182 Monkeys Wearing Hats

A7.19|20

After Pei Gong left, King Xiang sent the lieutenant Chen Ping to call him back. Pei Gong said, "We are leaving now without saying goodbye. What should we do?" Fan Kuai said, "When doing great things, one should not care about trivial etiquette. When upholding great principles, one cannot avoid small blame. Now others are knives and chopping boards, and we are fish and meat to be slaughtered. Why do we still say goodbye?" Then they left. Before leaving, Pei Gong ordered Zhang Liang to stay and apologize. Zhang Liang asked, "What did the king bring when he came?" Pei Gong said, "I brought a pair of white jades to present to King Xiang and a pair of jade cups to present to Yafu. They were angry at the time, so I didn't dare to present them. You present them to them on my behalf." Zhang Liang said, "Yes, sir." At this time, King Xiang's army was at Hongmen, and Pei Gong's army was at Bashang, 40 miles away. Pei Gong abandoned his chariot and escaped on horseback alone. Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Jin Qiang and Ji Xin ran with swords and shields, from the foot of Li Mountain, and took a small road through Zhiyang. Pei Gong said to Zhang Liang, "It's only about 20 miles from this road to my camp. Wait until you think I'm back to my army camp, then you go in." Pei Gong took a small road back to the army. After that, Zhang Liang went in to apologize and said, "Pei Gong had too much to drink and was unable to say goodbye. He asked me to present a pair of white jades to the king and a pair of jade cups to the general." King Xiang asked, "Where is Pei Gong?" Zhang Liang said, "He heard that the king wanted to blame him, so he left alone and has now returned to his camp." King Xiang took the jade and placed it on the seat. Yafu took the jade cup, left it on the ground, drew his sword, and chopped it into pieces, saying, "Alas! The damn kid is not worth working together! It must be Pei Gong who will seize the world from King Xiang. We will all be captured by him." Pei Gong returned to the army and immediately killed Cao Wushang.

A few days later, Xiang Yu led his troops westward to slaughter Xianyang, killed the surrendered Qin King Ziying, and burned the Qin palace to the ground, and the fire did not go out for three months. He also confiscated treasures and looted women and went east. Someone dissuaded Xiang Yu, saying: "Guanzhong is surrounded by mountains and the Yellow River, surrounded by passes, and the land is fertile and rich. You can make it your capital to create hegemony." Xiang Yu saw that the Qin palace was all scorched to pieces, and he missed his hometown and wanted to return to the east. He said: "Getting rich and noble but not returning to my hometown is like wearing embroidered clothes and walking at night. Who will know!" The person who dissuaded Xiang Yu said: "People say that the Chu people are just monkeys wearing hats. It's true." When Xiang Yu heard this, he boiled the man to death.

沛公已出，项王使都尉陈平召沛公。沛公曰：“今者出，未辞也，为之柰何？”樊哙曰：“大行不顾细谨，大礼不辞小让。如今人方为刀俎，我为鱼肉，何辞为。”于是遂去。乃令张良留谢。良问曰：“大王来何操？”曰：“我持白璧一双，欲献项王，玉斗一双，欲与亚父，会其怒，不敢献。公为我献之”张良曰：“谨诺。”当是时，项王军在鸿门下，沛公军在霸上，相去四十里。沛公则置车骑，脱身独骑，与樊哙、夏侯婴、靳强、纪信等四人持剑盾步走，从郦山下，道芷阳间行。沛公谓张良曰：“从此道至吾军，不过二十里耳。度我至军中，公乃入。”沛公已去，间至军中，张良入谢，曰：“沛公不胜桮杓，不能辞。谨使臣良奉白璧一双，再拜献大王足下；玉斗一双，再拜奉大将军足下。”项王曰：“沛公安在？”良曰：“闻大王有意督过之，脱身独去，已至军矣。”项王则受璧，置之坐上。亚父受玉斗，置之地，拔剑撞而破之，曰：“唉！竖子不足与谋。夺项王天下者，必沛公也，吾属今为之虏矣。”沛公至军，立诛杀曹无伤。

居数日，项羽引兵西屠咸阳，杀秦降王子婴，烧秦宫室，火三月不灭；收其货宝妇女而东。人或说项王曰：“关中阻山河四塞，地肥饶，可都以霸。”项王见秦宫皆以烧残破，又心怀思欲东归，曰：“富贵不归故乡，如衣绣夜行，谁知之者！”说者曰：“人言楚人沐猴而冠耳，果然。”项王闻之，烹说者。

