Chu–Han Contention facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chu-Han Contention
Map of China during the Chu-Han Contention
Date 206–202 BCE Location China Result Han victory Re-unification of China under the Han dynasty Xiang Yu commits suicide at the Battle of Gaixia Liu Bang becomes the first emperor of the Han dynasty
Belligerents
Han	Western Chu Kingdom of Zhao Three Qins
Commanders and leaders
Liu Bang Han Xin Ying Bu Fan Kuai Zhang Liang Xiao He Peng Yue Zhou Bo Cao Shen Xiahou Ying Chen Ping Guan Ying Lu Wan Fu Kuan Ji Xin  † Li Yiji  † Zhou Ke  † Zong Gong  † Jin Xi Zhang Er Zhou Chang	Xiang Yu  † Long Ju  † Ji Bu  Zhongli Mo Fan Zeng  † Xiang Zhuang  † Dong Yi  † Sima Xin  † Cao Jiu  † Xiang Bo

The Chu–Han Contention was a big war in ancient China. It happened between 206 BCE and 202 BCE. This war took place right after the Qin dynasty fell apart. It was a fight for control of China.

The main leaders were Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu was a powerful general from the state of Chu. Liu Bang was another rebel leader who later started the Han dynasty. After four years of fighting, Liu Bang won. He became the first emperor of the Han dynasty, which ruled China for a long time.

The Start of the War

How the Qin Dynasty Ended

Around 221 BCE, the Qin state conquered all other major states in China. This created the first unified Chinese empire under the Qin dynasty. The first emperor was Qin Shi Huang.

After Emperor Qin Shi Huang died in 210 BCE, people started to rebel. Many uprisings happened because people were unhappy with the Qin rule. One important rebel leader was Xiang Yu. He was a nobleman from the old state of Chu. He wanted to bring back the Chu state.

Xiang Yu became very strong. He won a big battle against the Qin army at Battle of Julu. After this victory, he called himself "Hegemon-King of Western Chu." He controlled a large area of land.

Liu Bang's Rise to Power

Another important rebel leader was Liu Bang. He had joined Xiang Yu's army at first. But he soon led his own forces. Liu Bang was able to enter the Guanzhong region, which was the heart of the Qin dynasty. He faced little resistance there.

In 206 BCE, the last Qin emperor, Ziying, surrendered to Liu Bang. This ended the Qin dynasty. Liu Bang treated the emperor well. He also stopped his soldiers from hurting people or stealing from the city of Xianyang.

However, when Xiang Yu arrived, he forced Liu Bang to give up control of Guanzhong. Xiang Yu had promised that whoever got to Guanzhong first would rule it. But he broke his promise.

Xiang Yu's Actions

After taking over Xianyang, Xiang Yu let his soldiers loot the city. He also ordered the destruction of the Epang Palace. Xiang Yu even tried to kill Liu Bang at a famous meeting called the Feast at Swan Goose Gate. But Liu Bang managed to escape.

Later, Xiang Yu made Liu Bang move to a far-off region called Bashu. This area is now parts of Chongqing and Sichuan. Xiang Yu then divided the old Qin Empire into many smaller states. These were called the Eighteen Kingdoms. Xiang Yu was the most powerful ruler among them. He also had the old King of Chu, Emperor Yi, killed secretly.

Early Battles

A trident polearm from the Han dynasty.

In 206 BCE, Liu Bang moved to the Bashu region. He had about 30,000 soldiers and many people with him. To trick Xiang Yu, Liu Bang ordered the roads leading out of Bashu to be destroyed. This made it look like he planned to stay there forever. It also protected him from attacks.

Rebellions Start

Meanwhile, problems started in other kingdoms. In the former Qi state, a noble named Tian Rong was unhappy. He fought against other kingdoms and took control of the Qi lands. He became the new King of Qi.

Tian Rong sent his army to attack Xiang Yu. He also helped a rebellion in the Zhao state. In 205 BCE, the Zhao state also changed rulers. Xiang Yu felt threatened by these rebellions. So, he led his army to attack Tian Rong.

