A8
Sima Qian: Historical Records 8 Liu Bang
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Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, was from Zhongyangli, Fengyi, Pei County. His surname was Liu and his courtesy name was Ji. His father was called Taigong and his mother was called Liu Ao. Once, when Liu Ao was resting by a large lake, she dreamed of having coitus with a god. At that time, there was thunder and lightning and the sky was dark. When Taigong went to find her, he saw a dragon on top of her. Later she became pregnant and gave birth to Liu Bang.
He had a high nose bridge, a raised forehead, a beautiful beard, and seventy-two black moles on his left thigh. He was kind, caring, almsgiving, and had a broad mind. He had great ambitions since childhood and was not used to engaging in the production work of ordinary people. When he reached adulthood, he passed the test and became an official, serving as the head of the Sishui Pavilion village. All other officials in the county government were looked down upon, insulted, and made fun of by him. He liked drinking and women. He often bought drinks on credit from Wang Ao and Wu Fu. After getting drunk, he would lie down and sleep. They were very often surprised to see the shadow of a dragon over his body. Every time Liu Bang came to buy drinks, the store’s sales could normally be several times more. Because of these anomalies, at the end of each year, the two lounges often destroyed the debt book and no longer asked him for them.
Liu Bang often went to Xianyang to perform corvée labor. Once, Emperor the First was out in public, and the commoners were allowed to watch. After seeing the emperor, Liu Bang sighed with emotion and said, "Alas, that’s what a real man should be like!"
Lu Gong, a native of Shanfu, was on good terms with the magistrate of Pei county. In order to avoid his enemies, he visited the magistrate's home and later settled down in Pei county. When the noble officials of Pei County heard that the county magistrate had a distinguished guest, they all went to congratulate him. Xiao He was the chief clerk in charge of receiving gifts. He told all the guests, "Those with gifts less than a thousand coins should sit down in the hall." Liu Bang was the village head and had always looked down on other officials, so he lied on the visiting card and said "10,000 coins as a gift", but in fact he did not bring a single coin. After the visiting card was presented, Lu Gong was shocked, he stood up and went to the door to greet Liu Bang. Lu Gong was good at fortune-telling by face-reading. When he saw Liu Bang's appearance, he respected him very much and took him to the banquet. Xiao He said: "Liu Ji likes to talk big, but he rarely gets things done." Liu Bang treated the other guests with contempt and insult, then sat in the seat of honor without any humility. When the banquet was to be over, Lu Gong winked at Liu Bang and hinted him to stay. Liu Bang finished drinks and stayed behind without leaving. Lu Gong said: "When I was young, I was good at face-reading. I have seen many people's features, but no one can compare with your appearance. I hope you will love and respect yourself. I have a daughter whom I hope to marry to you as your helping wife. After the banquet, Lü Ao angrily said to Lü Gong: "You always said that this daughter was different from others and wanted to marry her to a nobleman. The magistrate of Pei County is on good terms with you and asked to marry her, but you refused. Why did you randomly marry her to Liu Ji?" Lu Gong said: "This is not something a woman like you can know." In the end, Lu Gong married his daughter to Liu Ji. Lu Gong's daughter was Empress Lu, who gave birth to Emperor Xiaohui and Princess Lu Yuan.
高祖，沛丰邑中阳里人，姓刘氏，字季。父曰太公，母曰刘媪。其先刘媪尝息大泽之陂，梦与神遇。是时雷电晦冥，太公往视，则见蛟龙于其上。已而有身，遂产高祖。
高祖为人，隆准而龙颜，美须髯，左股有七十二黑子。仁而爱人，喜施，意豁如也。常有大度，不事家人生产作业。及壮，试为吏，为泗水亭长，廷中吏无所不狎侮。好酒及色。常从王媪、武负贳酒，醉卧，武负、王媪见其上常有龙，怪之。高祖每酤留饮，酒雠数倍。及见怪，岁竟，此两家常折券弃责。
高祖常繇咸阳，纵观，观秦皇帝，喟然太息曰：“嗟乎，大丈夫当如此也！”
单父人吕公善沛令，避仇从之客，因家沛焉。沛中豪桀吏闻令有重客，皆往贺。萧何为主吏，主进，令诸大夫曰：“进不满千钱，坐之堂下。”高祖为亭长，素易诸吏，乃绐为谒曰“贺钱万”，实不持一钱。谒入，吕公大惊，起，迎之门。吕公者，好相人，见高祖状貌，因重敬之，引入坐。萧何曰：“刘季固多大言，少成事。”高祖因狎侮诸客，遂坐上坐，无所诎。酒阑，吕公因目固留高祖。高祖竟酒，后。吕公曰：“臣少好相人，相人多矣，无如季相，原季自爱。臣有息女，原为季箕帚妾。”酒罢，吕媪怒吕公曰：“公始常欲奇此女，与贵人。沛令善公，求之不与，何自妄许与刘季？”吕公曰：“此非儿女子所知也。”卒与刘季。吕公女乃吕后也，生孝惠帝、鲁元公主。
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When Liu Bang was serving as a village head, he often asked for leave to go home. Empress Lü was weeding in the fields with her two children. An old man passed by and asked them for water, so Empress Lü gave him some food. The old man read Empress Lü's face and said, "Madam is the most noble person in the world." Empress Lü asked him to read the fortunes of the two children. The old man looked at Xiaohui and said, "The reason why Madam will be noble is because of this boy." After a fortune-teller's look at Princess Lu Yuan, he said that she would also be a noble person. The old man had already left. Liu Bang happened to come over from his neighbor's house. Empress Lu told him in detail that a guest had passed by and told her of her nobility and that of their son and daughter. Liu Bang asked, and Empress Lü said, "He hasn’t gone far yet." Liu Bang chased up and asked the old man. The old man said, "The lady and the baby just now look very much like you. The nobility of your appearance is beyond description." Liu Bang thanked him and said, "If it is really as you said, I will never forget your kindness." When Liu Bang became a prominent figure, no one knew where the old man was.
