The Rise and Fall of a Master Strategist
Fan Zeng stood as one of the most brilliant military strategists of the late Qin and early Chu-Han contention period. As the chief advisor to Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, Fan’s counsel shaped some of the most pivotal moments in the power struggle following the Qin dynasty’s collapse. His dramatic departure from the Chu army camp at Xingyang and subsequent return to the Chu capital Pengcheng marked the beginning of his tragic end – a story that reveals much about the political tensions and personal loyalties that defined this turbulent era.
The aging strategist found himself suddenly removed from the constant motion of military campaigns, and in this unaccustomed stillness, decades of accumulated memories and regrets surged through his mind like tidal waves after an undersea earthquake. Physical symptoms followed his mental anguish – a parched mouth, internal heat, and loss of appetite that reduced him to consuming only thin gruel. His restless nights culminated in one particularly sleepless evening when ominous premonitions drove him to conduct divination rituals in an attempt to discern the future.
The Fateful Divination
Following ancient traditions, Fan Zeng purified himself through fasting and bathing before summoning a diviner to prepare the sacred tortoise shells. He personally washed the shells, drilled holes, applied egg whites, and placed them over fire while offering solemn prayers to the “Jade Spirit Master.” His first inquiry addressed the most pressing concern: “When will the military conflicts be resolved?”
The resulting cracks in the shell formed an ominous pattern – the “head raised, feet open” configuration with a disordered, chaotic appearance that suggested external height and internal collapse. Fan could only sigh deeply at this unfavorable omen.
His second question proved even more personal and foreboding: “Is my illness life-threatening?” The shell’s response showed a “head lowered, feet closed” pattern with fractures suggesting complete disintegration. Recognizing the dire implications, Fan Zeng’s expression darkened as he turned to philosophical reflection on his life’s work through a series of probing questions from the diviner.
Reckoning with History
The dialogue between Fan Zeng and the diviner serves as a remarkable historical testimony, allowing the strategist to defend his positions on several controversial events that shaped the Chu-Han contention:
1. The Execution of Song Yi: Fan justified Xiang Yu’s killing of the “Qingzi Champion” Song Yi by arguing the commander had shown divided loyalties to Qi and was dangerously delaying military action against Qin forces.
2. The Massacre at Xin’an: Regarding the infamous burial alive of 200,000 surrendered Qin soldiers, Fan claimed he had protested but understood the deep-seated hatred from Zhao soldiers whose ancestors had suffered similar atrocities at Qin hands.
3. The Death of Ziying: Fan defended the execution of the last Qin ruler by citing generations of Chu royalty who had died at Qin hands and the impossibility of sparing any Qin royal descendants.
4. The Broken Covenant: He argued Xiang Yu hadn’t violated agreements with Liu Bang but rather responded to Liu’s own transgressions in seizing Qin territory.
5. The Capital Question: Fan explained Xiang Yu’s decision not to establish his capital in the Qin heartland as reflecting his soldiers’ homesickness and the need to maintain separate spheres for Chu and Han.
The most devastating question came last – regarding the murder of Emperor Yi (the former King Huai of Chu). Fan Zeng fell silent, unable to defend this action. That very night, a painful abscess developed on his back, leading to his death seven days later.
The Political Consequences of Fan’s Death
Fan Zeng’s passing represented far more than the loss of one advisor. As Su Shi (Su Dongpo) later observed, “Chen Ping’s schemes could only succeed because suspicion had already taken root.” The fundamental rift between Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng stemmed from their opposing stances toward Emperor Yi – Fan had originally proposed establishing King Huai, while Xiang Yu ultimately arranged his murder. This philosophical divide made Fan vulnerable to Chen Ping’s famous stratagem that successfully turned Xiang against his most loyal advisor.
The parallel with Xun Yu in the late Han period is striking – both brilliant strategists found themselves at odds with their lords over questions of dynastic legitimacy. Fan Zeng couldn’t countenance Xiang Yu’s ambition to replace the legitimate Chu royal line, just as Xun Yu would later oppose Cao Cao’s imperial aspirations.
The Strategic Aftermath
With Fan Zeng gone, Xiang Yu lost his most insightful counselor at precisely the moment when strategic decisions became most critical. Liu Bang reportedly remarked that Xiang Yu’s failure to properly utilize Fan Zeng led directly to his downfall. The subsequent events at Xingyang demonstrated this dramatically.
As Chu forces intensified their siege of Xingyang in 203 BCE, the trapped Han leadership grew desperate. The famous ruse involving General Ji Xin – who impersonated Liu Bang to allow the real ruler’s escape – succeeded partly because of Chu’s overconfidence following Fan Zeng’s departure. The elaborate deception, masterminded by Chen Ping, exploited the strategic blindness that had overtaken Chu leadership.
The defense of Xingyang under Zhou Ke and the controversial execution of the wavering Wei Bao further highlighted the brutal calculus of war during this period. Liu Bang’s subsequent maneuvers – feinting south through Wuguan while Peng Yue harassed Chu’s rear areas – demonstrated the sophisticated multi-front warfare that ultimately wore down Xiang Yu’s forces.
Historical Reflections
Fan Zeng’s final days offer profound insights into the nature of political loyalty and military strategy during China’s transition from Qin unification through the Chu-Han contention. His divination session stands as one of history’s most poignant deathbed reckonings – a brilliant mind grappling with his role in shaping violent historical currents.
The sites associated with these events – from Xingyang’s ancient walls to the Ji Xin Temple – remain powerful reminders of this pivotal period. Modern excavations at locations like the supposed Ji Xin tomb continue to shed light on how later generations memorialized these dramatic events.
Ultimately, Fan Zeng’s story transcends its historical moment to speak to universal themes: the limits of loyalty, the weight of political violence, and the tragic consequences when rulers reject wise counsel. His legacy endures not just in historical records but in the enduring Chinese appreciation for strategic wisdom and moral principle in governance.