181 The Sword Dance

A7.18

The next day, Pei Gong led a cavalry of over 100 men to come to meet King Xiang. When arriving at Hongmen, he apologized first and said, "The general and I joined forces to attack the State of Qin. The general fought in Hebei the north side of the Yellow River and I fought in Henan the south side. However, I did not expect to be able to enter the Pass first defeat the Qin army, and get to meet the general here again. Now some villains have made false accusations, causing conflicts between the general and me." King Xiang said, "This was said by Cao Wushang, the left Sima of Pei Gong. If it were not so, why would I come here?" King Xiang kept Pei Gong to have a banquet with him that day. King Xiang and Xiang Bo sat facing east. Yafu sat facing south. Yafu was Fan Zeng. Pei Gong sat facing north, and Zhang Liang sat with him facing west. Fan Zeng gave King Xiang the look many times and raised the jade ring he was wearing to signal King Xiang many times, but King Xiang remained silent and did not respond. Fan Zeng stood up, went out to find Xiang Zhuang, and said to him: "The Majesty Himself is not cruel enough. You go in and toast. After the toast, ask to dance with a sword, and take the opportunity to attack Pei Gong who is sitting, and kill him. Otherwise, you will all be captured by him." Xiang Zhuang went in and made a toast. After the toast, he said: "Your Majesty and Pei Gong are drinking. There is no entertainment in the army. Please allow me to do a sword dance." King Xiang said: "Okay." Xiang Zhuang drew his sword and danced, and Xiang Bo also drew his sword and danced, always using his body to protect Pei Gong, so Xiang Zhuang had no chance to attack Pei Gong. At this time, Zhang Liang came to the military gate and saw Fan Kuai. Fan Kuai said: "What is the situation today?" Zhang Liang said: "It is very critical. Now Xiang Zhuang draws his sword and dances to assassinate Pei Gong." Fan Kuai said: "This is too urgent. Please let me go in and fight with them!" Fan Kuai immediately entered the military gate with a sword and a shield. The guards holding their halberds tried to stop him from entering, but Fan Kuai used his shield to knock him over, and the guards fell to the ground. Fan Kuai then entered the tent, opened the curtain, and stood facing west, staring at King Xiang, his hair standing up, his eye sockets about to burst. King Xiang immediately reached out to grab the sword, straightened his upper body, and said, "What is the guest doing?" Zhang Liang said, "This is Fan Kuai, the attendant of Pei Gong." King Xiang said, "Brave man, give him a cup of wine." The guards gave him a large cup filled with a bucket of wine. After Fan Kuai thanked him, he stood up and drank it all while standing. King Xiang said, "Give him a pig's leg." The guards gave him a raw pig's leg. Fan Kuai put his shield on the ground, put the pig's leg on the shield, drew his sword, and cut the meat to eat. King Xiang said, "Brave man, can you drink more?" Fan Kuai said, "I am not afraid of death, so how can I refuse a glass of wine? The King of Qin has a heart of a tiger and a wolf. He kills people as if he is worried that he can't kill them all, and punishes them as if he is worried that he is not severe enough. The people of the world have betrayed him. King Huai and his generals agreed that ‘whoever defeats the Qin army and enters Xianyang first can be the king of Guanzhong.’Now Pei Gong was the first to defeat the Qin army and enter Xianyang, but he dared not accept any money or property. He also closed the palace and returned to Bashang to camp, waiting for the king to come. The reason for sending soldiers to guard the pass is to prevent other thieves from entering and exiting and accidents. Such hard work and great achievements, not only did not reward him with a title of nobility, but he also listened to gossip and wanted to kill the meritorious people. This is just walking the old path of the fallen Qin Dynasty. I humbly think that the king's approach is not advisable." King Xiang could not respond, but just said, "Please sit down." Fan Kuai sat down next to Zhang Liang. After sitting for a while, Pei Gong got up to go to the toilet and called Fan Kuai out.

沛公旦日从百余骑来见项王，至鸿门，谢曰：“臣与将军戮力而攻秦，将军战河北，臣战河南，然不自意能先入关破秦，得复见将军于此。今者有小人之言，令将军与臣有卻。”项王曰：“此沛公左司马曹无伤言之；不然，籍何以至此。”项王即日因留沛公与饮。项王、项伯东向坐。亚父南向坐。亚父者，范增也。沛公北向坐，张良西向侍。范增数目项王，举所佩玉玦以示之者三，项王默然不应。范增起，出召项庄，谓曰：“君王为人不忍，若入前为寿。寿毕，请以剑舞，因击沛公于坐，杀之。不者，若属皆且为所虏。”庄则入为寿，寿毕，曰：“君王与沛公饮，军中无以为乐，请以剑舞。”项王曰：“诺。”项庄拔剑起舞，项伯亦拔剑起舞，常以身翼蔽沛公，庄不得击。于是张良至军门，见樊哙。樊哙曰：“今日之事何如？”良曰：“甚急。今者项庄拔剑舞，其意常在沛公也。”哙曰：“此迫矣，臣请入，与之同命。”哙即带剑拥盾入军门。交戟之卫士欲止不内，樊哙侧其盾以撞，卫士仆地，哙遂入，披帷西向立，瞋目视项王，头发上指，目眦尽裂。项王按剑而跽曰：“客何为者？”张良曰：“沛公之参乘樊哙者也。”项王曰：“壮士，赐之卮酒。”则与斗卮酒。哙拜谢，起，立而饮之。项王曰：“赐之彘肩。”则与一生彘肩。樊哙覆其盾于地，加彘肩上，拔剑切而啗之。项王曰：“壮士，能复饮乎？”樊哙曰：“臣死且不避，卮酒安足辞！夫秦王有虎狼之心，杀人如不能举，刑人如恐不胜，天下皆叛之。怀王与诸将约曰‘先破秦入咸阳者王之’。今沛公先破秦入咸阳，毫毛不敢有所近，封闭宫室，还军霸上，以待大王来。故遣将守关者，备他盗出入与非常也。劳苦而功高如此，未有封侯之赏，而听细说，欲诛有功之人。此亡秦之续耳，窃为大王不取也。”项王未有以应，曰：“坐。”樊哙从良坐。坐须臾，沛公起如厕，因招樊哙出。

