The Legacy of the Xiang Family in Chu

The story of Xiang Yu begins with his illustrious family background in the declining state of Chu during the late Warring States period. The Xiang clan had served as military commanders for generations under the Chu kings, earning the fiefdom of Xiangcheng (modern-day Xiang County, Henan). Their most renowned figure, Xiang Yan, achieved the remarkable feat of defeating a 200,000-strong Qin army led by Li Xin and Meng Tian—the only major setback Emperor Qin Shi Huang faced during his unification campaigns.

After Chu’s fall, the Qin regime persecuted the Xiang family, forcing Xiang Liang (Xiang Yan’s son) to flee with his nephew Xiang Yu to Kuaiji Commandery (modern Jiangsu and Zhejiang). Historical records depict young Xiang Yu as disinterested in literature or swordsmanship but fascinated by military strategy—a passion his uncle nurtured through intensive training in family military tactics.

The Gathering Storm Against Qin

Kuaiji, as former Chu territory, became a hotbed of anti-Qin sentiment. Xiang Liang leveraged his family’s prestige to build a private militia disguised as household retainers. When Chen Sheng and Wu Guang ignited the Daze Village Uprising in 209 BCE, the Kuaiji governor panicked and sought Xiang Liang’s help—a fatal miscalculation. In a bold coup, Xiang Yu assassinated the governor during their meeting, allowing his uncle to seize control of the commandery’s 8,000 troops.

The rebellion gained momentum when:
– Chen Ying surrendered his 20,000-strong Dongyang militia
– Rebel leaders Ying Bu and General Pu joined forces
– The coalition swelled to 60,000-70,000 soldiers

At the pivotal Xuecheng Conference, the rebels confirmed Chen Sheng’s death and adopted Fan Zeng’s proposal to restore the Chu monarchy. They installed Xiong Xin—grandson of the beloved King Huai of Chu—as the new “King Huai of Chu,” with Xiang Liang as commander-in-chief.

The Meteoric Rise and Sudden Fall

Xiang Liang’s early victories against Qin general Zhang Han bred overconfidence. After capturing Dingtao, his forces were caught unprepared when Zhang Han launched a surprise counterattack with 300,000 reinforcements from Wang Li’s army. The total annihilation of Xiang Liang’s troops at Dingtao (208 BCE) marked a turning point—the rebellion’s leadership passed to his nephew.

Xiang Yu’s subsequent achievements were extraordinary:
– The legendary Battle of Julu (207 BCE) where his army destroyed the Qin main force
– Forcing Zhang Han’s surrender after multiple victories
– Leading the coalition of 400,000 troops toward the Qin heartland

However, his brutal tactics—including the massacre of 200,000 surrendered Qin soldiers—sowed seeds of future conflict.

The Contest for Supremacy

Upon reaching Xianyang, Xiang Yu made fateful decisions:
1. Executed the surrendered Qin prince Ziying
2. Burned the Epang Palace (allegedly for three months)
3. Conducted the infamous “Feast of Partition” dividing China into 18 kingdoms

His territorial allocations favored loyalists while marginalizing former allies like Liu Bang, whom he exiled to remote Hanzhong despite the “First to Enter Guanzhong Rules” agreement. Self-proclaimed as “Hegemon-King of Western Chu,” Xiang Yu arranged the assassination of the puppet King Huai, cementing his dominance.

The Fatal Rivalry with Liu Bang

Liu Bang’s subsequent rebellion exploited Xiang Yu’s strategic weaknesses:
– The “Feigned Repair of Plank Roads” deception (206 BCE)
– Rapid conquest of the Three Qins within months
– Formation of a multi-kingdom coalition against Chu

The decisive Battle of Gaixia (202 BCE) demonstrated Xiang Yu’s military brilliance even in defeat. Trapped with dwindling supplies, his forces were demoralized by Liu Bang’s psychological warfare—the haunting “Songs of Chu” from all directions. The final act saw Xiang Yu:
– Break through encirclements with 800 cavalry
– Fight his last stand at the Wu River
– Commit suicide rather than face Jiangdong elders

Enduring Historical Legacy

Xiang Yu’s legacy embodies both admiration and caution:
1. Military Genius: His Julu victory remains studied in war colleges worldwide
2. Cultural Symbol: The archetype of tragic heroism in Chinese literature
3. Strategic Failures:
– Underestimation of bureaucratic governance
– Excessive reliance on personal prowess
– Failure to retain talented advisors like Fan Zeng

Modern assessments view his career as a masterclass in battlefield tactics but a cautionary tale in statecraft—a brilliant tactician whose refusal to adapt doomed his empire. The Chu-Han contention ultimately established the Han Dynasty’s four-century reign, proving that in the contest between the sword and the scroll, the latter prevailed.