wei Jiu when a scandal was spread about him. He later joined Xiang Yu and was given a position as a staff officer. When the King of Yin, Sima Ang, rebelled against Xiang Yu, Chen Ping was sent to suppress the mutiny, successfully forcing Sima Ang to back down. On his triumphant return, he was promoted to chief commandant and awarded 480 ounces of gold.

    Shortly afterward, the King of Han took over the Kingdom of Yin, and Sima Ang surrendered. Furious, Xiang Yu considered punishing the officers who had previously suppressed Sima Ang’s mutiny. Fearing for his safety, Chen Ping returned the gold and the seal of the chief commandant to Xiang Yu, changed his clothes, and fled via alternate routes, taking only a sword with him. He crossed the Yellow River and joined the forces of Han in Xiuwu county. With the help of his friend Wei Wuzhi, Chen Ping secured an appointment with the King of Han.

    The King of Han summoned Chen Ping and dined with him. As the King was about to send Chen Ping to rest in the guest house, Chen Ping insisted, “I have come with a mission. What I need to discuss cannot wait another day.” The King of Han, delighted by their conversation, asked Chen Ping, “What rank did you hold in the Kingdom of Chu?” Chen Ping replied, “I was a chief commandant.” The King of Han immediately reinstated him as chief commandant, appointed him to his entourage, and made him the supervisor of army officers.

    These rapid promotions caused an uproar among the Han generals. They complained, “Can you believe it? The King accepts a defector from Chu, puts him in his entourage, and even makes him to be a supervisor to oversee veterans like us!” Despite the complaints, the King of Han, aware of the discontent, only trusted Chen Ping more.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 76): Han Xin Exceeding Expectation

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Han Book 1 Scroll 9 (continued)

    Han and the Three Qins(Yong, Zhai, Sai)

    The 1st year of Emperor Gaozu(206 B.C. continued)

    After the nomination ceremony, the King of Han sat down with Han Xin and said, “The Prime Minister has recommended you so many times. What can you teach me about strategy?” Han Xin expressed his gratitude and downplayed the praise before addressing the King of Han, “It is King Xiang Yu who contends with Your Majesty for power in the east, isn’t it?”

    The King of Han confirmed, “Yes, it is him.”

    Han Xin then asked, “In terms of strength and chivalry, how do you compare yourself to Xiang Yu?”

    After a moment of thought, the King of Han admitted, “I am not as good as him.”

    Han Xin saluted the King of Han and encouraged him, saying, “I agree with Your Majesty’s assessment. However, I once served under Xiang Yu, so I know his personality well. Xiang Yu‘s roar alone can make thousands tremble with fear, but he lacks the ability to choose capable people to assist him, which makes him a force of one. While he treats people kindly and is compassionate, he is also soft-hearted and sentimental. He cries when he sees someone suffering from illness and shares his food and drink with the sick. However, he is also stingy in rewarding his subordinates. Even when they achieve great merits, he is reluctant to grant them high ranks, keeping the seals of power firmly in his own hands until edges are worn out. This is what we call the petty kindness of a woman.”

    “Xiang Yu dominates the nation, and all the rulers submit to him, but he chose Pengcheng as his capital instead of staying in the strategically advantageous Guanzhong region. He gave away territories to his friends unjustly, violating the agreement made with the Honorary Emperor. He removed legitimate rulers and replaced them with generals or ministers of his liking, and he even banished the Honorary Emperor to the south of the Yangtze River. Wherever he goes, he leaves destruction in his wake. The people do not support him; they only fear his might. Although he appears to be the hegemon of the country, he has already lost the people’s hearts. This is his weakness.”

    “If Your Majesty does the opposite of what Xiang Yu does, then his strength could easily turn into his vulnerability. Who could cling to life if you deployed the country’s bravest warriors against him? Who would not heed your command if you rewarded your allies with the nation’s best cities? Who would dare stand in your way if you lead your troops back home rightfully? The three kings of Qin (Zhang Han, Sima Xin, Dong Yi) were once generals who forced the people of Qin to fight for years, witnessing countless deaths. Yet, they coerced these same people to surrender to the Chu forces. When Xiang Yu buried 200,000 prisoners of war alive at Xianyang, only the three generals survived. The people of Qin hate these three to the bone.”

