What is the detailed story of the Battle of Julu in history?

What is the detailed story of the Battle of Julu in history?

Xiang Yu led tens of thousands of Chu troops (the rebel armies of various princes also participated in the war in the later period), and the main Qin army of 400,000 led by famous Qin generals Zhang Han and Wang Li fought a major battle in Julu (now Pingxiang, Hebei). In the decisive battle, Xiang Yu broke through all odds and used his fearless spirit to take the lead in attacking the Qin army when the princes' armies were cowering. He led the rebel armies of the princes to finally annihilate Wang Li's army, and forced the other 200,000 Han Qin troops to surrender eight months later. From then on, Xiang Yu established his leadership position in various rebel armies. After this battle, the main force of the Qin Dynasty was lost, and it existed in name only.

Historical background

In September of the second year of Qin II (208 BC) (Qin used October as the beginning of the year, the second year of Qin II was from October to 209 BC) In September after 208 BC (a leap month of that year), General Zhang Han of the Qin army defeated and killed Xiang Liang, the leader of the anti-Qin rebel army in the Chu area. He thought that the Chu area had nothing to worry about, so he crossed the Yellow River and joined Wang Li's army who came for reinforcements. 200,000 (Great Wall Army) attacked Zhao State together and defeated Zhao Army.

At this time, Zhao Xie was the king and Chen Yu was the general. Zhang Er became the prime minister, and they all fled into Julu City. Zhang Han ordered Wang Li and Shejian to surround Julu. His troops were stationed south of Julu and built a corridor with walls on both sides to transport grain and grass to them. As a general of Zhao State, Chen Yu led tens of thousands of soldiers to station in the north of Julu. This was the so-called Hebei Army.

In desperation, King Zhao sent envoys to King Huai of Chu and other princes for help. At that time, the Qin army was very powerful, and the troops who saved Zhao were stationed in the north of Julu City. Chen Yu sent Chen Ze to lead 5,000 people to test the strength of the Qin army. As a result, the entire army was wiped out when they arrived. From then on, there was no one in the coalition forces of the princes. Dare to go and fight.

In the ninth month (leap month) of the second year of Qin II (208 BC), King Huai of Chu's camp was divided into two groups. Song Yi, the champion of Qingzi, was the top general, and Lu Gong Xiang Yu was the second general. , Yafu Fan Zeng became the last general and led tens of thousands of troops northward to relieve the difficulties of Julu; the other route, with Liu Bang as the commander, attacked Guanzhong. King Huai of Chu promised that whoever captured Guanzhong first would be crowned King of Guanzhong.

After Chu's aid to Zhao's army advanced to Anyang (now southeast of Caoxian County, Shandong), Song Yi said it was best to wait until both Qin and Zhao were defeated before the Chu army could reap the benefits of the fishermen, so he stayed for 46 days without advancing. In November of the third year of Qin II (208 BC) (the third year of Qin II is from October 208 to September 207 BC), Xiang Yu denounced Song Yi and killed him. King Huai of Chu then made Xiang Yu the general, and placed the two Chu armies, General Yingbu and General Pu, under his command.

Burning the cauldron

In December of the third year of Qin II (October 208 BC to September 207 BC), Xiang Yu led the Chu army to the Yellow River in the south of Julu County (some say it is Zhangshui), they immediately dispatched Generals Yingbu and Pu with 20,000 rebel troops to cross the river to rescue Julu. After the two generals crossed the river, they had a small victory in the initial battle. Zhao General Chen Yu urged the troops to advance again.

Next, Xiang Yu led the entire army to cross the Yellow River (some say it is the Zhang River), ordered the entire army to burn cauldrons and boats, burn houses and tents, and only took three days of food to show his determination to die if he did not win. Unable to hide their ears, they went straight to Julu, defeated the Qin army of Zhang Han's tribe protecting the corridor, cut off Wang Li's tribe's food route, and surrounded Wang Li's army.

Xiang Yu's determination and courage greatly inspired the soldiers. The Chu army surrounded Wang Li's army, and everyone's morale was high. One was equal to ten, and the more they fought, the more brave they became. After nine fierce battles, Zhang Han was finally defeated, Wang Li was captured alive, and Qin general Su Jiao was killed. Qin general Shejian set himself on fire. Some of the other Qin soldiers were killed, and some escaped. The Qin army besieged Julu. The army thus collapsed.

Historical evaluation

The Battle of Julu was a huge victory in the peasant war in the late Qin Dynasty. It basically destroyed the main force of the Qin army, reversed the entire war situation, and laid the foundation for the victory of the anti-Qin struggle. After this battle, the Qin Dynasty existed in name only. And Xiang Yu broke the cauldron and sank the boat, taking the lead with the Chu army to attack the Qin army while the princes' armies were huddled in the barriers, and led the princes' coalition to annihilate the main force of the Qin generals. Such results made countless later generations full of curiosity and admiration for him.