Chapter 2: Wu Guan Breaks Through; Shang Yang Marches to Hua Yin, Contending for Hegemony with Chu Huai Wang's Newly Established Regime

  In 340 BC, Chu Xuan Wang died of illness, and his son Xiong Shang succeeded him as the King of Chu. In the early days of King Wei's reign, Shang Yang led a hundred thousand Qin soldiers out of Xiao Yu Guan to attack the southern army of Chu, but was defeated by the Chu general Qu Wu. The Qi army marched south to attack Lin Yi and Zao Zhuang. The Chu army in Xuzhou rushed to reinforce and drove back the Qi army.

  In 338 BC, the second year of King Wei's reign, Qin Xiao Gong died of illness, and his son Hui Wen Jun succeeded him as the Duke of Qin. King Wei ordered a hundred thousand troops to move to Luo He and Zhou Kou to guard against the southern advance of the Wei army, and then personally led two hundred thousand Chu soldiers out of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to march north to Nan Yang and Zhe Chuan to attack Shang Yang's state of Shang. Shang Yang led twenty thousand Shang soldiers out of Xiao Yu Guan to fight against the Chu army in Shangnan, but was defeated by Qu Wu and retreated to defend Xiao Yu Guan.

  King Wei ordered his troops to attack Xiao Yu Guan on one hand, and on the other hand, he ordered General Qu Wu to lead a hundred thousand Chu soldiers along the Dan River to attack the rear of Shang Yang's old nest in Shangdu (Danfeng). When Duke Hui Wen of Qin heard that King Wei was leading an army to attack Shang Yang, he summoned his ministers and said: "I think Shang Yang will soon be defeated by the Chu army. If the Chu army defeats Shang Yang, they will surely take Shangzhou and Luonan. I want to lead an army to resist the Chu army outside Xiao Yu Guan. What do you think?"

  Gan Long came out and said: "Your Majesty must not! In the past, Wei Yang stole into Chu's Shangzhou and Danfeng territories. Xiao Gong knew that Xuan Wang would surely send troops to punish him, so he gave all of Shangzhou's seven hundred li of land to Wei Yang and let him establish his own state of Shang. The purpose was to divert the disaster. Now King Wei is following in his father's footsteps and wants to recover the lost territory. If Your Majesty leads an army to confront them, the Chu and Qin armies will surely fight each other. At that time, the Wei army will take advantage of the situation to capture our Huayin and point directly at Guanzhong. Moreover, the current strength of the Qin army is not enough to resist the Chu army."

  Duke Hui Wen said: "What should we do according to your opinion?" Gan Long said: "According to my humble opinion, Shang Yang's possession of an army and self-establishment is a great rebellion. Your Majesty can send an envoy to King Wei to reestablish diplomatic relations between the two countries on one hand, and on the other hand, issue a decree to strip away Shang Yang's title and order him to hand over his military power. Shang Yang will surely lead an army to rebel, and Your Majesty can use the excuse of punishing Shang Yang to send troops to take Shangzhou and Shangdu, and reestablish the border with the Chu army as it was in the past. This is a win-win situation for both countries."

  Duke Hui Wen said: "Good!" He then sent an envoy to King Wei to propose an alliance between the two countries, and issued a decree listing Shang Yang's ten major crimes, stripping away his title, and ordering him to hand over his military power and come to Xianyang to surrender.

