213 Of the Strong Wind

A8.80…83

Gaozu withdrew his troops and returned. He passed by Pei County and stayed there. He set up a banquet in Pei Palace and invited his old friends and elders to drink to his heart's content. He recruited 120 children from Pei County and taught them to sing. When he was drunk, Gaozu played the zither and composed a poem himself: "The wind comes strong and the clouds fly. Going back to where the home belongs after the conquest of all countries under the sky. To guard the land for long, how to find the warrior supply?" He ordered the children to learn to sing along. Gaozu then stood up and danced. He was emotional and sad, and shed several lines of tears. He said to the people of Pei County: "People who travel far away miss their hometown. Although I have set my capital in Guanzhong, my soul is willing to return to Pei County after I die. Moreover, as the Duke of Pei, I have finally won the world by exterminating the tyrants and rebels. I have made Pei County as my personal fief land and exempted the people of Pei County from taxes and labor service. They will not be levied for generations." The men and women, elders and friends, of Pei County, drank happily every day, recounting old stories and making fun of themselves. After more than ten days, Gaozu wanted to leave, but the people of Pei County insisted on keeping him. Gaozu said, "I have too many people with me, and my father and brothers cannot afford to support them." So he left. The people of Pei County came out of the city and came to the west of the city to offer wine and food. Gaozu stayed again and set up tents for a three-day banquet. The people of Pei County all kowtowed and said, "Pei County is fortunate to be exempted from taxes and labor service, but Fengyi has not been exempted. I hope Your Majesty will have pity on the people of Fengyi." Gaozu said, "Fengyi is where I grew up, and I will never forget it. I am unwilling to exempt them from taxes and labor service only because the locals followed Yong Chi to betray me and defect to Wei." The people of Pei County insisted on their request, and Gaozu exempted Fengyi from taxes and labor service as well, the same as Pei County. At this time, Gaozu appointed Liu Bi, Marquis of Pei, as King of Wu.

The Han generals pursued Ying Bu's army from the north and south of Taoshui respectively, and both defeated the rebels. They caught up with Ying Bu in Poyang and beheaded him.

Fan Kuai led another army to pacify Daidi and beheaded Chen Xi in Dangcheng.

In November, Emperor Gaozu returned to Chang'an from the front line of the campaign against Ying Bu. In December, Emperor Gaozu said, "Emperor Qin Shi Huang, King Chen She of Chu, King Anli of Wei, King Min of Qi, and King Daoxiang of Zhao all stopped offering sacrifices and had no descendants. Ten households of tomb keepers were assigned to each of them, with 20 households assigned to Emperor Qin Shi Huang and 5 households assigned to Prince Wu Ji of Wei." All officials and people in Dai who were coerced by Chen Xi and Zhao Li were pardoned. Chen Xi's surrendered general said that when Chen Xi was rebelling, King Lu Wan of Yan sent people to Chen Xi's residence to secretly plot with him. Emperor Gaozu sent Marquis Piyang to meet Lu Wan, but Lu Wan claimed to be ill and could not come. Marquis Piyang returned and reported in detail that Lu Wan had shown signs of rebellion. In February, Emperor Gaozu sent Fan Kuai and Zhou Bo to lead troops to attack King Lu Wan of Yan, and pardoned officials and people of Yan who participated in the rebellion. He conferred the title of King of Yan on Prince Liu Jian.

高祖还归，过沛，留。置酒沛宫，悉召故人父老子弟纵酒，发沛中儿得百二十人，教之歌。酒酣，高祖击筑，自为歌诗曰：“大风起兮云飞扬，威加海内兮归故乡，安得猛士兮守四方！”令儿皆和习之。高祖乃起舞，慷慨伤怀，泣数行下。谓沛父兄曰：“游子悲故乡。吾虽都关中，万岁后吾魂魄犹乐思沛。且朕自沛公以诛暴逆，遂有天下，其以沛为朕汤沐邑，复其民，世世无有所与。”沛父兄诸母故人日乐饮极驩，道旧故为笑乐。十余日，高祖欲去，沛父兄固请留高祖。高祖曰：“吾人众多，父兄不能给。”乃去。沛中空县皆之邑西献。高祖复留止，张饮三日。沛父兄皆顿首曰：“沛幸得复，丰未复，唯陛下哀怜之。”高祖曰：“丰吾所生长，极不忘耳，吾特为其以雍齿故反我为魏。”沛父兄固请，乃并复丰，比沛。于是拜沛侯刘濞为吴王。

汉将别击布军洮水南北，皆大破之，追得斩布鄱阳。

樊哙别将兵定代，斩陈狶当城。

十一月，高祖自布军至长安。十二月，高祖曰：“秦始皇帝、楚隐王陈涉、魏安釐王、齐缗王、赵悼襄王皆绝无后，予守冢各十家，秦皇帝二十家，魏公子无忌五家。”赦代地吏民为陈狶、赵利所劫掠者，皆赦之。陈狶降将言狶反时，燕王卢绾使人之狶所，与阴谋。上使辟阳侯迎绾，绾称病。辟阳侯归，具言绾反有端矣。二月，使樊哙、周勃将兵击燕王绾，赦燕吏民与反者。立皇子建为燕王。

212 Rebellions of the Kings

A8.71…79

In October of the tenth year (197 BC), Huainan King Ying Bu, Liang King Peng Yue, Yan King Lu Wan, Jing King Liu Jia, Chu King Liu Jiao, Qi King Liu Fei, and Changsha King Wu Rui all came to Changle Palace to pay homage to Emperor Gaozu. There were no major events in this spring and this summer.

In July, the Superior Emperor died in Liyang Palace. The kings of Chu and Liang came to the funeral. Emperor Gaozu pardoned the prisoners in Liyang. Liyi was renamed Xinfeng.

In August, the prime minister of Zhao Chen Xi rebelled in Daidi. Emperor Gaozu said: "Chen Xi used to be my envoy and was very trustworthy. Daidi is a place I value very much, so I made Chen Xi a marquis and stationed him in Daidi as prime minister. Now he is looting Daidi with Wang Huang and others! The officials and people in Daidi are not guilty, so pardon the officials and people in Daidi." In September, Emperor Gaozu personally attacked Chen Xi to the east. Arriving in Handan, Emperor Gaozu said happily: "I knew he could not succeed if Chen Xi did not go south to occupy Handan and used the Zhang River as a barrier." Hearing that Chen Xi's generals were all former merchants, Emperor Gaozu said: "I know how to deal with these people." He used money to lure Chen Xi's generals, and many of Chen Xi's generals surrendered.