When Liu Bang was a village head, he wore a hat made of bamboo skin. He asked his subordinates, the thieves-hunting officials, to make it in Xue County. He often wore it and he also wore it often when he became an important official. This is the so-called "Liu's crown".
Liu Bang, as a village head, was escorting prisoners from Pei County to Mount Li. Many prisoners escaped on the way, and he estimated that all the prisoners would have run away by the time they arrived at Mount Li. When they reached a large swamp west of Fengyi, they stopped to drink, and at night they released the prisoners they were escorting. Liu Bang said: "You all can go, from now on I will also have to run away." There were a dozen strong men among the prisoners who were willing to follow him. Liu Bang was drunk and took advantage of the night to cross the swamp from a small path.
Liu Bang was drunk and went straight through the swamp at night, having someone exploring the way ahead. The man who was in front of him came back and reported, "There is a big snake blocking the road ahead, I want to go back." Liu Bang was drunk and said, "What is there to be afraid of wherever a warrior goes!" So he went forward, drew his sword and cut the snake. The snake was split into two pieces, and the road was clear. After walking a few more miles, he was so drunk so lay down on the ground. The people behind him came to the place where the big snake appeared and saw an old woman crying in the night. People asked her, and the old woman said, "Someone killed my son, so I am crying here." People asked, "How was the lady's son killed?" The old woman said, "My son is the son of the White Emperor, who shaped into a snake and blocked the road. Today, he was cut into two pieces by the son of the Red Emperor, so I am crying here." People thought the old woman was dishonest and wanted to punish her, but the old woman suddenly disappeared. Then the people behind caught up and Liu Bang woke up. They told him these things, and he was secretly happy and thought he was great. His followers became more and more in awe of him.
(Translation note. According to the Chinese theory of five elements, the red fire of the south destroys the white metal of the west to produce the yellow earth of the center.)
高祖为亭长时，常告归之田。吕后与两子居田中耨，有一老父过请饮，吕后因餔之。老父相吕后曰：“夫人天下贵人。”令相两子，见孝惠，曰：“夫人所以贵者，乃此男也。”相鲁元，亦皆贵。老父已去，高祖適从旁舍来，吕后具言客有过，相我子母皆大贵。高祖问，曰：“未远。”乃追及，问老父。老父曰：“乡者夫人婴儿皆似君，君相贵不可言。”高祖乃谢曰：“诚如父言，不敢忘德。”及高祖贵，遂不知老父处。
高祖为亭长，乃以竹皮为冠，令求盗之薛治之，时时冠之，及贵常冠，所谓“刘氏冠”乃是也。
高祖以亭长为县送徒郦山，徒多道亡。自度比至皆亡之，到丰西泽中，止饮，夜乃解纵所送徒。曰：“公等皆去，吾亦从此逝矣！”徒中壮士愿从者十余人。高祖被酒，夜径泽中，令一人行前。行前者还报曰：“前有大蛇当径，愿还。”高祖醉，曰：“壮士行，何畏！”乃前，拔剑击斩蛇。蛇遂分为两，径开。行数里，醉，因卧。后人来至蛇所，有一老妪夜哭。人问何哭，妪曰：“人杀吾子，故哭之。”人曰：“妪子何为见杀？”妪曰：“吾子，白帝子也，化为蛇，当道，今为赤帝子斩之，故哭。”人乃以妪为不诚，欲告之，妪因忽不见。后人至，高祖觉。后人告高祖，高祖乃心独喜，自负。诸从者日益畏之。
A8.8|9|10
Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of Qin, often said, "There is the aura of the Son of Heaven in the southeast," and he toured the east to suppress the aura of the Son of Heaven there. Emperor Gaozu suspected that he was involved, so he fled and hid, living in seclusion among the lakes and rocks of Mountain Mang and Mountain Dang. Empress Lü and others searched for him, and they always found him. Emperor Gaozu was surprised and asked Empress Lü why. Empress Lü said, "There are always clouds gathering above where you are, so follow the clouds which will lead to you." Emperor Gaozu was very happy. Some of the children in Pei County heard about this, so most of them wanted to follow him.
In the autumn of the first year of Qin II (209 BC), Chen Sheng (Chen She) and others raised an army in Qi County, and after arriving in Chen County, they proclaimed themselves kings, known as "Zhang Chu". Many people in counties and prefectures killed local officials to respond to Chen Sheng. The magistrate of Pei County was very scared and wanted to raise an army in Pei County to respond to Chen Sheng. Xiao He, the chief official, and Cao Shen, the prison official, said, "You are an official of the Qin Dynasty, but now you want to betray the Qin Dynasty and lead the people of Pei County to revolt. I am afraid they will not obey. I hope you can recall those who have fled and get a few hundred people. Use them to coerce the people, and they will not dare to disobey." So the county magistrate ordered Fan Kuai to recall Liu Ji. Liu Ji's followers already had somewhere around hundreds of people.
