| Chinese Text Project |
《項羽本紀 - Annals of Xiang Yu》 | English translation: ctext.org users [?] | Books referencing 《項羽本紀》 Library Resources |
| 1 | 項羽本紀: | 項籍者，下相人也，字羽。初起時，年二十四。其季父項梁，梁父即楚將項燕，為秦將王翦所戮者也。項氏世世為楚將，封於項，故姓項氏。 |
| Xiang Ji was a native of Xiagxiang and his courtesy name was Yu. At the beginning of his uprising, he was twenty-four years old. His uncle Xiang Liang; Liang's father was Xiang Yan, a general of the State of Chu who had been killed by Qin general Wang Jian. The Xiang family had for generations served as generals in the state of Chu, and was granted a fief at Xiang; thus they bore the surname Xiang. | ||
| 2 | 項羽本紀: | 項籍少時，學書不成，去學劍，又不成。項梁怒之。籍曰：「書足以記名姓而已。劍一人敵，不足學，學萬人敵。」於是項梁乃教籍兵法，籍大喜，略知其意，又不肯竟學。項梁嘗有櫟陽逮，乃請蘄獄掾曹咎書抵櫟陽獄掾司馬欣，以故事得已。項梁殺人，與籍避仇於吳中。吳中賢士大夫皆出項梁下。每吳中有大繇役及喪，項梁常為主辦，陰以兵法部勒賓客及子弟，以是知其能。秦始皇帝游會稽，渡浙江，梁與籍俱觀。籍曰：「彼可取而代也。」梁掩其口，曰：「毋妄言，族矣！」梁以此奇籍。籍長八尺餘，力能扛鼎，才氣過人，雖吳中子弟皆已憚籍矣。 |
| When Xiang Ji was young, he studied writing but did not succeed, so he left it and learned swordsmanship instead, which also failed to bring success. Xiang Liang became angry with him. Ji said, "Writing is sufficient merely to record one's name and surname." "A sword can only contend with one person at a time; it is not worth studying. I want to learn how to contend with ten thousand men." Thus Xiang Liang began teaching Ji military tactics, and Ji was greatly pleased. He gained a general understanding of the principles but still did not complete his study. Xiang Liang once had an arrest warrant from Linyang, so he requested a letter of recommendation from Cao Guo, the clerk of Qi prison, to address Si Ma Xin, the clerk at Linyang prison. Because of this, the matter was resolved. Xiang Liang killed a man and fled with Ji to Wu Zhong to avoid revenge seekers. The virtuous scholars and gentry of Wu Zhong all ranked beneath Xiang Liang. Whenever there were major levies or funerals in Wu Zhong, Xiang Liang often served as the chief organizer. Secretly, he used military tactics to organize his guests and young men; thus people came to know of his ability. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang toured Kuaiji and crossed the Zhejiang River, Xiang Liang and Ji both watched from the crowd. Ji said, "He can be taken and replaced." Liag covered his mouth and said, "Do not speak so recklessly; we will all be exterminated!" Because of this, Liang considered Ji extraordinary. Ji was over eight chi tall and strong enough to lift a tripod; his talent and spirit surpassed others. Even the young men of Wu Zhong already feared Ji. | ||
| 3 | 項羽本紀: | 秦二世元年七月，陳涉等起大澤中。其九月，會稽守通謂梁曰：「江西皆反，此亦天亡秦之時也。吾聞先即制人，後則為人所制。吾欲發兵，使公及桓楚將。」是時桓楚亡在澤中。梁曰：「桓楚亡，人莫知其處，獨籍知之耳。」梁乃出，誡籍持劍居外待。梁復入，與守坐，曰：「請召籍，使受命召桓楚。」守曰：「諾。」梁召籍入。須臾，梁眴籍曰：「可行矣！」於是籍遂拔劍斬守頭。項梁持守頭，佩其印綬。門下大驚，擾亂，籍所擊殺數十百人。一府中皆慴伏，莫敢起。梁乃召故所知豪吏，諭以所為起大事，遂舉吳中兵。使人收下縣，得精兵八千人。梁部署吳中豪傑為校尉、候、司馬。有一人不得用，自言於梁。梁曰：「前時某喪使公主某事，不能辦，以此不任用公。」眾乃皆伏。於是梁為會稽守，籍為裨將，徇下縣。 |
| In the first month of the first year of Qin Er Shi's reign (July), Chen She and others rose up in Daze. In the ninth month, Kuaiji Shou Tong said to Liang, "All across the region west of the Yangtze River are in rebellion; this is also the time when Heaven has decided to destroy Qin." "I have heard that whoever acts first can control others, while those who act later will be controlled by others." "I want to raise an army and appoint you and Huan Chu as generals." At that time, Huan Chu was hiding in the marshes. Liang said, "Huan Chu is a fugitive; no one knows where he is except Ji." Liang then went out and instructed Ji to hold his sword and wait outside. Liang returned, sat with the governor, and said, "Please summon Ji so that he may be given orders to call for Huan Chu." The governor said, "Yes." Liang summoned Ji inside. After a short while, Liang winked at Ji and said, "You may proceed now!" Ji then drew his sword and beheaded the governor. Xiang Liang held up the governor's head, took possession of his seals and sash. The attendants were greatly shocked and in chaos; Ji killed dozens or even hundreds of people with a few strikes. All within the administrative office were terrified and subdued, none daring to rise up. Liang then summoned former acquaintances among the powerful officials, explaining to them about his plan for a great undertaking, and thus raised an army in Wu Zhong. He sent men to capture the lower counties and obtained eight thousand elite soldiers. Liang appointed the local heroes of Wu Zhong as chieftains, lieutenants, and military commanders. One man who was not given a post petitioned Liang directly. Liang said, "At the time of a certain funeral you were entrusted with an important task by me and failed to carry it out; therefore I cannot appoint you." The crowd then all submitted. Thus, Liang became the governor of Kuaiji, and Ji served as a deputy general, marching to subdue the lower counties. | ||
| 4 | 項羽本紀: | 廣陵人召平於是為陳王徇廣陵，未能下。聞陳王敗走，秦兵又且至，乃渡江矯陳王命，拜梁為楚王上柱國。曰：「江東已定，急引兵西擊秦。」項梁乃以八千人渡江而西。聞陳嬰已下東陽，使使欲與連和俱西。陳嬰者，故東陽令史，居縣中，素信謹，稱為長者。東陽少年殺其令，相聚數千人，欲置長，無適用，乃請陳嬰。嬰謝不能，遂彊立嬰為長，縣中從者得二萬人。少年欲立嬰便為王，異軍蒼頭特起。陳嬰母謂嬰曰：「自我為汝家婦，未嘗聞汝先古之有貴者。今暴得大名，不祥。不如有所屬，事成猶得封侯，事敗易以亡，非世所指名也。」嬰乃不敢為王。謂其軍吏曰：「項氏世世將家，有名於楚。今欲舉大事，將非其人，不可。我倚名族，亡秦必矣。」於是眾從其言，以兵屬項梁。項梁渡淮，黥布、蒲將軍亦以兵屬焉。凡六七萬人，軍下邳。 |
| At this time, Zhao Ping of Guangling was acting on behalf of King Chen to campaign in Guangling but failed to capture it. Hearing that King Chen had been defeated and was fleeing, and that the Qin forces were about to arrive, Zhao Ping crossed the river, counterfeited an order from King Chen, and conferred upon Liang the title of Shang Zhugu, a high-ranking official under the King of Chu. He said, "The Jiangdong region has already been secured; quickly lead your troops westward to attack Qin." Xiang Liang then led his eight thousand men across the river and moved westward. Hearing that Chen Ying had already captured Dongyang, he sent envoys to seek an alliance with him in order to march west together. Chen Ying was a former clerk of the Dongyang county magistrate, lived within the county, and had always been trustworthy and cautious; he was regarded as an upright man. The young men of Dongyang killed their county magistrate, gathered together in thousands, and wanted to appoint a leader. Finding no one suitable, they requested Chen Ying. Ying declined the offer, but was forcibly made their leader; those who followed him in the county numbered twenty thousand. The young men wanted to immediately make Ying a king, and so they formed an independent army with blue-capped soldiers rising up separately. Chen Ying's mother said to him, "Since I became a wife in your family, I have never heard of any distinguished ancestors in our lineage. Now you suddenly gain great fame; this is an ill omen." "It would be better to align yourself with someone else. If the matter succeeds, you may still become a marquis; if it fails, it will be easier for you to escape and not be known by name in this generation." Ying thus dared not declare himself king. He told his military officers, "The Xiang family has been a long line of generals and is well known in Chu." "Now we want to undertake great affairs; without the right general, it cannot be done." "I will rely on a noble family, and Qin's downfall is certain." Thus the troops followed his advice and submitted their forces to Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang crossed the Huai River, and Qing Bu and Pu General also submitted their troops to him. Altogether they had about sixty or seventy thousand men and stationed at Xiapi. | ||
| 5 | 項羽本紀: | 當是時，秦嘉已立景駒為楚王，軍彭城東，欲距項梁。項梁謂軍吏曰：「陳王先首事，戰不利，未聞所在。今秦嘉倍陳王而立景駒，逆無道。」乃進兵擊秦嘉。秦嘉軍敗走，追之至胡陵。嘉還戰一日，嘉死，軍降。景駒走死梁地。項梁已并秦嘉軍，軍胡陵，將引軍而西。章邯軍至栗，項梁使別將朱雞石、餘樊君與戰。餘樊君死。朱雞石軍敗，亡走胡陵。項梁乃引兵入薛，誅雞石。項梁前使項羽別攻襄城，襄城堅守不下。已拔，皆阬之。還報項梁。項梁聞陳王定死，召諸別將會薛計事。此時沛公亦起沛，往焉。 |
| At that time, Qin Jia had already declared Jing Ju as the King of Chu and stationed his army east of Pengcheng, intending to resist Xiang Liang. Xiang Liang said to his military officers, "King Chen was the first to initiate rebellion; he suffered a defeat in battle and has not been heard from since." "Now Qin Jia has betrayed King Chen and set up Jing Ju, acting against righteousness and the Way of Heaven." He then advanced his troops to attack Qin Jia. Qin Jia's army was defeated and fled; they pursued them as far as Huling. Jia turned back to fight for a day, but died in the battle, and his troops surrendered. Jing Ju fled and was killed in Liang territory. After merging Qin Jia's forces, Xiang Liang stationed his army at Huling and planned to lead the troops westward. When Zhang Han's army arrived at Li, Xiang Liang sent a separate general, Zhu Jishi and Yu Fan Jun, to engage in battle with them. Yu Fan Jun died. Zhu Jishi's army was defeated, and he fled to Huling. Xiang Liang then led the troops into Xue and executed Zhu Jishi. Before this, Xiang Liang had sent Xiang Yu to attack Xiangcheng separately; the city of Xiangcheng held out strongly and could not be captured. After it was captured, all its defenders were buried alive in a pit. Xiang Yu returned to report to Xiang Liang. Upon hearing that King Chen was definitely dead, Xiang Liang summoned the various separate generals to a meeting in Xue to discuss affairs. At this time, Pei Gong had also risen up from Pei and went there as well. | ||
| 6 | 項羽本紀: | 居鄛人范增，年七十，素居家，好奇計，往說項梁曰：「陳勝敗碧當。夫秦滅六國，楚最無罪。自懷王入秦不反，楚人憐之至今，故楚南公曰『楚雖三戶，亡秦必楚』也。今陳勝首事，不立楚後而自立，其勢不長。今君起江東，楚蜂午之將皆爭附君者，以君世世楚將，為能復立楚之後也。」於是項梁然其言，乃求楚懷王孫心民閒，為人牧羊，立以為楚懷王，從民所望也。陳嬰為楚上柱國，封五縣，與懷王都盱臺。項梁自號為武信君。 |
| Fan Zeng, a native of Juchao who was seventy years old and had long lived at home, loved devising clever strategies. He went to advise Xiang Liang, saying, "Chen Sheng's defeat is inevitable." "Qin destroyed the six states, and of them, Chu was most innocent. Since King Huai entered Qin and never returned, the people of Chu have pitied him until today. Hence, the Southern Sage of Chu said, 'Though Chu may be reduced to three households, it is still Chu that will destroy Qin.'" "Now Chen Sheng was the first to rise in rebellion but did not establish a descendant of the House of Chu as ruler and instead declared himself king; his power will not last long." "Now you have risen in Jiangdong, and the former generals of Chu are all vying to submit to you because your family has long been a military clan of Chu, capable of restoring the descendants of the House of Chu." Thus Xiang Liang accepted his words and sought out King Huai of Chu's grandson, Xin, who was tending sheep among the common people. He declared him as the new King Huai of Chu in accordance with the people's wishes. Chen Ying was appointed Shang Zhugu of Chu, granted fiefs over five counties, and together with King Huai they established their capital at Xuyi. Xiang Liang styled himself as Jun Wu Xin. | ||
| 7 | 項羽本紀: | 居數月，引兵攻亢父，與齊田榮、司馬龍且軍救東阿，大破秦軍於東阿。田榮即引兵歸，逐其王假。假亡走楚。假相田角亡走趙。角弟田閒故齊將，居趙不敢歸。田榮立田儋子市為齊王。項梁已破東阿下軍，遂追秦軍。數使使趣齊兵，欲與俱西。田榮曰：「楚殺田假，趙殺田角、田閒，乃發兵。」項梁曰：「田假為與國之王，窮來從我，不忍殺之。」趙亦不殺田角、田閒以市於齊。齊遂不肯發兵助楚。項梁使沛公及項羽別攻城陽，屠之。西破秦軍濮陽東，秦兵收入濮陽。沛公、項羽乃攻定陶。定陶未下，去，西略地至雝丘，大破秦軍，斬李由。還攻外黃，外黃未下。 |