180 Xiang Bo

A7.17

Xiang Bo, the left minister of Chu, was Xiang Yu's uncle. He had always had a good relationship with Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu. Zhang Liang followed Pei Gong at that time. Xiang Bo rode to Pei Gong's army at night, met Zhang Liang privately, told him everything, and wanted Zhang Liang to leave with him. Xiang Bo said, "Don't die with them." Zhang Liang said, "I am escorting Pei Gong for the King of Han. Pei Gong is in trouble now. It would be unkind for me to escape. I must tell him." Zhang Liang then went in and told Pei Gong everything. Pei Gong was shocked and asked, "What should I do?" Zhang Liang asked, "Who gave the king this idea?" Pei Gong said, "A humble man advised me, 'Defend the Hangu Pass and don't let the princes in, so that you can completely occupy Qin and become king.' So I listened to him." Zhang Liang said, "Does your king think your soldiers can resist King Xiang?" Pei Gong was silent for a moment and said, "Of course not, so what can I do?" Zhang Liang said, "Please let me tell Xiang Bo that Pei Gong dare not betray King Xiang." Pei Gong said, "How can you have a friendship with Xiang Bo?" Zhang Liang said, "During the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Bo and I had a relationship. He killed someone and I saved his life. Now the situation is critical, so it's fortunate that he came to tell me." Pei Gong said, "Who is older, Xiang Bo or you?" Zhang Liang said, "He is older than me." Pei Gong said, "Please call him in for me. I will treat him as an elder brother." Zhang Liang went out and invited Xiang Bo. Xiang Bo went in to see Pei Gong. Pei Gong held up a wine glass to wish Xiang Bo a long life, and promised the marriage between the children of the two families, Pei Gong said: "When I entered Guanzhong, I dared not accept any money or property. I registered the officials and civilians, sealed the treasury, and waited for the general Xiang's arrival. The reason I sent my army to guard the pass was to prevent other thieves from entering and exiting and to avoid any accidents. I have been looking forward to the general's arrival from morning to night, so how dare I rebel! Brother Xiang Bo, please explain to the general in detail why I dare not betray your kindness." Xiang Bo agreed and said to Pei Gong, "You must come early tomorrow to apologize to King Xiang in person." Pei Gong said, "Okay." So Xiang Bo left again at night and returned to the army. He reported all what Pei Gong said, and then said to him, "How could you come in so easily without Pei Gong breaking through Guanzhong first? It is not moral to attack him now that he has made great contributions. It is better to take this opportunity to treat him well." King Xiang agreed. 

楚左尹项伯者，项羽季父也，素善留侯张良。张良是时从沛公，项伯乃夜驰之沛公军，私见张良，具告以事，欲呼张良与俱去。曰：“毋从俱死也。”张良曰：“臣为韩王送沛公，沛公今事有急，亡去不义，不可不语。”良乃入，具告沛公。沛公大惊，曰：“为之柰何？”张良曰：“谁为大王为此计者？”曰：“鲰生说我曰‘距关，毋内诸侯，秦地可尽王也’。故听之。”良曰：“料大王士卒足以当项王乎？”沛公默然，曰：“固不如也，且为之柰何？”张良曰：“请往谓项伯，言沛公不敢背项王也。”沛公曰：“君安与项伯有故？”张良曰：“秦时与臣游，项伯杀人，臣活之。今事有急，故幸来告良。”沛公曰“孰与君少长？”良曰：“长于臣。”沛公曰“君为我呼入，吾得兄事之。”张良出，要项伯。项伯即入见沛公。沛公奉卮酒为寿，约为婚姻，曰：“吾入关，秋毫不敢有所近，籍吏民，封府库，而待将军。所以遣将守关者，备他盗之出入与非常也。日夜望将军至，岂敢反乎！愿伯具言臣之不敢倍德也。”项伯许诺。谓沛公曰：“旦日不可不蚤自来谢项王。”沛公曰：“诺。”于是项伯复夜去，至军中，具以沛公言报项王。因言曰：“沛公不先破关中，公岂敢入乎？今人有大功而击之，不义也，不如因善遇之。”项王许诺。

179 Clouds of Five Colors

A7.14|15|16

Zhang Han sent someone to see Xiang Yu, wanting to form an alliance. Xiang Yu summoned the military officers to discuss and said, "The army is short of food, I want to approve the alliance with them." The military officers all said, "Okay." Xiang Yu and Zhang Han agreed on a date to meet in Yinxu, south of the Huan River. After the conclusion of the alliance, Zhang Han saw Xiang Yu, shed tears, and said bad things about Zhao Gao. Xiang Yu made Zhang Han the King of Yong and placed him in the army of Chu. Xiang Yu appointed the chief historian Sima Xin as the general and led the Qin army to march in front. 

Sometimes before, the princes' soldiers had passed through Qin land while serving labor or garrisoning the border, most of the Qin soldiers were very rude to them. Now the Qin army surrendered to the princes, when they arrived in Xin'an, most of the princes' soldiers took the opportunity of victory to treat them like slaves and captives and humiliated the Qin officers and soldiers at will. Most of the Qin army officers and soldiers said privately: "General Zhang and others deceived us into surrendering to the princes. Now we can enter the pass and defeat Qin, it is great; if not, the princes will take us to the east, and Qin will definitely kill all our parents, wives and children." The generals heard these discussions vaguely and reported it to Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu then summoned General Ying Bu and General Pu to plan and said: "The number of Qin army officers and soldiers are large. They are not convinced. When they arrive in Guanzhong, if they still do not obey orders. The situation is dangerous. It is better to attack and kill them, and only go into Qin with Zhang Han, Chief Historian Sima Xin, and Commander Dong Yi." So the Chu army killed more than 200 thousand Qin soldiers in the south of Xin'an City at night.

The princes marched to canquer Qin. Hangu Pass was heavily guarded and the army could not enter. Xiang Yu heard that Pei Gong had already conquered Xianyang, and he got very angry. He sent Lord Dangyang and others to attack Hangu Pass. Xiang Yu then entered Guanzhong and came to the west of Xishui. Pei Gong was stationed in Bashang and they could not meet. Cao Wushang, the left Sima of Pei Gong, sent someone to tell Xiang Yu: "Pei Gong wants to be the king in Guanzhong, appoint Ziying as the prime minister, and keep all the rare treasures for himself." Xiang Yu was very angry and said: "Feed all the soldiers tomorrow morning, and we shall defeat Pei Gong's army!" At this time, Xiang Yu had 400 thousand soldiers stationed at Hongmen in Xinfeng, and Pei Gong had only 100 thousand soldiers stationed in Bashang. Fan Zeng advised Xiang Yu: "When Pei Gong was in Shandong, he coveted wealth and loved beautiful women. Now that he has entered Guanzhong, he does not accept money or get close to women. From this, it can be seen that his ambitions must be great. I ordered people to observe the clouds above his head, which are all in the shape of dragons and tigers, showing five colors. This is the cloud of the emperor. Attack quickly and don't lose the opportunity."