    “The Chu authority installed these generals as kings of Qin by decree, but the people did not accept them. When Your Majesty entered Wu Pass, your troops did not harm a single civilian, and you abolished Qin‘s harsh laws, replacing them with the simple law of three articles. The people of Qin love you and wish for you to be their king. According to the allies’ agreement, you should indeed be the rightful king of Qin. The people all knew the pact, and were outraged when you were sent to Hanzhong. Now, if Your Majesty advances eastward, the three kingdoms of Qin could be conquered simply by issuing a proclamation.”

    The King of Han was deeply moved by Han Xin‘s words and regretted not promoting him sooner. He decided to adopt Han Xin‘s strategy and assigned his generals to their respective targets of attack, while leaving Xiao He in Ba and Shu commanderies to collect taxes and ensure a stable food supply for the army.

    In August, the King of Han launched a surprise attack on the Kingdom of Yong by advancing through Gudao county. Zhang Han, the King of Yong, countered the attack at Chencang county, but his forces were defeated and retreated. They regrouped at Haoshi county but were beaten again and fled back to their capital, Feiqiu. The King of Han captured most of the territory of the Yong Kingdom, advancing as far east as Xianyang, and laid siege to the city of Feiqiu and its ruler, Zhang Han. Meanwhile, he dispatched his generals to capture other territories in the Qin region. The King of Sai, Sima Xin, and the King of Di(Zhai), Dong Yi, both surrendered to the King of Han. The King of Han then established the commanderies of Weinan, Heshang, and Shangjun within Qin‘s territory.

    The King of Han ordered Generals Xue Ou and Wang Xi to move eastward through Wu Pass, where they linked up with Wang Ling‘s forces to escort the King of Han’s father and his wife, Queen Lü, to Guanzhong. Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu deployed his troops to block their advance at Yangxia county.

    Wang Ling, originally from Pei County, had gathered thousands of his followers and occupied Nanyang before joining the King of Han‘s camp with his troops. When Xiang Yu learned of Wang Ling‘s approach, he took Wang Ling’s mother hostage and held her under house arrest in his camp. To persuade Wang Ling to switch allegiance, Xiang Yu received Wang Ling’s envoy with respect, seating Wang Ling’s mother in a place of honor. During a private conversation with the envoy, Wang Ling’s mother said, “Please tell my son to remain loyal to the King of Han. The King of Han is destined to rule the country. He must not waver for the sake of me. I will die to see him off.” She then took her own life by throwing herself onto a sword in front of the envoy.

    Enraged by this act of defiance, Xiang Yu ordered his men to boil the corpse of Wang Ling’s mother.

    King Xiang Yu conferred the title of King of Hán to Zheng Chang, the former magistrate of Wu county, to hinder the advance of the King of Han. 

    Zhang Liang sent a letter to King Xiang Yu: “The King of Han did not get what he deserved. He only wishes to possess Guanzhong (Three Qins). He will stop where all agreed upon in the pact and dares not go further east.” He also sent the rebellion manifestos from the Kingdom of Qi and Kingdom of Liang (Wei) to King Xiang Yu, stating: “The Kingdom of Qi intends to ally with the Kingdom of Zhao to annihilate the Kingdom of Chu.” These communications distracted Xiang Yu‘s attention from the west and redirected his attacks to the north.

    The former King of Yan, Han Guang, had no intention of going to his kingdom in Liaodong. The new King of Yan, Zang Tu, attacked and killed him, then annexed Han Guang’s kingdom. 

    The King of Han appointed Zhou Ke, an old friend from Pei County and the current mayor of Xianyang, as the Grand Master of Censorate. 

    King Xiang Yu hastened the relocation of the Honorary Emperor to his new court, and some of the emperor’s ministers and attendants chose to leave his court.