| After several months, he led his troops to attack Kangfu and joined forces with Qi's Tian Rong and Sima Longju's army to rescue Dong'e. They decisively defeated the Qin army at Dong'e. Tian Rong then led his troops back, expelled his king Jia, and took control. Jia fled to Chu. Jia's prime minister Tian Jiao fled to Zhao. Tian Jian, the younger brother of Tian Jiao and a former general of Qi, was in Zhao but dared not return. Tian Rong declared Tian Dan's son Shi as King of Qi. After defeating the Qin forces at Dong'e, Xiang Liang pursued them further. He repeatedly sent envoys urging the Qi army to join him and march west together. Tian Rong said, "Chu must kill Tian Jia, Zhao must kill Tian Jiao and Tian Jian, then I will send my troops." Xiang Liang said, "Tian Jia is the king of a friendly state; he came to me in desperation. I cannot bear to kill him." Zhao also refused to kill Tian Jiao and Tian Jian as a condition for cooperation with Qi. Qi thus refused to send troops to assist Chu. Xiang Liang sent Pei Gong and Xiang Yu separately to attack Chengyang, which they then sacked. To the west, they defeated the Qin army east of Puyang; the Qin forces retreated into Puyang. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu then attacked Dingtao and captured it. Before Dingtao could be fully subdued, they withdrew and moved west to raid the area up to Yongqiu, where they decisively defeated the Qin forces and killed Li You. They then returned to attack Waihuang, but failed to capture it. | ||
| 8 | 項羽本紀: | 項梁起東阿，西，（北）［比］至定陶，再破秦軍，項羽等又斬李由，益輕秦，有驕色。宋義乃諫項梁曰：「戰勝而將驕卒惰者敗。今卒少惰矣，秦兵日益，臣為君畏之。」項梁弗聽。乃使宋義使於齊。道遇齊使者高陵君顯，曰：「公將見武信君乎？」曰：「然。」曰：「臣論武信君軍必敗。公徐行即免死，疾行則及禍。」秦果悉起兵益章邯，擊楚軍，大破之定陶，項梁死。沛公、項羽去外黃攻陳留，陳留堅守不能下。沛公、項羽相與謀曰：「今項梁軍破，士卒恐。」乃與呂臣軍俱引兵而東。呂臣軍彭城東，項羽軍彭城西，沛公軍碭。 |
| Xiang Liang rose from Dong'e and marched west, reaching Dingtao where he defeated the Qin forces twice. Xiang Yu and others then killed Li You, growing increasingly contemptuous of the Qin and displaying an arrogant attitude. Song Yi then advised Xiang Liang, "Victory breeds complacency; when a general becomes arrogant and the soldiers become idle, defeat follows. Now our troops are already showing signs of slackness, while the Qin forces grow stronger day by day; I fear for you, my lord." Xiang Liang did not listen. He then sent Song Yi as an envoy to Qi. On the way, he encountered Gao Lingjun Xian, a Qi envoy, who said, "Are you going to see Wu Xinjun?" He replied, "Yes." The man said, "I believe Wu Xinjun's army will surely be defeated. If you proceed slowly, you may escape death; if you hurry, you will fall into disaster." The Qin forces indeed mobilized in full strength to reinforce Zhang Han, who attacked the Chu army and decisively defeated them at Dingtao, where Xiang Liang was killed. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu left Waihuang to attack Chenliu, but the defenders held out strongly and it could not be captured. Pei Gong and Xiang Yu discussed together, saying, "Now that General Xiang Liang's army has been defeated, the soldiers are frightened." They then joined forces with Lü Chen's troops and withdrew eastward. Lü Chen's army was stationed to the east of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu's forces were west of Pengcheng, and Pei Gong's troops were at Dang. | ||
| 9 | 項羽本紀: | 章邯已破項梁軍，則以為楚地兵不足憂，乃渡河擊趙，大破之。當此時，趙歇為王，陳餘為將，張耳為相，皆走入鉅鹿城。章邯令王離、涉閒圍鉅鹿，章邯軍其南，筑甬道而輸之粟。陳餘為將，將卒數萬人而軍鉅鹿之北，此所謂河北之軍也。 |
| After Zhang Han had crushed Xiang Liang's army, he considered the Chu forces no longer a threat and thus crossed the Yellow River to attack Zhao, decisively defeating them. At this time, Zhao Xie was king, Chen Yu was general, and Zhang Er was prime minister; they all fled into Julu City. lington Zhang Han ordered Wang Li and She Jian to besiege Julu, while Zhang Han's forces took position to the south, building a supply corridor to deliver provisions. Chen Yu was the general, commanding tens of thousands of troops stationed north of Julu; this was what was known as the Hebei army. | ||
| 10 | 項羽本紀: | 楚兵已破於定陶，懷王恐，從盱臺之彭城，并項羽、呂臣軍自將之。以呂臣為司徒，以其父呂青為令尹。以沛公為碭郡長，封為武安侯，將碭郡兵。 |
| After the Chu forces were defeated at Dingtao, King Huai was frightened and moved from Xuyi to Pengcheng, where he personally took command of the combined armies of Xiang Yu and Lü Chen. He appointed Lü Chen as Siku and his father, Lü Qing, as Lingyi. Pei Gong was appointed as the magister of Dang Jun, enfeoffed as Hou of Wu'an, and placed in command of the Dang Jun forces. | ||
| 11 | 項羽本紀: | 初，宋義所遇齊使者高陵君顯在楚軍，見楚王曰：「宋義論武信君之軍必敗，居數日，軍果敗。兵未戰而先見敗徵，此可謂知兵矣。」王召宋義與計事而大說之，因置以為上將軍，項羽為魯公，為次將，范增為末將，救趙。諸別將皆屬宋義，號為卿子冠軍。行至安陽，留四十六日不進。項羽曰：「吾聞秦軍圍趙王鉅鹿，疾引兵渡河，楚擊其外，趙應其內，破秦軍必矣。」宋義曰：「不然。夫搏牛之虻不可以破蟣虱。今秦攻趙，戰勝則兵罷，我承其敝；不勝，則我引兵鼓行而西，必舉秦矣。故不如先鬬秦趙。夫被堅執銳，義不如公；坐而運策，公不如義。」因下令軍中曰：「猛如虎，很如羊，貪如狼，彊不可使者，皆斬之。」乃遣其子宋襄相齊，身送之至無鹽，飲酒高會。天寒大雨，士卒凍饑。項羽曰：「將戮力而攻秦，久留不行。今歲饑民貧，士卒食芋菽，軍無見糧，乃飲酒高會，不引兵渡河因趙食，與趙并力攻秦，乃曰『承其敝』。夫以秦之彊，攻新造之趙，其勢必舉趙。趙舉而秦彊，何敝之承！且國兵新破，王坐不安席，埽境內而專屬於將軍，國家安危，在此一舉。今不恤士卒而徇其私，非社稷之臣。」項羽晨朝上將軍宋義，即其帳中斬宋義頭，出令軍中曰：「宋義與齊謀反楚，楚王陰令羽誅之。」當是時，諸將皆慴服，莫敢枝梧。皆曰：「首立楚者，將軍家也。今將軍誅亂。」乃相與共立羽為假上將軍。使人追宋義子，及之齊，殺之。使桓楚報命於懷王。懷王因使項羽為上將軍，當陽君、蒲將軍皆屬項羽。 |
| Initially, Gao Lingjun Xian of Qi, whom Song Yi had encountered on the road, was in the Chu army. He presented himself before King Chu and said, "Song Yi predicted that Wu Xinjun's forces would surely be defeated; after several days, his prediction proved correct. The army had not yet fought but already showed signs of impending defeat; this can truly be called military insight." The king summoned Song Yi to discuss affairs and was greatly pleased with him, thus appointing him as supreme general. Xiang Yu was made Gong of Lu as the deputy commander, and Fan Zeng as the lowest-ranking general, in order to rescue Zhao. All other generals were placed under Song Yi's command; he was given the title Qingzi Guanjun. The army marched to Anyang, where it halted for forty-six days without advancing further. Xiang Yu said, "I have heard that the Qin forces are besieging King Zhao at Julu. We should quickly lead our troops across the river; Chu attacks from outside while Zhao responds from within, and we will surely defeat the Qin army." Song Yi said, "Not so. A gadfly that stings an ox cannot be used to crush lice. Now, if the Qin attacks Zhao and wins, their troops will grow weary, and we can take advantage of their exhaustion; If they fail to win, then I shall lead our forces westward in triumphal march, and surely overthrow the Qin. Therefore, it is better not to engage the Qin and Zhao first. As for donning armor and wielding sharp weapons in battle, I am no match for you; But when it comes to sitting calmly and devising strategies, you are no match for me." He then issued an order to the troops: "Anyone who is fierce as a tiger, stubborn as a sheep, greedy as a wolf, and too strong to be controlled shall all be executed." He then sent his son Song Xiang to serve as prime minister of Qi, personally escorting him to Wuyan and holding a grand banquet with heavy drinking. The weather was cold and rainy, and the soldiers were freezing and starving. Xiang Yu said, "We generals have all exerted ourselves to attack the Qin, yet we remain here for a long time without moving forward. Now, with a famine and impoverished people, the soldiers eat yu shu [a type of legume], while our army has no visible supplies. Instead, you hold grand drinking feasts. You do not lead your troops across the river to take advantage of Zhao's provisions and unite forces to attack the Qin; yet you say 'we will take advantage of their exhaustion.' With the strength of the Qin, attacking a newly established Zhao, it is inevitable that Zhao will be crushed. Once Zhao falls and the Qin grows stronger, what exhaustion can we possibly take advantage of! Moreover, our national forces have just been defeated; the king cannot even sit in peace. He has swept all within the borders and entrusted everything to you, General. The safety or peril of the state depends on this single action. Now, instead of caring for your soldiers, you pursue personal interests; such a person is not a loyal minister to the state." Xiang Yu, at dawn, paid a morning visit to the supreme general Song Yi and beheaded him in his tent. He then issued an order throughout the army: "Song Yi conspired with Qi to rebel against Chu; King Chu secretly ordered me to execute him." At that time, all the generals were terrified and submitted, none daring to resist. They all said, "It was General's family who first restored the state of Chu. Now, General is punishing the traitor." They then jointly appointed Xiang Yu as acting supreme general. He sent men to pursue Song Yi's son, who had reached Qi; they caught up with him and killed him. Xiang Yu sent Huan Chu to report the matter to King Huai. King Huai then appointed Xiang Yu as supreme general, and both Dangyang Jun and Pu Jiangjun were placed under his command. | ||
| 12 | 項羽本紀: | 項羽已殺卿子冠軍，威震楚國，名聞諸侯。乃遣當陽君、蒲將軍將卒二萬渡河，救鉅鹿。戰少利，陳餘復請兵。項羽乃悉引兵渡河，皆沈船，破釜甑，燒廬舍，持三日糧，以示士卒必死，無一還心。於是至則圍王離，與秦軍遇，九戰，絕其甬道，大破之，殺蘇角，虜王離。涉閒不降楚，自燒殺。當是時，楚兵冠諸侯。諸侯軍救鉅鹿下者十餘壁，莫敢縱兵。及楚擊秦，諸將皆從壁上觀。楚戰士無不一以當十，楚兵呼聲動天，諸侯軍無不人人惴恐。於是已破秦軍，項羽召見諸侯將，入轅門，無不膝行而前，莫敢仰視。項羽由是始為諸侯上將軍，諸侯皆屬焉。 |
| After Xiang Yu had killed Qingzi Guanjun, his authority reverberated throughout the state of Chu and his name became known among all the feudal lords. He then dispatched Dangyang Jun and Jiangjun Pu to lead 20,000 troops across the river to rescue Julu. The initial battles were not very successful, so Chen Yu once again requested reinforcements. Xiang Yu then led all his troops across the river, sank their ships, smashed cooking pots and cauldrons, burned down shelters, and carried only provisions for three days, to show the soldiers that they had no choice but to fight to the death with no thought of retreat. Thus, when they arrived, they encircled Wang Li and engaged the Qin forces in battle. After nine fights, they cut off their supply corridor, decisively defeating them, killing Su Jiao, and capturing Wang Li. She Jian did not surrender to Chu but set himself on fire and died. At that time, the Chu forces were the strongest among all the feudal states. There were more than ten allied armies stationed to rescue Julu, but none dared to deploy their troops. When Chu attacked the Qin forces, all the other generals merely watched from behind their walls. The Chu warriors fought with each one holding off ten enemies, and the shouts of the Chu soldiers shook the heavens; every soldier in the allied armies was filled with fear. After defeating the Qin army, Xiang Yu summoned the allied generals to meet him. When they entered his 辕门 (Yuanmen), none but crawled forward on their knees and dared not look up. From this point onward, Xiang Yu became the supreme general among all feudal lords, to whom they all submitted. | ||
| 13 | 項羽本紀: | 章邯軍棘原，項羽軍漳南，相持未戰。秦軍數卻，二世使人讓章邯。章邯恐，使長史欣請事。至咸陽，留司馬門三日，趙高不見，有不信之心。長史欣恐，還走其軍，不敢出故道，趙高果使人追之，不及。欣至軍，報曰：「趙高用事於中，下無可為者。今戰能勝，高必疾妒吾功；戰不能勝，不免於死。願將軍孰計之。」陳餘亦遺章邯書曰：「白起為秦將，南征鄢郢，北阬馬服，攻城略地，不可勝計，而竟賜死。蒙恬為秦將，北逐戎人，開榆中地數千里，竟斬陽周。何者？功多，秦不能盡封，因以法誅之。今將軍為秦將三歲矣，所亡失以十萬數，而諸侯并起滋益多。彼趙高素諛日久，今事急，亦恐二世誅之，故欲以法誅將軍以塞責，使人更代將軍以脫其禍。夫將軍居外久，多內卻，有功亦誅，無功亦誅。且天之亡秦，無愚智皆知之。今將軍內不能直諫，外為亡國將，孤特獨立而欲常存，豈不哀哉！將軍何不還兵與諸侯為從，約共攻秦，分王其地，南面稱孤；此孰與身伏鈇質，妻子為僇乎？」章邯狐疑，陰使候始成使項羽，欲約。約未成，項羽使蒲將軍日夜引兵度三戶，軍漳南，與秦戰，再破之。項羽悉引兵擊秦軍汙水上，大破之。 |
