The Rise and Fall of a Puppet King

Among the eighteen feudal lords appointed by Xiang Yu after the fall of Qin, Han Cheng stood as a particularly tragic figure. As a descendant of the old Han nobility with the title Lord of Hengyang, Han Cheng owed his restoration primarily to Zhang Liang’s recommendation to Xiang Liang. Yet his reign would prove short-lived and inglorious.

Han Cheng’s early struggles against Qin forces saw him constantly on the run until he joined forces with Liu Bang under Zhang Liang’s guidance. Liu Bang, showing little respect for the aristocratic Han Cheng, helped him capture several cities only to abandon him there – effectively exchanging territory for Zhang Liang’s service. This pattern of manipulation and disregard would characterize Han Cheng’s entire political existence.

The Illusion of Power Under Xiang Yu’s Shadow

Following the Qin collapse, Xiang Yu’s principle of rewarding those who “contributed to Qin’s defeat and followed into the passes” should have excluded Han Cheng. Yet Xiang Yu initially preserved Han Cheng’s nominal kingship out of respect for his uncle Xiang Liang’s original appointment. The new “King of Han” found himself ruling in name only from Yangdi, a hollow title masking his complete lack of real authority.

Xiang Yu’s simmering resentment toward Zhang Liang (for helping Liu Bang enter the passes first) transferred to Han Cheng by association. While other feudal lords departed to their territories, Xiang Yu detained Han Cheng under the pretext of needing “further military experience,” forcing him to accompany the Chu army back to Pengcheng. This marked the beginning of Han Cheng’s final descent.

Execution and Its Historical Consequences

Five months after the initial appointments, Xiang Yu stripped Han Cheng of his royal title, demoting him to a mere marquis before ultimately ordering his execution. This act, seemingly insignificant in the grand military conflicts of the era, would profoundly impact the course of history through its effect on Zhang Liang.

The death of his nominal sovereign shattered Zhang Liang’s restorationist ideals. As a committed revivalist of the Han state, Zhang Liang had initially planned to leave Liu Bang’s service to rebuild Han under Han Cheng. The execution forced a fundamental ideological shift – from restoring old kingdoms to envisioning an entirely new political order capable of ending the perpetual warfare of the Warring States period.

Strategic Repercussions and Liu Bang’s Response

Han Cheng’s death indirectly benefited Liu Bang by driving Zhang Liang permanently into his camp. The philosopher-strategist now dedicated himself completely to Liu Bang’s cause, recognizing him as the only leader capable of unifying China. This realignment would prove decisive in the coming Chu-Han contention.

Meanwhile, Liu Bang faced immediate military challenges. After consolidating control over Guanzhong in late 205 BCE, he made the strategic decision to move his capital from Hanzhong to Yueyang, signaling his rejection of Xiang Yu’s feudal arrangement. His subsequent eastward expansion absorbed territories of several minor kings appointed by Xiang Yu, culminating in the disastrous Pengcheng campaign.

The Battle of Pengcheng: A Turning Point

Liu Bang’s massive 560,000-strong coalition army initially succeeded in capturing Pengcheng (modern Xuzhou), only to be routed by Xiang Yu’s 30,000 elite cavalry in one of history’s most spectacular military reversals. The defeat revealed critical weaknesses in Liu Bang’s forces, particularly their lack of effective cavalry units to counter Chu’s mobile warfare tactics.

Surviving by sheer luck (including a timely sandstorm that enabled his escape), Liu Bang retreated to Yingyang where he implemented crucial military reforms under Zhang Liang’s guidance. These included creating a proper cavalry corps led by Guan Ying and adopting a strategy of dividing territory to win over key allies – most notably Ying Bu, Peng Yue, and Han Xin.

The Evolution of Warfare: Cavalry’s Ascendancy

The Chu-Han conflict witnessed significant developments in military technology and tactics, particularly regarding cavalry warfare. While early cavalry lacked proper saddles and stirrups (making mounted combat extremely difficult), innovations during this period gradually transformed cavalry into the dominant battlefield force.

Liu Bang’s incorporation of former Qin cavalry officers like Li Bi and Luo Jia, combined with new tactical approaches, allowed his forces to eventually match Chu’s cavalry superiority. The successful ambush at Jing County demonstrated that Han could compete with Chu in open battle, leading to the prolonged stalemate centered on Yingyang.

Legacy of a Forgotten King

Han Cheng’s brief, tragic reign represents more than just a footnote in the chaotic transition from Qin to Han. His story illuminates several critical aspects of this pivotal historical moment:

1. The fragility of political legitimacy during interregnum periods
2. Xiang Yu’s flawed approach to governance through manipulated feudal arrangements
3. The ideological evolution of key figures like Zhang Liang
4. The complex interplay between personal loyalty and grand strategy

Ultimately, Han Cheng’s greatest historical significance lies not in what he accomplished, but in how his death reshaped the strategic landscape – removing the last obstacle to Zhang Liang’s full commitment to Liu Bang’s cause and thereby contributing to the eventual Han dynasty’s foundation. His execution, seemingly a minor act of petty vengeance, inadvertently helped pave the way for China’s four-century-long Han golden age.