At this time, Fan Kuai followed Liu Ji back. The magistrate of Pei County regretted it and was afraid of accidents, so he closed the city gates for defense and wanted to kill Xiao He and Cao Shen. Xiao He and Cao Shen were very scared, so they climbed over the city wall to join Liu Ji for protection. Liu Ji wrote a letter on silk and shot it into the city, informing the elders of Pei County: "The people of the world have been suffering from the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty for a long time. Although the elders are now defending the city for the Pei County magistrate, the princes have all risen up to resist the Qin Dynasty and are about to massacre Pei County. Now the elders of Pei County should kill the county magistrate together, select their sons who can be the leader and nominate him to respond to the princes, so that their lives and property can be preserved. Otherwise, both father and son will be slaughtered, and it will be a waste of life." The elders led their sons and daughters to kill the Pei County magistrate, opened the city gates to welcome Liu Ji in, wanting to make him the Pei County magistrate. Liu Ji said: "The world is in chaos, and the princes have all risen up to rebel against the Qin Dynasty. If the generals we choose now are incompetent, we will be defeated. I dare not begrudge my life, but I am afraid that my talent is shallow and I cannot save the lives of my father, brothers and sons. This is a big deal, and I hope to choose another suitable person." Xiao He, Cao Shen and others were all civil servants. They were stingy with their lives and were afraid that if the matter did not succeed, the Qin Dynasty would exterminate them, so they all recommended Liu Ji. The elders said: "We often hear about Liu Ji's strange things. Liu Ji will definitely get rich and noble. Moreover, according to divination, no one is more auspicious than Liu Ji." So Liu Ji declined many times. Everyone was afraid to take the responsibility, so they recommended Liu Ji as the Duke of Pei. Everyone sacrificed to Huangdi and Chiyou in the courtyard of the Pei County government office, smeared the blood of livestock on the drums and flags, and dyed the flags red. Because the snake killed was the son of Baidi, the white emperor, and the person who killed the snake was the son of Chidi, the red emperor, so they admired the color red. At this time, young men and powerful officials in Pei County, such as Xiao He, Cao Shen, and Fan Kuai, gathered their young men for Pei Gong, and got close up to three thousand people. Together they attacked Hu Ling and Fang Yu and retreated to Fengyi.
秦始皇帝常曰“东南有天子气”，于是因东游以厌之。高祖即自疑，亡匿，隐于芒、砀山泽岩石之间。吕后与人俱求，常得之。高祖怪问之。吕后曰：“季所居上常有云气，故从往常得季。”高祖心喜。沛中子弟或闻之，多欲附者矣。
秦二世元年秋，陈胜等起蕲，至陈而王，号为“张楚”。诸郡县皆多杀其长吏以应陈涉。沛令恐，欲以沛应涉。掾、主吏萧何、曹参乃曰：“君为秦吏，今欲背之，率沛子弟，恐不听。愿君召诸亡在外者，可得数百人，因劫众，众不敢不听。”乃令樊哙召刘季。刘季之众已数十百人矣。
于是樊哙从刘季来。沛令后悔，恐其有变，乃闭城城守，欲诛萧、曹。萧、曹恐，逾城保刘季。刘季乃书帛射城上，谓沛父老曰：“天下苦秦久矣。今父老虽为沛令守，诸侯并起，今屠沛。沛今共诛令，择子弟可立者立之，以应诸侯，则家室完。不然，父子俱屠，无为也。”父老乃率子弟共杀沛令，开城门迎刘季，欲以为沛令。刘季曰：“天下方扰，诸侯并起，今置将不善，壹败涂地。吾非敢自爱，恐能薄，不能完父兄子弟。此大事，愿更相推择可者。”萧、曹等皆文吏，自爱，恐事不就，后秦种族其家，尽让刘季。诸父老皆曰：“平生所闻刘季诸珍怪，当贵，且卜筮之，莫如刘季最吉。”于是刘季数让。众莫敢为，乃立季为沛公。祠黄帝，祭蚩尤于沛庭，而衅鼓旗，帜皆赤。由所杀蛇白帝子，杀者赤帝子，故上赤。于是少年豪吏如萧、曹、樊哙等皆为收沛子弟二三千人，攻胡陵、方与，还守丰。
A8.11|12|13
In the second year of the reign of Qin II (208 BC), Chen She's general Zhou Zhang led his army westward to Xishui and then returned. Yan, Zhao, Qi, and Wei all declared themselves kings. Xiang raised troops in Wu. Ping, the imperial censor of Sichuan (later its name changed to Pei County by Emperor Gaozhu, different from the Sichuan province of today), led his soldiers to besiege Fengyi. After two days, Pei Gong went out of the city to fight with him and defeated the Qin army. Pei Gong ordered Yong Chi to guard Fengyi, and he led his troops to Xue County. Sichuan County Governor Zhuang was defeated in Xue County and fled to Qi County. The left Sima of Pei Gong captured Zhuang and killed him. Pei Gong returned to Kangfu and came to Fangyu without a fight. King Chen sent Wei people Zhou Fu to attack the land. Zhou Shi sent someone to tell Yong Chi: "Fengyi, people from Daliang once migrated here. Now Wei has pacified dozens of cities. If you, Yong Chi, surrender to the King of Wei, the King of Wei will make you a marquis to guard Fengyi. If you don't surrender, I will massacre Fengyi." Yong Chi had always been reluctant to follow Pei Gong. When Wei State recruited him, he immediately rebelled and guarded Fengyi for Wei State. Pei Gong led his troops to attack Fengyi but failed. Pei Gong fell ill and returned to Pei County. Pei Gong resented Yong Chi and the young men of Fengyi for betraying him. When he heard that Dongyang Ningjun and Qin Jia had supported Jingju as the acting King of Chu in Liu County, he went to join them, hoping to borrow troops to attack Fengyi. At that time, Qin General Zhang Han was pursuing King Chen, and another general Sima Yi (or Ni, a rare word) led his soldiers to the north to suppress Chu, massacred Xiang County, and came to Dang County. Dongyang Ningjun and Pei Gong led their troops to the west and fought with them west of Xiao County, but failed. Pei Gong returned to gather the remaining soldiers in Liu County and led his troops to attack Dang County. He captured Dang County in three days. He took advantage of the situation to recruit soldiers from Dang County and got up to six thousand people. Attacking Xiayi, he captured it. Then he returned to Fengyi. When Pei Gong heard that Xiang Liang was in Xue County, he went to see him with more than one hundred cavalrymen. Xiang Liang reinforced Pei Gong with 5,000 soldiers and ten generals with the title of Wu Dafu. Pei Gong returned and led his troops to attack Fengyi.