| Zhang Han's army was stationed at Jiyuan, while Xiang Yu's forces occupied Zhangnan; the two sides faced each other but had not yet engaged in battle. The Qin forces repeatedly retreated, and Second Emperor Er Shi sent envoys to reprimand Zhang Han. Zhang Han was frightened and dispatched his chief clerk Xun to inquire about the situation. Upon arriving in Xianyang, he waited at Sima Gate for three days; Zhao Gao did not receive him and showed signs of distrust. Changshi Xun was frightened, so he returned to his army without taking the original route for fear of being followed. Zhao Gao indeed sent men in pursuit, but they failed to catch him. Xun returned to the army and reported, "Zhao Gao holds power within the court; there is nothing we can do from below. If we now win a battle, Zhao Gao will surely become jealous of our achievements; If we fail to win, we cannot escape death. I hope you will carefully consider this." Chen Yu also sent a letter to Zhang Han, saying: "Bai Qi served as a general for Qin. To the south he conquered Yanying; to the north he buried alive the descendants of Ma Fu. He captured cities and seized territory beyond count, yet in the end was executed by imperial decree. Meng Tian served as a general of Qin; to the north, he drove back the Rong people and opened up thousands of miles of land in Yuzhong, yet was ultimately executed at Yangzhou. Why did this happen? Because they had achieved too much merit, the Qin could not fully reward them and thus used legal means to execute them. Now, you have served as a Qin general for three years; the number of your losses is counted in the tens of thousands, while feudal lords rise up and grow stronger by the day. Zhao Gao has long been a habitual flatterer. Now that the situation is dire, he also fears that Emperor Er Shi will punish him, so he wants to use legal charges against you as an excuse for his failure and have someone else replace you in order to escape blame. If you remain stationed outside the capital for too long, accumulating many defeats and retreats, even if you have achieved merit, you will be executed; without merit, you still face execution. Moreover, the heavens are determined to destroy Qin, and this is known by all, whether wise or foolish. Now, within the court you cannot offer honest advice, and outside you are a general of a doomed state. Standing alone in isolation yet hoping to survive forever—how pitiful! Why does General not return your troops, join the feudal lords in an alliance, agree to jointly attack Qin, divide and rule their territory, and face south as a sovereign ruler; Which is better: facing death on the chopping block with your wife and children subjected to humiliation?" Zhang Han hesitated, secretly sending Hou Shicheng as an envoy to Xiang Yu in hopes of making a pact. Before the agreement was finalized, Xiang Yu ordered Jiangjun Pu to lead his troops day and night across Sanhu, stationing them at Zhangnan, where they engaged in battle with the Qin forces and defeated them twice. Xiang Yu led all his troops to attack the Qin forces on Wushui, decisively defeating them. | ||
| 14 | 項羽本紀: | 章邯使人見項羽，欲約。項羽召軍吏謀曰：「糧少，欲聽其約。」軍吏皆曰：「善。」項羽乃與期洹水南殷虛上。已盟，章邯見項羽而流涕，為言趙高。項羽乃立章邯為雍王，置楚軍中。使長史欣為上將軍，將秦軍為前行。 |
| Zhang Han sent an envoy to meet Xiang Yu again, hoping to negotiate a pact. Xiang Yu summoned his military officers and discussed with them, saying, "Our supplies are low; I am considering accepting their agreement." The military officers all said, "That is good." Xiang Yu then arranged a meeting with them at the Yin Xu site to the south of Huanshui. After swearing an oath, Zhang Han met Xiang Yu and wept, explaining about Zhao Gao. Xiang Yu then appointed Zhang Han as King of Yong and stationed him within the Chu army. He assigned Changshi Xin as supreme general, commanding the former Qin forces to serve as vanguard troops. | ||
| 15 | 項羽本紀: | 到新安。諸侯吏卒異時故繇使屯戍過秦中，秦中吏卒遇之多無狀，及秦軍降諸侯，諸侯吏卒乘勝多奴虜使之，輕折辱秦吏卒。秦吏卒多竊言曰：「章將軍等詐吾屬降諸侯，今能入關破秦，大善；即不能，諸侯虜吾屬而東，秦必盡誅吾父母妻子。」諸侯微聞其計，以告項羽。項羽乃召黥布、蒲將軍計曰：「秦吏卒尚眾，其心不服，至關中不聽，事必危，不如擊殺之，而獨與章邯、長史欣、都尉翳入秦。」於是楚軍夜擊阬秦卒二十餘萬人新安城南。 |
| They arrived at Xing'an. The officers and soldiers of the feudal lords had previously been conscripted as laborers or stationed for garrisons in Qinzhong, where they were often treated poorly by local Qin officials and troops. Now that the Qin forces surrendered to the feudal lords, the latter's officers and men, emboldened by victory, frequently enslaved them and subjected them to harsh treatment and humiliation. Many Qin officers and soldiers secretly remarked, "Generals Zhang Han et al. deceived us into surrendering to the feudal lords. If we can now enter Guan Pass and overthrow Qin, that would be excellent; if not, the feudal lords will enslave us and take us eastward, and Qin will surely execute our parents, wives, and children." The feudal lords secretly learned of this plan and reported it to Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu then summoned Qing Bu and Jiangjun Pu and discussed with them, saying: "The Qin officers and soldiers are still numerous, and their hearts remain 不服 (unsubmissive). If they reach Guanzhong and refuse to obey orders, the situation will certainly become dangerous. It is better to kill them all and proceed into Qin alone with Zhang Han, Changshi Xin, and Duwei Yi." Thus, the Chu forces attacked at night and buried more than 200,000 Qin soldiers in a pit south of Xing'an city. | ||
| 16 | 項羽本紀: | 行略定秦地。函谷關有兵守關，不得入。又聞沛公已破咸陽，項羽大怒，使當陽君等擊關。項羽遂入，至于戲西。沛公軍霸上，未得與項羽相見。沛公左司馬曹無傷使人言於項羽曰：「沛公欲王關中，使子嬰為相，珍寶盡有之。」項羽大怒，曰：「旦日饗士卒，為擊破沛公軍！」當是時，項羽兵四十萬，在新豐鴻門，沛公兵十萬，在霸上。范增說項羽曰：「沛公居山東時，貪於財貨，好美姬。今入關，財物無所取，婦女無所幸，此其志不在小。吾令人望其氣，皆為龍虎，成五采，此天子氣也。急擊勿失。」 |
| They proceeded to conquer and pacify the former territories of Qin. There were troops guarding Hangu Pass, so they could not enter. He also heard that Pei Gong had already captured Xianyang, and Xiang Yu became furious, sending Dangyang Jun et al. to attack the pass. Xiang Yu thus entered and advanced as far as the western side of Xi. Pei Gong's army was stationed at Bashi, but he had not yet met with Xiang Yu. Pei Gong's Left Sima Cao Wushang sent someone to inform Xiang Yu, saying: "Pei Gong intends to rule Guanzhong, appoint Ziying as prime minister, and possess all the treasures." Xiang Yu was furious and said, "Tomorrow morning I will offer a feast to my soldiers and lead them to attack and destroy Pei Gong's army!" At that time, Xiang Yu had 400,000 troops stationed at Hongmen in Xinfeng, while Pei Gong commanded 100,000 men stationed at Bashi. Fan Zeng advised Xiang Yu, saying: "When Pei Gong was in the lands east of the mountains, he coveted wealth and treasures, and loved beautiful concubines. Now that he has entered Guan Pass, he has taken nothing of wealth or treasure, and touched no woman—this indicates his ambitions are not small. I have had people observe the aura above his camp; they all resemble dragons and tigers, forming a five-colored radiance—this is the aura of an emperor. Strike quickly and do not miss this opportunity." | ||
| Annals of Xiang Yu: | [Xiang Yu's troops] came to Hangu Pass in former Qin territory. The pass was guarded by (Liu Bang's) soldiers so [Xiang Yu] could not get through. Apart from this, it was said that Pei Gong (namely Liu Bang) had already occupied Xian Yang city. Xiang Yu hence got fiercely angry, so he ordered Lord Dang Yang to attack the pass. Then he got through the pass and marched to Xixi. Pei Gong's troops were stationed in Bashang; he did not have the chance to meet Xiang Yu. A military officer of Pei Gong, Cao Wushang, secretly sent a messenger to Xiang Yu, saying: "Pei Gong intends to be king of Guanzhong, with Zi Ying as prime minister, and possess all the treasures of Qin." Xiang Yu broke out in a rage, and said: "Prepare my soldiers tomorrow morning. I will destroy Pei Gong's army!" At that time, Xiang Yu had 400,000 men stationed in Hongmen, Pei Gong had 100,000 men in Bashang. Fan Zeng said to Xiang Yu: "When Pei Gong was in Shandong, he was very greedy for treasures and beauties. But today in Guanzhong, treasures are untouched, women are intact. This reveals his tremendous ambition. I had his Qi observed, and it is like dragon and tiger, in five colors - this is the Qi of the Son of Heaven. Strike him at once and do not miss!" | |
| 17 | 項羽本紀: | 楚左尹項伯者，項羽季父也，素善留侯張良。張良是時從沛公，項伯乃夜馳之沛公軍，私見張良，具告以事，欲呼張良與俱去。曰：「毋從俱死也。」張良曰：「臣為韓王送沛公，沛公今事有急，亡去不義，不可不語。」良乃入，具告沛公。沛公大驚，曰：「為之柰何？」張良曰：「誰為大王為此計者？」曰：「鯫生說我曰『距關，毋內諸侯，秦地可盡王也』。故聽之。」良曰：「料大王士卒足以當項王乎？」沛公默然，曰：「固不如也，且為之柰何？」張良曰：「請往謂項伯，言沛公不敢背項王也。」沛公曰：「君安與項伯有故？」張良曰：「秦時與臣游，項伯殺人，臣活之。今事有急，故幸來告良。」沛公曰「孰與君少長？」良曰：「長於臣。」沛公曰「君為我呼入，吾得兄事之。」張良出，要項伯。項伯即入見沛公。沛公奉卮酒為壽，約為婚姻，曰：「吾入關，秋豪不敢有所近，籍吏民，封府庫，而待將軍。所以遣將守關者，備他盜之出入與非常也。日夜望將軍至，豈敢反乎！願伯具言臣之不敢倍德也。」項伯許諾。謂沛公曰：「旦日不可不蚤自來謝項王。」沛公曰：「諾。」於是項伯復夜去，至軍中，具以沛公言報項王。因言曰：「沛公不先破關中，公豈敢入乎？今人有大功而擊之，不義也，不如因善遇之。」項王許諾。 |
| Chu's Zuo Yin Xiang Bo was the uncle of Xiang Yu, and had long been on good terms with Liu Hou Zhang Liang. At this time, Zhang Liang was following Pei Gong. Hearing of the situation, Xiang Bo rode through the night to Pei Gong's camp and secretly met with Zhang Liang, informing him in detail about the matter and urging him to leave together. He said, "Do not go with them to die." Zhang Liang replied, "I was sent by King of Han to accompany Pei Gong. Now that he is in dire straits, it would be unjust for me to flee without informing him. I cannot keep this from him." Zhang Liang then entered and fully informed Pei Gong of the situation. Pei Gong was greatly alarmed and asked, "What should we do about this?" Zhang Liang asked, "Who advised Your Majesty to take this course of action?" Pei Gong replied, "A young man advised me saying, 'Block the pass and do not let in any feudal lords; all of Qin's territory can be ruled by us.'" Hence I followed his advice." Zhang Liang said, "Do you think Your Majesty's troops are sufficient to match those of King Xiang?" Pei Gong fell silent and replied, "Indeed they are not. Then what should we do about it?" Zhang Liang said: "Please allow me to go and speak with Xiang Bo, explaining that Pei Gong dares not betray King Xiang." Pei Gong asked, "How is it that you are acquainted with Xiang Bo?" Zhang Liang replied: "During the Qin dynasty, we were friends. When Xiang Bo killed a man, I saved his life." Now that there is an emergency, he has kindly come to inform me, Zhang Liang." Pei Gong asked: "Who among you two is older?" Zhang Liang replied: "He is older than I am." Pei Gong said, "Then you should call him in for me; I will treat him as an elder brother." Zhang Liang went out and summoned Xiang Bo. Xiang Bo immediately entered to see Pei Gong. Pei Gong presented a cup of wine as a toast, made an agreement for a marital alliance, and said: "When I entered Guan Pass, I dared not touch even the smallest thing; I registered the officials and people, sealed the government treasuries, and awaited General's arrival. The reason I sent generals to guard the pass was to prevent thieves or unexpected incidents from entering or leaving. Day and night, we have been looking forward to General's arrival—how could I dare rebel! I hope Uncle will fully explain that I have not dared betray his kindness." Xiang Bo agreed. He told Pei Gong, "Tomorrow morning you must come early to personally apologize to King Xiang." Pei Gong replied: "Yes." Thus, Xiang Bo left again at night and returned to the camp, fully reporting Pei Gong's words to King Xiang. He added: "Had Pei Gong not first captured Guanzhong, how would you have dared enter?" Now that he has rendered a great service to attack him is unjust; it would be better to treat him kindly." King Xiang agreed. | ||