章邯使人见项羽，欲约。项羽召军吏谋曰：“粮少，欲听其约。”军吏皆曰：“善。”项羽乃与期洹水南殷虚上。已盟，章邯见项羽而流涕，为言赵高。项羽乃立章邯为雍王，置楚军中。使长史欣为上将军，将秦军为前行。

到新安。诸侯吏卒异时故繇使屯戍过秦中，秦中吏卒遇之多无状，及秦军降诸侯，诸侯吏卒乘胜多奴虏使之，轻折辱秦吏卒。秦吏卒多窃言曰：“章将军等诈吾属降诸侯，今能入关破秦，大善；即不能，诸侯虏吾属而东，秦必尽诛吾父母妻子。”诸将微闻其计，以告项羽。项羽乃召黥布、蒲将军计曰：“秦吏卒尚众，其心不服，至关中不听，事必危，不如击杀之，而独与章邯、长史欣、都尉翳入秦。”于是楚军夜击阬秦卒二十余万人新安城南。

行略定秦地。函谷关有兵守关，不得入。又闻沛公已破咸阳，项羽大怒，使当阳君等击关。项羽遂入，至于戏西。沛公军霸上，未得与项羽相见。沛公左司马曹无伤使人言于项羽曰：“沛公欲王关中，使子婴为相，珍宝尽有之。”项羽大怒，曰：“旦日飨士卒，为击破沛公军！”当是时，项羽兵四十万，在新丰鸿门，沛公兵十万，在霸上。范增说项羽曰：“沛公居山东时，贪于财货，好美姬。今入关，财物无所取，妇女无所幸，此其志不在小。吾令人望其气，皆为龙虎，成五采，此天子气也。急击勿失。”

178 Chen Yu’s Advice

A7.12|13

After Xiang Yu killed the champion of the nobles, his prestige shocked the State of Chu and his reputation spread to all the princes. He sent Lord Dangyang and General Pu to lead 20 thousand soldiers to cross the Yellow River to rescue Julu. After some victories, Chen Yu asked Xiang Yu for reinforcements. Xiang Yu led the entire army across the river. They sank the boats, smashed the cooking utensils, burned the camps, and only carried three days of rations to show that they were determined to fight to the death and had no intention of returning alive. So the army surrounded Wang Li as soon as they arrived, met the Qin army, fought nine times, cut off the opponent's corridor, defeated the enemy army, killed Su Jiao, and captured Wang Li. She Jian refused to surrender to the Chu army and burned himself to death. At this time, the Chu army was the bravest among the princes. There were more than a dozen camps where the princes sent troops to rescue Julu, but no one dared to fight easily. When the Chu army attacked the Qin army, the generals stood on the camp and watched. The soldiers of the Chu army fought ten to one, and the shouts of the Chu soldiers shook the sky. No one in the princes' army was not terrified. So after the Chu army defeated the Qin army, Xiang Yu summoned the princes' generals. When they entered the gate, they all knelt and crawled on the ground. No one dared to look up at Xiang Yu. From then on, Xiang Yu became the general of the princes' coalition army, and the princes obeyed him.

Zhang Han's army was stationed in Jiyuan, and Xiang Yu's army was stationed south of Zhangshui. The two armies confronted each other, but had not yet fought. The Qin army retreated many times, and the Second Emperor sent people to blame Zhang Han. Zhang Han was very scared and sent the chief historian Sima Xin to ask the court for instructions. When he arrived in Xianyang, Sima Xin stayed at Sima Gate for three days, Zhao Gao did not receive him, which meant that he did not trust him. The chief historian Sima Xin was very scared and fled back to the army, not daring to take the same route. And Zhao Gao really sent people to chase him, but he did not catch up. Sima Xin returned to the army and reported to Zhang Han: "Zhao Gao is in power, and no one dares to act on their own. If we can win the battle now, Zhao Gao will definitely be jealous of our merits; if we cannot win the battle, we will definitely die. I hope the general will consider it carefully." Chen Yu also wrote to Zhang Han: "Bai Qi served as a general of Qin. He conquered Yan and Ying in the south, and killed Lord Mafu in the north. He conquered cities and territories, and his military exploits were countless, but he was sentenced to death in the end. Meng Tian served as a general of Qin. He drove out Rong in the north and opened up thousands of miles of territory in Yuzhong. But he ended up  being beheaded in Yangzhou. Why is this? Because they had too many merits, Qin could not reward them, so they were executed for their crimes. Now the respectable General, you has been a general of Qin for three years, and the losses of soldiers are hundreds of thousands, while the princes have risen up at the same time, and the number is increasing. That Zhao Gao usually relies on flattery to stay in power, it has been a long time. Now the situation is critical. He is also worried that the Second Emperor will kill him, so he wants to shirk responsibility by killing the general and send someone else to replace you the general to get rid of the disaster. Now you as the general has been fighting outside for too long and has many grudges with people in the court. You will be killed if you has made contributions, and you will be killed if you has not made any contributions. Moreover, Heaven is going to destroy the Qin State, dumb or wise, we both all clearly know about that. Now there is no way for you to speak out and advise directly in the court, and out in the battlefield, you are a losing general who will destroy the country. He wants to survive for a long time without any help. Isn't that sad! Why doesn't you return to the army and unite with the princes, agree to attack the Qin State together, divide the land of Qin and become the king, and face the south and call yourself the Majesty? Compared this with bending down and being executed and having your wife and children slaughtered, which one is better? " Zhang Han hesitated and secretly sent the military officer Shicheng to Xiang Yu's army to make an alliance to fight against Qin. But before that could happen, Xiang Yu sent General Pu to lead his troops to cross Ferry Sanhu day and night, then stationed south of Zhangshui, fought with the Qin army, and defeated the Qin army again. Xiang Yu led his entire army to attack the Qin army in Wushui and defeated them severely.

