The Stalemate at Xingyang

From May 205 BCE to April 204 BCE, the conflict between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu entered a period of uneasy stalemate along the Xingyang-Chenggao front. While minor skirmishes persisted, the larger war seemed temporarily frozen. During this lull, Liu Bang seized the opportunity to return briefly to his temporary capital, Yueyang, in June 205 BCE. His absence from the frontlines was not for celebration but for critical strategic moves that would shape the course of the Chu-Han Contention.

One pivotal event during this period was the fall of Feiqiu. After a year-long siege, Liu Bang’s general Fan Kuai breached the city’s defenses by diverting river waters, forcing the Qin loyalist Zhang Han to commit suicide. With this victory, Liu Bang eliminated a persistent threat within his territory. Yet his return to Yueyang had two far-reaching objectives: securing his succession and stabilizing his rear.

Securing the Future: Liu Bang’s Political Maneuvers

Liu Bang’s first priority was dynastic stability. After narrowly escaping death during a chaotic retreat through Pei County, he no longer trusted leaving his family unprotected. He brought his son Liu Ying to Yueyang, formally declaring him heir apparent and entrusting his chancellor, Xiao He, with safeguarding the rear. This move ensured continuity and loyalty among his followers.

His second task was addressing a severe famine in Guanzhong. With crops failing and starvation rampant, Liu Bang implemented a pragmatic policy: encouraging refugees to migrate to Shu and Hanzhong, where food was more abundant. The government even provided rations for the journey. This decision not only alleviated social unrest but also strengthened Liu Bang’s support base in historically oppressed regions. Unlike Xiang Yu, whose prowess lay in battlefield heroics, Liu Bang understood that民心 (popular support) was the ultimate weapon.

The Chessboard of War: Liu Bang’s Strategic Gambits

While locked in a stalemate with Xiang Yu, Liu Bang expanded his influence elsewhere. In August 205 BCE, he dispatched his brilliant general Han Xin to suppress the rebellious Wei king, Wei Bao. Before the campaign, Liu Bang meticulously assessed Wei’s leadership, concluding:

– Wei’s general, Bai Zhi, was no match for Han Xin.
– Their cavalry commander, Feng Jing, though capable, paled against Liu Bang’s own cavalry leader, Guan Ying.
– The infantry commander, Xiang Ta, was inferior to Cao Shen.

His confidence proved justified. Within a month, Han Xin captured Wei Bao, delivering him to Xingyang in chains. This victory showcased Liu Bang’s strategic acumen—his ability to delegate and exploit weaknesses was as critical as any battlefield tactic.

The Breaking Point: Xiang Yu’s Fury and Fan Zeng’s Fall

By April 204 BCE, Xiang Yu’s patience had worn thin. He launched a ferocious assault on Xingyang, cutting off supply routes and besieging the city. Desperate, Liu Bang turned to his advisor Li Yiji, who proposed reviving the Warring States system—reinstating feudal lords to divide Xiang Yu’s attention. Initially enthusiastic, Liu Bang ordered seals carved for new kings.

But then Zhang Liang intervened, delivering a stark warning: reviving feudal states would fracture Liu Bang’s coalition. His followers fought for future rewards, not a return to fragmented kingdoms. The plan was abandoned, and the seals destroyed—a moment marking Zhang Liang’s evolution from a restorationist to a unificationist.

With options dwindling, Liu Bang attempted peace talks, offering to split the realm at Xingyang. Xiang Yu, urged by his advisor Fan Zeng, refused. What followed was one of history’s most infamous stratagems: Chen Ping’s “Four Thousand Catty” deception. By bribing Xiang Yu’s envoys and sowing distrust between Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng, Liu Bang’s camp engineered Fan Zeng’s dismissal. The old strategist, heartbroken, died en route home.

The Great Escape: Deception and Sacrifice

Fan Zeng’s death enraged Xiang Yu, who redoubled his attacks. Trapped in Xingyang with dwindling supplies, Liu Bang faced annihilation—until General Ji Xin volunteered to impersonate him. Dressed in Liu Bang’s robes, Ji Xin led a decoy surrender with 2,000 women disguised as soldiers, drawing Xiang Yu’s forces to the eastern gate. Meanwhile, Liu Bang fled west with a handful of guards.

Ji Xin’s sacrifice was brutal: upon discovery, Xiang Yu burned him alive. Yet the ruse worked. Liu Bang regrouped in Chenggao, but Xiang Yu’s relentless advance forced another retreat. This time, Liu Bang adopted a new strategy: drawing Xiang Yu south to Wancheng while Han Xin pressed from the north. The plan exploited Xiang Yu’s greatest weakness—his inability to multitask.

The Art of Retreat: Why Running Away Won the War

Liu Bang’s repeated escapes have puzzled historians. Was he cowardly or cunning? In truth, his retreats were masterclasses in survival:

1. Strategic Awareness: Knowing when to fight and when to flee was paramount. Unlike the reckless Xiang Liang (Xiang Yu’s uncle, who died at Dingtao), Liu Bang prioritized longevity over pride.
2. Preparation: Each escape had a plan—decoys, diversions, and trusted aides like his charioteer Xiahou Ying.
3. Execution: Mobility was key. Liu Bang’s ability to vanish relied on speed, deception, and loyal subordinates.
4. Follow-Through: Retreats weren’t routs. Liu Bang always preserved a base—like Xingyang—to rebound.

Legacy: The Unifier’s Triumph

Xiang Yu, for all his brilliance, never grasped the politics of power. His mistrust of advisors and reliance on brute strength contrasted with Liu Bang’s pragmatism. The final irony? The man who mocked Liu Bang’s “cowardice” died isolated, while the “coward” founded the Han Dynasty.

In the end, Liu Bang’s victories weren’t won on battlefields but through resilience, adaptability, and an unshakable understanding of human nature—lessons as relevant today as in 202 BCE.