In the eleventh year (196 BC), Emperor Gaozu had not yet completely defeated Chen Xi and others in Handan. Chen Xi's general Hou Chang led more than 10 thousand people to fight guerrilla warfare, Wang Huang stationed in Quni, and Zhang Chun crossed the Yellow River to attack Liaocheng. The Han army sent General Guo Meng and Qi generals to attack and defeated the rebels. The grand commander Zhou Bo entered Dai from Taiyuan, and pacified Daidi. After arriving at Mayi, Zhou Bo was unable to capture it, so he sent troops to destroy it.

Chen Xi's general Zhao Li stationed in Dongyuan, and Emperor Gaozu attacked Dongyuan but failed. More than a month later, the rebel soldiers insulted Emperor Gaozu, and Emperor Gaozu was very angry. When Dongyuan surrendered, Emperor Gaozu ordered those who insulted him to be handed over and beheaded, and those who did not insult him were forgiven. Therefore, the land north of Changshan in Zhao was demarcated, and his son Liu Heng was made the King of Dai, with Jinyang as the capital.

In spring, Han Xin, Marquis of Huaiyin, plotted rebellion in Guanzhong and his three clans were exterminated.

In summer, Peng Yue, King of Liang, plotted rebellion, he was abolished of his title and moved to Shu County; he wanted to rebel again, then he was exterminated of his three clans. Emperor Gaozu made his son Liu Hui the King of Liang and his son Liu You the King of Huaiyang.

In July of autumn, King of Huainan Ying Bu rebelled, annexed the fief of King of Jing Liu Jia to the east, crossed the Huai River to the north, and King of Chu Liu Jiao fled to Xue County. Emperor Gaozu personally went to attack him. He made his son Liu Chang the King of Huainan.

In October of the 11th year (194 BC, Shiji mistook it for 12th year), after Emperor Gaozu attacked Ying Bu's army in Huizu, Ying Bu fled, and Emperor Gaozu ordered other generals to pursue him.

十年十月，淮南王黥布、梁王彭越、燕王卢绾、荆王刘贾、楚王刘交、齐王刘肥、长沙王吴芮皆来朝长乐宫。春夏无事。

七月，太上皇崩栎阳宫。楚王、梁王皆来送葬。赦栎阳囚。更命郦邑曰新丰。

八月，赵相国陈狶反代地。上曰：“狶尝为吾使，甚有信。代地吾所急也，故封狶为列侯，以相国守代，今乃与王黄等劫掠代地！代地吏民非有罪也。其赦代吏民。”九月，上自东往击之。至邯郸，上喜曰：“狶不南据邯郸而阻漳水，吾知其无能为也。”闻狶将皆故贾人也，上曰：“吾知所以与之。”乃多以金啗狶将，狶将多降者。

十一年，高祖在邯郸诛狶等未毕，狶将侯敞将万余人游行，王黄军曲逆，张春渡河击聊城。汉使将军郭蒙与齐将击，大破之。太尉周勃道太原入，定代地。至马邑，马邑不下，即攻残之。

狶将赵利守东垣，高祖攻之，不下。月余，卒骂高祖，高祖怒。城降，令出骂者斩之，不骂者原之。于是乃分赵山北，立子恒以为代王，都晋阳。

春，淮阴侯韩信谋反关中，夷三族。

夏，梁王彭越谋反，废迁蜀；复欲反，遂夷三族。立子恢为梁王，子友为淮阳王。

秋七月，淮南王黥布反，东并荆王刘贾地，北渡淮，楚王交走入薛。高祖自往击之。立子长为淮南王。

十一年，十月，高祖已击布军会甀，布走，令别将追之。

211 Weiyang Palace

A8.64…70

In the seventh year of Han Dynasty (200 BC), Huns came to Mayi to attack Xin the King of Han, who then conspired with Huns to rebel in Taiyuan. Manqiu Chen and Wang Huang of Baitu established the former Zhao general Zhao Li as their king and rebelled, and Emperor Gaozu went to fight the rebels in person. It was cold, and two to three out of ten soldiers had their fingers frozen off. They finally arrived in Pingcheng. The Huns besieged Han army in Pingcheng and withdrew after seven days. Emperor Gaozu ordered Fan Kuai to stay to pacify Daidi, and appointed his brother Liu Zhong as the King of Dai.

In February, Emperor Gaozu arrived in Chang'an from Pingcheng via Zhao and Luoyang. Changle Palace was built, and officials below the prime minister moved to Chang'an to work.

In the eighth year (199 BC), Emperor Gaozu marched eastward to Dongyuan to attack the remaining rebels of Xin the King of Hán.

Prime Minister Xiao built the Weiyang Palaces, including the East Que palace, North Que palace, Front Hall palace, Arsenal storage , and Taicang the food supply storage. When Emperor Gaozu returned, he saw that the palace was very magnificent and was very angry. He said to Xiao He: "The world is in turmoil, people have been troubled by war for many years, and the success or failure of the cause is still unclear. How could the palace be built so luxuriously?" Xiao He said: "The world is not stable yet, so you can take the opportunity to build a palace. Moreover, the emperor regards the four seas as his home. If the palace is not magnificent, it will not be able to show his dignity and majesty, and it can also prevent future generations from expanding it." Only then did Emperor Gaozu feel happy.

Emperor Gaozu went to Dongyuan and passed by Bairen. Guan Gao, the prime minister of Zhao, and others wanted to murder Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Gaozu had a hunch and did not stay in Bairen. Liu Zhong, King of Dai, abandoned his fiefdom and fled, returned to Luoyang privately, and was demoted to Marquis of Heyang.

In the ninth year (198 BC), the conspiracy of Guan Gao and others was discovered and their three clans were exterminated. Emperor Gaozu demoted Zhang Ao the King of Zhao to Marquis Xuanping. In this year, Zhao, Qu, Jing, and Huai, the nobles of Chu, and Tian, the nobles of Qi, ​​were forced to move to Guanzhong.