项羽已杀卿子冠军，威震楚国，名闻诸侯。乃遣当阳君、蒲将军将卒二万渡河，救钜鹿。战少利，陈余复请兵。项羽乃悉引兵渡河，皆沈船，破釜甑，烧庐舍，持三日粮，以示士卒必死，无一还心。于是至则围王离，与秦军遇，九战，绝其甬道，大破之，杀苏角，虏王离。涉间不降楚，自烧杀。当是时，楚兵冠诸侯。诸侯军救钜鹿下者十余壁，莫敢纵兵。及楚击秦，诸将皆从壁上观。楚战士无不一以当十，楚兵呼声动天，诸侯军无不人人惴恐。于是已破秦军，项羽召见诸侯将，入辕门，无不膝行而前，莫敢仰视。项羽由是始为诸侯上将军，诸侯皆属焉。

章邯军棘原，项羽军漳南，相持未战。秦军数卻，二世使人让章邯。章邯恐，使长史欣请事。至咸阳，留司马门三日，赵高不见，有不信之心。长史欣恐，还走其军，不敢出故道，赵高果使人追之，不及。欣至军，报曰：“赵高用事于中，下无可为者。今战能胜，高必疾妒吾功；战不能胜，不免于死。愿将军孰计之。”陈余亦遗章邯书曰：“白起为秦将，南征鄢郢，北阬马服，攻城略地，不可胜计，而竟赐死。蒙恬为秦将，北逐戎人，开榆中地数千里，竟斩阳周。何者？功多，秦不能尽封，因以法诛之。今将军为秦将三岁矣，所亡失以十万数，而诸侯并起滋益多。彼赵高素谀日久，今事急，亦恐二世诛之，故欲以法诛将军以塞责，使人更代将军以脱其祸。夫将军居外久，多内卻，有功亦诛，无功亦诛。且天之亡秦，无愚智皆知之。今将军内不能直谏，外为亡国将，孤特独立而欲常存，岂不哀哉！将军何不还兵与诸侯为从，约共攻秦，分王其地，南面称孤；此孰与身伏鈇质，妻子为僇乎？”章邯狐疑，阴使候始成使项羽，欲约。约未成，项羽使蒲将军日夜引兵度三户，军漳南，与秦战，再破之。项羽悉引兵击秦军汙水上，大破之。

177 General Xiang Yu

A7.11

At the beginning, the Qi envoy Tian Xian the Lord Gaoling, whom Song Yi met, was in the Chu army. When he met King Huai of Chu, he said, "Song Yi believed that Lord Wuxin's army would definitely fail. After a few days, the army failed. The army has not yet fought, but he has seen the signs of failure in advance. This can be said to be proficient in the art of war." King Huai of Chu summoned Song Yi to discuss matters with him, and appreciated him very much. The King appointed Song Yi as the general, Xiang Yu as the Duke of Lu, the second general, and Fan Zeng as the last general, and sent them to rescue Zhao. All the generals were subordinate to Song Yi, and Song Yi was known as the champion of the nobles. The army marched to Anyang and stayed there for forty-six days without moving forward. Xiang Yu said, "I heard that the Qin army has besieged the King of Zhao in Julu. We should cross the river quickly. The Chu army will attack from the outside, and the Zhao army will respond from the inside. Then we will definitely be able to defeat the Qin army." Song Yi said, "That's not the case. The horseflies that can bite cattle cannot deal with lice. Now the Qin army is attacking the Zhao army. If they win, the whole army will be exhausted. We can take advantage of the opponent's weakness. If the Qin army cannot win, we will lead the troops to beat the drums and march westward, and we will definitely be able to destroy the Qin State. Therefore, it is better to let the Qin and Zhao armies fight each other first. I am not as good as you in wearing armor, holding sharp weapons, charging and killing the enemy; you are not as good as me in observing the situation and planning strategies." Song Yi then ordered the army, "Those who are as fierce as tigers, as stubborn as sheep, as greedy as wolves, and stubborn and disobey orders will all be beheaded!" Song Yi then sent his son Song Xiang to assist the State of Qi, personally escorted him to Wuyan, and held a banquet for the guests. At that time, the weather was cold and it rained heavily, and the soldiers were cold and hungry. Xiang Yu said, "We are about to join forces to attack the Qin army, but you are staying here for a long time without moving forward. Now we are facing famine. The people are poor, the soldiers can only eat taro and beans, and there is no food in the army. However, General Song held a banquet to entertain his guests. He did not lead his troops across the river to find food in Zhao and join forces with the Zhao army to attack the Qin army, but said "take advantage of the opponent's weakness". Judging from the strength of Qin, its attack on the newly established Zhao will surely destroy Zhao. Zhao will be destroyed and Qin becoming stronger, what weaknesses can be exploited! Besides, our army has just been defeated, and King Huai is uneasy and has handed over all the domestic troops to General Song. The safety of the country depends on this battle. Now he does not have any sympathy for the our soldiers, but seeks his own personal gains instead. He is not a loyal minister of the country." Xiang Yu came to see General Song Yi in the early morning, and cut off his head in the his tent. Xiang Yu walked out the tent and ordered the army, "Song Yi and Qi conspired to rebel against Chu, and King Huai of Chu secretly ordered me to kill him." At this time, all the generals were shocked and no one dared to resist. Everyone said, "It was the general's family who founded the State of Chu. Now the general has killed the rebels." The generals and soldiers jointly recommended Xiang Yu as the acting general. Xiang Yu sent people to chase Song Yi's son, and chased him to Qi, then killed him. Xiang Yu sent Huan Chu to report to King Huai. King Huai appointed Xiang Yu as the general, and Lord Dangyang and General Pu were both subordinates to Xiang Yu.