| Annals of Xiang Yu: |
Chu's Chief Minister of the Left Xiang Bo, Xiang Yu's uncle, was a friend of Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu. Zhang Liang worked for Pei Gong at the time. Xiang Bo hence rode to Pei Gong's camp under the cover of the night, met Zhang Liang privately, told him about the assault and asked him to escape, saying: "You will die if you stay." Liang said: "I was appointed as Pei Gong's servant by the king of Han. Now that Pei Gong is in danger, it is not justifiable for me to escape. I have to warn him." So Liang came to Pei Gong and told him everything. Pei Gong was surprised and scared, he said: "What should I do?" Liang asked: "Who gave you the idea?" Pei Gong said: "Someone told me to guard the pass and keep off other lords in order to be king of the Qin territory. I took that advice." Liang asked: "Can your troops rival King Xiang?" Pei Gong remained silent for a while, and then said: "Of course we cannot, what should I do?" Liang said: "Please go and tell Xiang Bo that you dare not betray King Xiang." Pei Gong asked: "How do you know Xiang Bo?" Liang answered: "We were old friends in the Qin times, he was guilty to murder and I saved his life. So today he came to save mine in emergency." Pei Gong asked: "Who of you is elder?" Liang said: "He is elder than me." Pei Gong said: "Call him in for me. I will treat him as elder brother." Zhang Liang went out and invited Xiang Bo. So Xiang Bo came in to see Pei Gong. Pei Gong honored him with a toast and promised him a marriage, saying: "After I came to Guanzhong, I dare not touch anything. I recorded officers and citizens [of the city], sealed the treasury, waiting for the general (Xiang Yu). I guarded the pass only to restrain bandits and for security. I have been expecting the general day and night, how could I betray him? Please tell the general that I dare not do such unvirtuous things!" Xiang Bo promised, he said to Pei Gong: "Tomorrow you have to apologize to King Xiang early." Pei Gong said: "Yes." So Xiang Bo rode back to the camp (of King Xiang) in the night, and told King Xiang what Pei Gong had said. Xiang Bo said: "If it were not for Pei Gong, how could you so easily come to Guanzhong? It is not a noble thing to kill a man of merit. We had better treat him well." King Xiang agreed. | |
| 18 | 項羽本紀: | 沛公旦日從百餘騎來見項王，至鴻門，謝曰：「臣與將軍戮力而攻秦，將軍戰河北，臣戰河南，然不自意能先入關破秦，得復見將軍於此。今者有小人之言，令將軍與臣有郤。」項王曰：「此沛公左司馬曹無傷言之；不然，籍何以至此。」項王即日因留沛公與飲。項王、項伯東向坐。亞父南向坐。亞父者，范增也。沛公北向坐，張良西向侍。范增數目項王，舉所佩玉珪以示之者三，項王默然不應。范增起，出召項莊，謂曰：「君王為人不忍，若入前為壽，壽畢，請以劍舞，因擊沛公於坐，殺之。不者，若屬皆且為所虜。」莊則入為壽，壽畢，曰：「君王與沛公飲，軍中無以為樂，請以劍舞。」項王曰：「諾。」項莊拔劍起舞，項伯亦拔劍起舞，常以身翼蔽沛公，莊不得擊。於是張良至軍門，見樊噲。樊噲曰：「今日之事何如？」良曰：「甚急。今者項莊拔劍舞，其意常在沛公也。」噲曰：「此迫矣，臣請入，與之同命。」噲即帶劍擁盾入軍門。交戟之衛士欲止不內，樊噲側其盾以撞，衛士仆地，噲遂入，披帷西向立，瞋目視項王，頭髪上指，目眥盡裂。項王按劍而跽曰：「客何為者？」張良曰：「沛公之參乘樊噲者也。」項王曰：「壯士，賜之卮酒。」則與斗卮酒。噲拜謝，起，立而飲之。項王曰：「賜之彘肩。」則與一生彘肩。樊噲覆其盾於地，加彘肩上，拔劍切而啗之。項王曰：「壯士，能復飲乎？」樊噲曰：「臣死且不避，卮酒安足辭！夫秦王有虎狼之心，殺人如不能舉，刑人如恐不勝，天下皆叛之。懷王與諸將約曰『先破秦入咸陽者王之』。今沛公先破秦入咸陽，豪毛不敢有所近，封閉宮室，還軍霸上，以待大王來。故遣將守關者，備他盜出入與非常也。勞苦而功高如此，未有封侯之賞，而聽細說，欲誅有功之人。此亡秦之續耳，竊為大王不取也。」項王未有以應，曰：「坐。」樊噲從良坐。坐須臾，沛公起如廁，因招樊噲出。 |
| The next day, Pei Gong came with more than a hundred mounted attendants to meet King Xiang at Hongmen and apologized, saying: "Your servant and General have worked together to attack Qin. You fought in the north of the Yellow River while I fought in its south; yet I did not expect to be the first to enter Guan Pass and defeat Qin, nor did I anticipate meeting you here again, General. Now there are malicious rumors that have caused a rift between General and your servant." King Xiang said, "This was spoken by Pei Gong's Left Sima, Cao Wushang; otherwise, why would I have come to this point." King Xiang kept Pei Gong with him that day for a banquet. King Xiang and Xiang Bo sat facing east. Yafu (Fan Zeng) sat facing south. "Yafu" was Fan Zeng. Pei Gong sat facing north, while Zhang Liang stood in attendance to the west. Fan Zeng repeatedly signaled to King Xiang with his eyes, raising the jade gui he wore three times as a subtle indication. King Xiang remained silent and unresponsive. Fan Zeng rose, left and summoned Xiang Zhuang, saying to him: "The King is too merciful. If you go in first to offer a toast, after the toast, request to perform a sword dance, then strike Pei Gong while he sits and kill him. If not, you and your men will all be captured." Xiang Zhuang then entered to offer a toast. After the toast, he said: "Your Majesty is drinking with Pei Gong; there is nothing in the army for entertainment. Please allow me to perform a sword dance." King Xiang replied, "Yes." Xiang Zhuang drew his sword and began to dance. Xiang Bo also drew his sword and danced, often using his body to shield Pei Gong from the side; thus, Xiang Zhuang could not strike. At this point, Zhang Liang went to the military gate and saw Fan Kuai. Fan Kuai asked: "How did things go today?" Zhang Liang said: "Very urgent. Now Xiang Zhuang has drawn his sword to dance, and his intent is always on Pei Gong." Fan Kuai said: "This is a dire situation. I shall enter and share my life with him." Fan Kuai immediately drew his sword, held up his shield, and entered the military gate. Crossed halberd guards tried to stop him from entering, but Fan Kuai pushed his shield sideways and struck them down; the guards fell to the ground. Fan Kuai then entered, parted the curtain, stood facing west, glared fiercely at King Xiang, his hair standing on end, eyes wide open with anger until they seemed ready to burst. King Xiang pressed his sword and sat upright, asking: "Who is this guest?" Zhang Liang replied: "He is Fan Kuai, Pei Gong's chariot attendant." King Xiang said: "A valiant man! Grant him a cup of wine." They then gave him a large cup of wine. Fan Kuai bowed in thanks, stood up, and drank it all at once while standing. King Xiang said: "Grant him a pig's shoulder." They then gave him a whole roasted pig's shoulder. Fan Kuai placed his shield on the ground, put the pig's shoulder on top of it, drew his sword, cut into it, and began to eat. King Xiang said: "A valiant man! Can you drink more?" Fan Kuai replied: "I would not avoid death, how could a cup of wine be enough for me to refuse! The King of Qin has the heart of a tiger and wolf, killing people as if he could never finish them off, punishing people as though afraid not to do enough. The whole world has rebelled against him. King Huai and the generals had agreed: "Whoever first defeats Qin and enters Xianyang shall be made king." Now Lord Pei has first defeated Qin and entered Xianyang, not daring to touch even a single hair's worth of anything; he sealed the palaces, returned his troops to Bashang, and waited for Your Majesty to arrive. Therefore, we sent generals to guard the pass in order to prevent thieves from entering or leaving and to deal with any unexpected incidents. He has labored so hard and achieved such great merit, yet he has not been rewarded with a marquis title. Instead, you listen to petty slander and wish to kill those who have rendered meritorious service. This is merely the continuation of Qin's downfall; I secretly think it unwise for Your Majesty." King Xiang had no response and said, "Sit down." Fan Kuai sat down next to Zhang Liang. After sitting for a short while, Lord Pei rose as if to go to the toilet and thus summoned Fan Kuai to leave. | ||
| Annals of Xiang Yu: |
The second day, accompanied by one hundred cavalrymen, Pei Gong came to meet King Xiang in Hongmen. Pei Gong apologized: "The general and I fought side by side against Qin. The general fought on the northern side of the (Yellow) river, and I fought on the south. I did not expect that I could be the first to break into Guanzhong and defeat Qin, and finally meet the general here. There must be a petty man trying to casts a bone between the general and me." King Xiang said: "This is all because of your officer Cao Wushang, otherwise I would not have done this." King Xiang invited Pei Gong to a feast on that day. King Xiang and Xiang Bo sat facing the east. Yafu sat facing the south. Yafu was namely Fan Zeng. Pei Gong sat facing the north. Zhang Liang sat beside (Pei Gong) facing the west. Fan Zeng glanced several times at King Xiang, holding the jade on his girdle to hint (that it was time to take action). King Xiang remained silence and did not react. Fan Zeng stood up, came out and found Xiang Zhuang, said to him: "The Lord has not the heart (to kill). You should go in and toast, then ask to dance with a sword, and kill Pei Gong on his seat. Otherwise we all will be his prisoner one day." So Zhuang went in and toasted, then he said: "The Lord drinks with Pei Gong, but there is no entertainment in the army, please allow me to dance with my sword." King Xiang said: "Approved." Xiang Zhuang drew his sword and danced. Xiang Bo also drew his sword and danced along, protecting Pei Gong obscurely with his body. Zhuang had no chance. At this moment, Zhang Liang went out to the gate and found Fan Kuai. Fan Kuai asked: "How is the situation?" Liang said: "Very dangerous! Xiang Zhuang is dancing with sword, intending to kill Pei Gong!" Kuai said: "This is urgent! Let me in, I will save him with my life." Kuai broke through the gate with shield and sword. The guards tried to stop him. He crashed the guards to the ground with his shield. Then he rushed in (to the hall), stood facing the west with the mantle on his shoulders, his eyes opening so wide that the brow ridge was about to break up. King Xiang touched his sword and asked: "Who is this?" Zhang Liang said: "This is Pei Gong's stableman, Fan Kuai." King Xiang said: "A hero! Bestow wine on him!" Kuai was hence given wine. He (gave thanks) on his knees, then stood up and drank it all. King Xiang said: "Bestow pork on him!" He was then given raw pork. Kuai laid his shield on the ground, put the pork on it, cut the pork with his sword and ate. King Xiang asked: "Hero! Can you drink again?" Fan Kuai answered: "Even death will not scare me, how would wine! The emperor of Qin was as cruel as tiger and wolf, killing and torturing the people without an end. So the people revolted against him. King Huai (of Chu) made the agreement with all lords that the first who broke into Guanzhong should be king. Since Pei Gong defeated Qin and took over the city of Xian Yang, he kept nothing for himself. He sealed the palace, and waited for the King's arrival. He ordered his men to guard the pass only to prevent bandits and emergencies. You did not award such a man of merit, but instead trusted lies and tricks, intending to kill him. This is the same behavior as the dead Qin. I suggest your highness not do this." The King did not answer him, instead he only said: "Sit." Fan Kuai then took the seat beside Liang. After a while, Pei Gong got up and went out to the washroom, and asked Kuai to come with him. | |
| 19 | 項羽本紀: | 沛公已出，項王使都尉陳平召沛公。沛公曰：「今者出，未辭也，為之柰何？」樊噲曰：「大行不顧細謹，大禮不辭小讓。如今人方為刀俎，我為魚肉，何辭為。」於是遂去。乃令張良留謝。良問曰：「大王來何操？」曰：「我持白璧一雙，欲獻項王，玉斗一雙，欲與亞父，會其怒，不敢獻。公為我獻之」張良曰：「謹諾。」當是時，項王軍在鴻門下，沛公軍在霸上，相去四十里。沛公則置車騎，脫身獨騎，與樊噲、夏侯嬰、靳彊、紀信等四人持劍盾步走，從酈山下，道芷陽閒行。沛公謂張良曰：「從此道至吾軍，不過二十里耳。度我至軍中，公乃入。」沛公已去，閒至軍中，張良入謝，曰：「沛公不勝桮杓，不能辭。謹使臣良奉白璧一雙，再拜獻大王足下；玉斗一雙，再拜奉大將軍足下。」項王曰：「沛公安在？」良曰：「聞大王有意督過之，脫身獨去，已至軍矣。」項王則受璧，置之坐上。亞父受玉斗，置之地，拔劍撞而破之，曰：「唉！豎子不足與謀。奪項王天下者，必沛公也，吾屬今為之虜矣。」沛公至軍，立誅殺曹無傷。 |
