In December 202 BC, the last big drama of the Chu-Han rivalry kicked off under the wall. Xiang Yu was besieged, his grain and grass were exhausted, he was embattled and in a critical situation. That commanding and invincible overlord has now fallen into such a situation! Is this providence? After Xiang Yu broke through, he fled all the way with the few hundred remaining cavalry, and finally came to the Wujiang River. In the face of the pavilion chief's persuasion, Xiang Yu chose to die generously. This decision sparked numerous controversies in later generations. Some praise his integrity, and some regret his suicide. If Xiang Yu chooses to cross the river to the east, will history be rewritten? Does he really have a chance to make a comeback? Let's follow in the footsteps of history and explore this mystery together.
1. The reason for the defeat of Xiang Yu's army
In 202 BC, the struggle between Chu and Han entered the final decisive stage. Liu Bang united with the princes and gathered a large army to encircle and suppress Xiang Yu. The outcome of this decisive battle not only determined the outcome of the Chu-Han dispute, but also laid the foundation for China's reunification. However, why did Xiang Yu, who was once invincible, end up so miserably in this battle?
First of all, the balance of power between Chu and Han has changed dramatically. Although Xiang Yu won many battles in the early wars, each victory was accompanied by huge losses. Especially after the Battle of Pengcheng, although Xiang Yu repelled Liu Bang, he was also greatly injured. In contrast, Liu Bang adopted a more sensible strategy, shrinking in time after defeat, recuperating and accumulating strength. By the time it came to the battle of Qixia, Liu Bang already had an overwhelming advantage.
Secondly, Xiang Yu made a fatal mistake in employing people. He relied too much on personal bravery and neglected the importance of talent. In the early days of the Chu-Han war, Xiang Yu was assisted by strategists like Fan Zeng. However, Xiang Yu did not listen to Fan Zeng's advice, causing Fan Zeng to leave. In contrast, Liu Bang was good at employing people, and Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Han Xin and other talents gathered together, laying a solid foundation for his victory.
Xiang Yu's mistakes in employing people are also reflected in the disposal of meritorious heroes. He killed Yingbu, Peng Yue and other generals who had followed him, causing the hearts of the people to be scattered. Many princes and generals who originally supported Xiang Yu switched to Liu Bang's camp. This not only weakened Xiang Yu's strength, but also strengthened Liu Bang's side.
Moreover, Liu Bang successfully united the princes and formed a powerful united front. Before the Battle of Qixia, Liu Bang adopted the strategy of "uniting the periphery and dividing the interior". He allied with Qi, Liang and other states, and at the same time rebelled against some generals within the Chu state. This kind of diplomacy put Xiang Yu in an embattled predicament.
In the Battle of Qixia, Liu Bang's army adopted a strategy of "embattled", which further disintegrated the morale of Xiang Yu's army. When Xiang Yu heard Chu songs being sung in all directions, he realized that he had fallen into a desperate situation. This psychological blow, coupled with the disadvantage on the actual battlefield, made Xiang Yu lose his last hope.
In addition, Xiang Yu's strategic mistakes cannot be ignored. He paid too much attention to personal martial arts, often charging into battle himself, and neglecting the overall strategic deployment. In the battle of Qixia, Xiang Yu chose to stick to one place and gave Liu Bang the opportunity to surround him. In contrast, Liu Bang is better at strategizing and laying out the overall situation.
Finally, Xiang Yu's personality is also an important factor that leads to failure. He was proud and conceited, and he was not good at listening to others, a trait that was especially evident in the later stages of the war. When the situation is unfavorable to him, Xiang Yu often adopts a desperate approach, instead of calmly analyzing the situation and formulating a reasonable response strategy.
To sum up, Xiang Yu's defeat in the battle of Qixia was the result of the combined action of many factors. From the balance of power, the strategy of employing people, to the diplomatic skills, strategic deployment, and personal character, Xiang Yu is at a disadvantage in these aspects. This battle not only ended Xiang Yu's hegemony, but also opened a new page in Chinese history.
Second, Xiang Yu's heroic performance in the process of breaking through
After the battle of Qixia, Xiang Yu's situation has reached the point of life and death. However, even in such a desperate situation, this Chu overlord still showed amazing bravery and fearlessness, and staged a shocking breakthrough drama.