初，宋义所遇齐使者高陵君显在楚军，见楚王曰：“宋义论武信君之军必败，居数日，军果败。兵未战而先见败徵，此可谓知兵矣。”王召宋义与计事而大说之，因置以为上将军，项羽为鲁公，为次将，范增为末将，救赵。诸别将皆属宋义，号为卿子冠军。行至安阳，留四十六日不进。项羽曰：“吾闻秦军围赵王钜鹿，疾引兵渡河，楚击其外，赵应其内，破秦军必矣。”宋义曰：“不然。夫搏牛之虻不可以破虮虱。今秦攻赵，战胜则兵罢，我承其敝；不胜，则我引兵鼓行而西，必举秦矣。故不如先斗秦赵。夫被坚执锐，义不如公；坐而运策，公不如义。”因下令军中曰：“猛如虎，很如羊，贪如狼，强不可使者，皆斩之。”乃遣其子宋襄相齐，身送之至无盐，饮酒高会。天寒大雨，士卒冻饥。项羽曰：“将戮力而攻秦，久留不行。今岁饥民贫，士卒食芋菽，军无见粮，乃饮酒高会，不引兵渡河因赵食，与赵并力攻秦，乃曰‘承其敝’。夫以秦之强，攻新造之赵，其势必举赵。赵举而秦强，何敝之承！且国兵新破，王坐不安席，埽境内而专属于将军，国家安危，在此一举。今不恤士卒而徇其私，非社稷之臣。”项羽晨朝上将军宋义，即其帐中斩宋义头，出令军中曰：“宋义与齐谋反楚，楚王阴令羽诛之。”当是时，诸将皆慴服，莫敢枝梧。皆曰：“首立楚者，将军家也。今将军诛乱。”乃相与共立羽为假上将军。使人追宋义子，及之齐，杀之。使桓楚报命于怀王。怀王因使项羽为上将军，当阳君、蒲将军皆属项羽。

176 Zhang Han

A7.9|10

After Zhang Han defeated Xiang Liang's army, he thought that the soldiers in Chu were not worth worrying about, so he crossed the Yellow River to attack Zhao and defeated the Zhao army. At this time, Zhao Xie was the king of Zhao, Chen Yu was the general, and Zhang Er was the prime minister. They all fled to Julu City. Zhang Han ordered Wang Li and She Jian to besiege Julu. Zhang Han stationed in the south of Julu and built a tunnel to transport food. Chen Yu served as a general and led tens of thousands of people and stationed in the north of Julu. This is what people call the Hebei Army.

After the Chu army was defeated in Dingtao, King Huai of Chu was panicked and came to Pengcheng from Xuyi, merging the armies of Xiang Yu and Lu Chen and leading them personally. He appointed Lu Chen as Situ the chief minister and Lu Chen's father Lu Qing as Lingyin the prime minister. He also appointed Pei Gong as the governor of Dang County, named him Marquis of Wu'an, and led the soldiers of Dang County.

章邯已破项梁军，则以为楚地兵不足忧，乃渡河击赵，大破之。当此时，赵歇为王，陈余为将，张耳为相，皆走入钜鹿城。章邯令王离、涉间围钜鹿，章邯军其南，筑甬道而输之粟。陈余为将，将卒数万人而军钜鹿之北，此所谓河北之军也。

楚兵已破于定陶，怀王恐，从盱台之彭城，并项羽、吕臣军自将之。以吕臣为司徒，以其父吕青为令尹。以沛公为砀郡长，封为武安侯，将砀郡兵。

175 Xiang Liang Died

A7.7|8

A few months later, Xiang Liang led his troops to attack Kangfu, and together with the troops of Qi general Tian Rong and Sima Longqi, they rescued Dong'a and defeated the Qin army in Dong'a. Tian Rong led his troops back at that time and expelled the Qi King Tian Jia. Tian Jia fled to Chu. Tian Jia's prime minister Tian Jiao fled to Zhao. Tian Jiao's brother Tian Jian was originally a Qi general, but he stayed in Zhao and did not dare to go back. Tian Shi, the son of Tian Dan, was made the king of Qi by Tian Rong. Xiang Liang had defeated the Qin army in Dong'e, so he went on the pursue of the Qin army. He sent envoys to Qi many times, trying to get the Qi army to march west with him. Tian Rong said: "If Chu kills Tian Jia, and Zhao kills Tian Jiao and Tian Jian, then I will send troops." Xiang Liang said: "Tian Jia is the king of an allied country. He came to our country in distress. I can't bear to kill him." Zhao also did not kill Tian Jiao and Tian Jian, trying to make a deal with Qi. Qi never sent troops to help Chu. Xiang Liang sent Pei Gong and Xiang Yu to lead another army to attack Chengyang and slaughtered the city there. The Chu army went west and defeated the Qin army east of Puyang. Then the Qin army retreated to Puyang city. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu then attacked Dingtao. Before Dingtao was captured, the Chu army went west and captured more land, until they reached Yongqiu, defeated the Qin army, and defeated Li You. They returned to attack Waihuang, but failed to capture it.

Xiang Liang dispatched troops in Dong'a and marched westwards. When he was near Dingtao, he defeated the Qin army again. Xiang Yu and others defeated Li You again, which made Xiang Liang underestimate the enemy and getting arrogant. Song Yi then advised Xiang Liang, "An army that wins a battle but whose generals and soldiers are proud and lazy will surely fail. Now the soldiers are a little lazy, and the Qin army is increasing day by day. I am worried about you." Xiang Liang did not listen. He sent Song Yi to the State of Qi. On the way, Song Yi met the Qi envoy Lord Gaoling Tian Xian and said, "Are you going to see Lord Wuxin?" Lord Gaoling said, "Yes." Song Yi said, "I think Lord Wuxin’s army will surely fail. If you go slowly, you can avoid death. If you go too fast, you will face a disaster." As expected, Qin mobilized all its troops to reinforce Zhang Han and attack the Chu army. The Chu army was defeated in Dingtao, and Xiang Liang died in the battle. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu left Waihuang to attack Chenliu, but Chenliu held out and could not be captured. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu discussed with each other and said: "Now Xiang Liang's army has been defeated, and the soldiers are panicking." So they led their troops eastward with Lu Chen's army. Lu Chen was stationed east of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu was stationed west of Pengcheng, and Pei Gong was stationed in Dang County.

