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项羽 Xiang Yu (232-202 BC) -- A prideful, tragic hero
By Zhang Ciyun |
August 28, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
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Xiang Yu, a prominent military and rebel leader, has been widely deemed the most renowned tragic hero in Chinese history since his death in 202 BC. His matchless might and prowess had not only awed his rivals in battle, but also won him great respect from his followers and future generations. Also, his overbearing pride, final defeat and suicide, and his romance with his concubine have provided inspiration for numerous novels, poems, folk songs, movies, TV plays, Chinese operas and even video games.
Xiang was born in a noble family in the State of Chu. Many of his ancestors were famous generals and military leaders. Xiang Yan, his grandfather was the last top general of the state. In 223 BC, when the State of Chu was annihilated by the State of Qin, whose leader later unified the country and became the first emperor of China, Xiang's grandfather committed suicide. Xiang was only 10 years old at the time.
Since his father died early, Xiang was raised by his uncle, Xiang Liang. His uncle taught him to read and write and practice swordsmanship. But, Xiang wasn't enthusiastic at all. So, his uncle asked him why he was not so interested in studying. Xiang replied that reading and writing could only be used to record people's names and using a sword could be used only to fight one enemy. He wanted to learn a weapon that could help him fight thousands of enemies.
So, his uncle began to teach Xiang military stratagems when he was only a teenager.
Soon, Xiang grew into a very tall and big man. It was said that he had the strength to single-handedly lift a giant bronze cauldron. Also, he was extremely bright. Therefore, many young people in the former State of Chu admired and respected Xiang.
In 210 BC, the first emperor of China came to the southern part of the country on an inspection tour. Xiang happened to be at the scene with his uncle when the emperor's procession passed by. All on-lookers were awed by the grand imperial extravagance. And Xiang suddenly blurted out loudly: "I'll replace him as the emperor of the country one day." His uncle immediately covered his mouth and warned him to shut up, for fear that it might throw them into trouble.
In 209 BC, a major peasant rebellion against imperial rule erupted. Xiang immediately initiated his own rebellion and became a military leader. As his force continued to grow in size, Xiang decided to overthrow the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and restore the State of Chu.
Xiang fought a decisive battle with the Qin army in Julu in central China in 207 BC. Xiang led a 30,000 strong rebel army to fight 200,000 Qin troops. To show his determination to defeat the overwhelming enemy, after crossing a river, Xiang ordered his men to sink all the boats and burn out all the bridges. After several engagements, Xiang defeated the Qin army, making the battle a turning point in overthrowing the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
After the Julu battle, thousands of rebels from other forces joined Xiang and eventually, Xiang had about 400,000 soldiers under his command.
Next year, the last emperor of Qin surrendered to another rebel force led by Liu Bang, bringing an end to the Qin Dynasty.
In the following years, Xiang made a series of mistakes while fighting Liu for control of the country.
After his troops were thoroughly defeated by Liu's army in the Battle of Gaixia, Xiang retreated to the Wu River in today's Anhui Province with only a few hundred soldiers. Some people tried to persuade Xiang to cross the river and go back to his homeland, the former State of Chu, to seek help.
However, Xiang was too proud and felt too ashamed to return home as a failure, so he committed suicide at the riverside.
His arch rival Liu went down in history as a legendary hero and he became the first emperor of the powerful Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).
Xiang was born in a noble family in the State of Chu. Many of his ancestors were famous generals and military leaders. Xiang Yan, his grandfather was the last top general of the state. In 223 BC, when the State of Chu was annihilated by the State of Qin, whose leader later unified the country and became the first emperor of China, Xiang's grandfather committed suicide. Xiang was only 10 years old at the time.
Since his father died early, Xiang was raised by his uncle, Xiang Liang. His uncle taught him to read and write and practice swordsmanship. But, Xiang wasn't enthusiastic at all. So, his uncle asked him why he was not so interested in studying. Xiang replied that reading and writing could only be used to record people's names and using a sword could be used only to fight one enemy. He wanted to learn a weapon that could help him fight thousands of enemies.
So, his uncle began to teach Xiang military stratagems when he was only a teenager.
Soon, Xiang grew into a very tall and big man. It was said that he had the strength to single-handedly lift a giant bronze cauldron. Also, he was extremely bright. Therefore, many young people in the former State of Chu admired and respected Xiang.
In 210 BC, the first emperor of China came to the southern part of the country on an inspection tour. Xiang happened to be at the scene with his uncle when the emperor's procession passed by. All on-lookers were awed by the grand imperial extravagance. And Xiang suddenly blurted out loudly: "I'll replace him as the emperor of the country one day." His uncle immediately covered his mouth and warned him to shut up, for fear that it might throw them into trouble.
In 209 BC, a major peasant rebellion against imperial rule erupted. Xiang immediately initiated his own rebellion and became a military leader. As his force continued to grow in size, Xiang decided to overthrow the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and restore the State of Chu.
Xiang fought a decisive battle with the Qin army in Julu in central China in 207 BC. Xiang led a 30,000 strong rebel army to fight 200,000 Qin troops. To show his determination to defeat the overwhelming enemy, after crossing a river, Xiang ordered his men to sink all the boats and burn out all the bridges. After several engagements, Xiang defeated the Qin army, making the battle a turning point in overthrowing the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
After the Julu battle, thousands of rebels from other forces joined Xiang and eventually, Xiang had about 400,000 soldiers under his command.
Next year, the last emperor of Qin surrendered to another rebel force led by Liu Bang, bringing an end to the Qin Dynasty.
In the following years, Xiang made a series of mistakes while fighting Liu for control of the country.
After his troops were thoroughly defeated by Liu's army in the Battle of Gaixia, Xiang retreated to the Wu River in today's Anhui Province with only a few hundred soldiers. Some people tried to persuade Xiang to cross the river and go back to his homeland, the former State of Chu, to seek help.
However, Xiang was too proud and felt too ashamed to return home as a failure, so he committed suicide at the riverside.
His arch rival Liu went down in history as a legendary hero and he became the first emperor of the powerful Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).
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