  Shang Yang ignored the order and openly rebelled, leading his army to attack. The Qin Duke Xian sent a decree throughout the country, ordering the execution of Shang Yang, and led 200,000 troops east along the Shangluo Ancient Road, capturing Danyang and taking over Shangzhou. Seeing this, Shang Yang sent someone to ask for peace from King Wei of Chu, but was rejected. The next day, 100,000 Chu soldiers under the command of Zixu arrived at Shangyi via the Dan River, and the pass of Shaoyin was also breached by the Chu army. The two armies joined forces at Danfeng and attacked Shangyi. Shang Yang was unable to resist and led his troops in a chaotic retreat northwards, but were defeated by Sima Cuo along the way. Under the protection of his bodyguards, he escaped to Luonan by climbing over hills. Duke Xian of Qin then sent troops to pursue Shang Yang, while Sima Cuo led the Qin army and Zixu's Chu army into Shangyi at the same time. Both sides refused to yield, arrayed their formations, and were on the verge of engaging in a fierce battle. Just as they were about to clash, King Wei of Chu and Duke Xian of Qin arrived, and both sides ceased hostilities and shook hands in friendship. They agreed that from Shangzhou to Danfeng, Chu and Qin would each take half, with the south belonging to Chu and the north to Qin. The Qin army set up a garrison at Shaoyin Pass, while the Chu army set one up at Shangzhou, with 1,000 soldiers stationed on both sides. After this, King Wei of Chu led his troops back to Jingdu, while Duke Xian of Qin also returned to Xianyang with his army.

  Shang Yang led the defeated soldiers and generals, fleeing from Luoyang to Tongguan. With tears streaming down his face, he repeatedly begged Wei Gongzi to take him in. Wei Gongzi was moved by Shang Yang's desperation. However, General Wei Jia said: "You treacherous villain! You've finally gotten what you deserved. You're a wolf from Zhongshan, and your greed knows no bounds. Isn't it enough that you plotted against our lord? I wanted to kill you, but I didn't want to sully my precious sword." Wei Gongzi listened and left with a flick of his sleeve. Shang Yang had no choice but to lead the defeated soldiers and generals to Huayin, where he gathered his old troops and attempted to put up a last-ditch resistance. Qin Duke Huiwen ordered Sima Cuo and Xiang Shou to lead an army of 200,000 to surround and capture Shang Yang. Shang Yang refused to surrender and led his troops in battle, but they were defeated, and he was captured and taken to Xianyang. He was sentenced to death by being torn apart by five horses, and after his death, a sudden storm struck, burning his remains. Alas! Although Shang Yang had great merit for the state of Qin, it was all for personal gain and fame, and he abandoned all sense of morality. It's not an exaggeration to call him a wolf from Zhongshan. The tragedy is that his entire family was also executed in Xianyang.

  In 336 BC, the fourth year of King Wu of Chu and the third year of Duke Huiwen of Qin, King Wu of Chu ordered General Qu Wuzi to lead an army of one hundred thousand men from Chu to defeat the Wei army at Yuzhou and Gucheng, expanding their territory to Xian Mountain. Then, General Qu Wuzi also defeated the Han army at Pingdingshan, Ruyang, and Ruizhou, expanding their territory by over three hundred miles.

  In the fifth year of King Wu of Chu (335 BC), King Wu led a large army northward to attack Wei, ordering thirty thousand men from Zhoukou, Luoshui, Fang, and Ye to converge on Xuchang and defeat the Wei army. Duke Huiwen of Wei asked for help, and then ordered ten thousand men from Yangdi and Gongyi and another ten thousand men from Daliang to go southward to rescue Xuchang. Marquis Ai of Han also sent ten thousand men from Zhengzhou and Xinzheng to go southward to support the Wei army.

  In August, the Wei army that marched southward from Yangdi and Gongyi was defeated by General Qu Wuzi at Xian Mountain and Yuzhou, retreating back to Yangdi. The Wei army that marched southward from Daliang was intercepted by the Chu army marching northward from Zhoukou. The ten thousand Han soldiers who marched southward from Handu were also defeated by the Chu army marching northward from Fang and Ye.

  In September, King Wu of Chu led the main force of the Chu army to defeat the main force of the Wei army at Xuchang and the Daliang Wei army east of Taikang. In October, the Chu army captured Xuchang, and the remaining Wei soldiers retreated hastily back to Daliang.

  In this year's Battle of Xuchang, the Chu army killed nineteen thousand Wei soldiers and over five thousand Han soldiers, capturing Xuchang from the Wei army and approaching the capital city of the Han state. The king of Han was already frightened.

