Brief: This article recounts the Chu‑Han stalemate at Honggou. After years of war, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang split the realm at the Honggou Canal. Xiang Yu returned Liu Bang’s family and withdrew east – but Liu broke the truce at his advisors’ urging. He rewarded allied generals, uniting forces to destroy Chu at Gaixia.
The Eastern Campaign and the Fall of Pengcheng
In the spring of 205 BCE, Xiang Yu (the “Hegemon-King”) led his main army east to crush Tian Rong, King of Qi. After repeated defeats, Tian Rong fled to Pingyuan, where he brutally extorted grain from locals. Enraged, the people rose up and killed him.
Xiang Yu installed a new Qi king – but the people rejected him. In retaliation, Xiang Yu massacred civilians and razed city walls, deepening Qi’s hatred. No sooner had he left than Tian Heng, Tian Rong’s brother, rallied the populace, proclaimed Tian Guang (Tian Rong’s son) as king, and fortified Chengyang. When Xiang Yu returned, he found the city impregnable.
While Xiang Yu was bogged down in Qi, Liu Bang struck from the west.
Having secured Guanzhong, Liu Bang opened Qin’s royal forests to farmers, winning popular support. He sent Zhang Liang to persuade Wei Bao, King of Wei, who – fearing Han’s growing power – surrendered without a fight. Liu Bang then dispatched Han Xin to attack Chao Ge, where Sima Ang, King of Yin, quickly capitulated before Xiang Yu’s relief force (led by Xiang Zhuang and Ji Bu) could arrive.
Humiliated, Xiang Yu blamed his officers – and especially Chen Ping, who had earlier recruited Sima Ang. Feeling scapegoated, Chen Ping defected to Liu Bang, bringing invaluable intelligence about Xiang Yu’s inner circle.
Exploiting Xiang Yu’s distraction, Liu Bang captured Pengcheng, Xiang Yu’s capital.
Disaster at Sui River and the Siege of Xingyang
Enraged, Xiang Yu abandoned Qi and raced back. At the Sui River (in Anhui), he crushed the Han army in a devastating ambush. Tens of thousands drowned – so many that “the river was choked with corpses.”
Liu Bang barely escaped. Worse, his father (Liu Taigong) and wife (Empress Lü) were captured and held hostage in the Chu camp. Many feudal lords, seeing Han’s collapse, defected back to Xiang Yu – including Wei Bao, who feared blame for the defeat.
But Liu Bang regrouped at Xingyang, reinforced by fresh troops from Guanzhong and Han Xin’s victorious northern army. Adopting a strategy of “attack to defend,” he sent Han Xin north to reclaim Wei, Zhao, and Yan.
In just over two months, Han Xin annihilated the Zhao army, killed Chen Yu (King of Dai), and subdued Yan through diplomacy. His legend grew – but Liu Bang remained pinned down in Xingyang by Xiang Yu’s relentless pressure.
The Poison of Suspicion: Chen Ping’s Plot Against Fan Zeng
With Han Xin thriving in the north, Liu Bang turned to subterfuge. Chen Ping proposed:
“Xiang Yu trusts only Fan Zeng and Zhongli Mo. But he is suspicious by nature. Give me gold, and I’ll sow discord among them.”
Liu Bang agreed. Chen Ping bribed agents to infiltrate the Chu camp, spreading rumors: “Fan Zeng and Zhongli Mo deserve kingship – but Xiang Yu gives them nothing! In Han’s camp, they’d be princes!”
Doubt crept into Xiang Yu’s mind. He began excluding Fan Zeng from councils.
The final blow came when Liu Bang sent envoys to sue for peace. Chen Ping hosted them lavishly – then, upon learning they were Xiang Yu’s men (not Fan Zeng’s), switched their feast to coarse gruel. The insulted envoys returned, claiming Fan Zeng was colluding with Han.
Convinced of betrayal, Xiang Yu grew cold toward his aging advisor. Heartbroken, Fan Zeng requested retirement: “The realm is decided. Let this old man return home.”
Xiang Yu granted it. On the journey, the 75-year-old died of grief and illness – a fatal loss for Chu.
Stalemate and the Rise of the “Fake King”
For over two years, Liu Bang held Xiang Yu at Xingyang–Chenggao, while Peng Yue raided Chu supply lines and Han Xin conquered the north. By 203 BCE, Han Xin controlled 70+ cities in Qi – but refused Liu Bang’s summons.
Instead, he sent a letter:
“Qi is treacherous and borders Chu. To stabilize it, let me serve as Acting King of Qi.”