In December 202 BC, Xiang Yu was surrounded by the Han army and the army of the princes. The embattled strategy disintegrated the morale of the Chu army, and Xiang Yu realized that he could no longer hold on and decided to break through. Under the cover of dark night, Xiang Yu led more than 800 loyal cavalry and launched a fierce attack on the south.
These more than 800 cavalry are Xiang Yu's elite troops, and they live and die with Xiang Yu and swear to follow him to the death. Under the leadership of Xiang Yu, this small but extremely effective cavalry team was like a sharp knife, fiercely piercing into the encirclement of the Han army. In the process of breaking through, Xiang Yu personally charged into battle, and his tall figure and brave skills became the greatest support for the morale of the Chu army.
However, the encirclement network of the Han army was not so easy to break through. In the process of breaking through, Xiang Yu's team was constantly attacked, and the number gradually decreased. When he arrived at Yinling, there were only more than 100 cavalry left by Xiang Yu's side. But even so, Xiang Yu still did not give up, and he led the remaining soldiers to continue to advance eastward.
In Dongcheng, Xiang Yu encountered a more severe test. At this time, there were only 28 cavalry left on his side, and the number of pursuers had increased to thousands. In the face of such a disparity in power, ordinary generals may have surrendered or fled, but Xiang Yu chose to face the difficulties.
Xiang Yu said to the remaining cavalry: "I have fought more than 70 battles before and after since I started eight years ago, and I have never failed. I'm trapped here today, it's the heavens that will kill me, it's not that I made any mistake with my soldiers. Since it is inevitable to die today, then I must fight again, I must break through the siege and kill the enemy generals, cut down the Han flag three times, I want to tell you, this is the day to kill me, not my mistake in using soldiers. "
Subsequently, Xiang Yu divided the remaining cavalry into four teams and launched a charge in four directions. This tactical arrangement fully demonstrated Xiang Yu's military talent, and even in such a disadvantageous situation, he was still able to make the most reasonable deployment.
In the ensuing battle, Xiang Yu personally charged into battle, showing amazing personal bravery. He shouted loudly and rushed towards the Han army, and his momentum was so strong that the soldiers of the Han army were terrified. Xiang Yu took the lead and killed a Han general with his hands. When Lang Zhong of the Han army rode Yang Xi after him, Xiang Yu just glared and shouted angrily, "Come and die", which frightened Yang Xi and fled several miles away.
Xiang Yu's bravery is not only reflected in his personal martial arts, but also in his leadership and ability to boost morale. In the rush and killing, Xiang Yu always rushed to the front and set an example for his subordinates. His heroic actions greatly boosted the morale of the remaining soldiers, allowing the small team to break through repeatedly in the midst of heavy sieges.
In a fierce battle, Xiang Yu once again rushed into the Han army, this time he not only killed a Han lieutenant, but also killed more than a hundred Han soldiers in a row. And in this tragic battle, Xiang Yu's team lost only two cavalry. This disparity in results fully proves Xiang Yu's outstanding personal martial arts and command skills.
Even in such a difficult situation, Xiang Yu still maintained a high fighting spirit. He said to the remaining cavalry: "What do I say? It's not my fault for using soldiers, is it? These words not only showed Xiang Yu's self-confidence, but also reflected his concern for his subordinates and his affirmation of his own ability.
However, even a fierce general like Xiang Yu could not support such a fierce battle for a long time. In the continuous rush and killing, Xiang Yu and his subordinates were exhausted. They could only fight and retreat, and finally retreated to the Wujiang River.
Xiang Yu's performance in the process of breaking through fully demonstrated his demeanor as a hero of a generation. His personal bravery, military prowess and charisma were on full display in this final battle. Even in the face of the inevitable defeat, Xiang Yu still chose the most heroic way and used his actions to interpret what true heroism is.
3. Xiang Yu's choice in Wujiang
In December 202 BC, after a tragic breakout battle, Xiang Yu led the few dozen remaining cavalry to the Wujiang River. This river, which lies between Chu and Jiangdong, became a watershed in Xiang Yu's fate. Here, Xiang Yu is faced with a major choice related to life and death.