  In the sixth year of King Wu of Chu (334 BC), Duke Huiwen of Qin saw that the Chu army had defeated the Wei and Han armies at Xuchang, expanding their territory by five hundred miles, and the power of the Wei state had greatly decreased. He then ordered Sima Cuo and Xiang Shou to lead twenty thousand Qin soldiers, dividing them into two routes, marching eastward from Xianyang.

  Xiang Shou defeated the Wei army at Hancheng, while Sima Cuo fought against the famous Wei general Wei Jia at Tongguan but was unable to win. He then retreated back to Huayin and confronted the Wei army at Tongguan.

  Wei Huaiwang, the king of Wei, retreated back to his capital after being defeated at Xuchang. He knew that the Chu army was much stronger than the Wei army and that they couldn't match them one-on-one. After the defeat at Xuchang, the Qi army took advantage of the situation and attacked the Wei army's PuYang, while the Zhao army attacked the Wei city of Hebi, and the Qin army pressed on from the west. The Wei kingdom was in a difficult position, being attacked from all sides.

  In 334 BC, Chu Wuwang gathered an army of 400,000 at Xuchang and marched towards the Wei capital of Daliang. Wei Huaiwang was terrified and offered to give up the city of PuYang and its surrounding areas to the Qi kingdom, as well as promising to hand over the title of Hegemon to the Qi king. He also asked the Qi king to withdraw his troops.

  Wei Huaiwang then gave up the city of Hebi and its surrounding areas to the Zhao kingdom, and several cities in the west to the Qin army. The Zhao and Qin kingdoms withdrew their troops.

  After that, Wei Huaiwang sent a message to the Qi, Qin, Zhao, Han, Yue, Yan, and Song kingdoms, announcing that he would hand over the title of Hegemon to the most qualified candidate at a meeting in Xuzhou the following spring. He also secretly told Chu Wuwang: "I was defeated at Xuchang and I admit it. The strongest army in the world is indeed the Chu army! I wanted to hand over the title of Hegemon to you, but Qi Huaiwang kept pressuring me, so I had no choice but to agree to hand it over to him next spring.

  "If you want to become the new Hegemon, you have the ability to do so. Why bother pressuring me, an old and unfortunate Hegemon? I know that even if you capture my capital Daliang, Qi Huaiwang won't let you take the title of Hegemon, and the other kingdoms won't recognize you as the new leader either.

  "If Daliang falls, your army will be exhausted. At that time, Qi Huaiwang will lead the other kingdoms to attack your weakened army, and the title of Hegemon that you took from me will be lost again."

  Chu Wuwang listened to Wei Huaiwang's words and thought they made sense, so he withdrew his troops. The Wei capital of Daliang was thus saved.

  In the spring of 333 BC, in the seventh year of King Wei of Chu, King Huiwen of Wei held a grand ceremony at Xuzhou to confer the title of "Hegemon" on himself. He said: "The Hegemonic Crown is for those who have the ability and virtue to wear it. Today, facing the turmoil of the world, the state of Wei has no more power to shake the four directions, so I will present the Hegemonic Crown to the most powerful and virtuous ruler in the world, to lead the vassals and bring blessings to the world. If anyone thinks they are worthy, they can come forward and take the crown from me." After finishing speaking, he took off his crown, and the vassals looked at each other, whispering to each other, but no one came forward to take the crown.

  The states of Qin, Zhao, Yue, and Song had always been eyeing the Hegemonic Crown, but they knew that only Qi and Chu were qualified to take it. King Wei of Chu was a wise man, and he saw that the seven states of Qi, Qin, Zhao, Yue, Han, Yan, and Song had 700,000 troops surrounding Xuzhou, so he ordered his army not to move and just observe.

  King Huiwen of Wei said: "Gentlemen, you are too modest! Unfortunately, I am no longer worthy of wearing the Hegemonic Crown. Today, King Wei of Qi is virtuous and powerful, and the Qi army is invincible. I recommend King Wei of Qi as the Hegemon of the world. If anyone disagrees, they can come forward and compete with the Qi army." After finishing speaking, he presented the crown to King Wei of Qi, who came forward to take it.