Han Takes Over Three Qins

While Xiang Yu was busy fighting in Qi and Zhao, Liu Bang saw his chance. He attacked the Guanzhong region. This area was ruled by three former Qin generals, known as the Three Qins.

Liu Bang sent his general Han Xin to trick the enemy. Han Xin pretended to repair the roads from Bashu. But secretly, he took another path. He surprised the King of Yong, Zhang Han, and defeated him.

Liu Bang then conquered more areas. He also sent for his family in Pei. Xiang Yu heard about Liu Bang's attacks. He sent an army to block Liu Bang's forces.

Battle of Pengcheng

In 205 BCE, Liu Bang moved his army east. He got support from other kings who had surrendered to him. His army grew to about 560,000 soldiers.

Liu Bang used a political trick. He accused Xiang Yu of killing Emperor Yi of Chu. This made it seem like Liu Bang was fighting for justice.

In the fourth month of 205 BCE, Xiang Yu defeated Tian Rong in Qi. But he allowed his soldiers to loot the Qi lands. This made the people of Qi angry.

Meanwhile, Liu Bang's large army attacked Pengcheng. This was the capital of Chu. Liu Bang's forces captured the city. When Xiang Yu heard this, he quickly returned with only 30,000 soldiers. He surprised Liu Bang's army. Liu Bang's forces suffered huge losses. Many of his family members were captured by Chu. After this defeat, Liu Bang lost much of the land he had gained. Many of his allies also left him.

Rebuilding the Han Army

After the defeat at Pengcheng, Liu Bang's army was much weaker. His family was held hostage. Many kings who had joined him now went back to Xiang Yu's side. Even the Qi and Zhao kingdoms, which were fighting Chu, made peace with Chu.

Liu Bang reorganized his troops. His general Han Xin brought more soldiers from Guanzhong. They defeated a Chu army and set up strong defenses in Xingyang and Chenggao. Han Xin also planned to conquer northern China. This would keep Xiang Yu busy and away from Liu Bang's main bases.

Liu Bang also convinced Ying Bu, the King of Jiujiang, to join him. Ying Bu rebelled against Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu sent his general Long Ju to attack Ying Bu. Ying Bu could not resist Long Ju and joined Liu Bang.

Northern Front Battles

Battle of Anyi

In 205 BCE, Wei Bao, the King of Western Wei, left Liu Bang. He secretly returned to his land and joined Xiang Yu. Liu Bang sent Li Yiji to convince Wei Bao to surrender, but he refused. So, Liu Bang ordered Han Xin to attack Wei Bao.

Han Xin tricked Wei Bao. He pretended to attack one place but secretly sent his army to another. Han Xin surprised Wei Bao and captured him. Wei Bao surrendered and became a general for Liu Bang. Han Xin then attacked the Kingdom of Dai and won a big victory.

Battle of Jingxing

After his victory, Han Xin attacked the Kingdom of Zhao. The King of Zhao and his chancellor had an army of 200,000. A Zhao general suggested a plan to trap Han Xin. But the chancellor refused to follow it.

The night before the battle, Han Xin sent 2,000 horsemen to hide near the Zhao camp. The next morning, Han Xin pretended to lose a small fight. He lured the Zhao army away from their camp. His 2,000 hidden men then captured the empty Zhao camp.

When the Zhao soldiers returned, they saw their camp was taken. They became confused and panicked. Han Xin attacked them hard and won the battle. The Zhao chancellor was killed, and the King of Zhao was captured.

Battle of Wei River

In 204 BCE, the Kingdom of Yan surrendered to Han Xin. Liu Bang then made Zhang Er the new King of Zhao. Xiang Yu kept attacking Zhao, but Han Xin and Zhang Er held their ground. Xiang Yu then focused on Xingyang, where Liu Bang was.

Liu Bang was forced to retreat. He went north of the Yellow River to meet Han Xin. In a surprise move, Liu Bang took control of Han Xin's army. He ordered Han Xin to attack the Kingdom of Qi.