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 65): Ying Bu, The Convict

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang

    Annals of Qin Book 3 Scroll 8 (continued)

    Ying Bu

    The 2nd year of the Second Emperor(208 B.C. continued)

    The left-wing colonel and right-wing colonel of the Qin army launched a counterattack and broke into Chen county. General Lü Chen fled with his Black-Head Army, seeking out his subordinates and reassembling his dispersed soldiers. They joined forces with a rebel group led by a bandit named Qing Bu from Fanyang county. Together, they turned around and confronted the Qin army, commanded by the left and right wing colonels. They routed the Qin forces at Qingbo Lake and successfully reoccupied Chen county.

    Qing Bu hailed from Lu county, though his actual surname was Ying. He had been labeled a criminal and punished with “Qing”—black branding on his face. According to the laws of Qin, he was sent to Lishan as a convict laborer, where the number of laborers amounted to several hundred thousand. Ying Bu befriended the leaders among the laborers and eventually fled with his followers to the Yangtze River basin, where he became the leader of outlaws.

    The magistrate of Poyang county, Wu Rui, was very popular with the people, even in the underworld, and was widely known as Lord Po. Ying Bu led his men to meet Lord Po, and his followers had grown into a force of several thousand. Lord Po married his daughter to Ying Bu and directed him to lead his forces in fighting the Qin army.

    King of Chu, Jing Ju, stayed in Liu county, where the Duke of Pei went to join him. Zhang Liang, who led a group of around a hundred youths, also responded to Jing Ju’s call. He encountered the Duke of Pei and decided to follow him. The Duke of Pei appointed Zhang Liang as his logistic officer. Zhang Liang discussed “The Art of Warfare” by Jiang Ziya (also known as Great-Grandpa Jiang) and offered his strategic advice. The Duke of Pei valued his teachings and often adopted his ideas, though other leaders typically didn’t understand Zhang Liang’s insights. Zhang Liang sighed, “The Duke of Pei is godsent,” and was determined to follow him from then on.

    They both met King Jing Ju and requested reinforcements to attack Feng county. At the time, a staff officer of General Zhang Han, whose name was Yi, led troops to suppress the insurgents in northern Chu, slaughtering the people of Xiang county before advancing to Dang county. Ning Jun of Dongyang and the Duke of Pei led their troops west of Xiao County, where a battle broke out, but they suffered a setback and withdrew to Liu County to regroup. In February, the Duke of Pei launched another attack on Dang county. After a three-day battle, they overcame the resistance and captured Dang county. The Duke of Pei took command of six thousand fighters from Dang county, adding to his original three thousand followers, bringing his force to nine thousand soldiers. In March, they attacked Xiayi county and seized it, then moved on to attack Feng county again but failed to break through.

    Zhao Ping, originally from Guangling county, attempted to seize Guangling for Chen Sheng but failed. When he learned that Chen Sheng was fleeing and Zhang Han was pursuing him, Zhao Ping crossed the Yangtze River and forged a decree in Chen Sheng‘s name, appointing Xiang Liang as the Chief Commander of Chu. The decree stated: “The battles east of the Yangtze River are over. Lead your troops westward to attack the Qin army immediately!” Xiang Liang then led eight thousand soldiers across the Yangtze River, heading west. Upon hearing that Chen Ying had already occupied Dongyang county, he sent an envoy to Chen Ying, urging him to join the western expedition.

    Chen Ying, a former staffer of the Dongyang county magistrate, lived in the county center and was known as a cautious and trustworthy elder. When the youths of Dongyang county rioted and killed the county’s magistrate, twenty thousand insurgents gathered and pushed Chen Ying forward to become king. However, Chen Ying‘s mother warned him against it: “Since I married into this family, I have never heard of your ancestors being highborn. It does not bode well to suddenly take on a lofty title. It would be better to be a follower than a leader. If the insurrection succeeds, you will be rewarded with a marquisate. If it fails, you can escape more easily because you are not so recognized by the world.” Taking his mother’s advice, Chen Ying refused to become king. He explained to his followers, “Xiang Liang‘s family has served as generals for the kingdom of Chu for generations and is well-known in Chu. To succeed in our uprising, we must have him as our commander. We can bring down the kingdom of Qin if we rely on this renowned clan.” Chen Ying‘s subordinates agreed, and they went under Xiang Liang‘s command.