Pei Gong followed Xiang Liang for more than a month, and Xiang Yu had already captured Xiangcheng and returned. Xiang Liang summoned generals from all directions to Xue County. Hearing that King Chen was indeed dead, he established Xiong Xin, a grandson of King Huai of Chu, as the King of Chu and established his capital in Xutai. Xiang Liang called himself Lord Wuxin. After a few months, the Chu army attacked Kangfu to the north, rescued Dong'a, and defeated the Qin army. The Qi army returned to Qi, and Xiang Liang had the Chu army pursue north alone, sending Pei Gong and Xiang Yu to lead another army to attack Chengyang and it was slaughtered. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu were stationed east of Puyang, fought with the Qin army, and defeated the enemy.
The Qin army regained its strength, held Puyang, and surrounded the city with water. The Chu army left and turned to attack Dingtao, but Dingtao was not captured. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu went west to capture land and fought with the Qin army, defeated the Qin army, and killed Li You. The army returned to attack Waihuang, but Waihuang was not captured.
秦二世二年，陈涉之将周章军西至戏而还。燕、赵、齐、魏皆自立为王。项氏起吴。秦泗川监平将兵围丰，二日，出与战，破之。命雍齿守丰，引兵之薛。泗州守壮败于薛，走至戚，沛公左司马得泗川守壮，杀之。沛公还军亢父，至方与，未战。陈王使魏人周巿略地。周巿使人谓雍齿曰：“丰，故梁徙也。今魏地已定者数十城。齿今下魏，魏以齿为侯守丰。不下，且屠丰。”雍齿雅不欲属沛公，及魏招之，即反为魏守丰。沛公引兵攻丰，不能取。沛公病，还之沛。沛公怨雍齿与丰子弟叛之，闻东阳宁君、秦嘉立景驹为假王，在留，乃往从之，欲请兵以攻丰。是时秦将章邯从陈，别将司马夷将兵北定楚地，屠相，至砀。东阳宁君、沛公引兵西，与战萧西，不利。还收兵聚留，引兵攻砀，三日乃取砀。因收砀兵，得五六千人。攻下邑，拔之。还军丰。闻项梁在薛，从骑百余往见之。项梁益沛公卒五千人，五大夫将十人。沛公还，引兵攻丰。
从项梁月余，项羽已拔襄城还。项梁尽召别将居薛。闻陈王定死，因立楚后怀王孙心为楚王，治盱台。项梁号武信君。居数月，北攻亢父，救东阿，破秦军。齐军归，楚独追北，使沛公、项羽别攻城阳，屠之。军濮阳之东，与秦军战，破之。
秦军复振，守濮阳，环水。楚军去而攻定陶，定陶未下。沛公与项羽西略地至雍丘之下，与秦军战，大破之，斩李由。还攻外黄，外黄未下。
A8.14…18
Xiang Liang once again defeated the Qin army, showing arrogance. He refused to listen to Song Yi's advice. Qin sent Zhang Yi reinforcement with soldiers, attacking Xiang Liang quietly at night, caputured Dingtao, and Xiang Liang died. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu attacked Chen Liu, but upon hearing that Xiang Liang had died, they led their troops to join General Lü to the east. Lü Chen's army was stationed in the east of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu's army in the west of Pengcheng, and Pei Gong's army in Dang.
Zhang Han had already defeated the Xiang Liang army, he thought that the Chu army was not worth to worry about, so he crossed the Yellow River and launched a northern attack on Zhao, and he defeated Zhao. At that time, Zhao Xie was the king, and the Qin general Wang Li besieged the city of Julucheng, which was known as the army of Hebei.
In the third year of Qin the Second, King Huai of Chu saw that the Xiang Liang army had been defeated, and he got scared. So he moved the capital to Pengcheng from Xutai, and appointed Lü Chen and Xiang Yu's army to defend themselves. Pei Gong was appointed as the magistrate of Dang County, conferred the title of Marquis of Wu'an, and appointed as the general of Dang County. Xiang Yu was conferred the title of Marquis of Chang'an and given the title of Duke of Lu. Lü Chen was the Minister of Works, and his father Lü Qing was the Commander in Chief.
Zhao Shu asked for help. King Huai appointed Song Yi as the superior general, Xiang Yu as the second general, Fan Zeng as the last general, and to rescue Zhao in the north. Duke Pei was to march to the west border. An agreement was made between the generals, whoever enters Guanzhong first becomes the King.
At that time, the Qin army was strong, the Generals had no interest to enter the pass first, so often took the advantage of the victory to drive north. Only Xiang Yu resented Qin for defeating Xiang Liang's army, and was willing to join Pei Gong in entering the western border. The old generals of King Huai all said, "Xiang Yu is a fierce cunning thief. Xiang Yu tried to attack Xiangcheng, leaving no trace of it, he killed all and all he passed through were destroyed. Moreover, Chu advanced a few times before, and both the former King of Chen and Xiang Liang were all defeated. It would be better to send elders who support righteousness and inform Qin fathers and brothers. They have been suffering from his master for a long time, and now they really have obtained the elders to come, without invasion or violence, and it should be easily taken down. Now Xiang Yu is fierce, he cannot be sent. Only Duke Pei is lenient towards the elders, so he can be sent." Then Xiang Yu wasn’t sent, but Duke Pei was sent to the west. Gathering the scattered soldiers from King Chen and Xiang Liang, Pei Gong arrived at Chengyang from Dang County, confronted the Qin army in Gangli, and then defeated the two armies of Wei. The Chu army sent troops to attack Wang Li and defeated him.
