Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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The Execution of Ziying and the Sack of Xianyang Days after the Hongmen Banquet, Xiang Yu marched into Xianyang city at the head of a coalition of feudal lords, with Liu Bang following cautiously behind. The first order of business was the fate of Ziying, the last ruler of Qin, who had reigned for…
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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…
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The Last Days of Qin As rebel armies closed in on Xianyang, panic gripped the Qin court. Emperor Er Shi (The Second Emperor of Qin), trembling with fear, ordered Zhao Gao to mobilize troops – but Zhao Gao had other plans. Fearing that defeat would expose his treachery, he assassinated Er Shi and sought…