  However, just as King Wei of Qi was about to put on the crown, King Wu of Chu suddenly spoke up: "Wait! In the Battle of Maling, the Qi army was defeated by the Wei army and retreated in disarray. Which is the stronger army? Sun Bin's clever tactics won against Pang Juan, but that doesn't mean the Qi army is invincible." King Huiwen of Wei hastily said: "King Wu of Chu speaks the truth! The strongest army in the world is indeed the Chu army! In the Battle of Xiangling, the Wei and Han armies were defeated and surrendered."

  King Wei of Qi was furious and his face turned green with rage. He shouted: "How dare you, King Wu of Chu! You are too arrogant and look down on me!" King Wu of Chu replied: "Not at all! Let's have a one-on-one duel, either single combat or a battle between our armies. If the Qi army can defeat the Chu army, then you can take the crown."

  The states of Qin and Zhao cheered in agreement, and their rulers, Duke Huiwen of Qin and King Wen of Zhao, shouted: "That's right! The strong should be the Hegemon! One-on-one!"

  The Duke of Qi was enraged, and he turned his army around, took up a long sword, mounted a white horse, and galloped forward. The King of Chu saw this and jumped onto a black steed, holding a long spear, and charged forward. The two armies clashed on the open plains.

  The King of Chu grew more courageous as the battle raged on, and the Duke of Qi could only defend himself without being able to counterattack. Just then, the King of Chu struck with his spear, and the Duke of Qi raised his sword to block it. With a loud clang, the Duke of Qi stumbled backward.

  Again, the King of Chu's spear thrust forward, reaching the Duke of Qi's throat, causing him to break out in cold sweat. The Qi army hastily sent out three generals, led by General Kuang Piao (the father of Kuang Zhang), who shouted, "Do not harm our king!"

  The Chu general, Wei Wu, charged forward on horseback, swinging his sword and engaging the three Qi generals. Two Qi generals blocked Wei Wu, while General Kuang Piao swung his sword at the King of Chu.

  The King of Chu saw this and changed his spear's thrust to a sweep, striking with a loud clang and blocking Kuang Piao's sword. General Wei Wu raised his sword and struck down two Qi generals, then charged towards Kuang Piao.

  The Duke of Qi retreated in defeat, but the King of Chu did not pursue him. General Kuang Piao engaged General Wei Wu in a fierce battle for thirty rounds, but was ultimately defeated and also retreated.

  In an instant, the various lords were shaken. The Duke of Qi, still enraged and humiliated, led his army of 100,000 men to form up in array. The King of Chu waved his spear, and his army of 100,000 men marched out in formation.

  The various lords saw this and retreated one after another. Suddenly, the war drums of the Chu army sounded, and the King of Chu pointed with his spear, charging forward on horseback and killing his way into the Qi army. The 100,000-strong Chu army surged forward like a raging torrent, and General Wei Wu's sword danced in the air as Qi soldiers fell one after another.

  Not a single soldier among the 100,000-strong Qi army could withstand the attack of the Chu army. After about half an hour of fighting, the Qi army was unable to resist the Chu army's assault, and the Duke of Qi led his army in a disastrous retreat.

  The "Xu State King" ended like this, and Qi Wei Wang didn't even have time to take over the hegemonic crown before being defeated by Chu Wei Wang. The various national marquises dispersed, and Qi Wei Wang was unwilling to accept defeat, so he returned to the capital of Qi, Zibo, and mobilized 300,000 troops to head south and attack the Chu army. He also made an agreement with Wei, Song, and Yue to send troops and jointly attack the Chu army in Xiangyang and Huainan.

  Wei Hui Wang agreed verbally but actually did not move his troops, adopting a wait-and-see attitude. The ruler of Song saw that 300,000 Chu troops had gathered in Xu State and didn't dare to send troops to attack the Chu army. The king of Yue, on the other hand, led 200,000 Yue troops out of Guangling to help Qi Wei Wang attack the Chu army in Huainan, and the army advanced to Yancheng.

