ExclusiveDemystifying the Military Immortal, Han Xin, Chapter 2

Chapter 2. Han Xin followed orders under Xiang Yu's command amidst the chaos caused by Emperor Qin Shi Huang's death. At the end of the Warring States period, the fragmented state of the various feudal lords was replaced by the unified Qin dynasty. In the 37th year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's reign, he unexpectedly passed away during a tour at Sha Qiu. In his last edict, Qin Shi Huang ordered his son Fu Su to preside over his funeral and then return to the capital to ascend the throne. However, Zhao Gao, who managed the edict, conspired with Chancellor Li Si to falsify the decree, leading to Fu Su's forced suicide. They then installed the youngest son, Hu Hai, as emperor, known as Qin Er Shi, the second emperor of Qin. After Qin Er Shi ascended to the throne, he recklessly killed former ministers of the first emperor and members of the royal family. This caused the empire that Qin Shi Huang had painstakingly built to start to crumble. In the first year of Qin Er Shi's reign, 210 BCE, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang led 900 conscripted soldiers in Daze Township. Using cut trees as weapons and raising poles as banners to challenge Qin Er Shi's rule, they established a regime in the land of Chen, calling their state Chu, also known as Zhang Chu. Anti-Qin forces across the country seized the opportunity to rise up, organizing their own forces. In no time, numerous warlords carved out their own territories and spread fires of rebellion everywhere. It was as if the return of the Warring States period when feudal lords battled for supremacy. Among the warlords, the uncle-nephew duo of Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu stood out due to their illustrious heritage and strong military forces. This attracted the attention of Han Xin. Xiang Liang was the son of Xiang Yan, a famous general of Chu. After killing someone, he fled to Wu to avoid revenge and gained significant local influence, commanding the respect of scholars and officials. Using this influence, Xiang Liang secretly recruited and trained soldiers. Both Liu Bang and Han Xin joined Xiang Liang's forces during this period. Soon after, Wu Guang was killed by his subordinates, and in December of the same year, Qin General Zhang Han attacked the land of Chen, leading to the death of Chen Sheng at the hands of his terrorteer. This marked the fall of Zhang Chu. Following Fan Zeng's advice, Xiang Liang installed Xiong Xin, the grandson of King Huai of Chu, as king, while Xiang Liang himself took the title of Lord Wu Xin. After Zhang Han defeated the Zhang Chu army, he led his troops to attack Wei. The king of Wei sought help from Qi, but Zhang Han again defeated the combined Qi and Chu forces. Pursuing the Qi general Tian Rong to Dong'e, upon hearing of Tian Rong's plight, Xiang Liang immediately led his troops to the rescue and defeated the Qin army. Zhang Han fled westward, and Xiang Liang pursued, defeating him again at Puyang, and finally chasing him to Dingtao. Meanwhile, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang engaged the Qin army at Yongqiu and achieved a great victory, killing the Qin general Li You. The Qin army suffered continuous defeats, prompting Zhang Han to call for reinforcements of 100,000 troops. Xiang Liang, becoming arrogant from his victories, did not react to this threat. Han Xin foresaw the danger, but due to his low status, had no opportunity to advise. Xiang Liang's strategist Song Yi also perceived the potential danger and advised Xiang Liang to guard against a surprise attack by the Qin army, but Xiang Liang dismissed the warning. The Qin army, with boosted morale, took advantage of Xiang Liang's lack of vigilance and launched a sudden assault, annihilating most of Xiang Liang's main forces. Xiang Liang died in battle. After Xiang Liang's death, his army was led by Xiang Yu. Standing over 6.3 feet tall and possessing immense strength, Xiang Yu was an exceptionally talented and courageous general, renowned throughout history for his bravery. Later generations praised him, saying that Xiang Yu's divine courage is unparalleled throughout the ages. As a youth, Xiang Yu once watched Emperor Qin Shi Huang's grand position admired by thousands. He confidently told Xiang Liang, I can replace him. Xiang Yu noticed Han Xin's impressive stature and valour, appointing him as a guard officer. This position allowed Han Xin to interact closely with Xiang Yu. After the Battle