186 Fan Zeng

A7.26…28

At that time, Empress Lü's brother, Marquis of Zhou Lü, was stationed as a general in Xiayi with troops for the Han State. The King of Han took a small path to his military camp and gradually gathered the fleeing soldiers. When they arrived in Xingyang, the defeated armies gathered together. Xiao He also conscripted all the old and the weak in Guanzhong and sent them to Xingyang, then the spirit of Han army was greatly lifted and boosted again. The Chu army set out from Pengcheng and took advantage of the victory to pursue the defeated army. They fought with the Han army between Jing and Suo south of Xingyang. The Han army defeated the Chu army, and the Chu army could not cross Xingyang and continue westward.

When King Xiang came to rescue Pengcheng, he pursued King Han to Xingyang. Tian Heng also took the opportunity to recapture Qi and made Tian Rong's son Tian Guang the King of Qi. When King Han was defeated in Pengcheng, the princes defected to Chu and betrayed Han. The Han army was stationed in Xingyang and built a corridor to connect to the Yellow River to transport grain from Ao Cang. In the third year of Han (204 BC), King Xiang repeatedly invaded the corridors of the Han army and seized food. The King of Han was short of food and felt afraid, so he asked for reconciliation and demanded that the land west of Xingyang be ceded to the Han State. 

King Xiang wanted to agree to this condition. Fan Zeng, the Marquis of Liyang, said, "The Han army is easy to deal with. If we give up now and don't take it, we will regret it later." So King Xiang and Fan Zeng surrounded Xingyang in a hurry. King Han was worried, he adopted Chen Ping's strategy to alienate King Xiang and his ministers. King Xiang's envoy arrived and they prepared a rich meal and was ready to offer it. The person delivered the meal saw the envoy and pretended to be surprised and said, "I thought it was the envoy of Yafu, but it turned out to be the envoy of King Xiang!" He took away the meal and replaced it with a coarse meal for King Xiang's envoy. The envoy came back to report it to King Xiang, who then suspected that Fan Zeng had colluded with the Han army in private and gradually deprived him of his power. Fan Zeng was very angry and said, "The situation in the world has been determined. Please take care of yourself. Please allow me to retire and return home." King Xiang agreed. Fan Zeng died of a poisonous sore on his back before he reached Pengcheng.

是时吕后兄周吕侯为汉将兵居下邑，汉王间往从之，稍稍收其士卒。至荥阳，诸败军皆会，萧何亦发关中老弱未傅悉诣荥阳，复大振。楚起于彭城，常乘胜逐北，与汉战荥阳南京、索间，汉败楚，楚以故不能过荥阳而西。

项王之救彭城，追汉王至荥阳，田横亦得收齐，立田荣子广为齐王。汉王之败彭城，诸侯皆复与楚而背汉。汉军荥阳，筑甬道属之河，以取敖仓粟。汉之三年，项王数侵夺汉甬道，汉王食乏，恐，请和，割荥阳以西为汉。

项王欲听之。历阳侯范增曰：“汉易与耳，今释弗取，后必悔之。”项王乃与范增急围荥阳。汉王患之，乃用陈平计间项王。项王使者来，为太牢具，举欲进之。见使者，详惊愕曰：“吾以为亚父使者，乃反项王使者。”更持去，以恶食食项王使者。使者归报项王，项王乃疑范增与汉有私，稍夺之权。范增大怒，曰：“天下事大定矣，君王自为之。愿赐骸骨归卒伍。”项王许之。行未至彭城，疽发背而死。

185 Hán (韩) and Hàn (汉)

A7.24|25

At this time, the King of Hàn returned and pacified the Three Qins. Xiang Yu heard that the King of Hàn had annexed the entire Guanzhong area and began to march eastward, and Qi and Zhao also betrayed him, he was very angry. So Xiang Yu appointed Zheng Chang, the former magistrate of Wu County, as the King of Hán (韩) to stop the Hàn (汉) army, and ordered Xiao Gongjiao and others to attack Peng Yue. Peng Yue defeated Xiao Gongjiao and others, and the King of Hàn (汉) sent Zhang Liang to attack Hán (韩). Zhang Liang wrote to the King of Xiang, saying: "The King of Hàn has lost the official title he deserves, and wants to get Guanzhong. If the agreement is fulfilled, he will stop marching and dare not march eastward." Zhang Liang also sent the rebellious documents of Qi and Liang to the King of Xiang, saying: "Qi wants to join forces with Zhao to destroy Chu." For this reason, the Chu army had no intention of marching westward, but instead attacked Qi in the north. The King Xiang recruited soldiers from Ying Bu, the King of Jiujiang. Ying Bu claimed to be sick and did not go, and only sent a general to lead a few thousand people. From then on, the King Xiang began to resent Ying Bu.