When Xiang Yu led the remnants of the army to the Wujiang ferry, a Wujiang pavilion chief named Lu Matong recognized this Chu overlord. Seeing that Xiang Yu was embarrassed, Lu Matong took the initiative to step forward and persuade: "King, why don't you cross the Jiangdong?" Although Jiangdong is small, the place is thousands of miles, and the population is one million, which is enough to be the king. Moreover, the king's prestige is still there, and as long as he arrives in Jiangdong, there must be many people willing to follow. It's not impossible to make a comeback like this! "
Lü Matong's remarks not only reflected his wit, but also reflected the actual situation in the Jiangdong region at that time. Jiangdong does have a considerable land and population, and it has a natural geographical barrier with the Central Plains, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. What's more, this is Xiang Yu's hometown, and he has deep roots and extensive influence in the local area.
Faced with Lu Matong's persuasion, Xiang Yu fell into a short silence. This decision is related to his life and death, and it will also affect the direction of the entire Chu-Han dispute. Xiang Yu was facing great pressure and difficult choices at this time.
However, Xiang Yu soon made his own decision. He said to Lu Matong: "The sky is going to kill me, why should I cross the river?" Besides, I crossed the river to the west with 8,000 soldiers, and now I am the only one left, even if the Jiangdong father and elders pity me, how can I see them? "
Xiang Yu's words fully reflect his backbone and sense of responsibility. As a commander-in-chief, he felt a deep responsibility to those soldiers who died with him. In Xiang Yu's view, fleeing back to Jiangdong alone not only insulted his prestige, but also betrayed the soldiers who sacrificed for him.
Then, Xiang Yu said another widely circulated sentence: "Besides, I cherish my face the most in my life, and I can't bear to let people see my embarrassed appearance." Thank you for me! These words not only reflect Xiang Yu's arrogance, but also show his open-minded attitude towards life and death.
After making this decision, Xiang Yu did not immediately kill himself. He first bowed four times to the east, faced his hometown, and said goodbye to his Jiangdong fathers. This action is full of nostalgia for hometown and respect for the old folks. Subsequently, Xiang Yu sang the famous "Song of the Fall": "Pull out the mountain and cover the world, and the times are not good." If you don't die, you can't help it, and you can't help it! This song not only expresses Xiang Yu's ambition, but also expresses his helplessness about fate.
After singing this song, Xiang Yu said to his cronies again: "I heard that the former king of Chu had many swords, among which there was a sword called 'Pure Hook'. After the king of Han got it, he should now be in Hongmen. You can go and ask the King of Han for this sword for me, and I want to use it to kill myself. This request not only shows Xiang Yu's cherishing of the cultural relics of the Chu State, but also reflects his insistence on his identity and status.
However, the Han army soon pursued to the Wujiang River. At this critical juncture, Xiang Yu had to give up the idea of waiting for the "pure hook" sword. He drew his saber and swung it at his neck, ending his life. Xiang Yu was only 31 years old when he killed himself, and he was in the prime of life.
After the news of Xiang Yu's death spread, it caused a huge shock. Even his enemies had to admit that Xiang Yu was a heroic hero. After learning of Xiang Yu's death, Liu Bang personally came to the Wujiang River to pay respects, and sent Xiang Yu's head back to Pengcheng for burial as a sign of respect.
Xiang Yu's choice by the Wujiang River has become an eternal topic in Chinese history. He chose death over escape, a decision that reflects both his heroism and his deep awareness of his own responsibility. Xiang Yu's choice drew a tragic and glorious end to his life, and also left endless thoughts and controversies for future generations.
4. The impact of Xiang Yu's death on the Chu-Han War
After the news of Xiang Yu's suicide in Wujiang spread, it had a huge and far-reaching impact on the situation of the Chu-Han War. This event not only marked the official end of the five-year-long struggle between Chu and Han, but also laid the final foundation for the unification of the Han Dynasty.
First of all, Xiang Yu's death directly led to the rapid collapse of the remnants of the Chu State. As the supreme commander and spiritual pillar of the Chu State, Xiang Yu's existence has always been the main driving force for the Chu army to continue to resist. His sudden death was like sucking away the pillars of the Chu State Building, making the already precarious Chu State completely lose hope of resistance.
