The Desperate Retreat from Pengcheng

In the early morning mist, Liu Bang, the future founder of the Han Dynasty, fled southward from Pengcheng with his generals and consort, Lady Qi. The crushing defeat at the hands of Xiang Yu’s forces had left him a shadow of his former confident self. When a contingent of troops suddenly emerged from the fog shouting, “Halt, King of Han!” Liu Bang clutched at his general Xiahou Ying’s belt in panic: “Why can’t we shake Chu’s pursuit?”

Xiahou Ying, recognizing the banners, laughed in relief: “It’s Han Xin’s forces—Zhang Liang must have caught up with us!”

The appearance of the white-robed strategist Zhang Liang proved a turning point. As Liu Bang tearfully admitted his strategic blunders, Zhang Liang reassured him: “Though we are defeated, the Three Rivers remain secure. Gather your scattered forces at Xiayi and we shall regroup.”

The Xiayi Conference: A Masterstroke of Alliance

At Xiayi, surrounded by his battered but loyal commanders, Liu Bang made a radical proposal: “Xiang Yu’s might is unmatched. I shall cede the lands east of Hangu Pass to any who will join me against him.” When challenged by his generals, Liu Bang revealed his true motivation: “The disgrace at Sui River burns in my memory. To destroy Xiang Yu, I would sacrifice all lands east of the pass!”

Zhang Liang’s strategic brilliance shone through as he identified three key allies: Ying Bu of Jiujiang, Peng Yue of Liang, and the brilliant general Han Xin. “With these three sharing the eastern lands,” he advised, “we can surround and crush Chu.”

The Diplomatic Gambit

The most audacious part of the plan involved turning Xiang Yu’s trusted general Ying Bu against him. When no volunteer stepped forward, an unassuming attendant named Sui He boldly offered to attempt the impossible mission. Liu Bang, initially dismissive, was impressed by the man’s courage: “Take twenty men. Succeed or fail, keep your head attached!”

Rebuilding at Xingyang

The subsequent months saw Liu Bang consolidating his position at the strategic stronghold of Xingyang. Here, Han Xin demonstrated his military genius by creating a formidable cavalry force from former Qin horsemen. When Chu cavalry probed Han defenses, these new “Gentleman Cavalry” units delivered stunning victories at Jing and Suo, proving the Han army’s resurgence.

The Northern Campaigns

With his western flank secured, Liu Bang authorized Han Xin’s northern expedition. The campaign against Wei proved a masterpiece of deception—using makeshift rafts to cross the Yellow River upstream while feinting at the main crossing. Wei’s fall was followed by the brilliant “Back-to-the-Water” battle at Jingxing Pass, where Han Xin trapped and annihilated a 200,000-strong Zhao army through psychological warfare and terrain mastery.

The Making of an Empire

The subsequent domino effect saw Yan surrendering without battle and Qi ripe for conquest. Liu Bang’s willingness to share power—offering kingships to key allies—created a coalition that gradually strangled Xiang Yu’s forces. The political marriage alliance with Zhang Er’s family cemented another crucial relationship.

Legacy of Pragmatic Brilliance

This period (205-204 BCE) established the template for Han’s ultimate victory:
1. Strategic Flexibility: Liu Bang’s willingness to cede territory for alliances
2. Military Innovation: Han Xin’s revolutionary tactics and organization
3. Psychological Warfare: The calculated use of both carrot and stick
4. Political Theater: Careful cultivation of both hard and soft power

The foundations laid during these desperate months would enable the Han to survive initial setbacks and ultimately establish China’s longest-enduring imperial dynasty. Liu Bang’s genius lay not in battlefield brilliance (which he lacked) but in recognizing and empowering talent—whether the strategic mind of Zhang Liang, the administrative prowess of Xiao He, or the military genius of Han Xin. This ability to synthesize diverse strengths into a cohesive whole marked the true birth of Han statecraft.