The top ten famous generals who died in vain are Xiang Yu, Han Xin, Peng Yue, Zhang Fei, Tan Daoji, Gao Xi, Gao Xianzhi, Yang Ye, Yue Fei, and Yuan Chonghuan.
1. Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu (232 BC - 202 BC), male, recorded in Tang and Song Dynasty classics as a descendant of the Zhou royal family and the vassal state of Xiang, with the surname Ji and the surname Xiang. , named Yu, a native of Xiaxiang County, Sishui County (now Suqian City, Jiangsu Province). A politician and strategist in the late Qin Dynasty, he was the grandson of Xiang Yan, the famous general of Chu State. He was eventually besieged in Gaixia. He heard Chu songs everywhere at night and thought that the Han army had captured Chu territory, so he broke through to Wujiang River and committed suicide.
2. Han Xin
Han Xin, a native of Huaiyin (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province), was the founding hero and military strategist of the Western Han Dynasty, and one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty. In the sixth year of the Han Dynasty (201 BC), Liu Bang began to eliminate kings with different surnames, and Han Xin was demoted to the title of Marquis of Huaiyin. In the eleventh year of the Han Dynasty (196 BC), Han Xin was murdered in Changle Palace by Empress Lu and Xiao He.
3. Pengyue
Peng Yue, courtesy name Zhong, was born in Changyi, Dang County. One of the heroes of the uprising in the late Qin Dynasty, a famous general in the early Western Han Dynasty and a prince with a different surname. In 196 BC, Peng Yue "had not yet manifested his rebellion", but because he was "incompetent" he was falsely accused of "having rebelled", so he exterminated the three tribes and abolished the feudal state.
4. Zhang Fei
Zhang Fei, named Yide, was a native of Zhuojun, Youzhou, and a famous general of the Shu Han Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. After Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor and established the Shu Han Dynasty, Zhang Fei was promoted to general of chariots and cavalry, captain of the Sili school, and granted the title of Marquis of Xixiang. In the same year, Zhang Fei was killed by his generals Fan Qiang and Zhang Da. His posthumous title is Huanhou.
5. Tan Daoji
Tan Daoji was born in Jinxiang County, Gaoping County (now Tanzhuang Village, Buji Town, Jinxiang County, Jining City, Shandong Province). A famous general and strategist in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty and the founding father of the Liu Song Dynasty. The younger brother of General Zuo Tan Shao. When Emperor Wen was ill, he feared his reputation and summoned him to kill him.
6. Gao Ji
Gao Jiong, also known as Min, had the courtesy name Zhaoxuan. His father was a high official of Shangzhu State in the Western Wei Dynasty. A native of Bohai County (now east of Jingxian County, Hebei Province). He served as prime minister during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty and was a famous politician and strategist in the Sui Dynasty. In 607, he was executed by Emperor Yang on the charge of "slandering the government" at the age of sixty-six. All his sons were also exiled.
7. Gao Xianzhi
Gao Xianzhi, a Goguryeo noble and a general during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. In 749, Gao Xianzhi entered the dynasty, joined Jia Tejin, and served as the general of Zuo Jinwu Guard. The next year, he defeated the army of Jishi Kingdom and captured King Butemi of Jishi Kingdom. Later, Gao Xianzhi led the Battle of Talos and returned with a disastrous defeat. In 756, Gao Xianzhi was unjustly killed.
8. Yang Ye
Yang Ye, whose original name was Chonggui, was named Liu Jiye by Liu Chong, the founder of the Northern Han Dynasty. A native of Xinqin, Linzhou. The son of Yang Hongxin, the governor of Linzhou in the Later Han Dynasty. A famous general in China's Northern Song Dynasty. In the third year of Yongxi's reign (986), the Liao Dynasty's military strength was very strong, and Yang Ye was forced to take risks to meet the enemy. When Pan Mei and Wang Qian heard the news of Yang Ye's defeat, instead of going to rescue him, they led their troops to escape. Seeing that there were no reinforcements, Yang Ye had no choice but to lead his men to fight again. In the end, his mount was seriously injured and could not walk, so he was captured and died without food for three days.
9. Yue Fei
Yue Fei (March 24, 1103 to January 27, 1142), male, named Pengju, was born in Tangyin, Xiangzhou (now Tangyin County, Henan Province) )people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, he was a famous general, military strategist, strategist, national hero, calligrapher, and poet who fought against the Jin Dynasty. He ranked first among the "Four Generals of the ZTE" in the Southern Song Dynasty. In January 1142, he was killed together with his eldest son Yue Yun and general Zhang Xian on trumped-up charges.
10. Yuan Chonghuan
Yuan Chonghuan (June 6, 1584 - September 22, 1630), with the courtesy name Yuan Yuan and the nickname Ziru (some say it is a character), was born in Dongguan, Guangdong ( There are also two theories about Tengxian and Pingnan in Guangxi, please refer to the catalog of "Character Controversies - Birthplace Disputes"), a minister and famous general in the late Ming Dynasty. In August of the third year of Chongzhen (1630), Emperor Chongzhen executed Yuan Chonghuan for treason.
Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Xiang Yu