居数月，引兵攻亢父，与齐田荣、司马龙且军救东阿，大破秦军于东阿。田荣即引兵归，逐其王假。假亡走楚。假相田角亡走赵。角弟田间故齐将，居赵不敢归。田荣立田儋子市为齐王。项梁已破东阿下军，遂追秦军。数使使趣齐兵，欲与俱西。田荣曰：“楚杀田假，赵杀田角、田间，乃发兵。”项梁曰：“田假为与国之王，穷来从我，不忍杀之。”赵亦不杀田角、田间以市于齐。齐遂不肯发兵助楚。项梁使沛公及项羽别攻城阳，屠之。西破秦军濮阳东，秦兵收入濮阳。沛公、项羽乃攻定陶。定陶未下，去，西略地至雝丘，大破秦军，斩李由。还攻外黄，外黄未下。

项梁起东阿，西，比至定陶，再破秦军，项羽等又斩李由，益轻秦，有骄色。宋义乃谏项梁曰：“战胜而将骄卒惰者败。今卒少惰矣，秦兵日益，臣为君畏之。”项梁弗听。乃使宋义使于齐。道遇齐使者高陵君显，曰：“公将见武信君乎？”曰：“然。”曰：“臣论武信君军必败。公徐行即免死，疾行则及祸。”秦果悉起兵益章邯，击楚军，大破之定陶，项梁死。沛公、项羽去外黄攻陈留，陈留坚守不能下。沛公、项羽相与谋曰：“今项梁军破，士卒恐。”乃与吕臣军俱引兵而东。吕臣军彭城东，项羽军彭城西，沛公军砀。

174 King Huai of Chu

A7.5|6

At that time, Qin Jia had already made Jing Ju as the King of Chu and stationed east of Pengcheng, intending to fight Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang said to the military officers, "King Chen was the first to start the rebellion, but he was defeated in the battle and his whereabouts are unknown. Now Qin Jia has betrayed King Chen and made Jing Ju the king. This is a rebellious act." Xiang Liang then led his troops to attack Qin Jia. Qin Jia's army was defeated and fled, and Xiang Liang pursued them to Huling. Qin Jia fought back for a day. Qin Jia was killed in the battle and his soldiers surrendered. Jing Ju fled to Liangdi and died. Xiang Liang had annexed Qin Jia's army and stationed troops in Huling, and was about to lead his army westward. Zhang Han's army arrived in Li County, and Xiang Liang sent Zhu Jishi and Yu Fanjun to fight him. Yu Fanjun died in the battle. Zhu Jishi's army was defeated and fled to Huling. Xiang Liang then led his troops into Xue County and executed Zhu Jishi. Xiang Liang had previously sent Xiang Yu to lead another army to attack Xiangcheng, but Xiangcheng held out and could not be captured. When Xiangcheng finally fell, all the soldiers and civilians in the city were killed, and Xiang Yu returned to report to Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang heard that King Chen was indeed dead, and summoned all the generals to Xue County to discuss the matter. At this time, Pei Gong also raised troops in Pei County and headed for the meeting in Xue County.

Fan Zeng, a native of Juchao, was already seventy years old at the time. He was a home person and fond of tactics and strategy. He went to persuade Xiang Liang and said, "Chen Sheng's defeat was destined. When Qin destroyed the six states, Chu was the most innocent. Since King Huai of Chu went to Qin and never returned, the people of Chu still sympathized with him. Therefore, Duke Nan of Chu said, 'Even if there were only three families left in Chu, it must be the people of Chu who destroyed Qin.' Now Chen Sheng started the rebellion first, and he did not establish a descendant of Chu but established himself as king. His momentum will definitely not last long. Now you are raising troops in Jiangdong, and the generals of Chu have risen up and are vying to submit to you. It is precisely because the Xiang family has served as generals of Chu for generations that they think you can establish a descendant of Chu as king again." At this time, Xiang Liang thought Fan Zeng's words made sense, so he found Xiong Xin, a descendant of King Huai of Chu, among the people. He was herding sheep for someone, and Xiang Liang established him as King Huai of Chu (later known as Emperor Yi of Chu) to comply with the wishes of the people. Chen Ying served as the State Upper Pillar of Chu, with five counties as his fief, and built his capital in Xuyi with King Huai. Xiang Liang called himself the lord of Wuxin.

当是时，秦嘉已立景驹为楚王，军彭城东，欲距项梁。项梁谓军吏曰：“陈王先首事，战不利，未闻所在。今秦嘉倍陈王而立景驹，逆无道。”乃进兵击秦嘉。秦嘉军败走，追之至胡陵。嘉还战一日，嘉死，军降。景驹走死梁地。项梁已并秦嘉军，军胡陵，将引军而西。章邯军至栗，项梁使别将朱鸡石、余樊君与战。余樊君死。朱鸡石军败，亡走胡陵。项梁乃引兵入薛，诛鸡石。项梁前使项羽别攻襄城，襄城坚守不下。已拔，皆阬之。还报项梁。项梁闻陈王定死，召诸别将会薛计事。此时沛公亦起沛，往焉。

居鄛人范增，年七十，素居家，好奇计，往说项梁曰：“陈胜败固当。夫秦灭六国，楚最无罪。自怀王入秦不反，楚人怜之至今，故楚南公曰‘楚虽三户，亡秦必楚’也。今陈胜首事，不立楚后而自立，其势不长。今君起江东，楚蜂午之将皆争附君者，以君世世楚将，为能复立楚之后也。”于是项梁然其言，乃求楚怀王孙心民间，为人牧羊，立以为楚怀王，从民所望也。陈婴为楚上柱国，封五县，与怀王都盱台。项梁自号为武信君。