项梁再破秦军，有骄色。宋义谏，不听。秦益章邯兵，夜衔枚击项梁，大破之定陶，项梁死。沛公与项羽方攻陈留，闻项梁死，引兵与吕将军俱东。吕臣军彭城东，项羽军彭城西，沛公军砀。
章邯已破项梁军，则以为楚地兵不足忧，乃渡河，北击赵，大破之。当是之时，赵歇为王，秦将王离围之钜鹿城，此所谓河北之军也。
秦二世三年，楚怀王见项梁军破，恐，徙盱台都彭城，并吕臣、项羽军自将之。以沛公为砀郡长，封为武安侯，将砀郡兵。封项羽为长安侯，号为鲁公。吕臣为司徒，其父吕青为令尹。
赵数请救，怀王乃以宋义为上将军，项羽为次将，范增为末将，北救赵。令沛公西略地入关。与诸将约，先入定关中者王之。
当是时，秦兵强，常乘胜逐北，诸将莫利先入关。独项羽怨秦破项梁军，奋，愿与沛公西入关。怀王诸老将皆曰：“项羽为人僄悍猾贼。项羽尝攻襄城，襄城无遗类，皆阬之，诸所过无不残灭。且楚数进取，前陈王、项梁皆败。不如更遣长者扶义而西，告谕秦父兄。秦父兄苦其主久矣，今诚得长者往，毋侵暴，宜可下。今项羽僄悍，今不可遣。独沛公素宽大长者，可遣。”卒不许项羽，而遣沛公西略地，收陈王、项梁散卒。乃道砀至成阳，与杠里秦军夹壁，破魏二军。楚军出兵击王离，大破之。
A8.19|20
The Duke of Pei led his troops westwards and met Peng Yue in Changyi. They attacked the Qin army together, but it was not successful. When they returned to Li County, they met Gang Wuhou and captured his army, which was about 4,000 people. The two armies merged. The Duke of Pei attacked Changyi together with the army of Wei general Huang Xin and Wei Situ Wupu but with no success. They went westwards through Gaoyang. Li Shiqi was in charge of guarding the city gate and said, "Many generals are passing by here. I see the Duke of Pei as a generous and great man." So he asked to meet the Duke of Pei and persuade him. The Duke of Pei was sitting on the flank of the bed with his legs apart and had two women washing his feet. Li Sheng (Li Shiqi) did not bow his head, just motioned his hands as a gesture and saluted, saying, "If you want to destroy the unjust Qin, you should not sit with your legs apart to meet the elders." At this time, the Duke of Pei stood up, adjusted his clothes, apologized, and asked him to sit in the upper seat. Li Shiqi persuaded the Duke of Pei to attack Chenliu and get the grains stored by Qin. Pei Gong then appointed Li Shiqi as Lord of Guangye, and appointed Li Shang as General, leading the army of Chenliu to attack Kaifeng with him, but Kaifeng was not captured. Pei Gong went west and fought against Qin General Yang Xiong at Baima, and then fought him east of Quyu, and defeated the Qin army. Yang Xiong fled to Xingyang, and Qin the Second sent an envoy to behead him for public display. Pei Gong went south to attack Yingyang and slaughtered the city there. With the help of Zhang Liang, he finally captured Huanyuan Pass in Han.
At this time, Sima Ang, a general of Zhao, was about to cross the Yellow River to enter Guanzhong. Pei Gong went north to attack Pingyin and cut off the Yellow River crossing. He marched south and fought east of Luoyang but with no success. He returned to Yangcheng, gathered the war horses and cavalry in the army, fought against Nanyang County Governor Xi east of Xu County, and defeated him. He captured Nanyang County, and Nanyang County Governor Xi fled and retreated to Wan County. Pei Gong was going to lead his troops to bypass Wan County and head west. Zhang Liang advised: "Even though Pei Gong wants to enter Guanzhong as soon as possible, there are still many Qin troops guarding the strategic areas. If we don't capture Wan County now, Wan County will attack from the back, and the powerful Qin army will block the front. This is a dangerous approach." So Pei Gong then led his troops back from another route at night, changed the flags, and at dawn, surrounded Wan County in three layers. The governor of Nanyang wanted to commit suicide. His retainer Chen Hui said, "It won't be too late to die after I come back." He climbed over the city wall to see Pei Gong and said, "I heard that you have an agreement that whoever enters Xianyang first can be king in Guanzhong. But now you stay and besiege Wan County. Wan County is the seat of a large county, with dozens of connected cities and towns, a large population, and sufficient savings. Officials and people all think that surrendering will lead to death, so they all get on top of the city wall to defend themselves stubbornly. Now you stay here all day to attack the city, and there must be many casualties; if you lead the troops to leave Wan County, the army of Wan County will follow you. If you move forward, you will not be able to fulfill the agreement to enter Xianyang first, and the powerful Wan County will be a disaster behind you. Let me make the consideration for you. It would be better to have the defenders of Wan County surrender, reward the governor of Nanyang County, and leave him here to guard the city and lead his soldiers to the west. Those cities that have not been captured will hear the news and rush to open their gates to wait for you to enter the city, and you can pass through without any worries." Pei Gong said, "Okay." So he appointed the governor of Nanyang County Yin Hou and granted Chen Hui a fief of 1,000 households. Pei Gong led his troops westward, and there was no city that he could not capture. When he arrived at Danshui, Qi Wei, Marquis of Gaowu, and Wang Ling, Marquis of Xiang, surrendered at Xiling. When he returned to attack Huyang, he met Mei Xuan, a general of Fan Jun, and together with him, he conquered Xi and Li. Pei Gong sent Ning Chang, a man from Wei, to the Qin Dynasty as an envoy, but the envoy did not return. At that time, Zhang Han had already led his entire army to surrender to Xiang Yu in Zhao.
