Xiang Yu (232 BC-22 BC), Xiang's name, word feather, was born in the lower phase of Chu State (now Suqian, Jiangsu Province), the grandson of Xiang Yan, a famous Chu State, a military strategist, and a representative figure of China's military thought "Military Situation" (military situation, military tactics, military yin and yang, and military skills).
Li wanfang's evaluation of it is "the brave feather, which is unparalleled through the ages". Sima Qian wrote in Records of the Historian: Xiang was a general of Chu and was sealed in Xiang, so he was surnamed Xiang.
Xiang Yu followed his uncle Xiang Liang to revolt against Qin in Wuzhong (now Suzhou, Jiangsu) in his early years. After Xiang Liang was killed, he led his army to cross the river to save Zhao Wangxie, and defeated Qin Jun's main force led by Zhang Han and Wang Li in the Battle of Julu. After the death of Qin, he was called the overlord of the western Chu, with Pengcheng (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province) as his capital, and implemented the system of enfeoffment, sealing the heroes of Qin and the nobles of the six countries as kings.
Later, Hanwang Liu Bang sent troops from Hanzhong to attack Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu waged a four-year Chu-Han war with him. During this period, although Liu Bang was repeatedly defeated, Xiang Yu was unable to have a fixed supply in the rear, and he was suspicious of his father Fan Zeng. Finally, he was destroyed by Liu Bang. In 22 BC, Xiang Yu was defeated (now south of Lingbi County, Anhui Province) and broke through to the Wujiang River (now wujiang town County, Anhui Province) and committed suicide.
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Anecdotes and allusions
Cross the rubicon: In the Battle of Julu, Xiang Yu led his troops to cross the Zhangshui River, ordered all the boats to be sunk, destroyed all the cooking utensils, and fought Qin Jun with only three days' food and grass. Therefore, Xiang Yu's foot soldiers fought bravely with the heart of death, and the fighting capacity of Xiang Yu's army was greatly improved.
Hongmen Banquet: A banquet hosted by Fan Zeng to persuade Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang, from which the idiom "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance is intended to be Pei Gong" came.
Embattled on all sides: Xiang Yu was surrounded by Liu Bangjun after his defeat. Liu Bangjun sang a song of Chu in the evening. Xiang Yu's army was very sad after hearing the song, thinking that Liu Bang had pacified Chu, and the army's morale was thus disintegrated.
Farewell My Concubine: There was a beautiful woman named Yu Ji in Xiang Yu, who often accompanied Xiang Yu around. However, Xiang Yu had to lead a fine rider to prepare for a breakthrough, so he had to sing farewell to Yu Ji, and Yu Ji also echoed it, expressing his dying heart and saying goodbye to Xiang Yu in tears. Farewell My Concubine was later adapted into operas, movies, novels, songs and other literary works.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Xiang Yu