Within just a few days of Xiang Yu's death, the main generals of the state of Chu surrendered to the Han army. Among them, Xiang Yu's cronies Long He and Zhong Liwu were the first to surrender, and they led the remaining Chu army to present a surrender letter to Liu Bang. The surrender of these two generals not only brought a large number of reinforcements to the Han army, but more importantly, it broke the will to resist within the Chu army.
Immediately afterwards, other generals of the Chu State, such as Yu Ziqi and Zang Di, also surrendered one after another. The submission of these generals caused the state of Chu to lose all its military strength in a short period of time. The Chu army troops that were originally scattered all over the country were quickly broken by the Han army or disbanded themselves after losing their unified command.
Not only that, but Pengcheng, the political center of the Chu state, also fell into the hands of the Han army shortly after Xiang Yu's death. Pengcheng was the capital of the Chu State, and its fall marked the complete collapse of the Chu regime. After the Han army entered Pengcheng, they took over the government institutions of the state of Chu and began to deal with the remaining problems of the state of Chu.
Xiang Yu's death also had a huge impact on Chu's allies. During the struggle between Chu and Han, many vassal states chose to side with Chu out of fear of Xiang Yu or recognition of Chu's strength. However, with Xiang Yu's death, these allies changed their stance and moved closer to the Han army.
For example, the State of Qi, which was originally close to the State of Chu, immediately sent an envoy to Liu Bang to ask for surrender after learning of Xiang Yu's death. Tian Guang, the king of Qi, committed suicide, and the state of Qi was completely subsumed under the rule of the Han Dynasty. Similarly, vassal states such as Yan and Zhao, which had originally allied with Chu, also submitted to the Han dynasty for a short time.
Xiang Yu's death also indirectly promoted the completion of the unification of the Han Dynasty. After addressing the greatest threat to the state of Chu, Liu Bang was able to free up his hands to deal with other regions that had not yet been fully surrendered. For example, Liu Bang personally led his army to quell the rebellion in the Bashu region and sent the general Han Xin to conquer the Hetao region occupied by the Xiongnu. The success of these military operations led to the rapid expansion of the territory of the Han Dynasty and the gradual formation of a unified situation.
It is worth noting that Xiang Yu's death also created the conditions for the internal stability of the Han Dynasty. During the Chu-Han conflict, many of the generals and princes who defected to the Han Dynasty still maintained a relatively independent status, and some of them even secretly maintained contact with the Chu State. Xiang Yu's death severed these people's ties with the state of Chu, allowing Liu Bang to confidently and boldly integrate power.
For example, shortly after Xiang Yu's death, Liu Bang began to work to weaken the power of the Gongyin group. He successively abolished Han Xin's title of King of Qi and weakened Peng Yue's position, which was unimaginable during Xiang Yu's lifetime. Xiang Yu's existence, to a certain extent, has become the reason for Liu Bang to encircle these heroes. Now that reason no longer exists, Liu Bang is able to exercise his political skills more freely.
In addition, Xiang Yu's death also had a far-reaching impact among the people. Although Xiang Yu was the loser of the Chu-Han rivalry, his bravery and tragic ending aroused widespread sympathy among the people. To a certain extent, this sentiment influenced the policies of the early Han Dynasty. For example, Liu Bang adopted a relatively lenient policy towards Chu after reunification, which was not only out of consideration to appease the people, but also related to Xiang Yu's influence among the people.
In general, Xiang Yu's suicide in Wujiang was not only the end of the struggle between Chu and Han, but also the end of an important era in Chinese history. It directly led to the demise of the Chu state, accelerated the unification process of the Han dynasty, and had a profound impact on the political landscape for hundreds of years afterward. Xiang Yu's death became an important turning point in the turbulent period of the late Qin and early Han dynasties, marking the beginning of a new historical stage in China.
5. Xiang Yu's evaluation and influence in history
As a highly controversial figure in Chinese history, Xiang Yu's evaluation and influence have evolved over the course of history. Since the Han Dynasty, the evaluation of Xiang Yu has been characterized by complexity and diversity, and this complexity has continued to this day.
At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, Xiang Yu was generally evaluated negatively. This was mainly due to the fact that the Han rulers needed to emphasize the defeat of Xiang Yu and the legitimacy of the establishment of the Han Dynasty in order to consolidate their power. For example, Sima Qian's evaluation of Xiang Yu in "Historical Records" is quite harsh. He wrote in "Xiang Yu Benji": "Xiang Yu is benevolent and righteous and loves others, and the warriors fight for use, and Yu breaks the contract, betrays the Chu State, and the world betrays him, and he can be tortured and killed, which is enough to set an example for the world." This passage not only affirmed Xiang Yu's personal charm, but also criticized his treacherous behavior.