| After Lord Pei had left, King Xiang sent his commander-in-chief Chen Ping to summon Lord Pei back. Lord Pei said: "I have just gone out without taking leave; what should I do about it?" Fan Kuai replied: "In great undertakings, one does not concern oneself with trifles; in great courtesy, one need not refuse minor courtesies. Now others are the butcher and block, while we are the fish and meat—why bother with taking leave?" Thus they left immediately. He then ordered Zhang Liang to remain and offer his apologies. Zhang Liang asked: "What did Your Majesty bring with you?" He said, "I had a pair of white jade discs to present to King Xiang and a pair of jade cups to give to Uncle Yu, but because he was angry, I dared not offer them. "Please do it for me." Zhang Liang said: "I shall obey with care." At that time, King Xiang's army was stationed at Hongmen, while Lord Pei's forces were in Bashang; the two camps were forty li apart. Lord Pei then left behind his chariot and horsemen, escaped alone on horseback, and together with Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Jin Qiang, Ji Xin, and three others, held swords and shields and walked on foot. They went down from Lishan Mountain, took a route through Zhiyang, and traveled secretly. Lord Pei told Zhang Liang: "From this path to my camp is no more than twenty li away. Estimate when I arrive at the camp, then you may enter." After Lord Pei had departed and secretly returned to his army, Zhang Liang entered to offer apologies, saying: "Lord Pei could not bear the cups of wine; he was unable to take leave. I have respectfully sent me, Zhang Liang, to present a pair of white jade discs, and I bow twice before Your Majesty's feet; a pair of jade cups, which I bow twice to offer at the feet of the great general." King Xiang asked: "Where is Lord Pei?" Zhang Liang replied: "He heard that Your Majesty intended to reprimand him, so he escaped alone and has already reached his army." King Xiang then accepted the jade discs and placed them on the seat. Uncle Yu took the jade cups, placed them on the ground, drew his sword to strike and smash them, saying: "Alas! This fool is not worth planning with. The one who will surely take King Xiang's empire from him is Lord Pei; we are now doomed to be his captives." When Lord Pei returned to his camp, he immediately executed Cao Wushang. | ||
| Annals of Xiang Yu: |
As Pei Gong has come out, King Xiang ordered Lieutenant Chen Ping to call him back in. Pei Gong said (to Fan Kuai): "I came out without saying goodbye, what should I do now?" Fan Kuai said: "The most powerful never mind small matters; the most polite never care about small etiquette. Now they are knife and chopping block, we are fish in between, why need we say goodbye?" So [Pei Gong decided to] leave. He ordered Zhang Liang to stay and apologize for him. Liang asked: "Have you brought anything here?" [Pei Gong] said: "I have a pair of white jade for the Lord, and a pair of jade pecks for Yafu. They were angry so I dare not give them. Please deliver the gifts for me." Liang said: "Yes." At that time, the camp of King Xiang was in Hongmen, and the camp of Pei Gong was in Bashang, 40 li from each other. Pei Gong discarded his chariot and rode alone, followed by Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Qi Jiang and Ji Xin with swords and shields in their hands. They took a shortcut at the foot of the Mountain Li through Zhiyang. Pei Gong told Liang [before they left]: "It is only 20 li to our camp through this path. You go back in when you estimate that we have arrived." Pei Gong reached his camp after a while. Zhang Liang went back in (to the hall) and apologized: "Pei Gong has drunk too much, he cannot say his farewells. He ordered me to give this pair of white jade to the Lord, and this pair of jade pecks to the high general." King Xiang asked: "Where is Pei Gong?" Liang said: "He heard that the Lord intended to blame him for his fault, so he left and should have arrived in his camp." King Xiang accepted the jade and put it on the table. Yafu took the jade pecks, put them on the ground and broke them with his sword, saying (to Xiang Yu): "Ah! You idiot, I cannot help you! It shall be Pei Gong who will defeat you. We all will be imprisoned by him!" Upon arriving in his camp, Pei Gong executed Cao Wushang. | |
| 20 | 項羽本紀: | 居數日，項羽引兵西屠咸陽，殺秦降王子嬰，燒秦宮室，火三月不滅；收其貨寶婦女而東。人或說項王曰：「關中阻山河四塞，地肥饒，可都以霸。」項王見秦宮皆以燒殘破，又心懷思欲東歸，曰：「富貴不歸故鄉，如衣繡夜行，誰知之者！」說者曰：「人言楚人沐猴而冠耳，果然。」項王聞之，烹說者。 |
| A few days later, Xiang Yu led his troops westward to massacre Xianyang, killed the surrendered Qin prince Ziying, and burned down the palaces of Qin. The fires raged for three months without being extinguished; he seized its treasures, valuables, and women and then moved eastward. Some people advised King Xiang: "The Guanzhong region is naturally fortified by mountains and rivers on all sides, the land is fertile and abundant; it can serve as a capital for dominance." King Xiang, seeing that the Qin palaces were all burned and ruined, and longing to return eastward, said: "Wealth and honor if not returned to one's hometown is like wearing embroidered clothes at night—how would anyone know?" The advisor said: "People say the Chu people are merely monkeys wearing hats, and indeed they are." King Xiang heard this and boiled alive the person who had spoken. | ||
| 21 | 項羽本紀: | 項王使人致命懷王。懷王曰：「如約。」乃尊懷王為義帝。項王欲自王，先王諸將相。謂曰：「天下初發難時，假立諸侯後以伐秦。然身被堅執銳首事，暴露於野三年，滅秦定天下者，皆將相諸君與籍之力也。義帝雖無功，故當分其地而王之。」諸將皆曰：「善。」乃分天下，立諸將為侯王。項王、范增疑沛公之有天下，業已講解，又惡負約，恐諸侯叛之，乃陰謀曰：「巴、蜀道險，秦之遷人皆居蜀。」乃曰：「巴、蜀亦關中地也。」故立沛公為漢王，王巴、蜀、漢中，都南鄭。而三分關中，王秦降將以距塞漢王。項王乃立章邯為雍王，王咸陽以西，都廢丘。長史欣者，故為櫟陽獄掾，嘗有德於項梁；都尉董翳者，本勸章邯降楚。故立司馬欣為塞王，王咸陽以東至河，都櫟陽；立董翳為翟王，王上郡，都高奴。徙魏王豹為西魏王，王河東，都平陽。瑕丘申陽者，張耳嬖臣也，先下河南（郡），迎楚河上，故立申陽為河南王，都雒陽。韓王成因故都，都陽翟。趙將司馬卬定河內，數有功，故立卬為殷王，王河內，都朝歌。徙趙王歇為代王。趙相張耳素賢，又從入關，故立耳為常山王，王趙地，都襄國。當陽君黥布為楚將，常冠軍，故立布為九江王，都六。鄱君吳芮率百越佐諸侯，又從入關，故立芮為衡山王，都邾。義帝柱國共敖將兵擊南郡，功多，因立敖為臨江王，都江陵。徙燕王韓廣為遼東王。燕將臧荼從楚救趙，因從入關，故立荼為燕王，都薊。徙齊王田市為膠東王。齊將田都從共救趙，因從入關，故立都為齊王，都臨菑。故秦所滅齊王建孫田安，項羽方渡河救趙，田安下濟北數城，引其兵降項羽，故立安為濟北王，都博陽。田榮者，數負項梁，又不肯將兵從楚擊秦，以故不封。成安君陳餘棄將印去，不從入關，然素聞其賢，有功於趙，聞其在南皮，故因環封三縣。番君將梅鋗功多，故封十萬戶侯。項王自立為西楚霸王，王九郡，都彭城。 |
| King Xiang sent someone to inform King Huai of his intentions. King Huai said: "As agreed." He then honored King Huai as the Righteous Emperor. King Xiang wanted to make himself king and first declared kingship for his generals and ministers. He said: "When the rebellion against Qin first began, we temporarily installed descendants of former feudal lords to attack Qin. Yet it was you, the generals and ministers, together with myself who personally bore armor and wielded sharp weapons at the forefront, enduring hardships in the open fields for three years to destroy Qin and stabilize the empire. Although Emperor Yi rendered no service, he should still be given a portion of land and made king." The generals all said: "Good." Thus they divided the empire and enfeoffed their generals as marquises and kings. King Xiang and Fan Zeng suspected that Lord Pei might seize the empire. Although they had already made peace, they were still resentful of breaking their agreement and feared that the feudal lords would rebel against them. Thus, they plotted secretly: "The roads to Ba and Shu are perilous; those exiled by Qin all live in Shu." They then said: "Ba and Shu are also part of the Guanzhong region." Therefore, they enfeoffed Lord Pei as King of Han, ruling over Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong with his capital at Nanzheng. They divided Guanzhong into three parts and enfeoffed surrendered Qin generals to block the path for King Han. King Xiang then enfeoffed Zhang Han as King of Yong, ruling west of Xianyang with his capital at Feiqiu. Changshi Xin had previously served as a clerk in the Linyang prison and once rendered a favor to Xiang Liang; Duwei Dong Yi, originally advised Zhang Han to surrender to Chu. Therefore, they enfeoffed Sima Xin as King of Sai, ruling from east of Xianyang to the Yellow River with his capital at Linyang; they enfeoffed Dong Yi as King of Zhai, ruling Shangjun Commandery with his capital at Gaonu. They moved King Pei of Wei to be King of Xiwei, ruling Hedong Commandery with his capital in Pingyang. Xiaqiu Shen Yang, a favorite retainer of Zhang Er, had first captured the commandery of Henan and welcomed the forces of Chu at the Yellow River. Therefore, they enfeoffed Shen Yang as King of Henan with his capital in Luoyang. King Han Cheng remained in his former capital and established his seat at Yangzhi. Zhao's general Sima Ang pacified Hedong and rendered many services, so they enfeoffed him as King of Yin, ruling over Hedong with his capital at Chaoguo. They moved King Xie of Zhao to be King of Dai. Zhang Er, the prime minister of Zhao, was always a virtuous man and had followed them into Guan. Therefore, they enfeoff him as King of Changshan, ruling over Zhao's territory with his capital at Xiangguo. Dangyang Jun Qing Bu was a general of Chu and often led the vanguard, so they enfeoffed Bu as King of Jiujiang with his capital at Liu. Po Jun Wu Rui led the Baiyue people to assist the feudal lords and followed them into Guan, so they enfeoffed Rui as King of Hengshan with his capital at Zhu. Gong Ao, the Zhugu of Emperor Yi, led troops to attack Nanjun Commandery and rendered many meritorious services; thus they enfeoffed Ao as King of Linjiang with his capital at Jiangling. They moved King Han Guang of Yan to be King of Liaodong. Yan's general Zang Tu followed Chu in rescuing Zhao and then entered Guan with them, so they enfeoffed Tu as King of Yan with his capital at Ji. They moved King Tian Shi of Qi to be King of Jiaodong. Qi's general Tian Du joined in rescuing Zhao together and then followed them into Guan; thus, they enfeoffed Du as King of Qi with his capital at Linzi. Tian An, the grandson of Tian Jian, the former King of Qi who had been eliminated by Qin, submitted several cities in Jibei to Xiang Yu when he was crossing the Yellow River to rescue Zhao. Thus, they enfeoffed An as King of Jibei with his capital at Boyang. Tian Rong had repeatedly betrayed Xiang Liang and also refused to lead troops with Chu against Qin, so he was not enfeoffed. Cheng'an Jun Chen Yu abandoned his general's seal and did not follow into Guan, but as he was always known for his virtue and had rendered service to Zhao, it was heard that he was in Nanpi; therefore, they granted him a fief of three counties. Fan Jun's general Mei Xuan rendered many meritorious services, so he was enfeoffed as a marquis with ten thousand households. King Xiang declared himself the Hegemon of Western Chu, ruling over nine commanderies with his capital at Pengcheng. | ||
| 22 | 項羽本紀: | 漢之元年四月，諸侯罷戲下，各就國。項王出之國，使人徙義帝，曰：「古之帝者地方千里，必居上游。」乃使使徙義帝長沙郴縣。趣義帝行，其群臣稍稍背叛之，乃陰令衡山、臨江王擊殺之江中。韓王成無軍功，項王不使之國，與俱至彭城，廢以為侯，已又殺之。臧荼之國，因逐韓廣之遼東，廣弗聽，荼擊殺廣無終， |
