Brief: This article depicts the pivotal Hongmen Banquet. Fearing Liu Bang’s ambition, Xiang Yu plotted to kill him. Saved by Xiang Bo’s intervention and Fan Kuai’s bold defense, Liu Bang escaped death. Xiang Yu’s hesitation let his rival live, sowing the seeds of Chu’s eventual defeat.
A Looming Threat in the West
After Liu Bang’s swift capture of Guanzhong and his merciful governance under the “Three Simple Laws,” Xiang Yu – camped with 400,000 troops at Hongmen, just 40li from Bashang – grew suspicious. His chief strategist, Fan Zeng, warned him:
“Liu Bang once loved wealth and women. Now he refuses both? His ambition is clear. If we don’t eliminate him today, he will be our doom tomorrow.”
The warning gained urgency when a secret messenger arrived from Cao Wushang, Liu Bang’s left commandant:
“Liu Bang plans to declare himself King of Guanzhong, appoint Ziying as chancellor, and seize all imperial treasures for himself!”
Enraged, Xiang Yu thundered:”How dare he defy me! I’ll crush him at dawn!”
The Midnight Warning: Loyalty Across Camps
Unbeknownst to Xiang Yu, his own uncle, Xiang Bo, rushed to Liu Bang’s camp that very night. Years earlier, Xiang Bo had killed a man and fled to Xiapi, where Zhang Liang – now Liu Bang’s top advisor – sheltered him. Fearing Zhang Liang would perish in the coming attack, Xiang Bo urged him to flee.
But Zhang Liang refused:”I was sent by King Han to escort Lord Pei. To abandon him now would be dishonorable.” Instead, he brought Xiang Bo before Liu Bang.
Terrified, Liu Bang pleaded:”What shall I do?”
Zhang Liang asked:”Can you truly resist Xiang Yu?” “Of course not!” Liu Bang admitted.
Zhang Liang devised a plan: win over Xiang Bo.
Liu Bang treated Xiang Bo as an honored guest – offering wine, bowing deeply, and swearing loyalty:
“I sealed the treasury, guarded the palace, and awaited General Xiang’s arrival. Guarding Hangu Pass was only to prevent chaos – not to defy him!”
To seal the bond, Liu Bang proposed a marriage alliance: his daughter to Xiang Bo’s son. Touched, Xiang Bo agreed – and promised to plead Liu Bang’s case.
The Morning of Reckoning
At dawn, Liu Bang arrived at Hongmen with only Zhang Liang and 100 attendants (later reduced to one by gate guards). Trembling, he prostrated himself before Xiang Yu:
“Your humble servant dares not offend the General!”
Xiang Yu accused him of three capital crimes:
- Sparing Ziying and planning to make him chancellor;
- Unilaterally changing Qin laws to win hearts;
- Blocking feudal lords from entering Guanzhong.
Liu Bang countered with humility:
“I merely held Ziying for your judgment. The Three Laws were to reflectyour benevolence. The pass was guarded against rebels – not you!”
His words softened Xiang Yu, who blurted out:”It was your Cao Wushang who told me!” – betraying his informant. He then invited Liu Bang to feast.
The Dance of Death
Inside the tent, five men sat:
- Hosts: Xiang Yu and Xiang Bo
- Guest: Liu Bang
- Advisors: Fan Zeng (for Xiang Yu) and Zhang Liang (for Liu Bang)
As music played, Fan Zeng grew desperate. Three times, he raised his jade jue – a symbol of decisiveness – to signal Xiang Yu: Kill him now!
But Xiang Yu, swayed by Liu Bang’s submission and notions of honor, ignored him.
Fan Zeng then summoned Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Yu’s cousin:
“The General is too kind. Go in, offer a sword dance – and kill Liu Bang when the chance comes!”
Xiang Zhuang entered, drew his sword, and began to dance – slowly circling closer to Liu Bang. Liu Bang paled; Zhang Liang signaled Xiang Bo, who leapt up:
“A solo dance is dull! Let us duel!”