Weiyang Palace was built. Gaozu solemnly met with the princes and ministers, and set up a banquet in the front hall of Weiyang Palace. Gaozu held the jade cup, stood up and wished the superior emperor a long life, saying: "At first, my father always thought that I was useless and could not manage the business, and was not as hardworking as my  brother. Now, who made more achievements, my brother or me?" The ministers in the hall shouted long live the emperor and laughed for fun.

七年，匈奴攻韩王信马邑，信因与谋反太原。白土曼丘臣、王黄立故赵将赵利为王以反，高祖自往击之。会天寒，士卒堕指者什二三，遂至平城。匈奴围我平城，七日而后罢去。令樊哙止定代地。立兄刘仲为代王。

二月，高祖自平城过赵、雒阳，至长安。长乐宫成，丞相已下徙治长安。

八年，高祖东击韩王信余反寇于东垣。

萧丞相营作未央宫，立东阙、北阙、前殿、武库、太仓。高祖还，见宫阙壮甚，怒，谓萧何曰：“天下匈匈苦战数岁，成败未可知，是何治宫室过度也？”萧何曰：“天下方未定，故可因遂就宫室。且夫天子四海为家，非壮丽无以重威，且无令后世有以加也。”高祖乃说。

高祖之东垣，过柏人，赵相贯高等谋弑高祖，高祖心动，因不留。代王刘仲弃国亡，自归雒阳，废以为合阳侯。

九年，赵相贯高等事发觉，夷三族。废赵王敖为宣平侯。是岁，徙贵族楚昭、屈、景、怀、齐田氏关中。

未央宫成。高祖大朝诸侯群臣，置酒未央前殿。高祖奉玉卮，起为太上皇寿，曰：“始大人常以臣无赖，不能治产业，不如仲力。今某之业所就孰与仲多？”殿上群臣皆呼万岁，大笑为乐。

210 The Superior Emperor

A8.60…63

In the autumn of that year, Li Ji rebelled. Emperor Gaozu personally led the army to attack the rebels, but Li Ji escaped. Li Ji was a general of the Xiang clan. When the Xiang clan failed, Li Ji called himself Duke of Chen, and did not follow Xiang Yu. He escaped and surrendered to Emperor Gaozu, who appointed him as Marquis of Yingchuan. Emperor Gaozu came to Luoyang and summoned all the marquises according to the list. Li Ji was scared, so he rebelled.

In the sixth year (201 BC), Emperor Gaozu met with Taigong every five days, and performed the father-son ceremony like ordinary people. Taigong's Jialing, the family manager, advised Taigong, "There are no two suns in the sky, and there are no two monarchs on the earth. Now the emperor is a son, but he is also a monarch; Taigong is a father, but he is also a subject. How can the monarch kneel down to a subject? In this way, the monarch's majesty and dignity cannot be revealed." Later, when Emperor Gaozu met Taigong, Taigong held a broom, met at the door, and walked backwards. Emperor Gaozu was very surprised and got off the car to support Taigong. Taigong said: "The emperor is the monarch, how can he disturb the laws of the world because of me!" So Gaozu respected Taigong as the Superior Emperor. Gaozu appreciated Jialing's words and rewarded him 500 gold. 

In December, someone wrote a letter to report that Han Xin, the king of Chu, was plotting a rebellion. Gaozu asked the ministers around him, and the ministers wanted to conquer Han Xin. Gaozu adopted Chen Ping's strategy, pretending to tour Yunmengze and meet the princes in Chen County. When Han Xin, the king of Chu, went to greet him, he took the opportunity to capture him. On the same day, Gaozu pardoned the world. Tian Ken came to congratulate, and took the opportunity to persuade Emperor Gaozu, saying: "Your Majesty has captured Han Xin and established the capital in Qin. Qin is a place with superior geographical conditions, surrounded by mountains and rivers, thousands of miles away from the princes, and there are millions of warriors holding long spears. The advantages of Qin are a hundred times stronger than other places. The geographical situation is favorable. Sending troops from here to the princes is like standing on a tall house and pouring water from a bottle down. Qi has the richness of Langya and Jimo in the east, the danger of Mount Tai in the south, the barrier of Zhuohe in the west, and the products of Bohai in the north. The land is two thousand miles in radius, there are millions of warriors holding long spears, and it is thousands of miles away from the princes. The advantages of Qi are ten times stronger than other places. Therefore, these two places can be regarded as East and West Qin. If he is not a close relative of your Majesty, don't make him the King of Qi." Emperor Gaozu said: "Okay." He rewarded him 500 gold. 

A dozen days later, Emperor Gaozu made Han Xin the Marquis of Huaiyin and divided his original fief into two countries. Gaozu said that General Liu Jia had made many military achievements, so he was made King of Jing, ruling the area east of the Huai River. He made his younger brother Liu Jiao the King of Chu, ruling the area west of the Huai River. He made his son Liu Fei the King of Qi, ruling more than 70 cities, and the people who spoke the Qi language all belonged to Qi. Gaozu then assessed the merits and divided the fiefs among the princes. He moved Xin, the King of Hán, to Taiyuan.

其秋，利几反，高祖自将兵击之，利几走。利几者，项氏之将。项氏败，利几为陈公，不随项羽，亡降高祖，高祖侯之颍川。高祖至雒阳，举通侯籍召之，而利几恐，故反。

六年，高祖五日一朝太公，如家人父子礼。太公家令说太公曰：“天无二日，土无二王。今高祖虽子，人主也；太公虽父，人臣也。柰何令人主拜人臣！如此，则威重不行。”后高祖朝，太公拥篲，迎门卻行。高祖大惊，下扶太公。太公曰：“帝，人主也，柰何以我乱天下法！”于是高祖乃尊太公为太上皇。心善家令言，赐金五百斤。

十二月，人有上变事告楚王信谋反，上问左右，左右争欲击之。用陈平计，乃伪游云梦，会诸侯于陈，楚王信迎，即因执之。是日，大赦天下。田肯贺，因说高祖曰：“陛下得韩信，又治秦中。秦，形胜之国，带河山之险，县隔千里，持戟百万，秦得百二焉。地埶便利，其以下兵于诸侯，譬犹居高屋之上建瓴水也。夫齐，东有琅邪、即墨之饶，南有泰山之固，西有浊河之限，北有勃海之利。地方二千里，持戟百万，县隔千里之外，齐得十二焉。故此东西秦也。非亲子弟，莫可使王齐矣。”高祖曰：“善。”赐黄金五百斤。