| In the fourth month of the first year of Han, the feudal lords withdrew from their encampments and returned to their respective states. King Xiang left for his state and sent people to move Emperor Yi, saying: "In ancient times, emperors ruled a thousand li of territory and must reside upstream." He then sent envoys to relocate Emperor Yi to Chen Xian in Changsha. They hurriedly ordered Emperor Yi to leave, and his ministers gradually began to betray him; thus they secretly commanded the kings of Hengshan and Linjiang to kill him in the river. King Han Cheng had no military achievements, so King Xiang did not allow him to return to his state but took him with them to Pengcheng. He was deposed and made a marquis, then later killed. Zang Tu returned to his state and thus drove King Han Guang of Yan eastward to Liaodong. Guang refused, so Tu attacked and killed him at Wuzhong. | ||
| 23 | 項羽本紀: | 田榮聞項羽徙齊王市膠東，而立齊將田都為齊王，乃大怒，不肯遣齊王之膠東，因以齊反，迎擊田都。田都走楚。齊王市畏項王，乃亡之膠東就國。田榮怒，追擊殺之即墨。榮因自立為齊王，而西殺擊濟北王田安，并王三齊。榮與彭越將軍印，令反梁地。陳餘陰使張同、夏說說齊王田榮曰：「項羽為天下宰，不平。今盡王故王於醜地，而王其群臣諸將善地，逐其故主趙王，乃北居代，餘以為不可。聞大王起兵，且不聽不義，願大王資餘兵，請以擊常山，以復趙王，請以國為捍蔽。」齊王許之，因遣兵之趙。陳餘悉發三縣兵，與齊并力擊常山，大破之。張耳走歸漢。陳餘迎故趙王歇於代，反之趙。趙王因立陳餘為代王。 |
| Tian Rong, upon hearing that Xiang Yu had moved King Tian Shi of Qi eastward to Jiaodong and enfeoffed the Qi general Tian Du as King of Qi, became greatly enraged. He refused to send King Shi to Jiaodong, so he rebelled with Qi forces against Tian Du. Tian Du fled to Chu. King Tian Shi of Qi, fearing King Xiang, fled eastward to Jiaodong to take up his fief. Tian Rong was furious and pursued him, killing him at Jiimo. Rong then declared himself King of Qi and marched westward to attack and kill King Tian An of Jibei, uniting the three parts of Qi under his rule. Rong gave a general's seal to Peng Yue and ordered him to rebel in Liang territory. Chen Yu secretly sent Zhang Tong and Xia Shuo to advise King Tian Rong of Qi: "Xiang Yu, as the ruler of the world, is not impartial. Now he has enfeoffed former kings in despicable lands, while giving the best territories to his ministers and generals. He drove out Zhao's original ruler, King Zhao, who now resides northward in Dai; I think this is unacceptable." I have heard that Your Majesty has raised an army, and you will not listen to injustice. I wish for your support with troops; please allow me to attack Changshan in order to restore King Zhao of Zhao, and offer my state as a shield." King Tian Rong agreed and thus sent troops to Zhao. Chen Yu mobilized all the forces from his three counties, joined with Qi's army, and launched a joint attack on Changshan, where they heavily defeated them. Zhang Er fled back to Han. Chen Yu welcomed the former King Zhao Xie from Dai and restored him as ruler of Zhao. King Zhao then appointed Chen Yu as King of Dai. | ||
| 24 | 項羽本紀: | 是時，漢還定三秦。項羽聞漢王皆已并關中，且東，齊、趙叛之：大怒。乃以故吳令鄭昌為韓王，以距漢。令蕭公角等擊彭越。彭越敗蕭公角等。漢使張良徇韓，乃遺項王書曰：「漢王失職，欲得關中，如約即止，不敢東。」又以齊、梁反書遺項王曰：「齊欲與趙并滅楚。」楚以此故無西意，而北擊齊。徵兵九江王布。布稱疾不往，使將將數千人行。項王由此怨布也。漢之二年冬，項羽遂北至城陽，田榮亦將兵會戰。田榮不勝，走至平原，平原民殺之。遂北燒夷齊城郭室屋，皆阬田榮降卒，系虜其老弱婦女。徇齊至北海，多所殘滅。齊人相聚而叛之。於是田榮弟田橫收齊亡卒得數萬人，反城陽。項王因留，連戰未能下。 |
| At this time, Han was returning to pacify the Three Qins. Xiang Yu heard that King Huai had already unified Guanzhong and was advancing eastward, while Qi and Zhao had rebelled against him; he became very angry. He therefore appointed Zheng Chang, the former magistrate of Wu, as King of Han to resist the Han forces. He ordered Xiao Gongjiao and others to attack Peng Yue. Peng Yue defeated Xiao Gongjiao and his forces. Han sent Zhang Liang to pacify Han, who then sent a letter to Xiang Wang saying: "King Huai has lost his position and desires Guanzhong. If the agreement is honored, he will stop there and dare not advance eastward." He also sent a letter to Xiang Yu with reports of Qi's and Liang's rebellion, saying: "Qi wishes to join Zhao in annihilating Chu." Because of this, Chu had no intention of moving westward and instead marched north to attack Qi. He conscripted troops from King Jiangyou Wang Bu. Bu claimed illness and did not go in person, instead sending a general with several thousand men to proceed. Xiang Yu thus harbored resentment toward Bu. In winter of the second year of Han, Xiang Yu advanced northward to Chengyang, where Tian Rong also led troops to meet him in battle. Tian Rong was defeated and fled to Pingyuan, where the local people killed him. Xiang Yu then marched northward, burning and destroying all cities, walls, houses in Qi. He buried alive the surrendered soldiers of Tian Rong who had surrendered, capturing and enslaving the elderly, weak men, women, and children. Xiang Yu pacified Qi up to Beihai, committing many acts of destruction and massacre along the way. The people of Qi gathered together in rebellion against him. At this time, Tian Rong's younger brother, Tian Heng, rallied several ten thousand of Qi's scattered soldiers and rebelled in Chengyang. Xiang Yu therefore remained there, engaging in continuous battles but was unable to capture the city. | ||
| 25 | 項羽本紀: | 春，漢王部五諸侯兵，凡五十六萬人，東伐楚。項王聞之，即令諸將擊齊，而自以精兵三萬人南從魯出胡陵。四月，漢皆已入彭城，收其貨寶美人，日置酒高會。項王乃西從蕭，晨擊漢軍而東，至彭城，日中，大破漢軍。漢軍皆走，相隨入穀、泗水，殺漢卒十餘萬人。漢卒皆南走山，楚又追擊至靈壁東睢水上。漢軍卻，為楚所擠，多殺，漢卒十餘萬人皆入睢水，睢水為之不流。圍漢王三匝。於是大風從西北而起，折木發屋，揚沙石，窈冥晝晦，逢迎楚軍。楚軍大亂，壞散，而漢王乃得與數十騎遁去，欲過沛，收家室而西；楚亦使人追之沛，取漢王家：家皆亡，不與漢王相見。漢王道逢得孝惠、魯元，乃載行。楚騎追漢王，漢王急，推墮孝惠、魯元車下，滕公常下收載之。如是者三。曰：「雖急不可以驅，柰何棄之？」於是遂得脫。求太公、呂后不相遇。審食其從太公、呂后閒行，求漢王，反遇楚軍。楚軍遂與歸，報項王，項王常置軍中。 |
| In spring, King Huai of Han led an alliance of five feudal lords' armies, totaling 560,000 men, and marched eastward to attack Chu. Xiang Yu heard of this and immediately ordered his generals to attack Qi, while personally leading 30,000 elite troops southward from Lu through Huling. In the fourth month, Han forces had already entered Pengcheng and seized its treasures, beautiful women, holding daily banquets with great feasting. Xiang Yu then moved west from Xiao and launched a morning attack on the Han army, advancing eastward to Pengcheng. At noon, he heavily defeated the Han forces. The Han troops all fled, following each other into the Gu and Si Rivers, where more than 100,000 Han soldiers were killed. The surviving Han troops fled south toward the mountains, and Chu forces pursued them again to the Sui River east of Lingbi. The Han army retreated and was crushed by the Chu forces, resulting in heavy casualties. More than 100,00 Han soldiers fell into the Sui River, which became so clogged with bodies that its flow was blocked. They encircled King Huai of Han three times. At this moment, a fierce wind arose from the northwest, breaking trees and tearing off roofs, raising sand and stones into the air. The sky darkened as if it were night in the daytime, meeting and greeting the Chu army. The Chu forces became greatly disordered and scattered, allowing King Huai of Han to escape with dozens of horsemen. He intended to pass through Pei, collect his family, and then head westward; Chu also sent men to pursue him in Pei to capture King Huai's family: but the entire household had already fled, and they did not meet with King Huai. While traveling along the way, King Huai encountered Xiao Hui and Lu Yuan and took them aboard his carriage to continue their journey. Chu cavalry pursued King Huai, and in a moment of desperation, he pushed Xiao Hui and Lu Yuan from the carriage. Prince Teng Gong Chang repeatedly jumped down to rescue them and brought them back aboard. This happened three times. He said, "Even in an emergency, we cannot abandon them; how can we leave them behind?" Thus they were finally able to escape. They searched for Tai Gong and Empress Lu but did not find them. Shen Shiqi, traveling secretly with Tai Gong and Empress Lu in search of King Huai, instead encountered the Chu army. The Chu forces then took them back to report to Xiang Yu, who kept Tai Gong and Empress Lu within his military encampment. | ||
| 26 | 項羽本紀: | 是時呂后兄周呂侯為漢將兵居下邑，漢王閒往從之，稍稍收其士卒。至滎陽，諸敗軍皆會，蕭何亦發關中老弱未傅悉詣滎陽，復大振。楚起於彭城，常乘勝逐北，與漢戰滎陽南京、索閒，漢敗楚，楚以故不能過滎陽而西。 |
| At this time, Empress Lu's elder brother, Zhou Lü Hou, was a Han general stationed in Xiayi. King Huai secretly went to join him and gradually gathered his soldiers back. When they arrived at Yingyang, all the defeated Han forces regrouped. Xiao He also mobilized the elderly and those too weak to be conscripted from Guanzhong, sending them all to Yingyang, thus greatly restoring their strength. Chu, having risen from Pengcheng, continued to pursue the retreating Han forces and engaged them in battles between Nanjing and Suo at Yingyang. The Han defeated Chu on several occasions, which is why Chu could not cross beyond Yingyang toward the west. | ||
| 27 | 項羽本紀: | 項王之救彭城，追漢王至滎陽，田橫亦得收齊，立田榮子廣為齊王。漢王之敗彭城，諸侯皆復與楚而背漢。漢軍滎陽，筑甬道屬之河，以取敖倉粟。漢之三年，項王數侵奪漢甬道，漢王食乏，恐，請和，割滎陽以西為漢。 |
| When Xiang Yu was rescuing Pengcheng and pursuing King Huai to Yingyang, Tian Heng also managed to recover Qi and enthroned Tian Rong's son Guang as King of Qi. After King Huai's defeat at Pengcheng, the feudal lords all once again allied with Chu and turned their backs on Han. The Han forces at Yingyang constructed a causeway connecting to the Yellow River in order to transport grain from the Ao granary. In the third year of Han, Xiang Wang repeatedly raided and seized control of the Han causeway. With their food supplies running low, King Huai became fearful and requested a truce, offering to cede all territory west of Yingyang to Han. | ||
| 28 | 項羽本紀: | 項王欲聽之。歷陽侯范增曰：「漢易與耳，今釋弗取，後必悔之。」項王乃與范增急圍滎陽。漢王患之，乃用陳平計閒項王。項王使者來，為太牢具，舉欲進之。見使者，詳驚愕曰：「吾以為亞父使者，乃反項王使者。」更持去，以惡食食項王使者。使者歸報項王，項王乃疑范增與漢有私，稍奪之權。范增大怒，曰：「天下事大定矣，君王自為之。願賜骸骨歸卒伍。」項王許之。行未至彭城，疽發背而死。 |
| Xiang Wang was willing to accept the proposal. Liyang Hou Fan Zeng said, "Han is easy to deal with; if we now let it go and do not seize the opportunity, we will surely regret it later." Xiang Wang then joined forces with Fan Zeng to urgently encircle Yingyang. King Huai was greatly concerned and thus adopted Chen Ping's strategy to sow discord between Xiang Wang and his subordinates. When envoys from Xiang Yu arrived, a lavish feast was prepared for them, and the attendants were about to serve it. Upon seeing the envoys, they feigned surprise and exclaimed: "We thought you were an envoy from Lord Yafu [Fan Zeng], but it turns out you are actually Xiang Wang's messenger." They took the lavish feast away and instead served a meager meal to Xiang Yu's envoys. When the envoys returned and reported this to Xiang Wang, he began to suspect that Fan Zeng had secret dealings with Han and gradually stripped him of power. Fan Zeng became greatly enraged and said, "The affairs of the world are now largely settled; it is up to Your Majesty to decide them yourself. I humbly request permission to retire from service and return among the common soldiers." Xiang Wang agreed. Before he could reach Pengcheng, Fan Zeng died of a gangrenous boil on his back. | ||
| 29 | 項羽本紀: | 漢將紀信說漢王曰：「事已急矣，請為王誑楚為王，王可以閒出。」於是漢王夜出女子滎陽東門被甲二千人，楚兵四面擊之。紀信乘黃屋車，傅左纛，曰：「城中食盡，漢王降。」楚軍皆呼萬歲。漢王亦與數十騎從城西門出，走成皋。項王見紀信，問：「漢王安在？」曰：「漢王已出矣。」項王燒殺紀信。 |
| The Han general Ji Xin advised King Huai, saying: "The situation is dire now. Please allow me to impersonate you and deceive the Chu forces as their king; this will give you a chance to escape secretly." Thus, King Huai sent out 2,000 women from the east gate of Yingyang at night, dressed in armor. The Chu forces attacked them on all sides. Ji Xin rode in a yellow-roofed carriage, bearing the standard on its left side, and declared: "The food supplies within the city have run out; King Huai of Han is surrendering." The Chu forces all cheered with cries of "Ten thousand years!" King Huai also escaped from the western gate of the city with dozens of horsemen and fled to Chenggao. Xiang Yu saw Ji Xin and asked, "Where is King Huai?" Ji Xin replied, "King Huai has already escaped." Xiang Yu burned and killed Ji Xin. | ||