In the winter of the second year of the Hàn Dynasty (205 BC), Xiang Yu marched north to Chengyang, and Tian Rong also led his army to Chengyang to fight him. Tian Rong could not win, so he fled to Pingyuan, where the people killed him. Xiang Yu then marched north and burned the city walls and houses of Qi, buried all of Tian Rong's surrendered soldiers alive, and captured the old, weak, and women of Qi. The Chu army attacked cities and territories from Qi to Beihai County, destroying most of the places they went to. The people of Qi gathered together to rebel against Xiang Yu. So Tian Rong's brother Tian Heng gathered the fleeing soldiers of the Qi army and got tens of thousands of people, and rebelled in Chengyang. King Xiang therefore stayed to fight, but he failed to capture Chengyang after several consecutive battles.

(Translator’s notes. Hán (韩), as South Korea. Hàn (汉), as Chinese national.) 

In the spring, the King of Han (汉) dispatched the armies of the five vassal states, totaling 560 thousand men, to attack the State of Chu in the east. When King Xiang heard about this, he immediately ordered his generals to attack the State of Qi, while he led 30 thousand elite soldiers to the south from Lu County across Huling. In April, the Han army had already entered Pengcheng, confiscated and looted Xiang Yu's treasures and beauties, and held banquets every day. King Xiang went west through Xiao County, attacked the Han army in the early morning, and marched eastward to Pengcheng. At noon, he defeated the Han army. The Han army soldiers all fled, and fled into Gushui and Sishui one after another. The Chu army killed more than 100 thousand Han soldiers. The Han soldiers all fled to the mountains in the south, and the Chu army chased them to the Suishui River east of Lingbi. The Han army retreated, and was forced by the Chu army, and most of them were killed. More than 100 thousand Han soldiers fell into the Suishui River, blocking it. The Chu army surrounded the King of Han in three layers. At this time, a strong wind blew from the northwest, breaking trees, overturning houses, and raising sand and stones. The day was as dark as dusk, and the strong wind blew towards the Chu army. The Chu army was in chaos and the formation was scattered, so the King of Han was able to escape with dozens of cavalrymen. The King of Han wanted to take his family and retreat westward through Pei County. The Chu army also sent people to Pei County to rob the King of Han's family. The King of Han's family all fled and did not see the King of Han. The King of Han met Prince Xiaohui (who later became the Emperor the Second of Han) and Princess Luyuan on the road, and took them with him. The cavalry of the Chu army chased the King of Han. The King of Han was very anxious, so he pushed Emperor Xiaohui and Princess Luyuan off the car. Duke Teng always got off the car and picked them up again, and this happened many times. Duke Teng said: "Although the situation is critical, we can't make the car go faster, but how can we abandon them?" The King of Han finally escaped. The King of Han looked for Taigong and Empress Lu but couldn't find them. Shen Yiji, Taigong and Empress Lu took a small road to look for the King of Han, but encountered the Chu army instead. The Chu army took them back and reported to King Xiang, who kept them in the army.