173 Xiang Liang’s Uprising

A7.3|4

In July of the first year of the reign of the Emperor Qin II (209 BC), Chen She and others started an uprising in Daze Township. In September of that year, Yin Tong, the governor of Kuaiji County, said to Xiang Liang: "The areas west of the Yangtze River have all rebelled. This is also the time when the Heaven wants to destroy the Qin Dynasty. I heard that those who act first will be in control, while those who act late will be controlled. I want to send troops, you and Huan Chu will be leading them as generals." At that time, Huan Chu fled to the marshlands. Xiang Liang said: "Huan Chu is on the run, and no one knows his whereabouts, only Xiang Ji knows." Xiang Liang walked out and told Xiang Ji to wait outside with a sword. Xiang Liang walked in again, sat with the governor, and said: "Please summon Xiang Ji and let him accept the order to recall Huan Chu." The governor said: "Okay." Xiang Liang summoned Xiang Ji in. Moments later, Xiang Liang winked at Xiang Ji and said: "It's time to act!" So Xiang Ji drew his sword and cut off the governor's head. Xiang Liang held the governor's head and wore his official seal. The attendants were shocked and fell into chaos. Xiang Ji killed dozens or hundreds of people. Everyone in the government was intimidated by Xiang Ji, and no one dared to resist. Xiang Liang then summoned other powerful officials he knew and told them about the great deeds he was going to do, and then he mobilized the soldiers in Wuzhong. He sent people to recruit soldiers from the counties under the jurisdiction of Kuaiji County, and got 8,000 elite soldiers. Xiang Liang arranged the warriors in Wuzhong to serve as military officers, colonels, captains and lieutenants. There was one person who was not appointed, so he went to Xiang Liang in person to tell him. Xiang Liang said, "Not long ago, I asked you to host a funeral, but you were not capable of handling it well, so I did not appoint you." Everyone admired Xiang Liang very much. At this time, Xiang Liang served as the governor of Kuaiji County, and Xiang Ji was a deputy general, and they captured the counties under its jurisdiction.

Zhao Ping, a native of Guangling, was attacking Guangling for King Chen at that time, but he failed to capture it. He heard that King Chen was defeated and fled, and the Qin army was about to arrive, so he crossed the Yangtze River and falsely conveyed King Chen's order to appoint Xiang Liang as the Upper Pillar of the State (same position as the Prime Minister) of the King of Chu. Zhao Ping said: "Jiangdong, the East of the Yangtze River, has been pacified, quickly lead the troops west to attack the Qin army." Xiang Liang then sent 8,000 people across the Yangtze River to the west. When he heard that Chen Ying had captured Dongyang, he sent an envoy to join Chen Ying in the west. Chen Ying was originally the magistrate of Dongyang. He lived in the county and was always honest and cautious. He was known as a loyal and honest person. The young men of Dongyang killed their county magistrate and gathered thousands of people to choose a leader. But they couldn't find a suitable person, so they asked Chen Ying to be the leader. Chen Ying declined but couldn't refuse, so he was forced to become the leader. There were 20 thousand people following him in the county. The young people wanted to put him up to be king, for he was unique in wrapping his head with a green scarf. Chen Ying's mother said to Chen Ying: "Since I came to this family of yours as a daughter-in-law, I have never heard of any of your ancestors being prominent. Now you suddenly get a prominent name, which is not a good sign. It is better to join others. If you succeed, you can be made a marquis. If you fail, you can easily escape and will not be named by the world." Chen Ying did not dare to claim the throne. He said to the military officers: "The Xiang family has been generals for generations and is very prestigious in Chu. If we want to do great things now, we cannot do it without competent generals. We can definitely bring down the Qin Dynasty by relying on the famous and powerful families." So everyone listened to him and led their troops to join Xiang Liang. After Xiang Liang crossed the Huai River, Ying Bu and General Pu also led their troops to join him. Xiang Liang's army had a total of 60 to 70 thousand people and was stationed in Xia Pi.

秦二世元年七月，陈涉等起大泽中。其九月，会稽守通谓梁曰：“江西皆反，此亦天亡秦之时也。吾闻先即制人，后则为人所制。吾欲发兵，使公及桓楚将。”是时桓楚亡在泽中。梁曰：“桓楚亡，人莫知其处，独籍知之耳。”梁乃出，诫籍持剑居外待。梁复入，与守坐，曰：“请召籍，使受命召桓楚。”守曰：“诺。”梁召籍入。须臾，梁眴籍曰：“可行矣！”于是籍遂拔剑斩守头。项梁持守头，佩其印绶。门下大惊，扰乱，籍所击杀数十百人。一府中皆慴伏，莫敢起。梁乃召故所知豪吏，谕以所为起大事，遂举吴中兵。使人收下县，得精兵八千人。梁部署吴中豪杰为校尉、候、司马。有一人不得用，自言于梁。梁曰：“前时某丧使公主某事，不能办，以此不任用公。”众乃皆伏。于是梁为会稽守，籍为裨将，徇下县。

广陵人召平于是为陈王徇广陵，未能下。闻陈王败走，秦兵又且至，乃渡江矫陈王命，拜梁为楚王上柱国。曰：“江东已定，急引兵西击秦。”项梁乃以八千人渡江而西。闻陈婴已下东阳，使使欲与连和俱西。陈婴者，故东阳令史，居县中，素信谨，称为长者。东阳少年杀其令，相聚数千人，欲置长，无適用，乃请陈婴。婴谢不能，遂强立婴为长，县中从者得二万人。少年欲立婴便为王，异军苍头特起。陈婴母谓婴曰：“自我为汝家妇，未尝闻汝先古之有贵者。今暴得大名，不祥。不如有所属，事成犹得封侯，事败易以亡，非世所指名也。”婴乃不敢为王。谓其军吏曰：“项氏世世将家，有名于楚。今欲举大事，将非其人，不可。我倚名族，亡秦必矣。”于是众从其言，以兵属项梁。项梁渡淮，黥布、蒲将军亦以兵属焉。凡六七万人，军下邳。