后十余日，封韩信为淮阴侯，分其地为二国。高祖曰将军刘贾数有功，以为荆王，王淮东。弟交为楚王，王淮西。子肥为齐王，王七十余城，民能齐言者皆属齐。乃论功，与诸列侯剖符行封。徙韩王信太原。

209 How Did He Gain the World

A8.54…59

The Emperor said that Emperor Yi had no descendants, and King Han Xin of Qi was familiar with the customs of Chu, so he was renamed King of Chu and his capital was Xiapi. Peng Yue, the Marquis of Jiancheng, was renamed King of Liang and his capital was Dingtao. Xin, the former King of Hán, stayed as King of Hán and his capital was Yangdi. Wu Rui, the King of Hengshan, was renamed King of Changsha and his capital was Linxiang. Fan Jun's general Mei Xuan had military merits and followed the emperor into Wuguan, so the emperor was grateful to Fan Jun. The fiefs of King Ying Bu of Huainan, King Zang Tu of Yan, and King Zhang Ao of Zhao were the same as before.

The world was generally pacified. Emperor Gaozu made Luoyang his capital, and all the princes were his subjects. Gong Huan, the former King of Linjiang, rebelled against the King of Han for Xiang Yu, and Emperor Gaozu ordered Lu Wan and Liu Jia to besiege Linjiang but failed to capture it. Gong Huan surrendered a few months later and was killed in Luoyang.

In the fifth month, all the soldiers returned to their hometowns. The sons of the princes who stayed in Guanzhong were exempted from corvée for twelve years, and the soldiers who returned to their hometowns were exempted for six years, and they were all given one year's food supply.

Gaozu held a banquet in Nangong, Luoyang. Gaozu said: "The princes and generals, you all should not hide anything from me, and tell me the truth. What is the reason why I can gain the world? What is the reason why Xiang lost the world?" Gao Qi and Wang Ling replied: "Your Majesty is arrogant and likes to insult people, while Xiang Yu is kind and willing to love people. However, Your Majesty sent people to attack cities and seize land, and the surrendered and conquered places were granted to them, and you shared the benefits with the people of the world. Xiang Yu was jealous of virtuous people, framed those who had made contributions, and doubted virtuous people. He won the victory without counting the merits of others, and did not give benefits to others when he seized the land. This is why he lost the world." Gaozu said: "You all only know one aspect, But I don't know  the other side. When it comes to planning strategies in the tent and winning battles thousands of miles away, I am not as good as Zifang (Zhang Liang’s courtesy name, he was also titled Liu Hou, Marquis the Keeper). When it comes to guarding the country, comforting the people, supplying food and wages, and ensuring that the food supply is not blocked, I am not as good as Xiao He. Commanding a million troops, winning battles and attacking, I am not as good as Han Xin. The three of them are all outstanding people, but I can use them, which is why I can get the world. Xiang Yu only has one Fan Zeng but cannot use him, which is why I captured him. "

Gaozu wanted to make Luoyang the capital for a long time. Liu Jing, a Qi man, persuaded Gaozu, and Liu Hou also persuaded Gaozu to enter Guanzhong to build the capital instead. Gaozu set off on the same day and entered Guanzhong to build the capital. In June, a general amnesty was granted.

In October, King of Yan Zang Tu rebelled and captured Daidi. Gaozu personally led the army to attack the rebels, captured the King of Yan Zang Tu, and then appointed Taiwei (the superior captain of the court) Lu Wan as the King of Yan. He sent Prime Minister Fan Kuai to lead the army to attack Dai County.

皇帝曰义帝无后。齐王韩信习楚风俗，徙为楚王，都下邳。立建成侯彭越为梁王，都定陶。故韩王信为韩王，都阳翟。徙衡山王吴芮为长沙王，都临湘。番君之将梅鋗有功，从入武关，故德番君。淮南王布、燕王臧荼、赵王敖皆如故。

天下大定。高祖都雒阳，诸侯皆臣属。故临江王驩为项羽叛汉，令卢绾、刘贾围之，不下。数月而降，杀之雒阳。

五月，兵皆罢归家。诸侯子在关中者复之十二岁，其归者复之六岁，食之一岁。

高祖置酒雒阳南宫。高祖曰：“列侯诸将无敢隐朕，皆言其情。吾所以有天下者何？项氏之所以失天下者何？”高起、王陵对曰：“陛下慢而侮人，项羽仁而爱人。然陛下使人攻城略地，所降下者因以予之，与天下同利也。项羽妒贤嫉能，有功者害之，贤者疑之，战胜而不予人功，得地而不予人利，此所以失天下也。”高祖曰：“公知其一，未知其二。夫运筹策帷帐之中，决胜于千里之外，吾不如子房。镇国家，抚百姓，给饣鬼饟，不绝粮道，吾不如萧何。连百万之军，战必胜，攻必取，吾不如韩信。此三者，皆人杰也，吾能用之，此吾所以取天下也。项羽有一范增而不能用，此其所以为我擒也。”

高祖欲长都雒阳，齐人刘敬说，乃留侯劝上入都关中，高祖是日驾，入都关中。六月，大赦天下。

十月，燕王臧荼反，攻下代地。高祖自将击之，得燕王臧荼。即立太尉卢绾为燕王。使丞相哙将兵攻代。

208 Emperor Gaozu of Han

A8.51|52|53

Xiang Yu lifted the siege and returned eastward. The King of Han was going to lead his troops back westward but adopted the strategy of Liu Hou and Chen Ping, instead he pursued Xiang Yu to the south of Yangxia, where he stayed, waiting for Han Xin, the King of Qi, and Peng Yue, the Marquis Jiancheng, to meet at a time they all agreed, to attack the Chu army. The King of Han came to Guling, but Han Xin and Peng Yue did not come to meet. The Chu army attacked the Han army and defeated it. The King of Han backed into the camp again and dug deep trenches to defend. The King of Han adopted Zhang Liang's strategy, and at this time Han Xin and Peng Yue came to meet. When Liu Jia entered Chu and besieged Shouchun, the King of Han was defeated in Guling, so he sent an envoy to summon the Grand Marshal Zhou Yin to mobilize all the troops in Jiujiang to welcome Ying Bu, and together they slaughtered Chengfu. Shui He, Liu Jia and the princes of Qi and Liang, all met at Gaixia. The King of Han named Ying Bu the King of Huainan. 