是时，汉还定三秦。项羽闻汉王皆已并关中，且东，齐、赵叛之：大怒。乃以故吴令郑昌为韩王，以距汉。令萧公角等击彭越。彭越败萧公角等。汉使张良徇韩，乃遗项王书曰：“汉王失职，欲得关中，如约即止，不敢东。”又以齐、梁反书遗项王曰：“齐欲与赵并灭楚。”楚以此故无西意，而北击齐。徵兵九江王布。布称疾不往，使将将数千人行。项王由此怨布也。汉之二年冬，项羽遂北至城阳，田荣亦将兵会战。田荣不胜，走至平原，平原民杀之。遂北烧夷齐城郭室屋，皆阬田荣降卒，系虏其老弱妇女。徇齐至北海，多所残灭。齐人相聚而叛之。于是田荣弟田横收齐亡卒得数万人，反城阳。项王因留，连战未能下。

春，汉王部五诸侯兵，凡五十六万人，东伐楚。项王闻之，即令诸将击齐，而自以精兵三万人南从鲁出胡陵。四月，汉皆已入彭城，收其货宝美人，日置酒高会。项王乃西从萧，晨击汉军而东，至彭城，日中，大破汉军。汉军皆走，相随入谷、泗水，杀汉卒十余万人。汉卒皆南走山，楚又追击至灵壁东睢水上。汉军卻，为楚所挤，多杀，汉卒十余万人皆入睢水，睢水为之不流。围汉王三匝。于是大风从西北而起，折木发屋，扬沙石，窈冥昼晦，逢迎楚军。楚军大乱，坏散，而汉王乃得与数十骑遁去，欲过沛，收家室而西；楚亦使人追之沛，取汉王家：家皆亡，不与汉王相见。汉王道逢得孝惠、鲁元，乃载行。楚骑追汉王，汉王急，推堕孝惠、鲁元车下，滕公常下收载之。如是者三。曰：“虽急不可以驱，柰何弃之？”于是遂得脱。求太公、吕后不相遇。审食其从太公、吕后间行，求汉王，反遇楚军。楚军遂与归，报项王，项王常置军中。

184 Rebel in Qi

A7.22|23

In April of the first year of the Han Dynasty (206 BC), the princes withdrew from Xixia and returned to their respective fiefdoms. King Xiang also returned to his fiefdom and sent people to relocate Emperor Yi, saying: "In ancient times, the emperors owned a thousand miles of land and must live in the upper reaches." So he sent deputies to escort Emperor Yi to Chen in Changsha County. King Xiang urged Emperor Yi to leave early, and the ministers gradually developed a rebellious heart, so King Xiang secretly ordered the King of Hengshan and the King of Linjiang to kill Emperor Yi on the Yangtze River. King Han Cheng had no military merits, so King Xiang did not allow him to return to his fiefdom and took him to Pengcheng, deposed him as a marquis, and soon had him killed. Zang Tu returned to his fiefdom and took the opportunity to expel Han Guang to Liaodong. Han Guang refused to obey, so Zang Tu killed Han Guang in Wuzhong and annexed his fiefdom. 

Tian Rong heard that Xiang Yu changed the title of King of Qi Tian Fu to King of Jiaodong and made Qi General Tian Du the King of Qi, so he was very angry and did not want the King of Qi to go to Jiaodong. He took the opportunity to rebel in Qi and fight Tian Du. Tian Du fled to Chu. The King of Qi Tian Fu was afraid of Xiang Yu, so he fled to his fiefdom in Jiaodong. Tian Rong was very angry and sent troops to pursue him, killing him in Jimo. Tian Rong therefore proclaimed himself the King of Qi, attacked westward to kill Jibei King Tian An, and annexed the three Qi regions. Tian Rong gave Peng Yue the seal of the general and asked him to rebel in Liangdi. Chen Yu secretly sent Zhang Tong and Xia Shuo to persuade the King of Qi Tian Rong, saying: "Xiang Yu as the master of the world has been unfair in dividing the princes. Now the kings of the original six countries are all enfeoffed in bad places, and his ministers and generals are all enfeoffed in good places, and his original monarch is expelled. The King of Zhao is living in Dai County in the north. I think this is not right. I have heard that the King Your Majesty has raised an army and refused to obey the crooked orders. I hope the king will support my army and let me attack Changshan to restore the status of the King of Zhao and that way Zhao could be used as a barrier for Qi." The King of Qi agreed and sent troops to Zhao. Chen Yu mobilized all the soldiers from the three counties and joined the Qi army to attack Changshan, defeating the Changshan army. Zhang Er fled and joined the King of Han. Chen Yu went to Dai County to welcome Xie, the former King of Zhao and made him return to Zhao. The King of Zhao took the opportunity to make Chen Yu the King of Dai.