| 30 | 項羽本紀: | 漢王使御史大夫周苛、樅公、魏豹守滎陽。周苛、樅公謀曰：「反國之王，難與守城。」乃共殺魏豹。楚下滎陽城，生得周苛。項王謂周苛曰：「為我將，我以公為上將軍，封三萬戶。」周苛罵曰：「若不趣降漢，漢今虜若，若非漢敵也。」項王怒，烹周苛，井殺樅公。 |
| King Huai of Han appointed the Grand Censor Zhou Kuo, Zong Gong, and Wei Bao to defend Yingyang. Zhou Kuo and Zong Gong plotted together: "A king who has rebelled, is hard to rely on for defending the city." They thus conspired to kill Wei Bao. The Chu forces captured Yingyang city and took Zhou Kuo alive. Xiang Yu said to Zhou Kuo: "Serve as my general, and I will appoint you as the supreme general and bestow upon you a fief of 30,00 households." Zhou Kuo scolded him: "If you do not quickly surrender to Han, Han will now capture you. You are no match for Han." Xiang Yu became furious and boiled Zhou Kuo alive, then had Zong Gong thrown into a well and killed him. | ||
| 31 | 項羽本紀: | 漢王之出滎陽，南走宛、葉，得九江王布，行收兵，復入保成皋。漢之四年，項王進兵圍成皋。漢王逃，獨與滕公出成皋北門，渡河走修武，從張耳、韓信軍。諸將稍稍得出成皋，從漢王。楚遂拔成皋，欲西。漢使兵距之鞏，令其不得西。 |
| After King Huai fled from Yingyang, he went south to Wan and Ye, where he met with King Jiangyou Wang Bu, gathered troops along the way, and returned to defend Chenggao. In the fourth year of Han, Xiang Wu advanced his forces to encircle Chenggao. King Huai fled and, accompanied only by Prince Teng Gong, exited through the northern gate of Chenggao, crossed the Yellow River to reach Xiuwu, where he joined forces with Zhang Er and Han Xin. The various generals gradually managed to escape from Chenggao and regrouped with King Huai of Han. Chu forces then captured Chenggao and intended to advance westward. Han sent troops to resist them at Gong, preventing the Chu forces from advancing westward. | ||
| 32 | 項羽本紀: | 是時，彭越渡河擊楚東阿，殺楚將軍薛公。項王乃自東擊彭越。漢王得淮陰侯兵，欲渡河南。鄭忠說漢王，乃止壁河內。使劉賈將兵佐彭越，燒楚積聚。項王東擊破之，走彭越。漢王則引兵渡河，復取成皋，軍廣武，就敖倉食。項王已定東海來，西，與漢俱臨廣武而軍，相守數月。 |
| At this time, Peng Yue crossed the river and attacked Chu at Donga, killing General Xue Gong of Chu. Xiang Yu personally led his forces eastward to attack Peng Yue. King Huai received the support of General Huaiyin Hou's troops and wished to cross the Yellow River to the south. Zheng Zhong advised King Huai, so he halted his forces and took up a defensive position in Hedong. He sent Liu Jia to lead troops to assist Peng Yue, who burned the accumulated supplies of Chu. Xiang Yu marched eastward and defeated them, driving Peng Yue into retreat. King Huai then led his troops across the river, recaptured Chenggao, stationed at Guangwu, and secured supplies from the Ao granary. After pacifying Donghai, Xiang Yu returned westward and joined forces with Han at Guangwu, where both sides set up camps facing each other for several months. | ||
| 33 | 項羽本紀: | 當此時，彭越數反梁地，絕楚糧食，項王患之。為高俎，置太公其上，告漢王曰：「今不急下，吾烹太公。」漢王曰：「吾與項羽俱北面受命懷王，曰『約為兄弟』，吾翁即若翁，必欲烹而翁，則幸分我一桮羹。」項王怒，欲殺之。項伯曰：「天下事未可知，且為天下者不顧家，雖殺之無益，只益禍耳。」項王從之。 |
| At this time, Peng Yue repeatedly rebelled in Liang territory and cut off the supply of food to Chu; Xiang Yu was greatly troubled by this. A high sacrificial table was prepared, and King Tai Gong was placed on it. Xiang Yu declared to King Huai: "If you do not surrender immediately, I will boil King Tai Gong." King Huai said, "I and Xiang Yu both knelt before King Huai Wang to receive our commands. We were sworn as brothers. My father is your father. If you insist on boiling my father, then kindly share with me a cup of the broth." Xiang Yu became furious and wanted to kill him. Xiang Bo said, "The outcome of the affairs in the world is uncertain. One who seeks to rule the world cannot afford to consider family matters. Even if you kill him, it will be of no benefit; it will only bring more disaster." Xiang Yu followed his advice. | ||
| 34 | 項羽本紀: | 楚漢久相持未決，丁壯苦軍旅，老弱罷轉漕。項王謂漢王曰：「天下匈匈數歲者，徒以吾兩人耳，願與漢王挑戰決雌雄，毋徒苦天下之民父子為也。」漢王笑謝曰：「吾寧鬬智，不能鬬力。」項王令壯士出挑戰。漢有善騎射者樓煩，楚挑戰三合，樓煩輒射殺之。項王大怒，乃自被甲持戟挑戰。樓煩欲射之，項王瞋目叱之，樓煩目不敢視，手不敢發，遂走還入壁，不敢復出。漢王使人閒問之，乃項王也。漢王大驚。於是項王乃即漢王相與臨廣武閒而語。漢王數之，項王怒，欲一戰。漢王不聽，項王伏弩射中漢王。漢王傷，走入成皋。 |
| The prolonged stalemate between Chu and Han had not yet been resolved; the able-bodied men were exhausted from military service, while the elderly and weak were worn out by transporting supplies. Xiang Yu said to King Huai: "The world has been in turmoil for several years, merely because of the two of us. I wish to challenge you personally and decide our superiority or inferiority; let us not continue to burden the people with war." King Huai laughed and declined, saying: "I would rather compete in wisdom than in strength." Xiang Yu ordered his valiant warriors to go out and challenge. Han had a skilled cavalry archer named Lou Fan; after three rounds of challenges from Chu, Lou Fan shot and killed each challenger. Xiang Yu was greatly enraged and personally donned armor and wielded a halberd to challenge them. Lou Fan wanted to shoot at him, but Xiang Yu glared fiercely and shouted at him. Terrified, Lou Fan could not even look into his eyes or release the arrow; he fled back into the Han camp and dared not come out again. King Huai sent someone to secretly inquire, and it was discovered that the challenger was Xiang Yu himself. King Huai was greatly alarmed. Thus, Xiang Yu and King Huai met face to face at the site of Guangwu and conversed. King Huai reproached him with several accusations; Xiang Yu became angry and wished for a decisive battle. King Huai refused to listen, so Xiang Yu loosed a crossbow shot that hit King Huai. King Huai was wounded and fled into Chenggao. | ||
| 35 | 項羽本紀: | 項王聞淮陰侯已舉河北，破齊、趙，且欲擊楚，乃使龍且往擊之。淮陰侯與戰，騎將灌嬰擊之，大破楚軍，殺龍且。韓信因自立為齊王。項王聞龍且軍破，則恐，使盱臺人武涉往說淮陰侯。淮陰侯弗聽。是時，彭越復反，下梁地，絕楚糧。項王乃謂海春侯大司馬曹咎等曰：「謹守成皋，則漢欲挑戰，慎勿與戰，毋令得東而已。我十五日必誅彭越，定梁地，復從將軍。」乃東，行擊陳留、外黃。 |
| Xiang Yu learned that General Huaiyin Hou had already captured the region north of the Yellow River, defeated Qi and Zhao, and was preparing to attack Chu. He therefore sent Long Ju to go and fight against him. General Huaiyin Hou engaged in battle, while the cavalry general Guan Ying attacked them; they heavily defeated the Chu army and killed Long Ju. Taking advantage of this victory, Han Xin declared himself King of Qi. Xiang Yu heard that Long Ju's army had been defeated and became fearful; he sent Wu She, a native of Xutai, to persuade General Huaiyin Hou. General Huaiyin Hou did not listen. At this time, Peng Yue rebelled again, captured Liang territory, and cut off the food supplies of Chu. Xiang Yu then said to Haispring Hou Daisima Cao Jiu and others, "Carefully defend Chenggao. If Han wishes to challenge you, be cautious not to engage in battle; just prevent them from advancing eastward." "I will certainly eliminate Peng Yue and pacify Liang territory within fifteen days, then I shall return to join you again." He thus marched eastward, attacking Chenliu and Waihuang along the way. | ||
| 36 | 項羽本紀: | 外黃不下。數日，已降，項王怒，悉令男子年十五已上詣城東，欲阬之。外黃令舍人兒年十三，往說項王曰：「彭越彊劫外黃，外黃恐，故且降，待大王。大王至，又皆阬之，百姓豈有歸心？從此以東，梁地十餘城皆恐，莫肯下矣。」項王然其言，乃赦外黃當阬者。東至睢陽，聞之皆爭下項王。 |
| Waihuang did not surrender. After several days, the city finally surrendered. Xiang Yu became enraged and ordered all men aged fifteen or older to gather at the eastern gate of the city, intending to massacre them. A retainer of the magistrate of Waihuang, a boy thirteen years old, went to advise Xiang Yu, saying: "Peng Yue used force to coerce Waihuang. The people were frightened and so temporarily surrendered, waiting for Your Majesty." "If you arrive and then massacre them all, how can the common people have any desire to submit?" "From here eastward, more than ten cities in Liang territory will be frightened and no longer dare to surrender." Xiang Yu found his words reasonable and thus pardoned the men of Waihuang who had been slated for massacre. Moving eastward to Suixiang, upon hearing this, the people all vied to surrender to Xiang Yu. | ||
| 37 | 項羽本紀: | 漢果數挑楚軍戰，楚軍不出。使人辱之，五六日，大司馬怒，渡兵汜水。士卒半渡，漢擊之，大破楚軍，盡得楚國貨賂。大司馬咎、長史翳、塞王欣皆自剄汜水上。大司馬咎者，故蘄獄掾，長史欣亦故櫟陽獄吏，兩人嘗有德於項梁，是以項王信任之。當是時，項王在睢陽，聞海春侯軍敗，則引兵還。漢軍方圍鐘離眛於滎陽東，項王至，漢軍畏楚，盡走險阻。 |
| As expected, Han repeatedly challenged the Chu army into battle, but the Chu forces did not emerge from their defenses. They sent people to insult them; after five or six days, Daisima became angry and crossed the army over the Sishui River. When half of the soldiers had crossed, Han attacked them, heavily defeating the Chu forces and seizing all their supplies and valuables. Daisima Jiu, Changshi Yi, and Sai Wang Xin all committed suicide in the Sishui River. Daisima Jiu was formerly a clerk in the Qi prison, and Changshi Xin was also previously an official of the Liyang prison. The two had once shown kindness to Xiang Liang; therefore, Xiang Yu trusted them. At that time, Xiang Yu was in Suixiang and upon hearing of the defeat of Haispring Hou's forces, he withdrew his troops. The Han army was just encircling Zhongli Mi to the east of Xingyang. When Xiang Yu arrived, the Han forces, fearing Chu, all retreated into difficult and dangerous terrain. | ||
| 38 | 項羽本紀: | 是時，漢兵盛食多，項王兵罷食絕。漢遣陸賈說項王，請太公，項王弗聽。漢王復使侯公往說項王，項王乃與漢約，中分天下，割鴻溝以西者為漢，鴻溝而東者為楚。項王許之，即歸漢王父母妻子。軍皆呼萬歲。漢王乃封侯公為平國君。匿弗肯復見。曰：「此天下辯士，所居傾國，故號為平國君。」項王已約，乃引兵解而東歸。 |
| At this time, the Han army was strong and had ample supplies, while Xiang Yu's forces were exhausted and ran out of food. Han sent Lu Jia to persuade Xiang Yu to hand over King Tai Gong, but Xiang Yu refused to listen. King Huai again sent Hou Gong to persuade Xiang Yu, and thus Xiang Yu made an agreement with Han: the world would be divided in half; west of Honggou belonged to Han, while east of Honggou was for Chu. Xiang Yu agreed and returned King Huai's parents, wife, and children. The Han troops all cheered "Ten thousand years!" King Huai then enfeoffed Hou Gong as the Lord of Pingguo. Hou Gong concealed himself and refused to be seen again. It was said, "This is a man of eloquence who can sway the fate of nations; hence he was given the title Lord Pingguo." After making the agreement, Xiang Yu withdrew his troops and returned eastward. | ||
| 39 | 項羽本紀: | 漢欲西歸，張良、陳平說曰：「漢有天下太半，而諸侯皆附之。楚兵罷食盡，此天亡楚之時也，不如因其機而遂取之。今釋弗擊，此所謂『養虎自遺患』也。」漢王聽之。漢五年，漢王乃追項王至陽夏南，止軍，與淮陰侯韓信、建成侯彭越期會而擊楚軍。至固陵，而信、越之兵不會。楚擊漢軍，大破之。漢王復入壁，深塹而自守。謂張子房曰：「諸侯不從約，為之柰何？」對曰：「楚兵且破，信、越未有分地，其不至固宜。君王能與共分天下，今可立致也。即不能，事未可知也。君王能自陳以東傅海，盡與韓信；睢陽以北至穀城，以與彭越：使各自為戰，則楚易敗也。」漢王曰：「善。」於是乃發使者告韓信、彭越曰：「并力擊楚。楚破，自陳以東傅海與齊王，睢陽以北至穀城與彭相國。」使者至，韓信、彭越皆報曰：「請今進兵。」韓信乃從齊往，劉賈軍從壽春并行，屠城父，至垓下。大司馬周殷叛楚，以舒屠六，舉九江兵，隨劉賈、彭越皆會垓下，詣項王。 |
