The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BC) is traditionally recognized as China's first dynasty, founded by Yu the Great after successfully controlling a great flood. Centered in the Yellow River valley, it marked the transition to a hereditary system of succession. Although often considered semi-legendary due to the lack of archaeological evidence, the Xia became the foundation of Chinese civilization.
The founder of the Xia kingdom was Xiang Yu the Great (Yu the Great), who was famous for his engineering services in controlling floods for 13 years, was appointed leader and founded the first dynasty.
Government System:
Yu passed the throne to his son, Qi, marking the beginning of the shìxízhì (hereditary) or monarchical system, ending the tradition of chánràngzhìdù (passing the throne to the capable).
Era & Culture:
This dynasty ruled for approximately 400–500 years and is thought to have been centered in present-day Henan. Some archaeological evidence, such as the Erlitou site, is often associated with this era, showing advances in bronze making and craftsmanship.
Xiang Yu (232-202 BC) was a Chu nobleman and legendary military leader who led a rebellion against the Qin Dynasty. Renowned for his extraordinary physical strength, tactical skill, and arrogance, he appointed himself the Hegemon King of Western Chu. He was defeated by Liu Bang (founder of Han) in the Battle of Gaixia, then committed suicide.
Background and Childhood Noble Ancestry:
Born Xiang Ji (項籍), he came from a family of renowned generals in the Chu State. His grandfather, Xiang Yan, died defending Chu from Qin conquest.
Personality:
From a young age, he studied martial arts and war tactics rather than writing. He was known for his exceptional physical strength (he could lift a giant cauldron) and for his unique physical characteristics, double pupils, which were considered a sign of kingship.
Character:
Xiang Yu was extremely confident and fearless, but often arrogant and lacked diplomatic skills compared to his rival, Liu Bang.
Rebellion against the Qin Dynasty Early Career:
Along with his uncle, Xiang Liang, he started a rebellion against the brutal Qin Dynasty. After his uncle's death, Xiang Yu took command of the Chu forces.
Battle of Julu:
This is the most famous battle where Xiang Yu demonstrated his tactical genius. With a vastly outnumbered army, he ordered his troops to sink their ships and destroy their rice pots after crossing the river. This "no turning back" strategy motivated his troops to fight to the death and achieve a decisive victory against the main Qin army.
Chu-Han Power Struggle (206-202 BC)
Western Chu Hegemon King:
After the Qin Dynasty collapsed, Xiang Yu divided China and declared himself Ba Wang (Hegemon King).
Rivalry with Liu Bang:
A long conflict erupted between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, known as the Chu-Han Power Struggle. Although Xiang Yu won many battles, he failed to retain the loyalty of his followers, unlike Liu Bang, who was more popular with the people.
Battle of Gaixia (202 BC):
Xiang Yu's forces were surrounded by Han forces at Gaixia. In a desperate situation, he bid farewell to his beloved concubine, Yu Ji, who then committed suicide.
Tragic Death Suicide at Wu River:
Xiang Yu manages to break through the encirclement with his remaining troops. However, he refused to flee east, feeling the shame of returning to his native land in defeat. He finally committed suicide by drawing his own sword on the banks of the Wu River at the age of 30.
Legacy:
His story was immortalized as a symbol of the tragic hero, invincible in battle but failed in politics due to arrogance.
Xiang Yu is often compared to Liu Bang, where Xiang Yu represents physical strength and brilliant individual tactics, while Liu Bang represents better diplomacy and human management skills.
Before his death in history, Xiang Yu was granted the title "Duke of Lu" (魯公) by King Huai II of Chu in 208 BC. The following year, he led the Chu rebel forces to victory in the Battle of Julu against the Qin forces led by Zhang Han. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself "Hegemon King of Western Chu" and ruled a vast territory encompassing parts of present-day Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangsu, with Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu) as his capital. He engaged in a long power struggle with Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, known as the Chu-Han Power Struggle, which ended in his defeat and suicide on the banks of the Wu River.
His family name is Xiang (simplified Chinese: 项; traditional Chinese: 項; pinyin: Xiàng; Wade–Giles: Hsiang; Jyutping: Hong6), his given name is Ji (Chinese: 籍; pinyin: Jí; Wade–Giles: Chi; Jyutping: Zik6), and his given name is Yu (Chinese: 羽; pinyin: Yǔ; Wade–Giles: Yü; Jyutping: Jyu5). He is best known as Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu is widely known as "Xi Chu Ba Wang" (Chinese: 西楚霸王; pinyin: This title is sometimes simplified to "Ba Wang" (Chinese:霸王; pinyin: Bà Wáng; Wade–Giles: Pa Wang; Jyutping: Baa3 Wong4), with no connection to "Western Chu".