Xiang Bo drew his sword and positioned himself between Liu Bang and death, blocking every feint.
The Heroic Interruption
Outside, Fan Kuai – Liu Bang’s bodyguard – learned of the danger. Zhang Liang whispered:”Xiang Zhuang dances – but his blade aims at Lord Pei.”
Fan Kuai charged the gate, smashing through guards with his shield, and burst into the tent – hair bristling, eyes bulging, sword in hand.
Xiang Yu, startled but impressed, asked:”Who is this?”
Zhang Liang replied:”Lord Pei’s charioteer, Fan Kuai, come to pay respects.”
Amused, Xiang Yu ordered: “Give him a ‘dou’ of wine and a pig’s elbow!”
Fan Kuai drank the wine in one gulp and ate the raw meat off his shield, earning Xiang Yu’s admiration.
Then, bluntly, Fan Kuai declared:
“Liu Bang conquered Guanzhong without claiming kingship. He waits for you in humility. Yet you listen to slander and plot to kill a loyal ally? This is no different from Qin’s tyranny!”
Silenced, Xiang Yu could only mutter:”Sit.”
The Escape and the Aftermath
Seizing the moment, Liu Bang excused himself to “use the latrine” – and fled via a back trail with Fan Kuai and Xiahou Ying. Before leaving, he entrusted Zhang Liang with gifts:
- A pair of white jade discs for Xiang Yu
- A pair of jade goblets for Fan Zeng
Back in camp, Liu Bang executed Cao Wushang immediately.
Zhang Liang returned to the tent, apologizing:
“Lord Pei, drunk and fearing disrespect, has withdrawn. He sends these tokens of loyalty.”
Xiang Yu accepted the jade discs calmly. But when Fan Zeng entered and saw the untouched goblets, he smashed them with his sword, crying:
“Alas! This boy is beyond counsel! The one who will steal the empire from you is none other than Liu Bang. We shall all become his captives!”
Xiang Yu said nothing. He had chosen mercy – or pride – over prudence. And in that choice, the fate of China was sealed.
Note
Liu Bang (Lord Pei)
Ruler of the rebel faction that peacefully entered Xianyang. He narrowly escaped assassination at the Hongmen Banquet and later founded the Han Dynasty.
Xiang Yu
Supreme rebel leader with overwhelming military power. He hesitated to kill Liu Bang, showing fatal indecision that led to his eventual defeat.
Fan Zeng
Xiang Yu’s wise chief advisor. He repeatedly urged Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang, but was ignored.
Zhang Liang
Liu Bang’s top strategist. He arranged the secret rescue plan and secured help from Xiang Bo.
Xiang Bo
Xiang Yu’s uncle. He saved Liu Bang to repay Zhang Liang’s past kindness and blocked the assassination during the sword dance.
Fan Kuai
Liu Bang’s brave bodyguard. He burst into the banquet, confronted Xiang Yu, and bought time for Liu Bang’s escape.
Xiang Zhuang
Xiang Yu’s cousin. He performed the “assassin’s sword dance” to kill Liu Bang.
Cao Wushang
Liu Bang’s officer who secretly informed Xiang Yu. He was executed immediately after Liu Bang’s safe return.
Hongmen Banquet (206 BCE)
The most famous dangerous banquet in Chinese history. It was a trap where Xiang Yu planned to murder Liu Bang.
Sword Dance Performance
A fake entertainment used to hide an assassination attempt.
Jade Jue
A circular jade piece with a gap. Fan Zeng used it to signal Xiang Yu to make a decisive decision (kill Liu Bang).
Chu-Han Contention
The four-year civil war between Xiang Yu (Chu) and Liu Bang (Han) that began after this banquet.
Xiang Zhuang performs a sword dance, but his target is Liu Bang
A timeless idiom meaning: someone pretends to do one thing, but actually targets another person.
Escape at the critical moment
Describes Liu Bang’s risky getaway by pretending to use the restroom.
Fatal hesitation
Xiang Yu’s mercy and pride became the root of his own destruction.
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