沛公引兵西，遇彭越昌邑，因与俱攻秦军，战不利。还至栗，遇刚武侯，夺其军，可四千余人，并之。与魏将皇欣、魏申徒武蒲之军并攻昌邑，昌邑未拔。西过高阳。郦食其为监门，曰：“诸将过此者多，吾视沛公大人长者。”乃求见说沛公。沛公方踞床，使两女子洗足。郦生不拜，长揖，曰：“足下必欲诛无道秦，不宜踞见长者。”于是沛公起，摄衣谢之，延上坐。食其说沛公袭陈留，得秦积粟。乃以郦食其为广野君，郦商为将，将陈留兵，与偕攻开封，开封未拔。西与秦将杨熊战白马，又战曲遇东，大破之。杨熊走之荥阳，二世使使者斩以徇。南攻颍阳，屠之。因张良遂略韩地轘辕。
当是时，赵别将司马卬方欲渡河入关，沛公乃北攻平阴，绝河津。南，战雒阳东，军不利，还至阳城，收军中马骑，与南阳守齮战犨东，破之。略南阳郡，南阳守齮走，保城守宛。沛公引兵过而西。张良谏曰：“沛公虽欲急入关，秦兵尚众，距险。今不下宛，宛从后击，强秦在前，此危道也。”于是沛公乃夜引兵从他道还，更旗帜，黎明，围宛城三匝。南阳守欲自刭。其舍人陈恢曰：“死未晚也。”乃逾城见沛公，曰：“臣闻足下约，先入咸阳者王之。今足下留守宛。宛，大郡之都也，连城数十，人民众，积蓄多，吏人自以为降必死，故皆坚守乘城。今足下尽日止攻，士死伤者必多；引兵去宛，宛必随足下后：足下前则失咸阳之约，后又有强宛之患。为足下计，莫若约降，封其守，因使止守，引其甲卒与之西。诸城未下者，闻声争开门而待，足下通行无所累。”沛公曰：“善。”乃以宛守为殷侯，封陈恢千户。引兵西，无不下者。至丹水，高武侯鳃、襄侯王陵降西陵。还攻胡阳，遇番君别将梅鋗，与皆，降析、郦。遣魏人宁昌使秦，使者未来。是时章邯已以军降项羽于赵矣。
A8.21|22
At first, Xiang Yu and Song Yi went north to rescue Zhao. When Xiang Yu killed Song Yi and replaced him as the superior general, all the generals, including Ying Bu, were subordinate to Xiang Yu. They defeated the army of Qin general Wang Li, subdued Zhang Han, and all the princes submitted to Xiang Yu. After Zhao Gao killed Qin II, he sent people to agree to divide the land in Guanzhong and become king. Pei Gong thought it was a trick, so he adopted Zhang Liang's advice and sent Li Sheng and Lu Jia to persuade the Qin generals, luring them with benefits, and attacked Wuguan and broke it. He fought with the Qin army south of Lantian, added decoys and flags, and prohibited looting in all places he passed by. The people in Qin were very happy, and the Qin army disintegrated. Pei Gong took the opportunity to defeat the Qin army. He fought again north of Lantian and defeated the Qin army. Pei Gong pursued the victory and finally defeated the Qin army.
In October of the first year of the Han Dynasty (206 BC), Pei Gong's army finally arrived at Bashang before all the princes. King Ziying of Qin rode a white horse in a plain carriage with a silk rope tied around his neck, sealed the emperor's seal and imperial tally, and surrendered on the roadside by the Zhi Dao Pavilion. Some of the generals suggested killing the King of Qin. The Duke of Pei said, "King Huai sent me here because I was tolerant. Besides, he has already surrendered, so it is unlucky to kill him." He handed the King of Qin over to the officials and headed west to Xianyang. The Duke of Pei wanted to stay in the palace to rest, but Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang advised him against it. He sealed up the treasures and treasury of the Qin Palace and withdrew to Bashang. Pei Gong summoned the elders and heroes of each country and said: "You elders have been tortured by the harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty for a long time. Those who criticize the government have been exterminated, and those who gather and talk have been executed. I have agreed with the princes that whoever enters Guanzhong first will be king here, so I should be the king in Guanzhong. I am here making three agreements with the elders: those who kill will be executed, and those who injure and those who rob will be punished according to the crime. All other Qin laws will be abolished. All officials and people will live and work in peace as usual. The reason I came here is to eliminate the affliction for the elders. There will be no bullying and violence. Don't be afraid! Moreover, I am withdrawing the army to station at Bashang, just waiting for the princes to come and jointly form new laws." So Pei Gong had messengers and officials from Qin go from county to county, and from town to town, to inform the people about the agreements. The people of Qin were very happy and rushed to send cattle, sheep, wine, and food to reward the soldiers. Pei Gong refused to accept any of it, saying: "The warehouse has enough food, there is no shortage of food, and I don't want to let you spend anything." The people were even happier, but they were afraid that Pei Gong would not become the King of Qin.