In the fifth year (202 BC), Emperor Gaozu (King of Han) and the armies of the princes attacked the Chu army together and fought a decisive battle with Xiang Yu at Gaixia. Marquis Huaiyin led 300 thousand soldiers alone in the front, General Kong was on the left wing, General Fei was on the right wing, the Emperor was in the rear, and Marquis Jiang and General Chai were behind the Emperor. Xiang Yu's soldiers were about 100 thousand. Huaiyin took the lead in fighting Xiang Yu, but not successful, then retreated. General Kong and General Fei attacked, and the Chu army was not the favored. Huaiyin took the chance to attack again and defeated Xiang Yu at Gaixia. Xiang Yu's soldiers heard the Han soldiers singing Chu songs and thought that the Han army had occupied all Chu land. Xiang Yu was defeated and fled, that’s when the Chu army was really defeated. The King of Han sent the cavalry general Guan Ying to chase Xiang Yu in Dongcheng, beheaded 80 thousand people, and finally brought rough pacification to Chu lands. But the people of Lu County held on for Chu and could not be captured. The King of Han led the armies of the princes to the north and showed Xiang Yu's head to the people of Lu County, and the people of Lu County then surrendered. So the King of Han buried Xiang Yu in Gucheng with the title of Duke of Lu. The King of Han returned to Dingtao, drove into the camp of the King of Qi, and seized his military power.

In the first month of the year, the princes and generals jointly requested to honor the King of Han as the emperor. The King of Han said: "I heard that the title of emperor is only for virtuous people. It is unrealistic and does not fit me. I dare not take the throne of emperor." All the ministers said: "Your Majesty came from a humble background, killed the tyrants and pacified the world. Those who have made contributions are given land and are made princes. If Your Majesty does not claim the title of emperor, everyone will have doubts about their titles. We risk our lives to ask Your Majesty to be the emperor." The King of Han declined three times, but there was no other way, so he said: "If you all think it is beneficial to the country, so be it!" On the Jiawu day, north of Fanshui, the King of Han ascended the throne of the emperor.

项羽解而东归。汉王欲引而西归，用留侯、陈平计，乃进兵追项羽，至阳夏南止军，与齐王信、建成侯彭越期会而击楚军。至固陵，不会。楚击汉军，大破之。汉王复入壁，深堑而守之。用张良计，于是韩信、彭越皆往。及刘贾入楚地，围寿春，汉王败固陵，乃使使者召大司马周殷举九江兵而迎之武王，行屠城父，随何、刘贾、齐梁诸侯皆大会垓下。立武王布为淮南王。

五年，高祖与诸侯兵共击楚军，与项羽决胜垓下。淮阴侯将三十万自当之，孔将军居左，费将军居右，皇帝在后，绛侯、柴将军在皇帝后。项羽之卒可十万。淮阴先合，不利，卻。孔将军、费将军纵，楚兵不利，淮阴侯复乘之，大败垓下。项羽卒闻汉军之楚歌，以为汉尽得楚地，项羽乃败而走，是以兵大败。使骑将灌婴追杀项羽东城，斩首八万，遂略定楚地。鲁为楚坚守不下。汉王引诸侯兵北，示鲁父老项羽头，鲁乃降。遂以鲁公号葬项羽谷城。还至定陶，驰入齐王壁，夺其军。

正月，诸侯及将相相与共请尊汉王为皇帝。汉王曰：“吾闻帝贤者有也，空言虚语，非所守也，吾不敢当帝位。”群臣皆曰：“大王起微细，诛暴逆，平定四海，有功者辄裂地而封为王侯。大王不尊号，皆疑不信。臣等以死守之。”汉王三让，不得已，曰：“诸君必以为便，便国家。”甲午，乃即皇帝位氾水之阳。

207 The Crimes of Xiang Yu

A8.48|49|50

The Chu and Han armies had been at an impasse for a long time, with the young and strong exhausted from marching and fighting, and the old and weak exhausted from transporting supplies. The King of Han and Xiang Yu were talking on both sides of the Guangwu Stream. Xiang Yu wanted to challenge the King of Han alone. The King of Han listed Xiang Yu's crimes and said: "At first, Xiang Yu and I received the order from King Huai, and agreed that whoever entered Guanzhong first would be the king there. Xiang Yu broke the agreement and made me the king of Shu and Han. This is his first crime. Xiang Yu falsely conveyed the order of King Huai to kill Song Yi, the champion of the nobles, and appointed himself as the general. This is his second crime. After Xiang Yu rescued Zhao, he should have gone back to report, but he hijacked the troops of the princes and entered Guanzhong without authorization. This is his third crime. King Huai agreed that no violence or looting should be committed when entering Qin, but Xiang Yu burned down the Qin palace, dug up the tomb of the First Emperor, and secretly collected its property. This is his fourth crime. Xiang Yu also forcibly killed the surrendered King Ziying of Qin. This is his fifth crime. Xiang Yu used deception to kill 200 thousand Qin soldiers in Xin'an and made their generals kings. This is his sixth crime. Xiang Yu appointed his generals as kings in good places, but drove away the original monarchs, causing his subjects to rebel. This is his seventh charge. Xiang Yu drove Emperor Yi from Pengcheng and built his capital there, taking away the fief of King Hán (韩), ruling Liang and Chu together, and giving himself more land. This is his eighth charge. Xiang Yu sent people to assassinate Emperor Yi in Jiangnan. This is his ninth charge. As a minister of others, he killed his monarch, killed those who had surrendered, handled political affairs unfairly, and presided over agreements without keeping his word. People all over the world could not tolerate this, which was a great rebellion. This is his tenth charge. I lead the righteous army and follow the princes to kill the cruel and tyrannical thieves. And let the criminals who have been punished kill Xiang Yu. Why should I fight you in single combat?" Xiang Yu was very angry, and the ambushed crossbowmen shot the King of Han. The King of Han was wounded in the chest, but he covered his foot and said, "The thief shot my toe!" The King of Han was wounded and bedridden. Zhang Liang asked the King of Han to get up and inspect and comfort the soldiers to stabilize the army and prevent the Chu army from taking advantage of the victory to attack the Han army. The King of Han came out to inspect the army, and his injuries worsened, so he drove into Chenggao.

