Zhan Shi Quan Qin Shu fled in a big way, breaking Nan Zheng Chu Huai Ding Han Zhong
King Huiwen of Qin and the Marquis of Shu were defeated by the Chu army at Han 'Yin', throwing away their helmets and armor, fleeing in disarray, and escaping for over 70 miles without stopping.
The infantry version arrived at Majiapeng and Gupeng, exhausted and starving, especially the infantry, who had run over 70 miles, their stomachs empty, unable to move. Qin Huiwen Wang looked back and saw no Chu army pursuing them, so he ordered a halt, resting and cooking while checking the troops. After a while, the soldiers reported that the remaining 100,000 men of the Qin and Shu armies consisted of: 50,000 Qin soldiers (18,000 cavalry, 32,000 infantry), and 50,000 Shu soldiers (12,000 cavalry, 38,000 infantry). Just as the Qin and Shu armies finished cooking their meals, a fast horse arrived with news that Chu Huai Wang's army was pursuing them, and Zhao Xie had already arrived at Xinglong Village, three miles away from their army, with 50,000 cavalry. Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou were shocked by the news, and Sima Cuo advised Qin Huiwen Wang: "Zhao Xie's 50,000 cavalry will be followed by a large infantry force. Our army has just been defeated and cannot fight again. Now our soldiers are all starving and unable to march far. The infantry is in no condition to retreat. Your Majesty can order the infantry to hold off Zhao Xie's 50,000 cavalry, while the cavalry quickly finishes their meal and protects Your Majesty as you flee to Hanzhong." Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou ordered all the infantry (32,000 Qin soldiers, 38,000 Shu soldiers) to form a line at Gupeng, blocking Zhao Xie's cavalry. All the cavalry finished their meals within seven minutes. Five minutes later, Zhao Xie's 50,000 light cavalry arrived at Gupeng, and the Qin and Shu infantry formed a line, hastily shooting arrows to block the Chu army's advance. At this time, the Qin and Shu cavalry of 30,000 men quickly finished their meals, wrapped them in cloth, and mounted their horses, protecting Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou as they fled westward. Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou only cared about escaping with their lives and did not care about the fate of their 70,000 infantrymen, who had not even eaten a meal before dying. Ten minutes passed, and the arrows of the Qin and Shu infantry were almost exhausted. Zhao Xie saw this and ordered his 50,000 iron cavalry to charge in three directions. Alas! The 70,000 starving infantrymen could not withstand the impact of the Chu army's cavalry, and they fell down one by one. After two or three more charges, all 70,000 Qin and Shu infantrymen had fallen, with only a few escaping. At this time, Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou's 30,000 cavalry had already fled over 20 miles and reached Qixingba. Zhao Xie led his 50,000 Chu army cavalry in pursuit, and when Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Hou heard that Zhao Xie was following them, they did not dare to stop for a moment, fleeing desperately westward. At this time, Chu Huai Wang's 30,000 iron cavalry and 50,000 infantry had also arrived at Gupeng.
King Huiwen of Qin and the Marquis of Shu had 30,000 cavalrymen escape from Maja Pass. Sima Cuo saw that this place was a narrow road, which must be the route for the Chu army to pursue, so he led 3,000 cavalrymen to block the Chu army's cavalry here. Before Sima Cuo could form his troops, Zhao Yu had already led a large group of light cavalry past Huilong Village, less than a mile away from Sima Cuo. As soon as Zhao Yu saw him, he charged forward on horseback, killing towards the Qin army's cavalry.
Although Maja Pass was flat and open, the battlefield was not very large, making it difficult for large numbers of soldiers to engage in fierce combat. The advantage of the Chu army's large cavalry could not be fully utilized, so it became a test of bravery and endurance. Sima Cuo saw Zhao Yu approaching and rode his horse forward, raising his sword to fight Zhao Yu.
The two men clashed swords, fighting fiercely for twenty rounds without either gaining the upper hand. Zhao Yu and Sima Cuo were originally evenly matched in martial arts skills, making them a perfect match. However, Sima Cuo had previously fought against Chu Huai Wang and suffered injuries to his palms and forearms, which made him vulnerable to pain whenever he exerted himself too much.
Zhao Yu took advantage of this weakness, using his long spear to attack Sima Cuo with increasing ferocity. Sima Cuo's hands and arms ached in agony as Zhao Yu struck again and again, making it difficult for him to defend himself. With one final blow, Sima Cuo stumbled backward.
Zhao Yu seized the opportunity, striking three times in quick succession, his spear flashing like lightning. Sima Cuo was unable to withstand the attack and retreated in defeat. After Sima Cuo's defeat, no one in the Qin army could match Zhao Yu's skills. The Chu army cavalry charged forward, each man brandishing his spear or sword, and the Qin army cavalry was quickly overwhelmed.
In the end, the Qin army cavalry fled in disarray, defeated by Zhao Yu and the Chu army cavalry at Maja Pass.
