The Siege of Xingyang: A Desperate Stand

The year was 204 BCE during the brutal Chu-Han Contention, a pivotal civil war following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang, the eventual founder of the Han Dynasty, found himself trapped in the besieged city of Xingyang. With food supplies exhausted and Xiang Yu’s formidable Chu army tightening their grip, Liu Bang’s survival—and the fate of his rebellion—hung by a thread.

Xingyang’s strategic location near the Yellow River made it a crucial stronghold. Losing it would have crippled Liu Bang’s forces. Yet, escape seemed impossible—until an extraordinary act of loyalty changed everything.

The Sacrifice of General Ji Xin

Liu Bang’s greatest strength lay in his ability to inspire devotion. Unlike Xiang Yu, whose arrogance alienated even his most loyal followers, Liu Bang cultivated deep bonds with his men. When escape became imperative, General Ji Xin volunteered for a suicide mission.

Under cover of night, Ji Xin disguised himself as Liu Bang, riding forth in an imperial carriage adorned with yellow silk—a symbol of the emperor. As 2,000 troops (including women) exited the eastern gate, Chu soldiers swarmed, believing they had captured Liu Bang. The ruse worked flawlessly: while Xiang Yu’s forces celebrated the false surrender, Liu Bang and a handful of riders slipped out the western gate.

The moment of revelation was dramatic. When Xiang Yu ordered the “captured” Liu Bang to kneel, Ji Xin defiantly laughed, exposing the deception. Enraged, Xiang Yu executed Ji Xin by burning him alive—a brutal end that underscored the Chu leader’s impulsiveness.

The Psychology of Leadership: Why Liu Bang Prevailed

This episode reveals the core differences between the two rivals:

– Liu Bang’s Empathy: He honored fallen soldiers’ families, fostering unwavering loyalty. The Records of the Grand Historian notes his generosity (“仁而爱人，喜施”), a trait that drew defectors from Xiang Yu’s ranks.
– Xiang Yu’s Fatal Flaws: His vanity (“过分自信”) blinded him. He dismissed advisors like Fan Zeng (whom he had earlier alienated) and failed to reward sacrifices, leaving his ranks fractured.

The Ripple Effects: Guerrilla Warfare and Strategic Fatigue

Liu Bang’s escape marked a turning point. Adopting a strategy devised by his tactician Zhang Liang, he avoided direct confrontations, instead harassing Chu supply lines. Key maneuvers included:

1. Peng Yue’s Raids: The former bandit leader attacked Chu territories, forcing Xiang Yu into exhausting cross-country marches.
2. The Fall of Chenggao: After Liu Bang abandoned the city, Xiang Yu left it under General Cao Jiu’s command—with strict orders to avoid battle. Yet, Han provocation lured Cao Jiu into a disastrous ambush at the River Si.

Xiang Yu’s forces won battles but lost the war of attrition. Each victory drained resources, while Liu Bang’s alliances grew.

Legacy: The Han Dynasty’s Foundation

Liu Bang’s survival at Xingyang set the stage for his ultimate victory at Gaixia (202 BCE). The lessons endure:

– Adaptability Over Brute Force: Liu Bang’s willingness to retreat and regroup contrasted with Xiang Yu’s relentless assaults.
– The Power of Loyalty: Ji Xin’s sacrifice became legendary, symbolizing the moral authority that underpinned Han rule.

Modern leaders still study this conflict, recognizing that resilience and humility often outlast sheer strength. The Chu-Han Contention wasn’t just a war of armies—it was a contest of character, and at Xingyang, Liu Bang’s triumphed.