初，项羽与宋义北救赵，及项羽杀宋义，代为上将军，诸将黥布皆属，破秦将王离军，降章邯，诸侯皆附。及赵高已杀二世，使人来，欲约分王关中。沛公以为诈，乃用张良计，使郦生、陆贾往说秦将，啗以利，因袭攻武关，破之。又与秦军战于蓝田南，益张疑兵旗帜，诸所过毋得掠卤，秦人憙，秦军解，因大破之。又战其北，大破之。乘胜，遂破之。
汉元年十月，沛公兵遂先诸侯至霸上。秦王子婴素车白马，系颈以组，封皇帝玺符节，降轵道旁。诸将或言诛秦王。沛公曰：“始怀王遣我，固以能宽容；且人已服降，又杀之，不祥。”乃以秦王属吏，遂西入咸阳。欲止宫休舍，樊哙、张良谏，乃封秦重宝财物府库，还军霸上。召诸县父老豪桀曰：“父老苦秦苛法久矣，诽谤者族，偶语者弃巿。吾与诸侯约，先入关者王之，吾当王关中。与父老约，法三章耳：杀人者死，伤人及盗抵罪。余悉除去秦法。诸吏人皆案堵如故。凡吾所以来，为父老除害，非有所侵暴，无恐！且吾所以还军霸上，待诸侯至而定约束耳。”乃使人与秦吏行县乡邑，告谕之。秦人大喜，争持牛羊酒食献飨军士。沛公又让不受，曰：“仓粟多，非乏，不欲费人。”人又益喜，唯恐沛公不为秦王。
A8.23|24|25
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。
A8.26|27|28
In the first month, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself Hegemon, the Overlord of Western Chu, ruling nine counties in Liang and Chu, with Pengcheng as his capital. The covenant was violated, instead of the King of Guanzhong, Pei Gong was made as the King of Han, ruling Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong, with Nanzheng as the capital. Guanzhong was divided into three parts and given to three surrendered generals of the Qin Dynasty: Zhang Han was made the King of Yong, with Feiqiu as his capital; Sima Xin was made the King of Sai, with Liyang as his capital; and Dong Yi was made the King of Di, with Gaonu as his capital. Shen Yang, a Chu general from Xiaqiu, was made the King of Henan, with Luoyang as his capital. Sima Ang, a Zhao general, was made the King of Yin, with Chaoge as his capital. Xie, the King of Zhao, was renamed the King of Dai. Zhang Er, the Zhao minister, was made the King of Changshan, with Xiangguo as his capital. Ying Bu, the Lord of Dangyang, was made the King of Jiujiang, with Liuxian as his capital. Gong Ao, a pillar of the King of Huai, was made the King of Linjiang, with Jiangling as his capital. Wu Rui, the Lord of Fan, was made the King of Hengshan, with Zhuxian as his capital. Zang Tu, a Yan general, was made the King of Yan, with Jixian as his capital. Han Guang, the Former King of Yan, was renamed the King of Liaodong. Han Guang did not obey, so Zang Tu attacked Han Guang and killed him in Wuzhong. Chen Yu, the Lord of Cheng'an, was granted three counties in Hejian and to live in Nanpi. Mei Xuan was granted 100 thousand households as his fief.
In April, the armies withdrew from Xixia, and the princes returned to their fiefdoms. The King of Han went to his fiefdom, and King Xiang sent 30 thousand soldiers to accompany him. The soldiers of Chu and the princes followed him because they admired the King of Han, and as many as tens of thousands of them followed him from Du southward to Shizhong. After the Han army left, they burned the plank path along the way to prevent the princes and thieves from attacking, and also to show Xiang Yu that they had no intention of going east. When they arrived in Nanzheng, many of the generals and soldiers fled back to the east on the way, and the soldiers all sang songs and wanted to go back to the east. Han Xin advised the King of Han: "Xiang Yu appointed meritorious generals as kings, but Your Majesty was appointed to Nanzheng, which is exile. The military officers and soldiers are all from Shandong, and they are on tiptoe day and night looking forward to returning to their hometown. Using their vigor at this time can create great achievements. After the world is pacified, people will settle down and they can no longer be used. It is better to order an advance to the east and fight with the princes for the world."
Xiang Yu went out of Hangu Pass and sent people to relocate Emperor Yi, saying: "In ancient times, emperors who ruled a thousand miles of land would definitely live in the upper reaches." He sent messengers to relocate Emperor Yi to Chen County in Changsha, urging Emperor Yi to leave. The ministers gradually developed a desire to betray, so they secretly ordered the King of Hengshan and the King of Linjiang to attack Emperor Yi and kill him in the south of the Yangtze River. Xiang Yu resented Tian Rong and made Tian Du, a general of Qi, the King of Qi. Tian Rong was very angry and took the opportunity to establish himself as the King of Qi, killed Tian Du and betrayed the State of Chu, gave Peng Yue the seal of a general, and ordered him to rebel in Liangdi. Chu ordered Xiao Gongjiao to attack Peng Yue, Peng Yue defeated Xiao Gongjiao. Chen Yu resented Xiang Yu for not making him king, and ordered Xia Shuo to persuade Tian Rong to lend him troops to attack Zhang Er. Qi lent Chen Yu troops, and he defeated Zhang Er, the King of Changshan. Zhang Er fled and surrendered to the King of Han. Chen Yu welcomed King Zhao Xie back from Dai County and re-established him as the King of Zhao. The King of Zhao took advantage of the situation and established Chen Yu as the King of Dai. Xiang Yu was very angry and sent troops to the north to attack Qi.