of Dingtao, fearing a decline in the morale of Chu army, King Huai of Chu ordered Xiang Yu to retreat to Pengcheng to stabilize their position. Seeing no immediate chance of victory, Zhang Han turned north to attack Zhao. Besieged in Julu, the King of Zhao called for help from the other states. Qi and Yan sent reinforcements, and Zhao's general Chen Yu and Dai's Zhang Ao also brought troops. However, despite building over a dozen camps, the various allied forces hesitated under the gaze of Zhang Han's formidable army, and no one dared to engage the Qin forces. In the winter of the third year of Qin Alshi's reign, King Huai of Chu sent two contingents of reinforcements, one led by Song Yi as the supreme general and Xiang Yu as the deputy general with 50,000 troops to aid Zhao, and another led by Liu Bang to advance towards Xianyang. They agreed that whoever first captured Guanzhong would become king. Upon reaching Anyang, Song Yi delayed for 46 days, intending to wait for Qin and Zhao to exhaust each other and then take advantage of the situation. Without reinforcements, Zhao would certainly be unable to withstand Zhang Han. If Zhang Han defeated Zhao, his next target would be the recent defeated Chu. During this time, the cold weather and heavy rain in Anyang left the Chu army short of food. The soldiers were freezing and starving. Prolonging their stay would lead to disaster. Xiang Yu repeatedly advised marching north to rescue Zhao, but Song Yi refused and ordered that anyone disobeying his commands be executed. Desperate, Xiang Yu killed Song Yi and assumed the role of acting supreme general. King Huai of Chu, unable to intervene from far distance, had no choice but to approve this. The Chu army was significantly outnumbered by the Qin forces. The various allied reinforcements, intimidated by the Qin army's reputation, fortified their camps and stayed on the defensive. Xiang Yu was forced to fight alone, remaining calm and collected. Xiang Yu first sent Ying Bu with 20,000 Chu soldiers to cut off the communication and support routes between Zhang Han and other Qin forces. Then, Xiang Yu personally led 30,000 soldiers across the river. To eliminate any thought of a retreat, Xiang Yu ordered his soldiers to sink their boats, break their cooking pots and burn their huts, carrying only three days' worth of provisions. Everyone was determined to fight to the death. This was the origin of the idiom 破釜沉舟, break the cauldrons and sink the boats, which symbolizes a resolute commitment to battle. Upon reaching Julu, the Chu army swiftly surrounded the Qin forces with lightning speed. Each Chu soldier fought with the strength of ten, and Xiang Yu led by example, courageously engaging in close combat. His earth-shaking battle cries boosted the morale of the Chu troops, who fought with increasing valor. The Qin army, terrified and demoralized, was ultimately defeated, leading to nine consecutive victories for the Chu army. Qin General Su Jiao was killed in action, Wang Li was captured, and She Jian, unwilling to surrender, committed suicide by self-immolation. Initially stunned by the fierce battle, the allied forces only dared to join the fight and aid in lifting the siege of Julu after witnessing the Qin army's defeat. Under Xiang Yu's relentless pressure, Zhang Han was forced to retreat continuously. Eventually, in July of the third year of Qin Alshi's reign, Zhang Han surrendered to Xiang Yu at the ruins of Yin with 200,000 troops. The main force of the Qin army was thus destroyed, and the once mighty force that had conquered six states and defeated the Xiongnu vanished into thin air. After the war, Xiang Yu summoned the leaders of the various feudal lords. All the generals approached on their knees, not daring to look up at him. The King of Zhao also came to pay his respects, kneeling to thank Xiang Yu for his rescue. Xiang Yu was then proclaimed the Supreme General of the Feudal Lords, becoming the commander of all the allied forces. Xiang Yu demonstrated his unparalleled heroism and extraordinary talent to the world. His sudden rise overshadowed all other generals of the time, creating an enduring legend in Chinese history. Though Xiang Yu defeated the main force of the Qin army and became the Supreme General of the Feudal Lords, it was Liu Bang who first captured the Qin capital Xianyang. How did Liu Bang manage to enter Guanzhong first, and how would Xiang Yu deal with his rival who seized the fruit of victory? To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next episode.