  Chu Wei Wang saw this situation and immediately ordered 100,000 Chu troops from Shouchun to attack Guangling. He also led 200,000 Chu troops eastward and southward, defeating the Yue king's army at Yancheng and Huai'an, killing tens of thousands of soldiers. Then, he joined forces with the 100,000 Chu troops from Shouchun to attack the Yue army in Guangling again, killing tens of thousands more soldiers. The king of Yue led his remaining troops back to Gusu.

  At this time, the 300,000 Qi troops took advantage of the main force of the Chu army going south to Guangling and divided their forces into three routes to capture Linzi and Zaozhuang, directly attacking Xu State. The 100,000 Chu troops defending Xu State held out for a month, but after Chu Wei Wang defeated the Yue king's army, he led his troops northward and joined forces with Qi Wei Wang's 300,000 Qi troops to engage in a decisive battle at Xu State.

  The Chu army won three battles in a row, defeating the Qi army from Xu State to Lianyungang, killing 150,000 soldiers, recovering Linzi and Zaozhuang, and advancing to Ju County in Shandong. They also captured Pei County, Jining, and the entire Weishan Lake, expanding their territory by 200 li.

  Just as Chu Wei Wang was preparing to lead his troops northward to Tai'an and Laiwu, the army of Wei gathered at Xuchang. Chu Wei Wang heard this news and immediately stopped his attack on Qi, ordering 200,000 Chu troops to garrison Xu State and Xiangyang, while leading 200,000 troops day and night to hurry back to Xuchang. When Wei Hui Wang heard that Qi Wei Wang's army had been defeated at Xu State and the Chu army was rapidly approaching, he hastily ordered his troops to retreat back to Daliang.

  In the 8th and 9th years of King Wu of Chu, the Chu army repeatedly launched attacks on Wei, capturing several counties west of Xuchang to Taikang. When Qin Duke Huiwen saw that the Chu army had defeated the Qi army and was marching north to attack Wei, he took advantage of the situation to launch a series of attacks on the Wei army in the western river valley. King Hui of Wei, unable to withstand the Chu army's northern advance and protect his capital Daliang, was forced to cede the land west of the Yellow River to Qin and make peace with them. From then on, all the land west of the Yellow River belonged to Qin, and Tongguan was also occupied by the Qin army.

  In the 10th year of King Wu of Chu, he launched an attack from Fangxi and defeated the Shu army, expanding his territory to Ankang; in the same year, he again launched an attack from Qianzhong and defeated the Shu army at Bayu, expanding his territory to Yuzhou (Chongqing).

  In the 11th year of King Wu of Chu, he suddenly fell ill and died. His son Xiong Xuan succeeded him as King Hui of Chu.

  During King Wu's 11-year reign, he expanded his territory by nearly a thousand miles. At that time, the state of Chu had a vast territory of over 5,000 miles, with Dongting (Hunan) and Cangwu (western Hunan and eastern Guangxi) in the south, Yongjun (from Fangxian to Ankang City) in the west, Fang, Ye, and Xuchang in the north, and Huainan and Pixi in the east. The state had a population of over 30 million and an army of one million soldiers, making it the largest and most powerful state among the vassals.

  The state of Qin, on the other hand, stretched from Hancheng to Tongguan and Shaoxing, with a territory of over 2,500 miles, a population of seven million, and an army of 600,000 soldiers. At that time, the southern part of Jiangsu and Anhui were still under the control of the state of Yue, which had an army of over 400,000 soldiers, roughly equal to that of the state of Han.

  The state of Shu had invaded as far as Bayu in the south and had territory in Hanzhong in the north, with an army of over 300,000 soldiers stationed in Chengdu and Hanzhong. The state of Qi, which had just begun to show signs of replacing Wei as the dominant power, was defeated by Chu and forced to retreat.

  For a time, the state of Chu was the strongest, dominating all the vassal states. However, due to the rapid rise of Qin, both Qi and Chu felt threatened, while Wei, although no longer as powerful as it once was, still had considerable strength. At that time, the state of Chu had not yet reached a position where it could truly intimidate the other vassal states, and the task of contending for dominance fell to King Hui of Chu.