The Brotherhood That Shaped an Empire

In the ninth month of the second year of Emperor Er Shi’s reign (208 BCE), a pivotal moment unfolded in Chinese history when two future rivals—Liu Bang and Xiang Yu—swore brotherhood. This symbolic act cemented their shared experiences during the early anti-Qin uprisings, creating a bond that would soon fracture under the weight of ambition. The ceremony marked not just personal loyalty but a strategic alliance in the chaotic landscape of the collapsing Qin dynasty.

Liu Bang, then a minor official turned rebel leader, and Xiang Yu, the fiery aristocratic scion of the Chu state, had fought side by side under the banner of King Huai of Chu. Their oath represented the last moment of unity before their paths diverged dramatically. Xiang Yu would march north under Song Yi to relieve the besieged Zhao state, while Liu Bang received orders to strike west toward the Qin heartland. This division of forces would set the stage for their eventual confrontation.

Liu Bang’s Calculated Maneuvers

Contrary to expectations, Liu Bang didn’t immediately push westward after receiving his mandate. From autumn 208 to spring 207 BCE, his forces moved erratically through Dang County, Li County, Chengwu, and Chengyang—regions northeast of their eventual target. This apparent hesitation served multiple strategic purposes:

First, Liu Bang sought to consolidate scattered remnants of Chen Sheng’s and Xiang Liang’s defeated armies. The recent death of Xiang Yu’s uncle Xiang Liang at Dingtao had left many Chu forces leaderless. By absorbing these troops, Liu Bang expanded his army from a few thousand to nearly 10,000 soldiers.

Second, these maneuvers allowed Liu Bang to test and weaken local Qin garrisons. Victories at Chengyang and Chengwu demonstrated his growing military capability while avoiding direct confrontation with main Qin forces under Zhang Han.

Third, this period saw Liu Bang forge crucial alliances. At Li County, he incorporated 4,000 troops from the Chu general Gang Wuhou. Later, he coordinated with Wei commanders Huang Xin and Wu Pu, creating a network of regional support that would prove vital in his future rise.

The Political Chessboard of King Huai’s Court

Liu Bang’s seemingly aimless movements mirrored the stalled campaign of Song Yi’s main Chu army, which remained inactive for 46 days at Anyang. This parallel behavior suggests both commanders were following King Huai’s unspoken strategy—to let Qin and rebel forces exhaust each other while protecting Chu’s capital at Xuzhou.

The political calculus changed dramatically in winter 207 BCE when Xiang Yu assassinated Song Yi, took command, and forced King Huai to recognize his authority. His spectacular victory at Julu—where he destroyed Wang Li’s Qin army and became commander of all allied forces—shifted the rebellion’s momentum. Yet even as Xiang Yu’s star rose in the north, Liu Bang continued his methodical preparations in the Dang region.

The Meeting That Changed History: Liu Bang and Peng Yue

In February 207 BCE, Liu Bang’s northern push to attack Changyi County failed militarily but succeeded strategically by introducing him to Peng Yue, a former fisherman turned rebel leader. Peng’s guerrilla forces based in the Juye Marshlands represented a new type of military power—independent of the old aristocratic structures.

Their alliance exemplified the pragmatic politics emerging from Qin’s collapse. Peng, like Liu, came from humble origins and prioritized practical gains over feudal loyalties. Though their initial collaboration at Changyi proved brief, this meeting planted seeds for their later cooperation during the Chu-Han contention.

The Western Campaign Begins

With Zhang Han’s Qin forces retreating after Xiang Yu’s victories, Liu Bang finally turned westward in earnest during spring 207 BCE. His initial plan to follow the Sanchuan Road—retracing Zhou Wen’s ill-fated 209 BCE march—met resistance at Luoyang. Forced to adapt, Liu Bang pivoted southward toward Nanyang Commandery, aiming for the Wu Pass instead of the heavily defended Hangu Pass.

This flexibility became characteristic of Liu Bang’s military leadership. Unlike Xiang Yu’s reliance on decisive battles, Liu Bang embraced tactical retreats and alternative approaches when faced with strong resistance.

The Scholar and the Warrior: Recruiting the Li Brothers

At Chenliu (modern Kaifeng), Liu Bang encountered Li Yiji, a poor but brilliant scholar working as a village gatekeeper, and his warrior brother Li Shang. Their dramatic first meeting—where Li Yiji boldly criticized Liu Bang’s rudeness during a foot-washing session—showcased Liu Bang’s ability to recognize and utilize talent regardless of background.

Li Yiji’s subsequent capture of Chenliu through persuasion rather than force provided Liu Bang with crucial supplies and manpower. The Li brothers’ integration into Liu Bang’s forces marked another step in building a diverse leadership team combining intellectuals, former Qin officials, and grassroots rebels.

The Nanyang Model: Incorporating Qin Forces

The surrender of Nanyang Commandery in June 207 BCE represented a turning point in Liu Bang’s strategy. By allowing Qin commander Qi to retain his post as Marquis of Yin while incorporating his troops, Liu Bang established a template for absorbing rather than annihilating Qin institutions.

This pragmatic approach contrasted sharply with Xiang Yu’s tendency toward mass executions of surrendered Qin forces. The Nanyang model allowed Liu Bang to:
– Gain experienced Qin military personnel
– Secure stable rear areas
– Present himself as a reconciler rather than conqueror
– Build administrative continuity from Qin to Han

The Cultural Crossroads of Chenliu

The Chenliu region (modern Kaifeng) where Liu Bang recruited the Li brothers held deep historical significance as the successor to the ruined Wei capital of Daliang. This area had been:
– A 4th-century BCE intellectual hub hosting philosophers like Mencius
– The base of Lord Xinling’s famous retinue of strategists and warriors
– The cultural wellspring influencing generations including Zhang Er and Liu Bang himself

Liu Bang’s ability to tap into this legacy of pragmatic statecraft and meritocratic recruitment—embodied by scholars like Li Yiji—would become a hallmark of his eventual Han administration.

Legacy of a Fractured Friendship

The divergence between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu after their 208 BCE brotherhood oath shaped China’s imperial future in profound ways. Where Xiang Yu sought to restore the aristocratic order of the Warring States, Liu Bang blended:
– Chu rebel roots with Qin administrative practices
– Grassroots leadership with former elite expertise
– Military pragmatism with cultural continuity

Their contrasting approaches to surrendered Qin forces—Liu Bang’s incorporation versus Xiang Yu’s executions—ultimately determined who could build a sustainable post-Qin order. The Han dynasty that emerged from Liu Bang’s victory would institutionalize this blend of continuity and change, establishing patterns of Chinese governance that endured for millennia.

The personal rivalry that began with a sworn brotherhood’s dissolution became the crucible forging imperial China’s first long-lasting dynasty. In their fractured alliance lay the seeds of a new political tradition—one that balanced revolution with stability, merit with hierarchy, and regional diversity with centralized unity.