Since Xiang Yu's death, the term Ba Wang has been specifically used to refer to him. Xiang Yu's subjects sometimes call him "Xiang Wang" (simplified Chinese: 项王; traditional Chinese: 項王; pinyin: Xiàng Wáng ; Wade–Giles: Hsiang Wang ; Jyutping: Hong6 Wong4 ), which literally means "King Xiang".
There are two versions of Xiang Yu's family background. One version states that Xiang Yu was from the Mi (羋) family, the royal family of the Chu state during the Zhou Dynasty. His ancestors were granted the land of Xiang (項) by the king of Chu and hence adopted "Xiang" as their surname. Another version states that Xiang Yu was descended from a noble clan from the state of Lu and his family had served the Chu rulers as military commanders for generations. Xiang Yu's grandfather, Xiang Yan, was a renowned general who led the Chu forces against the Qin invaders led by Wang Jian, and died in battle when the Qin conquered Chu in 223 BC.
Xiang Yu was born in 232 BC at the end of the Warring States Period, when the Qin state began to annex the other six great states. His father was Xiang Chao (項超), the eldest son of Xiang Yan. Xiang Yu was raised by his uncle, Xiang Liang, as his father died young. In 221 BC, when Xiang Yu was about 11 years old, the Qin state finally unified China and established the Qin Dynasty.
Xiang Yu had a double pupil in one eye like the ancient Chinese rulers Shun and Duke Wen of Jin. He was considered an extraordinary person because his unique double pupil was a sign of a king or sage in Chinese tradition. Xiang Yu was slightly taller than eight chi (about 1.85 meters, about 6' 1") and possessed extraordinary physical strength as he could lift a ding (an ancient Chinese vessel resembling a giant cauldron on a tripod).
In his youth, Xiang Yu was taught science and swordsmanship, but he failed to master what he was taught, and his uncle Xiang Liang was not very satisfied with him. Xiang Yu said, "Books are only useful to help me remember my name. Mastering swordsmanship only allows me to face one opponent, so there is no point in studying them. I want to learn how to defeat 10,000 enemies." Therefore, his uncle tried to educate him in military strategy, but Xiang Yu stopped studying after he understood the main ideas. Xiang Liang was disappointed with his nephew, who showed no clear signs of motivation or talent other than his great strength, so he gave up and let Xiang Yu determine his own future.
When Xiang Yu was an adult, his uncle killed someone, so they fled to Wu (吳; present-day southern Jiangsu) to avoid the authorities. At that time, Qin Shi Huang was on an inspection tour of the area, and Xiang Yu and his uncle witnessed the emperor's procession passing by. Xiang Yu said, "I can replace him." Xiang Liang was shocked and immediately covered his nephew's mouth with his hand. From then on, Xiang Liang began to view his nephew differently.
In 209 BC, during the reign of Qin Er Shi (Qin Shi Huang's son and successor), peasant rebellions erupted across China to overthrow the Qin Dynasty, plunging China into anarchy. Yin Tong, Administrator of Kuaiji (會稽; present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang), also wanted to start a rebellion, so he invited Xiang Liang to meet with him and discuss their plans. However, the Xiang family framed Yin Tong and killed him, with Xiang Yu personally killing dozens of Yin's men. Xiang Liang started his own rebellion and gathered about 8,000 men to support him. Xiang Liang proclaimed himself Administrator of Kuaiji while appointing Xiang Yu as a general. Xiang Liang's rebel army grew to 60,000 to 70,000 men. In 208 BC, Xiang Liang appointed Mi Xin as King Huai II of Chu to garner support from those who wanted to help him overthrow the Qin Dynasty and restore the former state of Chu.
Xiang Yu proved himself to be a capable military leader and a formidable warrior on the battlefield while participating in battles against the Qin forces.
Later that year, Xiang Liang was killed in the Battle of Dingtao against Qin forces led by Zhang Han, and Chu's military power fell into the hands of the king and several other generals. In the winter of 208 BC, another rebel force claiming to restore the state of Zhao, led by Zhao Xie, was besieged at Handan by Zhang Han. Zhao Xie requested reinforcements from Chu. King Huai II bestowed the title of "Duke of Lu" (魯公), and appointed him as the deputy commander of Song Yi, who was ordered to lead troops to reinforce Zhao Xie.
At the same time, the king placed Liu Bang in command of another force to attack Guanzhong, the heart of Qin territory. The king promised that whoever entered Guanzhong first would be awarded the title "King of Guanzhong.".