The Powder Keg of Rebellion

As the Qin Dynasty’s grip on power weakened in the aftermath of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s death, the simmering discontent across former warring states erupted into open rebellion. The anti-Qin coalition, a fragile alliance of regional forces seeking to overthrow the centralized empire, had barely formalized their pact when General Zhang Han’s Qin armies launched devastating counteroffensives.

The first crisis emerged when the Wei army, positioned at the strategic heart of the Central Plains, attempted to seize the critical Aocang granary complex. These twelve monumental granaries—particularly Aocang, the empire’s largest—represented the Qin logistical backbone. Built atop Mount Ao with unparalleled water and land transport access, Aocang’s capture would have severed the Qin’s “nutritional artery,” as historian Sima Qian later described it.

Zhang Han’s Lightning Campaigns

General Zhang Han, one of the Nine Ministers of Qin, understood the existential threat posed by the Wei maneuver. His response demonstrated textbook military efficiency:

1. The Wei Campaign – After crushing Zhou Shi’s Wei forces at Linji, Zhang Han accepted King Jiu’s surrender—only to find the Wei ruler had immolated himself rather than face capture.
2. The Night March – In a daring tactical move, Zhang Han’s cavalry conducted a silent night march (with wrapped hooves and gagged bits) to surprise the Qi-Chu relief forces at dawn.
3. Dual Decapitations – The Qin forces killed both King Tian Dan of Qi and his general Tian Ba in quick succession, temporarily stabilizing the Central Plains.

These victories came at a critical juncture—just as the anti-Qin coalition faced potential collapse.

The Chu Counteroffensive

Under Xiang Liang’s leadership, the Chu rebels adopted Fan Zeng’s strategy of concentrated strikes against divided Qin forces. Their five battles between summer and autumn 208 BCE reveal both military prowess and disturbing brutality:

| Battle | Location | Outcome | Notable Event |
|—————-|————–|———————————-|———————————–|
| Dong’e | Shandong | Major Qin defeat | Caused Qi-Chu-Zhao infighting |
| Chengyang | Shandong | City massacre | Xiang Yu’s second documented slaughter |
| Puyang East | Henan | Tactical victory | Failed to take Puyang proper |
| Yongqiu | Henan | Killed Li You (Li Si’s son) | Showcased Xiang Yu’s battlefield prowess |
| Dingtao | Shandong | Pyrrhic victory | Set stage for catastrophic defeat |

The campaign’s mixed results—two major victories offset by atrocities that alienated civilians—masked deeper strategic weaknesses.

The Fatal Complacency

Xiang Liang’s growing overconfidence created a perfect storm. Despite warnings from advisor Song Yi about “victory making generals arrogant and troops lazy,” the Chu commander dismissed concerns. His fatal miscalculations included:

– Refusing to recall Xiang Yu’s elite 8,000 cavalry from Waihuang
– Ignoring Fan Zeng’s warnings about Qin reinforcements
– Underestimating Zhang Han’s tactical adaptability

Meanwhile, Zhang Han secretly mobilized 50,000 elite cavalry from Wang Li’s northern army while marching his main 200,000-strong force toward Dingtao.

The Battle That Changed History

The September 208 BCE confrontation at Dingtao proved a masterclass in combined arms warfare:

1. Qin Deployment – Used convict soldiers to pin Chu flanks while unleashing northern cavalry at the center
2. Decapitation Strike – 10,000 horsemen isolated and annihilated Xiang Liang’s 5,000 personal guard
3. Psychological Impact – Xiang Liang’s suicide and the Chu army’s disintegration sent shockwaves through the rebellion

The aftermath revealed the battle’s true significance:
– Xiang Yu, previously unstoppable, retreated without attempting revenge
– Liu Bang began positioning himself as an alternative leader
– The Qin regained temporary momentum

The Missed Opportunity

Zhang Han’s victory could have marked a Qin resurgence, but the empire squandered its chance through:
1. Political purges in Xianyang (including Li Si’s execution)
2. Failure to pursue the shattered Chu forces aggressively
3. Overextension against multiple rebel groups

This allowed Liu Bang and Xiang Yu to regroup, setting the stage for the climactic battles at Julu and Gaixia that would ultimately topple the Qin.

Legacy of the Central Plains Campaign

The 208 BCE campaigns established enduring patterns in Chinese warfare:
– Logistics Matter – The struggle for Aocang foreshadowed later battles over granaries
– Cavalry Dominance – Qin’s northern horsemen demonstrated mounted warfare’s decisive potential
– Psychological Warfare – Both sides used terror (Qin executions vs. Chu massacres) as strategic tools

Most significantly, the seesaw conflict proved that while the Qin military remained formidable, the empire’s political decay had become irreversible—a lesson later dynasties would study carefully. The temporary Qin revival under Zhang Han ultimately served as the dying empire’s last brilliant flash before its final collapse.