Someone advised Pei Gong, "Qin is ten times richer than the rest of the world, and the terrain is advantageous. Now I heard that Zhang Han has surrendered to Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu made him the King of Yong and ruled Guanzhong. Now they are coming, and Pei Gong may not be able to keep this place. We should quickly send troops to guard Hangu Pass, not let the troops of the princes enter, and gradually recruit soldiers from Guanzhong to strengthen our strength and resist them." Pei Gong thought his suggestion made sense, so he adopted it. In mid-November, Xiang Yu led the troops of the princes to the west, wanting to enter Hangu Pass, but the gate was closed. Xiang Yu was very angry when he heard that Pei Gong had pacified Guanzhong, and sent Ying Bu and others to break through Hangu Pass. In mid-December, Xiang Yu arrived at Xishui. Pei Gong's left Sima Cao Wushang heard that King Xiang was very angry and wanted to attack Pei Gong, so he sent someone to tell Xiang Yu, "Pei Gong wants to be king in Guanzhong, let Ziying be prime minister, and take the treasures for himself." Cao Wushang wanted to use this to seek a reward. Yafu persuaded Xiang Yu to attack Pei Gong. Xiang Yu was having a banquet rewarding his soldiers and was planning to fight against Pei Gong the next day. At that time, Xiang Yu had 400 thousand troops, claiming to have 1 million. Pei Gong had 100 thousand troops, claiming to have 200 thousand troops, and they were no match. Xiang Bo wanted to save Zhang Liang and went to see him at night. Pei Gong took the opportunity to reason with Xiang Yu through Xiang Bo, and Xiang Yu gave up. Pei Gong took more than 100 cavalrymen and came to Hongmen to meet Xiang Yu and apologize. Xiang Yu said: "This is what Pei Gong's left Sima Cao Wushang told me. Otherwise, how could I do such a thing!" Pei Gong was able to escape and return with the help of Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang. When he returned to the army, he immediately killed Cao Wushang.
Xiang Yu then marched westward, slaughtering and burning Xianyang City and the Qin Dynasty palaces. No place was left undestroyed. The people in Qin were very disappointed, and they were scared of Xiang Yu, but nobody dared to disobey.
Xiang Yu sent someone back to report to King Huai. King Huai said, "Do as agreed." Xiang Yu resented that King Huai refused to let him and Pei Gong go west to the pass, but sent him north to rescue Zhao, delaying the agreement among the princes of the world. He said, "King Huai was only established by my uncle Xiang Liang. He has no merit. Why should he preside over the agreement? It was you generals and I who pacified the world." So he pretended to respect King Huai of Chu as the Righteous King, but actually did not obey his orders.
或说沛公曰：“秦富十倍天下，地形强。今闻章邯降项羽，项羽乃号为雍王，王关中。今则来，沛公恐不得有此。可急使兵守函谷关，无内诸侯军，稍徵关中兵以自益，距之。”沛公然其计，从之。十一月中，项羽果率诸侯兵西，欲入关，关门闭。闻沛公已定关中，大怒，使黥布等攻破函谷关。十二月中，遂至戏。沛公左司马曹无伤闻项王怒，欲攻沛公，使人言项羽曰：“沛公欲王关中，令子婴为相，珍宝尽有之。”欲以求封。亚父劝项羽击沛公。方飨士，旦日合战。是时项羽兵四十万，号百万。沛公兵十万，号二十万，力不敌。会项伯欲活张良，夜往见良，因以文谕项羽，项羽乃止。沛公从百余骑，驱之鸿门，见谢项羽。项羽曰：“此沛公左司马曹无伤言之。不然，籍何以生此！”沛公以樊哙、张良故，得解归。归，立诛曹无伤。
项羽遂西，屠烧咸阳秦宫室，所过无不残破。秦人大失望，然恐，不敢不服耳。
项羽使人还报怀王。怀王曰：“如约。”项羽怨怀王不肯令与沛公俱西入关，而北救赵，后天下约。乃曰：“怀王者，吾家项梁所立耳，非有功伐，何以得主约！本定天下，诸将及籍也。”乃详尊怀王为义帝，实不用其命。
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