Furious, Liu Bang snapped:”I’m trapped here – begging for help – and he wants a crown?!”
But Zhang Liang and Chen Ping kicked his foot under the table. Instantly understanding, Liu Bang roared:
“What nonsense! A man who pacifies a kingdom should be True King – not ‘acting’!”
He sent Zhang Liang to bestow the royal seal – and simultaneously offered Ying Bu the title King of Huainan to lure him from Chu. Both accepted – but neither marched immediately.
The Arrow and the Feigned Wound
Later in 203 BCE, Liu Bang retreated to Guangwu, where Chu and Han faced each other across a ravine – East and West Guangwu.
Xiang Yu threatened to boil Liu Taigong alive. Liu Bang retorted by listing Xiang Yu’s crimes: “You murdered the Righteous Emperor, slaughtered innocents, broke oaths – how dare you speak of family?”
Enraged, Xiang Yu ordered archers to fire. An arrow struck Liu Bang in the chest. To prevent panic, he clutched his foot and cried:”They hit my toe!” Only after touring the camps – pale but upright – did he collapse. Morale stabilized.
The Treaty of Honggou: A Truce Built on Lies
With supply lines cut by Peng Yue and morale crumbling, Xiang Yu grew desperate. Seizing the moment, Zhang Liang urged Liu Bang to propose peace:
“Offer to divide the world at the Honggou Canal – west to Han, east to Chu. Demand the return of your family.”
Liu Bang sent envoys with a conciliatory letter: “Seventy battles have bled the land dry. Let us end this – for the people’s sake.”
Xiang Yu, exhausted, agreed – despite protests from Zhongli Mo and Ji Bu. The “Chu River, Han Boundary” was drawn. Taigong and Empress Lü were released, and Xiang Yu withdrew toward Pengcheng.
But Liu Bang never intended peace.
The Final Betrayal: Breaking the Truce
As soon as Xiang Yu retreated, Zhang Liang and Chen Ping urged: “Now is the hour! Chase him – destroy him! If he recovers, all is lost.”
Liu Bang summoned Han Xin, Peng Yue, and Ying Bu – but they refused to move. Zhang Liang explained:
“You gave them titles – but no land. Peng Yue wants Wei; Han Xin wants Qi confirmed; Ying Bu seeks Huainan. Reward them, or they won’t fight.”
Liu Bang acted swiftly:
- Han Xin: Granted full control of Linzi and Qi;
- Peng Yue: Awarded Daliang (Wei lands);
- Ying Bu: Confirmed over Huainan.
Within days, all three armies converged.
At Guling, Liu Bang initially attacked alone – and was defeated again. But now reinforced by his allies, he prepared for the final campaign that would end at Gaixia.
The truce at Honggou was never peace – it was the calm before annihilation.
Note
Liu Bang
Founder of the Han Dynasty. He fought a long war against Xiang Yu, signed the Honggou truce, then broke it to unify China.
Xiang Yu
Hegemon-King of Western Chu. A brave but politically naive ruler who agreed to the Honggou division and trusted Liu Bang’s promise.
Han Xin
Liu Bang’s top general. He conquered northern kingdoms and demanded to be made King of Qi, becoming critical to the final victory.
Zhang Liang & Chen Ping
Liu Bang’s chief strategists. They planned the truce trap and urged Liu to break the peace when Xiang Yu was vulnerable.
Fan Zeng
Xiang Yu’s wise old advisor. He was removed by Chen Ping’s rumor plot, leaving Chu without strong strategy.
Peng Yue & Ying Bu
Powerful warlords allied with Liu Bang. They joined the final attack after being promised land and titles.
Honggou Canal (Honggou Line)
A historic waterway used as the temporary border in 203 BCE:
- West of Honggou → Han (Liu Bang)
- East of Honggou → Chu (Xiang Yu)
Chu-Han Contention
The 4-year civil war between Liu Bang (Han) and Xiang Yu (Chu) for control of China.
Stalemate at Xingyang-Guangwu
A two-year standoff where both sides were exhausted, leading to the truce.
Hostage Exchange
Xiang Yu returned Liu Bang’s father and wife as part of the Honggou peace deal.
Chu River, Han Boundary
A famous phrase still used today (e.g., on Chinese chessboards) meaning a clear dividing line.
False truce, real ambush
The Honggou treaty was a trick to make Xiang Yu lower his guard.
Divide and conquer
Liu Bang won by promising land to warlords, uniting them against Xiang Yu.
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