After the King of Han recovered from his injury, he went west into Guanzhong and arrived in Liyang. He comforted the local people, set up a banquet, and beheaded Sima Xin, the former King of Sai, in the street market of Liyang. After four days, the King of Han returned to the army again and was stationed in Guangwu. The soldiers in Guanzhong set out to reinforce.

At this time, Peng Yue led his soldiers to a station in Liangdi, harassing the Chu army and cutting off their food supply. Tian Heng went to join Peng Yue. Xiang Yu attacked Peng Yue and others many times, and Han Xin, the King of Qi, marched to attack the Chu army again. Xiang Yu was very scared, so he agreed with the King of Han to divide the world equally, dividing the land west of the Honggou to the Han State and the land east of the Honggou to the Chu State. King Xiang returned the parents, wife, and children of King of Han. The Han army shouted "Long live the King" and then retreated.

汉王项羽相与临广武之间而语。项羽欲与汉王独身挑战。汉王数项羽曰：“始与项羽俱受命怀王，曰先入定关中者王之，项羽负约，王我于蜀汉，罪一。项羽矫杀卿子冠军而自尊，罪二。项羽已救赵，当还报，而擅劫诸侯兵入关，罪三。怀王约入秦无暴掠，项羽烧秦宫室，掘始皇帝冢，私收其财物，罪四。又强杀秦降王子婴，罪五。诈阬秦子弟新安二十万，王其将，罪六。项羽皆王诸将善地，而徙逐故主，令臣下争叛逆，罪七。项羽出逐义帝彭城，自都之，夺韩王地，并王梁楚，多自予，罪八。项羽使人阴弑义帝江南，罪九。夫为人臣而弑其主，杀已降，为政不平，主约不信，天下所不容，大逆无道，罪十也。吾以义兵从诸侯诛残贼，使刑余罪人击杀项羽，何苦乃与公挑战！”项羽大怒，伏弩射中汉王。汉王伤匈，乃扪足曰：“虏中吾指！”汉王病创卧，张良强请汉王起行劳军，以安士卒，毋令楚乘胜于汉。汉王出行军，病甚，因驰入成皋。

病愈，西入关，至栎阳，存问父老，置酒，枭故塞王欣头栎阳市。留四日，复如军，军广武。关中兵益出。

当此时，彭越将兵居梁地，往来苦楚兵，绝其粮食。田横往从之。项羽数击彭越等，齐王信又进击楚。项羽恐，乃与汉王约，中分天下，割鸿沟而西者为汉，鸿沟而东者为楚。项王归汉王父母妻子，军中皆呼万岁，乃归而别去。

206 Li Sheng Cooked

A8.43…47

The King of Han fled, alone with Duke Teng, he drove out of Yumen from Chenggao, crossed the Yellow River to the north, and drove to Xiuwu and stayed there. The King of Han claimed to be an envoy, drove into the camp of Zhang Er and Han Xin in the morning, and seized their military power, so he ordered Zhang Er to recruit soldiers from Zhao to the north for reinforcement, and ordered Han Xin to attack Qi to the east. The King of Han got Han Xin's army, and his morale was revived. He led his army to the Yellow River, and rewarded the soldiers to the south of Xiaoxiuwu, ready to fight again. Zheng Zhong, a court Attendant, then advised the King of Han to rely on high fortifications and deep trenches and not to fight Xiang Yu. The King of Han adopted his strategy and sent Lu Wan and Liu Jia to lead 20,000 soldiers and hundreds of cavalry to cross the river from Baimajin and enter Chu. Together with Peng Yue, they defeated the Chu army again to the west of the outer city of Yan County, and finally recaptured more than ten cities in Liangdi.

After receiving the order, the Marquis of Huaiyin marched eastward, but did not cross the Yellow River in the plain. The King of Han sent Li Sheng to persuade the King of Qi, Tian Guang, to rebell against Chu, reconciled with Han, and attacked Xiang Yu together. Han Xin adopted Kuai Tong's strategy and eventually defeated Qi. But the King of Qi cooked and killed Li Sheng, and fled east to Gaomi. On hearing that Han Xin had led soldiers north of the Yellow River to defeat Qi and Zhao, and wanted to attack Chu, Xiang Yu sent Long Qie and Zhou Lan to stop him. Han Xin fought Chu, and the cavalry general Guan Ying attacked and defeated the Chu army, and killed Long Qie. The King of Qi, Tian Guang, defected to Peng Yue. At this time, Peng Yue led his soldiers to station in Liangdi, harassing the Chu army and cutting off their food supply.

In the fourth year (203 BC), Xiang Yu said to Cao Jiu, the Grand Marshal of Haichun: "Guard Chenggao carefully. If the Han army challenges you, don't fight them, just prevent them from going east. I will take care of Liangdi within 15 days and then we will meet up." He then sent troops to attack Chenliu, Waihuang, and Suiyang and got them all. As expected, the Han army challenged the Chu army many times, but the Chu army did not fight. The Han army sent people to insult the Chu army for six days in a row. The Grand Marshal was very angry and asked the soldiers to cross the Sishui River. When half of the soldiers crossed, the Han army launched an attack, defeated the Chu army, and seized all the gold and jade treasures of the Chu State. Grand Marshal Cao Ju and Chief Clerk Sima Xin both committed suicide by the Sishui River. Xiang Yu came to Suiyang and heard that Haichunhou was defeated, so he led his army back. The Han army was besieging Zhongli Mei east of Xingyang when Xiang Yu arrived and the Han army retreated to a dangerous area.

After Han Xin conquered Qi, he sent a messenger to tell the King of Han: "Qi is close to Chu and does not have enough power. It won't be stable unless it has a king." The King of Han wanted to attack Han Xin. Liu Hou said: "Why not take this opportunity to make him the King of Qi and let him guard Qi for you." The King of Han sent Zhang Liang with a seal to make Han Xin the King of Qi.

