The Rise of the Zhang-Chu Rebellion

In the first year of Emperor Qin Er Shi’s reign (209 BCE), the Zhang-Chu regime, led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, emerged as the first major rebellion against the Qin Dynasty. After establishing their capital at Chen County, the rebel leaders faced a critical strategic decision: whether to focus solely on confronting Qin forces in the heartland or to expand their influence northward.

Two influential strategists, Zhang Er and Chen Yu, both former wandering knights who had long resided in Chen County, proposed a bold plan: opening a northern front in the former territories of Zhao and Yan. Their objective was to incite rebellion among the local populations, thereby diverting and weakening the Qin’s formidable northern army, which was stationed along the Great Wall to defend against Xiongnu incursions.

The Northern Expedition Begins

Chen Sheng entrusted Wu Chen, a trusted lieutenant since the Daze Uprising, with leading a force of 3,000 soldiers across the Yellow River. Zhang Er and Chen Yu were appointed as deputies, while Shao Sao, another loyalist, was assigned as a military supervisor to ensure compliance with Chen Sheng’s directives.

The expeditionary force set out from Chen County, traversed Dang Commandery, and crossed the Yellow River at Baima Ford (modern-day Hua County, Henan). Upon entering the former Zhao territory, Wu Chen’s army capitalized on deep-seated resentment against Qin rule. The Qin had brutally suppressed Zhao after the infamous Battle of Changping (260 BCE), where 400,000 Zhao soldiers were massacred. By invoking this historical trauma, Wu Chen’s forces quickly gained local support, capturing over a dozen cities and swelling their ranks to tens of thousands.

The Rebirth of Zhao and the Betrayal of Wu Chen

Following the advice of the strategist Kuai Tong, Wu Chen adopted a conciliatory approach toward Qin officials, persuading many to defect rather than resist. This policy proved highly effective, allowing his army to peacefully occupy key regions, including the former Zhao capital of Handan.

However, upon learning of the setbacks faced by the main Zhang-Chu forces in the Guanzhong region, Wu Chen made a fateful decision: in August 209 BCE, he declared himself King of Zhao, establishing an independent regime with Zhang Er as Chancellor of the Right and Chen Yu as Grand General. This move marked a critical shift—instead of reinforcing Chen Sheng’s campaign against the Qin heartland, Wu Chen prioritized consolidating his own power.

Expansion and Fragmentation

In September 209 BCE, Wu Chen dispatched three armies to expand his territory:
– Li Liang marched north to conquer Hengshan Commandery.
– Zhang Yan advanced west into Shangdang Commandery.
– Han Guang was sent to subdue the former Yan territories.

Han Guang, a native of Yan, initially succeeded in rallying local support. Yet, echoing Wu Chen’s earlier betrayal, he declared himself King of Yan just one month after Zhao’s revival. This fragmentation weakened the anti-Qin coalition, as each kingdom prioritized self-interest over collective resistance.

The Qin Counteroffensive

The Qin Empire, initially caught off guard, regrouped under General Zhang Han. By November 209 BCE, Zhang Han’s forces pushed the Zhang-Chu army out of the Guanzhong region. Meanwhile, the Qin’s northern army, led by Wang Li (grandson of the famed general Wang Jian), crossed the Yellow River to suppress the rebellions in Zhao and Yan.

Wang Li’s campaign was devastating. He recaptured Shangdang and Hengshan, isolating Zhao’s forces. Li Liang, a former Qin officer who had defected to Zhao, grew disillusioned after a humiliating encounter with Wu Chen’s sister. In a fit of rage, he assassinated her, then launched a coup, killing Wu Chen and Shao Sao.

The Restoration of Zhao Under Zhao Xie

Zhang Er and Chen Yu narrowly escaped Li Liang’s purge and regrouped with remnants of the Zhao army. Recognizing the need for legitimacy, they sought out Zhao Xie, a descendant of the old Zhao royal family, and crowned him king in early 208 BCE. With support from Qi’s King Tian Dan, the new Zhao regime reclaimed Handan and stabilized its eastern territories.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The northern campaign of the Zhang-Chu Rebellion was a microcosm of the broader anti-Qin movement. It demonstrated both the potential and pitfalls of decentralized resistance:
1. Strategic Overreach: By dividing their forces, the rebels allowed the Qin to counterattack piecemeal.
2. Leadership Rivalries: Personal ambitions (e.g., Wu Chen and Han Guang’s self-proclaimed kingships) undermined unity.
3. The Role of Local Resentment: The deep hatred of Qin rule in Zhao and Yan fueled initial successes but also led to volatile alliances.

Ultimately, the rebellion’s fragmentation paved the way for Xiang Yu and Liu Bang’s rise. Yet, the Zhao and Yan campaigns critically diverted Qin resources, hastening the dynasty’s collapse in 206 BCE. The episode remains a testament to the power of popular uprisings—and the dangers of disunity in revolutionary movements.