之元年四月，诸侯罢戏下，各就国。项王出之国，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，其群臣稍稍背叛之，乃阴令衡山、临江王击杀之江中。韩王成无军功，项王不使之国，与俱至彭城，废以为侯，已又杀之。臧荼之国，因逐韩广之辽东，广弗听，荼击杀广无终，并王其地。

田荣闻项羽徙齐王巿胶东，而立齐将田都为齐王，乃大怒，不肯遣齐王之胶东，因以齐反，迎击田都。田都走楚。齐王市畏项王，乃亡之胶东就国。田荣怒，追击杀之即墨。荣因自立为齐王，而西杀击济北王田安，并王三齐。荣与彭越将军印，令反梁地。陈余阴使张同、夏说说齐王田荣曰：“项羽为天下宰，不平。今尽王故王于丑地，而王其群臣诸将善地，逐其故主，赵王乃北居代，余以为不可。闻大王起兵，且不听不义，愿大王资余兵，请以击常山，以复赵王，请以国为扞蔽。”齐王许之，因遣兵之赵。陈余悉发三县兵，与齐并力击常山，大破之。张耳走归汉。陈余迎故赵王歇于代，反之赵。赵王因立陈余为代王。

183 Hegemon-King of Western Chu

A7.21

King Xiang sent someone to ask King Huai for instructions. King Huai said, "Do as agreed." Xiang Yu then honored King Huai as Yidi the Righteous Emperor, or Emperor Yi. King Xiang wanted to be king himself, so he first enfeoffed the generals and ministers as kings first. He said to everyone, "When the people of the world first started the uprising, they temporarily supported the descendants of the princes as kings to attack the Qin Dynasty. However, I personally wore armor and held a sharp weapon, took the lead in the uprising, and lived in the wind and rain for three years. The destruction of the Qin Dynasty and pacification of the world totally relied on the strength of the generals and ministers and me. It's just that the Righteous Emperor has no merit, so his land should be divided and enfeoffed to you as kings." All the generals said, "Okay." King Xiang then enfeoffed the world and made the generals kings and princes. King Xiang and Fan Zeng had the suspension that Pei Gong had the idea of ​​seizing the world, but they had already reconciled with him. They didn't want to break the agreement and were worried that the princes would betray him, so they secretly discussed and said, "The roads in Ba and Shu are difficult, and the criminals exiled by the Qin Dynasty all live in Shu." So they said, "Ba and Shu are also in Guanzhong." So Xiang Yu enfeoffed Pei Gong as the King of Han, ruling the three counties of Ba, Shu and Hanzhong, and establishing his capital in Nanzheng. He divided Guanzhong into three parts and gave them to the surrendered generals of the Qin Dynasty to stop the King of Han. King Xiang then made Zhang Han the King of Yong, ruling the area west of Xianyang and making Feiqiu his capital. The Chief Clerk Sima Xin, who had previously served as a prison official in Liyang, had been kind to Xiang Liang. The Commandant Dong Yi was the one who first persuaded Zhang Han to surrender to Chu. Therefore, King Xiang made Sima Xin the King of Sai, ruling the area east of Xianyang to the Yellow River, with Liyang as his capital. He made Dong Yi the King of Di, ruling Shangjun, with Gaonu as his capital. King Wei Bao was renamed the King of Western Wei, ruling the Hedong area, with Pingyang as his capital. Shen Yang from Xiaqiu was Zhang Er's favorite minister. He first conquered Henan and welcomed the Chu army at the Yellow River. Therefore, King Xiang made Shen Yang the King of Henan, with Luoyang as his capital. King Han Cheng established a country in the old capital, with Yangdi as his capital. Sima Ang, a general of Zhao, pacified Henei and repeatedly created military exploits, so he was made the King of Yin, ruling the Henei area, with Chaoge as his capital. The title of King Xie of Zhao was changed to King of Dai. Zhang Er, the prime minister of Zhao, had always been virtuous and followed King Xiang into Guanzhong, so Zhang Er was made King of Changshan and ruled Zhao, with Xiangguo as his capital. Ying Bu, the Lord of Dangyang, served as a general of Chu and was often the bravest among the troops, so Ying Bu was made King of Jiujiang and his capital was at Liuxian. Wu Rui, the Lord of Po, led the Baiyue to assist the princes and followed King Xiang into Guanzhong, so Wu Rui was made King of Hengshan and his capital was Zhuxian. Gong Ao, the pillar of the Yi Emperor, led his soldiers to attack Nanjun and created many military exploits, so Gong Ao was made King of Linjiang and his capital was Jiangling. Han Guang, the King of Yan, was changed to King of Liaodong. Zang Tu, the general of Yan, had followed the Chu army to rescue the Zhao army, so he followed King Xiang into Guanzhong, so Zang Tu was made King of Yan and his capital was Jixian. Tian Fu, the King of Qi, was changed to King of Jiaodong. Qi general Tian Du had followed the Chu army to rescue Zhao, so he followed King Xiang into Guanzhong, so he was named King of Qi, with Linzi as his capital. Tian An, grandson of King Jian of Qi who was destroyed by Qin, captured several cities north of the Jishui River when Xiang Yu crossed the river to rescue Zhao, and led his army to surrender to Xiang Yu, so he was named King of Jibei, with Boyang as his capital. Tian Rong had failed Xiang Liang many times, and was unwilling to lead his army to follow the Chu army to attack the Qin army, so he was not named. Chen Yu, Lord of Cheng'an, left his general seal and did not follow King Xiang into Guanzhong. However, King Xiang had always heard that Chen Yu was very capable and had made contributions to Zhao, and when he heard that Chen Yu was in Nanpi, he also named him three counties around Nanpi. Mei Xuan, a general of Lord Fan, had many military exploits, so he was named Marquis of 100 thousand households. King Xiang established himself as the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, ruling nine counties with Pengcheng as his capital.