    Ying Bu’s troops defeated the Qin army and moved eastward until they heard that Xiang Liang’s forces had crossed the Huai River and were marching westward. The armed forces of Ying Bu and General Pu then accepted Xiang Liang as their commander. With these new additions, Xiang Liang’s forces grew to between sixty and seventy thousand soldiers. They set up camp in the city of Xiapi. Meanwhile, the King of Chu, Jing Ju, and his top general, Qin Jia, camped their forces to the east of Pengcheng, appearing to challenge Xiang Liang‘s leadership.

    Addressing his soldiers, Xiang Liang declared: “King Chen Sheng was the first to rise against Qin. He suffered setbacks, and we do not know his current whereabouts. Qin Jia betrayed King Chen Sheng and installed Jing Ju as the King of Chu. That is an act of treachery!” With that, Xiang Liang led his troops to attack Qin Jia‘s camp. Qin Jia‘s forces were overwhelmed, and Xiang Liang‘s army pursued them to Huling. Qin Jia attempted a counter-attack, but after a full day of battle, he was killed, and his troops surrendered. Jing Ju fled but later died in the Kingdom of Wei.

    Xiang Liang merged his forces with those of Qin Jia and established their camps at Huling, planning to continue his westward campaign. A detachment under the command of General Zhang Han approached Li county, prompting Xiang Liang to order his lieutenants, Zhu Jishi and Yu Fanjun, to attack. The battle ended disastrously: Yu Fanjun was killed, and Zhu Jishi fled back to Huling, where their troops were defeated. In response, Xiang Liang led his forces to occupy Xuecheng and executed Zhu Jishi for his failure.

    The Duke of Pei, accompanied by about a hundred cavalry, came to meet Xiang Liang. Impressed by his commitment, Xiang Liang assigned five thousand soldiers and ten high-ranking military officers to support the Duke of Pei. The Duke of Pei led these reinforcements back to Feng County, launching another assault. This time, he successfully captured the city, forcing Yong Chi to flee to the Kingdom of Wei.

    Xiang Liang then ordered Xiang Ji (whose courtesy name was Xiang Yu) to capture Xiangcheng county. Despite fierce resistance, Xiang Yu‘s troops eventually broke through after a prolonged battle. In a brutal move, Xiang Yu commanded that all the city’s residents be buried alive. He reported his actions back to Xiang Liang.

    Xiang Liang finally confirmed that King Chen Sheng was dead. He summoned all his commanders to Xuecheng to strategize for the future, and the Duke of Pei also attended the meeting. Among the advisors was Fan Zeng, a seventy-year-old hermit from Juchao known for his original ideas. Fan Zeng offered his counsel to Xiang Liang:

    “King Chen Sheng‘s downfall was inevitable. Of the six kingdoms annexed by Qin, the Kingdom of Chu was the most innocent. Ever since King Huai of Chu was tricked into visiting Qin and never returned, the people of Chu have mourned for him and kept his memory alive. That is why an old man from southern Chu predicted: ‘The Kingdom of Qin will ultimately be destroyed by the people of Chu, even if only three families of Chu remain.’ Chen Sheng was the first to rise against Qin, but he made the mistake of declaring himself king instead of restoring a descendant of King Huai of Chu. That is why he quickly lost support. Now, you have risen from east of the Yangtze River, and all the warriors follow you and obey your commands. They do so because your family has produced top generals for Chu for generations. Only you can lead the restoration of the Chu royal lineage.”

    Xiang Liang applauded this advice. He sought out Xiong Xin, the grandson of King Huai of Chu, who had been living in obscurity and herding sheep. In June, Xiang Liang installed Xiong Xin as King Huai II of Chu to align with the people’s wish. He also granted Chen Ying the title of Generalissimo and the fiefdom of five counties. Chen Ying and the new King Huai II set up their headquarters in the capital city of Xuyi. Xiang Liang took the title of Lord Wuxin for himself.