Liu Bang also sent Li Yiji to convince the King of Qi to surrender. Liu Bang did not tell Han Xin about this. The King of Qi decided to surrender. But Han Xin, not knowing this, followed advice and attacked Qi anyway. Han Xin conquered the Qi capital. The King of Qi thought Li Yiji had lied and had him killed.

The King of Qi asked Xiang Yu for help. Xiang Yu sent Long Ju with 200,000 soldiers. Han Xin defeated Long Ju in battle. Long Ju was advised to play defense, but he insisted on attacking Han Xin.

The night before the main battle, Han Xin had his men build a dam on the Wei River. The next morning, Han Xin pretended to retreat, luring the Chu army across the river. When about a quarter of the Chu army had crossed, Han Xin signaled to open the dam. Many Chu soldiers drowned. Long Ju was left with only a few men. Han Xin attacked and killed Long Ju. The rest of the Chu army broke apart.

After this victory, Han Xin took control of the Qi lands. He asked Liu Bang to make him the new King of Qi. Liu Bang was angry because he needed Han Xin's help in Xingyang. But his advisors told him to agree. So, Liu Bang reluctantly made Han Xin the King of Qi. Xiang Yu was worried after losing Long Ju. He tried to convince Han Xin to betray Liu Bang, but Han Xin refused. Han Xin then prepared his army to attack Xiang Yu from the north.

Treaty of Hong Canal

On the southern front, Liu Bang's forces were building supply routes. But Chu attacks made them run low on supplies. Liu Bang tried to make peace with Xiang Yu. He offered to give Xiang Yu the lands east of Xingyang. Xiang Yu wanted to accept, but his advisor told him not to. Xiang Yu changed his mind and attacked Xingyang, trapping Liu Bang's army.

Liu Bang used a trick. He bribed Xiang Yu's men to spread rumors that Xiang Yu's advisor was planning to betray him. Xiang Yu believed the rumors and fired his advisor.

Later in 204 BCE, Liu Bang attacked Xiang Yu again. Han forces captured Chenggao and defeated a Chu army. Liu Bang's forces advanced further. The Chu army was trapped and running out of supplies. Xiang Yu had no choice but to ask for peace. He released Liu Bang's family. Xiang Yu and Liu Bang agreed to a ceasefire called the Treaty of Hong Canal. This treaty divided China into two parts, one for Chu and one for Han.

The End of the War

In 203 BCE, while Xiang Yu was retreating, Liu Bang changed his mind. His advisors told him to break the treaty and attack Xiang Yu. Liu Bang also asked Han Xin and Peng Yue to attack Xiang Yu from three sides. However, Han Xin and Peng Yue did not move their troops. So, Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu. He retreated and strengthened his defenses. Liu Bang then sent messengers to Han Xin and Peng Yue again. He promised them more land and titles if they joined him.

Battle of Gaixia

Three months later, in 202 BCE, Liu Bang, Han Xin, and Peng Yue attacked Xiang Yu from three directions. Xiang Yu's army was low on supplies. They were trapped in Gaixia. Han Xin ordered his soldiers to sing Chu folk songs. This made the Chu soldiers think that Han forces had already conquered Chu. The Chu army's spirits dropped, and many soldiers ran away.

Xiang Yu tried to break out of the trap. He was left with only 28 men when he reached the Wu River. He fought bravely, killing many Han soldiers. But he was surrounded and eventually took his own life.

What Happened Next

After Xiang Yu died, the rest of the Chu forces surrendered to Liu Bang. China was finally united under Han rule. Liu Bang rewarded his generals who helped him win. He made Peng Yue, Ying Bu, and Han Xin kings of different regions.

A few months later, Liu Bang's followers urged him to become emperor. He agreed and started the Han dynasty. The capital was first in Luoyang, then moved to Chang'an. Liu Bang made his wife, Lü Zhi, empress and his oldest son, Liu Ying, the crown prince.

Even though Liu Bang rewarded his generals, he later became suspicious of them. He started to doubt their loyalty. Han Xin was demoted and later executed by Empress Lü in 196 BCE. Peng Yue was also executed by Empress Lü in the same year.

See also

• Timeline of the Chu–Han Contention