| King Huai wished to return westward, but Zhang Liang and Chen Ping advised him: "Han now controls more than half of the world, and all the feudal lords have submitted to us." "The Chu forces are exhausted and out of food; this is Heaven's opportunity to destroy them. We should not miss the chance but take advantage of it immediately." "If we now release and do not attack, this is what is meant by 'raising a tiger only to bring about one's own misfortune.'" King Huai listened to their advice. In the fifth year of Han, King Huai pursued Xiang Yu as far south as Yangxia. He halted his troops and arranged a meeting with General Huaiyin Hou Han Xin and Chengjian Hou Peng Yue to jointly attack the Chu forces. When they arrived at Guling, however, Han Xin's and Peng Yue's troops did not join them as agreed. The Chu forces attacked the Han army and heavily defeated them. King Huai once again retreated into his camp, dug deep trenches, and defended himself. He said to Zhang Zifang: "The feudal lords are not following the agreement; what should we do about it?" Zhang Liang replied, "Chu's forces are on the verge of defeat. Han Xin and Peng Yue have yet to receive their promised territories; it is only natural that they did not come." "If Your Majesty can promise them a share of the empire, they may be persuaded to arrive immediately." "If not, then the outcome remains uncertain." "If Your Majesty can cede all territory from Chen to the east up to the sea and give it entirely to Han Xin; and grant Suixiang northward to Gucheng to Peng Yue: if each is allowed to fight independently, then Chu will be easily defeated." King Huai said, "Good idea." Thus he sent envoys to inform Han Xin and Peng Yue: "Unite your forces to attack Chu. Once Chu is defeated, all territory from Chen eastward up to the sea will be given to King Qi, and Suixiang northward up to Gucheng will belong to Chancellor Peng." When the envoys arrived, Han Xin and Peng Yue both replied: "We shall advance our troops now." Han Xin then marched from Qi, while Liu Jia's forces advanced from Shouchun alongside them. They sacked Chengfu and arrived at Gaixia. Daisima Zhou Yin rebelled against Chu, captured and sacked Liu from Shu, raised the forces of Jiangyou, and joined Liu Jia and Peng Yue at Gaixia to confront Xiang Yu. | ||
| 40 | 項羽本紀: | 項王軍壁垓下，兵少食盡，漢軍及諸侯兵圍之數重。夜聞漢軍四面皆楚歌，項王乃大驚曰：「漢皆已得楚乎？是何楚人之多也！」項王則夜起，飲帳中。有美人名虞，常幸從；駿馬名騅，常騎之。於是項王乃悲歌慨，自為詩曰：「力拔山兮氣蓋世，時不利兮騅不逝。騅不逝兮可柰何，虞兮虞兮柰若何！」歌數闋，美人和之。項王泣數行下，左右皆泣，莫能仰視。 |
| Xiang Yu's army was stationed at Gaixia, where their numbers were few and food supplies exhausted; the Han forces and allied feudal lords surrounded them in multiple layers. At night, they heard that the Han army was singing songs of Chu from all directions; Xiang Yu greatly startled and said: "Have the Han already captured all of Chu?" "Why are there so many Chu people here!" Xiang Yu arose at night and drank in his tent. There was a beautiful woman named Yu, who often accompanied him as a favorite; there was also a swift horse named Zhui, which he often rode. At this moment, Xiang Yu sang a sorrowful song and composed a poem: "With strength to uproot mountains and spirit surpassing the world, yet fate is adverse and my steed Zhui will not flee. If Zhui refuses to go, what can I do? Yu, oh Yu, what shall I do with you!" He sang several verses, and the beautiful woman harmonized with him. Tears streamed down Xiang Yu's face; those around him wept as well, none daring to look up. | ||
| 41 | 項羽本紀: | 於是項王乃上馬騎，麾下壯士騎從者八百餘人，直夜潰圍南出，馳走。平明，漢軍乃覺之，令騎將灌嬰以五千騎追之。項王渡淮，騎能屬者百餘人耳。項王至陰陵，迷失道，問一田父，田父紿曰「左」。左，乃陷大澤中。以故漢追及之。項王乃復引兵而東，至東城，乃有二十八騎。漢騎追者數千人。項王自度不得脫。謂其騎曰：「吾起兵至今八歲矣，身七十餘戰，所當者破，所擊者服，未嘗敗北，遂霸有天下。然今卒困於此，此天之亡我，非戰之罪也。今日固決死，願為諸君快戰，必三勝之，為諸君潰圍，斬將，刈旗，令諸君知天亡我，非戰之罪也。」乃分其騎以為四隊，四向。漢軍圍之數重。項王謂其騎曰：「吾為公取彼一將。」令四面騎馳下，期山東為三處。於是項王大呼馳下，漢軍皆披靡，遂斬漢一將。是時，赤泉侯為騎將，追項王，項王瞋目而叱之，赤泉侯人馬俱驚，辟易數里與其騎會為三處。漢軍不知項王所在，乃分軍為三，復圍之。項王乃馳，復斬漢一都尉，殺數十百人，復聚其騎，亡其兩騎耳。乃謂其騎曰：「何如？」騎皆伏曰：「如大王言。」 |
| At this point, Xiang Yu mounted his horse and rode off with more than eight hundred of his valiant subordinates following him. Under cover of darkness, they broke through the encirclement to the south and galloped away. At dawn, the Han army realized what had happened and ordered the cavalry general Guan Ying to pursue them with five thousand horsemen. Xiang Yu crossed the Huai River, but only more than a hundred of his riders managed to keep up with him. When Xiang Yu reached Yinling, he lost his way and asked a farmer for directions; the farmer lied and said, "Go left." Going left led them into a vast marsh. Because of this, the Han forces caught up with them. Xiang Yu then led his remaining troops eastward again and arrived at Dongcheng, where he had only twenty-eight horsemen left. old The Han cavalry pursuing them numbered several thousand. Xiang Yu realized he could not escape. He said to his horsemen, "Since I raised my troops until now, eight years have passed. My person has been in more than seventy battles; wherever we faced the enemy, they were broken, and whoever we attacked submitted. I have never suffered a defeat or retreated, thus becoming the dominant ruler of the world. Yet now I am finally trapped here; this is Heaven's will to destroy me, not a fault in my warfare." "Today, I am determined to die. I wish to fight a swift battle for you all and will certainly win three victories: I shall break through the encirclement, behead their general, cut down their banner, so that you may know it is Heaven's will that destroys me, not any fault in my fighting." He then divided his horsemen into four groups and arranged them to face the four directions. The Han army surrounded him in multiple layers. Xiang Yu said to his horsemen, "I shall take one of their generals for you." He ordered the four groups of cavalry to charge down from all sides and rendezvous at three locations east of the mountain. At this, Xiang Yu let out a loud shout as he charged down; the Han army scattered in disarray and he beheaded one of their generals. At that time, the Marquis of Chiquan was the Han cavalry general who pursued Xiang Yu. When Xiang Yu glared at him and shouted fiercely, both the Marquis's horse and rider were terrified, retreating several li in alarm. Then they regrouped with their cavalry into three groups. The Han army did not know where Xiang Yu was, so they divided themselves into three parts and encircled him again. Xiang Yu then charged once more, beheading another Han commander and killing dozens or even hundreds of soldiers. He regrouped his horsemen again, having lost only two riders. He then said to his horsemen, "How was that?" The riders all bowed and said, "As Your Majesty said." | ||
| 42 | 項羽本紀: | 於是項王乃欲東渡烏江。烏江亭長檥船待，謂項王曰：「江東雖小，地方千里，眾數十萬人，亦足王也。願大王急渡。今獨臣有船，漢軍至，無以渡。」項王笑曰：「天之亡我，我何渡為！且籍與江東子弟八千人渡江而西，今無一人還，縱江東父兄憐而王我，我何面目見之？縱彼不言，籍獨不愧於心乎？」乃謂亭長曰：「吾知公長者。吾騎此馬五歲，所當無敵，嘗一日行千里，不忍殺之，以賜公。」乃令騎皆下馬步行，持短兵接戰。獨籍所殺漢軍數百人。項王身亦被十餘創。顧見漢騎司馬呂馬童，曰：「若非吾故人乎？」馬童面之，指王翳曰：「此項王也。」項王乃曰：「吾聞漢購我頭千金，邑萬戶，吾為若德。」乃自刎而死。王翳取其頭，餘騎相蹂踐爭項王，相殺者數十人。最其後，郎中騎楊喜，騎司馬呂馬童，郎中呂勝、楊武各得其一體。五人共會其體，皆是。故分其地為五：封呂馬童為中水侯，封王翳為杜衍侯，封楊喜為赤泉侯，封楊武為吳防侯，封呂勝為涅陽侯。 |
| At this point, Xiang Wang wanted to cross eastward over the Wujiang River. The boatman of Wujiang Pavilion had moored a boat and waited, saying to Xiang Yu, "Though Jiangdong is small, it spans a thousand li in area with hundreds of thousands of people; it would be sufficient for you to rule as king. I beg Your Majesty to cross quickly." "Now only I have the boat; if the Han army arrives, there will be no way to cross." Xiang Yu laughed and said, "Heaven is determined to destroy me. Why should I even attempt to cross!" Moreover, when I and eight thousand of Jiangdong's young men crossed the river to the west, not one has returned. Even if my fellow townspeople in Jiangdong pity me enough to make me their king, how could I face them with this face?" Even if they do not speak of it, would I not feel ashamed in my heart?" He then said to the boatman, "I know you are a man of integrity. I have ridden this horse for five years; it has never met an equal and once traveled a thousand li in one day. I cannot bear to kill it, so I give it to you." He then ordered his horsemen to dismount and walk on foot, holding short weapons for close combat. Xiang Yu alone killed hundreds of Han soldiers. Xiang Yu himself was wounded in more than ten places. He turned and saw Han cavalry commander Lü Matong, saying, "Are you not my old acquaintance?" Lü Matong recognized him, pointed to Wang Yi and said, "This is Xiang Wang." Xiang Yu then said, "I have heard that the Han offered a thousand gold for my head and ten thousand households as a reward. I shall do you this favor." He then committed suicide by cutting his own throat. Wang Yi took Xiang Yu's head, and the remaining horsemen trampled over one another in their struggle for his body, killing dozens among themselves. Eventually, the cavalry officer Yang Xi of the Attendants' Office, Lü Matong the cavalry commander, and Attendants Lü Sheng and Yang Wu each obtained a part of his body. The five men combined their parts to form Xiang Yu's entire body, which was confirmed as such. Therefore, the land was divided into five parts: Lü Matong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhongshui; Wang Yi as Marquis of Duyan; Yang Xi as Marquis of Chiquan; Yang Wu as Marquis of Wufang; and Lü Sheng as Marquis of Niyang. | ||
| 43 | 項羽本紀: | 項王已死，楚地皆降漢，獨魯不下。漢乃引天下兵欲屠之，為其守禮義，為主死節，乃持項王頭視魯，魯父兄乃降。始，楚懷王初封項籍為魯公，及其死，魯最後下，故以魯公禮葬項王穀城。漢王為發哀，泣之而去。 |
| After Xiang Yu's death, all the Chu territories surrendered to Han, except for Lu, which did not submit. The Han forces then led the armies of the empire to attack and massacre its people, but because Lu had been loyal in upholding rites and righteousness, and its people had died for their lord's principles, they brought Xiang Yu's head to show the people of Lu. The elders and leaders of Lu then surrendered. Originally, King Huai of Chu had first enfeoffed Xiang Ji as the Duke of Lu; and when he died, Lu was the last to surrender. Therefore, they buried Xiang Yu in Gucheng with the rites befitting a Duke of Lu. King of Han mourned for him and wept before leaving. | ||
| 44 | 項羽本紀: | 諸項氏枝屬，漢王皆不誅。乃封項伯為射陽侯。桃侯、平皋侯、玄武侯皆項氏，賜姓劉。 |
| All the collateral relatives of the Xiang clan, King of Han did not punish. He enfeoffed Xiang Bo as Marquis of Sheyang. Tao Hou, Pinggao Hou, and Xuanwu Hou were all members of the Xiang family and were granted the surname Liu. | ||
| 45 | 項羽本紀: | 太史公曰：吾聞之周生曰「舜目蓋重瞳子」，又聞項羽亦重瞳子。羽豈其苗裔邪？何興之暴也！夫秦失其政，陳涉首難，豪傑蜂起，相與并爭，不可勝數。然羽非有尺寸，乘執起隴畝之中，三年，遂將五諸侯滅秦，分裂天下，而封王侯，政由羽出，號為「霸王」，位雖不終，近古以來未嘗有也。及羽背關懷楚，放逐義帝而自立，怨王侯叛己，難矣。自矜功伐，奮其私智而不師古，謂霸王之業，欲以力征經營天下，五年卒亡其國，身死東城，尚不覺寤而不自責，過矣。乃引「天亡我，非用兵之罪也」，豈不謬哉！ |
| The Grand Historian said: I heard from Master Zhou that "Shun had eyes with double pupils," and also heard that Xiang Yu had double pupils as well. Could it be that he was a descendant of them? How suddenly did his power rise! When the Qin lost their governance, Chen She was the first to rebel; heroes and outstanding men arose like swarming bees, vying with one another. They were too numerous to count. Yet Xiang Yu had no territory or power at all, rising from the fields. Within three years, he led five feudal lords to destroy the Qin, divided up the empire, and enfeoffed kings and marquises; policies were determined by him alone. He was called "Ba Wang" (Supreme King). Though his position did not last, since ancient times there had never been one like him. When Xiang Yu turned against the agreement of Guanzhong and Chu, exiled King Yi and declared himself ruler, he caused resentment among kings and marquises who then rebelled against him. How difficult was that! He was proud of his achievements, relied on his own intelligence without learning from the past, and believed that the cause of a supreme king could be achieved by force alone. He wished to conquer and manage the empire through military might; after five years he lost his country, died in Dongcheng, yet still did not realize or take responsibility for his mistakes—this was indeed an error. He quoted "It is Heaven that has destroyed me, not my fault in warfare"—was this not a great fallacy! |
URN: ctp:shiji/xiang-yu-ben-ji