When Xiang Yu heard that Long Jiu's army was defeated, he was very scared and sent Wu She from Xutai to persuade Han Xin. Han Xin won't listen.

汉王跳，独与滕公共车出成皋玉门，北渡河，驰宿脩武。自称使者，晨驰入张耳、韩信壁，而夺之军。乃使张耳北益收兵赵地，使韩信东击齐。汉王得韩信军，则复振。引兵临河，南飨军小脩武南，欲复战。郎中郑忠乃说止汉王，使高垒深堑，勿与战。汉王听其计，使卢绾、刘贾将卒二万人，骑数百，渡白马津，入楚地，与彭越复击破楚军燕郭西，遂复下梁地十余城。

淮阴已受命东，未渡平原。汉王使郦生往说齐王田广，广叛楚，与汉和，共击项羽。韩信用蒯通计，遂袭破齐。齐王烹郦生，东走高密。项羽闻韩信已举河北兵破齐、赵，且欲击楚，则使龙且、周兰往击之。韩信与战，骑将灌婴击，大破楚军，杀龙且。齐王广奔彭越。当此时，彭越将兵居梁地，往来苦楚兵，绝其粮食。

四年，项羽乃谓海春侯大司马曹咎曰：“谨守成皋。若汉挑战，慎勿与战，无令得东而已。我十五日必定梁地，复从将军。”乃行击陈留、外黄、睢阳，下之。汉果数挑楚军，楚军不出，使人辱之五六日，大司马怒，度兵汜水。士卒半渡，汉击之，大破楚军，尽得楚国金玉货赂。大司马咎、长史欣皆自刭汜水上。项羽至睢阳，闻海春侯破，乃引兵还。汉军方围钟离眛于荥阳东，项羽至，尽走险阻。

韩信已破齐，使人言曰：“齐边楚，权轻，不为假王，恐不能安齐。”汉王欲攻之。留侯曰：“不如因而立之，使自为守。”乃遣张良操印绶立韩信为齐王。

项羽闻龙且军破，则恐，使盱台人武涉往说韩信。韩信不听。

205 Chenggao Surrounded

A8.39…42

The King of Han was stationed in the south of Xingyang and built a corridor to connect with the Yellow River to transport food supplies from Ao Cang. The Han army and Xiang Yu were in a stalemate for more than a year. Xiang Yu repeatedly harassed the Han army's corridor, and the Han army lacked food. Xiang Yu finally surrounded the King of Han. The King of Han asked for reconciliation and proposed the condition of assigning the west of Xingyang to the Han State. King Xiang refused. The King of Han was very worried about this, so he adopted Chen Ping's strategy and gave Chen Ping 40,000 kilograms of gold to alienate the relationship between the monarch and his subjects in Chu. So Xiang Yu began to suspect Yafu. At that time, Yafu persuaded Xiang Yu to take the opportunity to capture Xingyang. When he was suspected, he felt very angry and asked to resign and go home on the grounds of old age. He died before he reached Pengcheng.

The Han army ran out of food, so they released more than 2,000 women from the east gate at night, wearing armor, and the Chu army besieged them from all sides. General Ji Xin took the King of Han's carriage and pretended to be the King of Han to deceive the Chu army. The soldiers of Chu shouted hooray and all went to the east of the city to watch. Because of this, the King of Han was able to escape from the west gate with dozens of cavalrymen. The King of Han ordered the Imperial Censor Zhou Ke, Wei Bao, and Cong Gong to guard Xingyang. All the generals and soldiers who could not accompany them stayed in the city. Zhou Ke and Cong Gong discussed with each other and said, "Wei Bao is the king of a rebellious country. It is difficult to defend the city with him." So they killed Wei Bao.

When the King of Han left Xingyang and entered Guanzhong, he gathered the remaining soldiers and wanted to march east again. Yuan Sheng advised the King of Han, "The Han army and the Chu army have been in a stalemate in Xingyang for several years, and the Han army is always in trouble. I hope that the king will attack from Wuguan. Xiang Yu will definitely lead his troops to flee southward. The king will use deep trenches and high fortifications to allow the soldiers between Xingyang and Chenggao to rest temporarily. Send Han Xin and others to pacify Zhao land north of the Yellow River and unite with Yan and Qi. It is not too late for the king to go to Xingyang. In this way, the Chu army will have many places to defend, and the troops will be dispersed. The Han army will be able to rest and fight with the Chu army again, and will definitely be able to defeat the Chu army." The King of Han adopted his strategy and stationed troops between Wan County and Ye County, and he and Ying Bu gathered the remaining troops along the way. 

When Xiang Yu heard that the King of Han was in Wan County, he led his troops to the south. The King of Han held the camp and did not fight with the Chu army. At that time, Peng Yue crossed the Sui River and fought with Xiang Sheng and Xue Gong in Xiapi, and Peng Yue defeated the Chu army. Xiang Yu led his troops to the east to attack Peng Yue. The King of Han also led his troops northward and stationed in Chenggao. After Xiang Yu defeated Peng Yue, he heard that the King of Han had stationed in Chenggao again, so he led his troops westward again, captured Xingyang, killed Zhou Ke and Cong Gong, captured Xin the King of Han, and finally surrounded Chenggao.

汉王军荥阳南，筑甬道属之河，以取敖仓。与项羽相距岁余。项羽数侵夺汉甬道，汉军乏食，遂围汉王。汉王请和，割荥阳以西者为汉。项王不听。汉王患之，乃用陈平之计，予陈平金四万斤，以间疏楚君臣。于是项羽乃疑亚父。亚父是时劝项羽遂下荥阳，及其见疑，乃怒，辞老，愿赐骸骨归卒伍，未至彭城而死。

汉军绝食，乃夜出女子东门二千余人，被甲，楚因四面击之。将军纪信乃乘王驾，诈为汉王，诳楚，楚皆呼万岁，之城东观，以故汉王得与数十骑出西门遁。令御史大夫周苛、魏豹、枞公守荥阳。诸将卒不能从者，尽在城中。周苛、枞公相谓曰：“反国之王，难与守城。”因杀魏豹。