项王使人致命怀王。怀王曰：“如约。”乃尊怀王为义帝。项王欲自王，先王诸将相。谓曰：“天下初发难时，假立诸侯后以伐秦。然身被坚执锐首事，暴露于野三年，灭秦定天下者，皆将相诸君与籍之力也。义帝虽无功，故当分其地而王之。”诸将皆曰：“善。”乃分天下，立诸将为侯王。项王、范增疑沛公之有天下，业已讲解，又恶负约，恐诸侯叛之，乃阴谋曰：“巴、蜀道险，秦之迁人皆居蜀。”乃曰：“巴、蜀亦关中地也。”故立沛公为汉王，王巴、蜀、汉中，都南郑。而三分关中，王秦降将以距塞汉王。项王乃立章邯为雍王，王咸阳以西，都废丘。长史欣者，故为栎阳狱掾，尝有德于项梁；都尉董翳者，本劝章邯降楚。故立司马欣为塞王，王咸阳以东至河，都栎阳；立董翳为翟王，王上郡，都高奴。徙魏王豹为西魏王，王河东，都平阳。瑕丘申阳者，张耳嬖臣也，先下河南，迎楚河上，故立申阳为河南王，都雒阳。韩王成因故都，都阳翟。赵将司马卬定河内，数有功，故立卬为殷王，王河内，都朝歌。徙赵王歇为代王。赵相张耳素贤，又从入关，故立耳为常山王，王赵地，都襄国。当阳君黥布为楚将，常冠军，故立布为九江王，都六。鄱君吴芮率百越佐诸侯，又从入关，故立芮为衡山王，都邾。义帝柱国共敖将兵击南郡，功多，因立敖为临江王，都江陵。徙燕王韩广为辽东王。燕将臧荼从楚救赵，因从入关，故立荼为燕王，都蓟。徙齐王田市为胶东王。齐将田都从共救赵，因从入关，故立都为齐王，都临菑。故秦所灭齐王建孙田安，项羽方渡河救赵，田安下济北数城，引其兵降项羽，故立安为济北王，都博阳。田荣者，数负项梁，又不肯将兵从楚击秦，以故不封。成安君陈余弃将印去，不从入关，然素闻其贤，有功于赵，闻其在南皮，故因环封三县。番君将梅鋗功多，故封十万户侯。项王自立为西楚霸王，王九郡，都彭城。

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 had not had the chance to meet yet. 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: "Reward all the soldiers with a banquet, tomorrow 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。