正月，项羽自立为西楚霸王，王梁、楚地九郡，都彭城。负约，更立沛公为汉王，王巴、蜀、汉中，都南郑。三分关中，立秦三将：章邯为雍王，都废丘；司马欣为塞王，都栎阳；董翳为翟王，都高奴。楚将瑕丘申阳为河南王，都洛阳。赵将司马卬为殷王，都朝歌。赵王歇徙王代。赵相张耳为常山王，都襄国。当阳君黥布为九江王，都六。怀王柱国共敖为临江王，都江陵。番君吴芮为衡山王，都邾。燕将臧荼为燕王，都蓟。故燕王韩广徙王辽东。广不听，臧荼攻杀之无终。封成安君陈余河间三县，居南皮。封梅鋗十万户。
四月，兵罢戏下，诸侯各就国。汉王之国，项王使卒三万人从，楚与诸侯之慕从者数万人，从杜南入蚀中。去辄烧绝栈道，以备诸侯盗兵袭之，亦示项羽无东意。至南郑，诸将及士卒多道亡归，士卒皆歌思东归。韩信说汉王曰：“项羽王诸将之有功者，而王独居南郑，是迁也。军吏士卒皆山东之人也，日夜跂而望归，及其锋而用之，可以有大功。天下已定，人皆自宁，不可复用。不如决策东乡，争权天下。”
项羽出关，使人徙义帝。曰：“古之帝者地方千里，必居上游。”乃使使徙义帝长沙郴县，趣义帝行，群臣稍倍叛之，乃阴令衡山王、临江王击之，杀义帝江南。项羽怨田荣，立齐将田都为齐王。田荣怒，因自立为齐王，杀田都而反楚；予彭越将军印，令反梁地。楚令萧公角击彭越，彭越大破之。陈余怨项羽之弗王己也，令夏说说田荣，请兵击张耳。齐予陈余兵，击破常山王张耳，张耳亡归汉。迎赵王歇于代，复立为赵王。赵王因立陈余为代王。项羽大怒，北击齐。
A8.29…33
In August, the King of Han adopted Han Xin's strategy and returned to Guanzhong from the original route to attack Zhang Han, the King of Yong. Zhang Han met the Han army in Chencang, and the Yong army was defeated and retreated; they stopped fighting in Haozhi, were defeated again, and fled to Feiqiu. The King of Han finally pacified Yongdi. The army marched east to Xianyang, led the troops to besiege the King of Yong in Feiqiu, and sent generals to capture Longxi, Beidi, and Shangjun. The King of Han ordered General Xue Ou and Wang Xi to set out from Wuguan, relying on Wang Ling's army stationed in Nanyang, to go to Pei County to welcome Taigong and Empress Lü. When the State of Chu heard about it, it sent troops to block the Han army in Yangxia, and then the Han army was unable to move forward. Xiang Yu appointed Zheng Chang, the former magistrate of Wu County, as the King of Han to stop the Han army.
In the second year (205 BC), the King of Han attacked cities to the east, and Sima Xin, the King of Sai, Dong Yi, the King of Di, and Shen Yang, the King of Henan, all surrendered. Hán King Zheng Chang, was unwilling to surrender, so the King of Han sent Han Xin to defeat him. So the King of Han established Longxi, Beidi, Shangjun, Weinan, Heshang, Zhongdi, and other counties, and also established Henan County outside the pass. Han Xin, the grand marshal of Han, was appointed as the new Hán King. The generals who led 10,000 people or a county to surrender were rewarded 10,000 households. The strongholds on the river were repaired. The gardens and ponds that originally belonged to the Qin Dynasty were distributed to the people for cultivation. In the first month, the Han army captured Zhang Ping, the younger brother of the King of Yong. The King of Han pardoned the criminals.
When the King of Han came to Shan County after leaving Hangu Pass, he comforted the people outside the pass. After the King of Han returned, Zhang Er came to see him and the King of Han treated him very well.
In February, the King of Han ordered to abandon the Ancestral Temple Qin and established the Ancestral Temple of Han.
In March, the King of Han crossed the Yellow River in Linjin, and King Bao of Wei led his army to follow. The Han army captured Henei, captured King Yin, and established Henei County. The Han army crossed the river from Ferry Pingyin to the south and arrived in Luoyang. Dong Gong, the three elders of Xincheng, stopped the King of Han and told him the cause of Emperor Yi's death. When the King of Han heard about it, he bared his upper body and cried loudly, so he held a funeral for Yidi the Righteous Emperor and mourned for three days. He sent messengers to inform the princes, saying: "The princes of the world jointly supported the Righteous Emperor and served him facing north. Now Xiang Yu exiled the Righteous Emperor and killed him in the south of the Yangtze River. This is such an ugly treason. I will personally hold a funeral for the Righteous Emperor and the princes must wear mourning clothes. I'll dispatch all the troops across the Pass, gather all the warriors from the Three Rivers, cross the Yangtze River and the Han River to the south, and follow the princes and Kings to attack the people of Chu who killed the Righteous Emperor."
八月，汉王用韩信之计，从故道还，袭雍王章邯。邯迎击汉陈仓，雍兵败，还走；止战好畤，又复败，走废丘。汉王遂定雍地。东至咸阳，引兵围雍王废丘，而遣诸将略定陇西、北地、上郡。令将军薛欧、王吸出武关，因王陵兵南阳，以迎太公、吕后于沛。楚闻之，发兵距之阳夏，不得前。令故吴令郑昌为韩王，距汉兵。
二年，汉王东略地，塞王欣、翟王翳、河南王申阳皆降。韩王昌不听，使韩信击破之。于是置陇西、北地、上郡、渭南、河上、中地郡；关外置河南郡。更立韩太尉信为韩王。诸将以万人若以一郡降者，封万户。缮治河上塞。诸故秦苑囿园池，皆令人得田之，正月，虏雍王弟章平。大赦罪人。
汉王之出关至陕，抚关外父老，还，张耳来见，汉王厚遇之。
二月，令除秦社稷，更立汉社稷。
三月，汉王从临晋渡，魏王豹将兵从。下河内，虏殷王，置河内郡。南渡平阴津，至雒阳。新城三老董公遮说汉王以义帝死故。汉王闻之，袒而大哭。遂为义帝发丧，临三日。发使者告诸侯曰：“天下共立义帝，北面事之。今项羽放杀义帝于江南，大逆无道。寡人亲为发丧，诸侯皆缟素。悉发关内兵，收三河士，南浮江汉以下，愿从诸侯王击楚之杀义帝者。”
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