汉王之出荥阳入关，收兵欲复东。袁生说汉王曰：“汉与楚相距荥阳数岁，汉常困。愿君王出武关，项羽必引兵南走，王深壁，令荥阳成皋间且得休。使韩信等辑河北赵地，连燕齐，君王乃复走荥阳，未晚也。如此，则楚所备者多，力分，汉得休，复与之战，破楚必矣。”汉王从其计，出军宛叶间，与黥布行收兵。

项羽闻汉王在宛，果引兵南。汉王坚壁不与战。是时彭越渡睢水，与项声、薛公战下邳，彭越大破楚军。项羽乃引兵东击彭越。汉王亦引兵北军成皋。项羽已破走彭越，闻汉王复军成皋，乃复引兵西，拔荥阳，诛周苛、枞公，而虏韩王信，遂围成皋。

204 Zhang Er the King of Zhao.

A8.34…38

At that time, King Xiang attacked Qi in the north, and Tian Rong fought him in Chengyang. Tian Rong was defeated and fled to Pingyuan, where he was killed by the people of Pingyuan. Qi surrendered to Chu. The Chu army then burnt the city of Qi and abducted their children. The people of Qi rebelled against Chu again. Tian Rong's brother Tian Heng established Tian Rong's son Tian Guang as the King of Qi, and the King of Qi rebelled against Chu in Chengyang. Although Xiang Yu heard that the Han army was heading east, after fighting with the Qi army continuously, he wanted to defeat the Qi army thoroughly before fighting the Han army. Because of this, the King of Han was able to hijack the armies of the five princes and finally entered Pengcheng. After hearing this, Xiang Yu led his troops to leave Qi, set out from Huling via Lu County, and arrived in Xiao County. He fought the Han army at the Sui River east of Lingbi in Pengcheng defeated the Han army and killed many soldiers, and the Sui River could not flow because of the blockage of corpses. The Chu army captured the parents, wife, and children of the King of Han in Pei County and placed them in the army as hostages. At this time, seeing the Chu army was strong and the Han army was defeated, the princes all turned their backs on the King of Han and returned to Chu. Sima Xin, the King of Sai, fled to Chu.

Zhou Lühou, the elder brother of Empress Lü, led an army for the Han army and was stationed in Xiayi. The King of Han came to him and gradually gathered the scattered soldiers stationed in Dang County. The King of Han then passed through Liangdi to the west and came to Yu County. He sent Sui He, the messenger, to the residence of Jiujiang King Ying Bu. The King of Han said: "If you can get Ying Bu to rebel against Chu, Xiang Yu will stay and attack Jiujiang. If you can delay him for a few months, I will be able to seize the world." Sui He went to persuade Jiujiang King Ying Bu, and Ying Bu indeed betrayed Chu. Chu sent Long Ju to attack Jiujiang.

When the King of Han was defeated in Pengcheng and retreated westward, he sent people to look for his family on the road, but his family also fled and he could not meet them. After the defeat, only Emperor Xiaohui was found. In June, he was made the crown prince,  and the King of Han pardoned the criminals. The King of Han ordered the crown prince to garrison in Liyang, and the sons of the princes in Guanzhong gathered in Liyang for defense. The Han army diverted water to flood Feiqiu, and Feiqiu surrendered, and Zhang Han committed suicide. The King of Han was renamed Feiqiu Huaili. At this time, he ordered the temple officials to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, the four directions, the God, and the mountains and rivers, and to offer sacrifices according to the seasons in the future. The Han army recruited soldiers from Guannei to defend the border.

At that time, Jiujiang King Ying Bu fought Long Ju and could not win, so he and Sui He took a small road to join the Han State. The King of Han gradually gathered the fleeing soldiers, and the generals and soldiers in Guanzhong went out to reinforce, so the morale of Xingyang was boosted, and defeated the Chu army in Jing and Suo.

In the third year (204 BC), King Bao of Wei asked to go home to visit his sick parents. When he arrived in Wei, he cut off the Yellow River crossing, rebelled against the Han, and joined Chu. The King of Han sent Li Sheng to persuade Wei Bao, but Wei Bao did not listen. The King of Han sent General Han Xin to attack the State of Wei, defeated the Wei army, and captured Wei Bao. The Han army finally pacified the Wei territory and established three prefectures, namely Hedong, Taiyuan, and Shangdang. The King of Han then ordered Zhang Er and Han Xin to attack the State of Zhao via Jingxing in the east, beheading Chen Yu and King Xie of Zhao. The next year, Zhang Er was made King of Zhao.

是时项王北击齐，田荣与战城阳。田荣败，走平原，平原民杀之。齐皆降楚。楚因焚烧其城郭，系虏其子女。齐人叛之。田荣弟横立荣子广为齐王，齐王反楚城阳。项羽虽闻汉东，既已连齐兵，欲遂破之而击汉。汉王以故得劫五诸侯兵，遂入彭城。项羽闻之，乃引兵去齐，从鲁出胡陵，至萧，与汉大战彭城灵壁东睢水上，大破汉军，多杀士卒，睢水为之不流。乃取汉王父母妻子于沛，置之军中以为质。当是时，诸侯见楚强汉败，还皆去汉复为楚。塞王欣亡入楚。

吕后兄周吕侯为汉将兵，居下邑。汉王从之，稍收士卒，军砀。汉王乃西过梁地，至虞。使谒者随何之九江王布所，曰：“公能令布举兵叛楚，项羽必留击之。得留数月，吾取天下必矣。”随何往说九江王布，布果背楚。楚使龙且往击之。

汉王之败彭城而西，行使人求家室，家室亦亡，不相得。败后乃独得孝惠，六月，立为太子，大赦罪人。令太子守栎阳，诸侯子在关中者皆集栎阳为卫。引水灌废丘，废丘降，章邯自杀。更名废丘为槐里。于是令祠官祀天地四方上帝山川，以时祀之。兴关内卒乘塞。

是时九江王布与龙且战，不胜，与随何间行归汉。汉王稍收士卒，与诸将及关中卒益出，是以兵大振荥阳，破楚京、索间。

三年，魏王豹谒归视亲疾，至即绝河津，反为楚。汉王使郦生说豹，豹不听。汉王遣将军韩信击，大破之，虏豹。遂定魏地，置三郡，曰河东、太原、上党。汉王乃令张耳与韩信遂东下井陉击赵，斩陈余、赵王歇。其明年，立张耳为赵王。