However, as time went on, the evaluation of Xiang Yu began to change. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, some literati began to re-examine Xiang Yu's merits and demerits. For example, Wang Chong of the Eastern Han Dynasty had a relatively objective evaluation of Xiang Yu in "On Balance". He believes that although Xiang Yu failed in the end, his bravery and talent are undeniable.
After the Tang Dynasty, Xiang Yu's image in literary works began to become fuller and more complex. Many poets expressed sympathy and admiration for Xiang Yu in their works. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai wrote in the poem "Wujiang Pavilion": "The victorious and defeated soldiers are unexpected, and it is a man who is ashamed and ashamed." The children of Jiangdong are talented, and their comeback is unknown. This poem not only expresses regret for Xiang Yu's failure, but also affirms his courage and potential.
After the Song Dynasty, with the rise of opera art, Xiang Yu became the protagonist of many opera works. These works further enrich Xiang Yu's image, transforming him from a mere historical figure into an artistic image with rich emotions and complex personalities. For example, the Yuan Dynasty opera "Farewell My Concubine" created an image of Xiang Yu who was both brave and good at fighting and sentimental, which was widely spread among the people and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Qing scholars have a more diverse evaluation of Xiang Yu. Some scholars analyze Xiang Yu's successes and failures from a military perspective, such as Wei Yuan's detailed analysis of Xiang Yu's military advantages and disadvantages in the "Shengwu Ji". Other scholars judged Xiang Yu from a moral point of view, such as the Qing scholar Wang Fuzhi, who believed that although Xiang Yu had courage, he lacked benevolence and ultimately failed.
Since modern times, the research and evaluation of Xiang Yu have become more systematic and comprehensive. Many historians began to analyze the reasons for Xiang Yu's failure from multiple perspectives such as socio-economic and political systems. For example, the famous historian Gu Jiegang pointed out that the fundamental reason for Xiang Yu's defeat was that he represented a backward social force, while Liu Bang represented a more advanced social force.
In the field of literature and art, Xiang Yu's image continues to evolve. Modern writer Mao Dun's novel The Peasant War at the End of the Qin Dynasty depicts the image of Xiang Yu from a new perspective, placing him in a complex historical background for analysis. In addition, film and television works in recent years, such as the TV series "The Legend of Chu and Han" and the movie "Farewell My Concubine", have interpreted Xiang Yu, a historical figure, from different angles.
Xiang Yu's influence is not limited to historical evaluation and literature and art, but is also reflected in many aspects of traditional Chinese culture. For example, idioms and allusions related to Xiang Yu, such as "embattled", "broken cauldron and sinking boat", and "Hongmen feast", are still widely used today and have become an important part of Chinese culture.
In terms of military thought, Xiang Yu's strategy and tactics have always been the object of study and reference for later generations. His tactics of defeating the Qin army in the Battle of Julu are considered to be a classic example in ancient Chinese military history. Although Xiang Yu ultimately failed, some of his military ideas still have reference value.
In addition, Xiang Yu's personality charm also had a profound impact on later generations. His bravery, boldness and tragic ending have created a special heroic image and become a typical representative of the "tragic hero" in traditional Chinese culture. This image influenced the creation of many literati and artists in later generations, and also became a kind of heroic model in the eyes of ordinary people.
In terms of political thought, Xiang Yu's defeat also provided a reference for later rulers. When studying Xiang Yu's failures, many emperors came to the conclusion that "the benevolent man loves others, and the wise man loves himself", believing that the ruler should not only have Xiang Yu's personal charisma, but also avoid his overconfidence and contempt. To a certain extent, this kind of thinking influenced the political ideas of later generations.
In general, Xiang Yu, as a complex historical figure, has evolved his evaluation and influence with the changes of the times. From a simple historical evaluation, to the creative materials of literature and art, to an important part of cultural traditions, Xiang Yu's image and influence have far exceeded the limitations of his own history, and have become an eternal symbol and topic in Chinese culture.