At this time, the cavalry of Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou had already escaped from Xixiang County. Zhao Yue's light cavalry had chased to Baijia Dam. Although both sides were cavalry, it was unclear why Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's cavalry were slower, while Zhao Yue's light cavalry was faster. The distance between the two sides was getting closer and closer.
When they arrived at Chenggu County, Zhao Yue's light cavalry was about to catch up. Sima Cuo hastily led 3,000 Qin army cavalry, 2,000 Shu army cavalry, and 500 city guards of the Shu army to block the Chu army cavalry in Chenggu County. He ordered that anyone who advanced would live, while those who retreated would die, using their lives to cover up the retreat of Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry to Bao Han (Hanzhong City).
Zhao Yue's large light cavalry arrived at Chenggu County and saw Sima Cuo standing with his sword drawn. Five thousand iron cavalry were lined up under the city wall, waiting in a strict formation. Zhao Yue ordered 10,000 iron cavalry to form a line, preparing to charge and kill. The 40,000 cavalry divided into two routes, bypassing Chenggu County on both sides, and rushed straight to Bao Han (Hanzhong City) to capture Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou alive.
Sima Cuo saw the situation and ordered 4,000 cavalry to intercept the Chu army cavalry in two routes. He led 1,000 cavalry and 500 city guards to fight against Zhao Yue's 10,000 iron cavalry. Sima Cuo's 5,000 cavalry intercepted Zhao Yue's 50,000 cavalry, which was a hopeless battle.
Although it seemed like certain defeat, they could still delay for some time, allowing Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry to escape further. It was clear that even if they knew they would die, they had to protect their lord with their lives. This was Sima Cuo's clever plan of sacrificing pawns to save the general.
The defeat at Shiquan Drum Sonping was a disaster, and the 70,000 Qin and Shu army infantry became ghosts under the swords and souls under the guns of the Chu army cavalry. However, it allowed Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to escape to Chenggu County. Today, they had to abandon another 5,000 cavalry and 500 infantry to allow Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to run more than 20 miles ahead.
Alas! The defeat was like a mountain collapsing, and the road to victory was exhausted.
Only to see Zhao Yue pat the horse 'upright' gun and charge over, 10,000 Chu army iron cavalry followed and killed, Sima Cu knew that no one in Qin and Shu armies could defeat Zhao Yue, so he had to ride a horse, raise his knife, and fight against Zhao Yue again. Unfortunately, the Chu army was too strong, Sima Cu's 1,000 cavalry were all scattered, and they didn't dare to fight back, raised their knives, turned around, and retreated back to the city to refuse the enemy. However, only 200 infantry and 300 cavalry behind came back to the city in time, while the remaining 700 cavalry and 300 infantry were all beheaded. Zhao Yue did not order the attack on the city but ordered the Chu army cavalry to bypass the city and go straight to Bao Han (Hanzhong City). Sima Cu saw this and wanted to rush out again to hold back Zhao Yue, but was pulled by a general who said: "General, going out is like a moth flying into fire, it's a waste of life." Sima Cu painfully said: "I will die for the country, if I can delay Zhao Yue's cavalry for more than 10 minutes, the king can run more than 10 miles away". The general said: "The general's words are wrong, if you go out again, Zhao Yue only needs to send out 1,000 cavalry to kill you, and then lead the army to chase the king. If the general dies, who will protect the king? If the king has an accident, the general will be guilty even after death. I hope the general will quickly escape from the back door and chase after the king." Sima Cu listened and said: "If it weren't for your reminder, I almost made a big mistake". He then took 300 Qin army cavalry and hastily escaped from the back door, rushing to the road where King Huiwen of Qin was escaping.
The allied forces of Qin and Shu, with 4,000 cavalrymen, fought to the death against the 40,000-strong Chu army cavalry for just 15 minutes. Although they were all killed, these 15 minutes were crucial for the cavalry. With this brief delay, King Huiwen of Qin and others could flee an additional 20 miles or so, and the Chu army's cavalry would have to chase after them for a long time. The remaining 200 Shu soldiers who stayed in the city were also annihilated by the approaching Chu infantry.
King Huiwen of Qin and the Marquis of Shu fled with 25,000 cavalrymen to Bao Han (Hanzhong City), where 3,000 Shu soldiers were guarding. Just as they were about to enter the city, a general shouted, "Your Majesty must not enter the city!" King Huiwen and the Marquis turned around to see Sima Cuo, covered in blood, arriving with 300 Qin cavalrymen.
King Huiwen asked, "Why can't we enter the city?" Sima Cuo replied, "Bao Han is located on flat ground, with its back to the Han River, and there are no natural defenses. Zhao Ying's 50,000 light cavalrymen are already 20 miles away. If Your Majesty enters the city, Zhao Ying's army will surround it as soon as they arrive, and when King Huai of Chu arrives, we'll be trapped like birds with clipped wings."
King Huiwen asked, "What do you think we should do?" Sima Cuo replied, "For now, our only option is to abandon Bao Han and retreat. Your Majesty can lead the army to Lüyang (County) and defend the south of the pass. We'll be safe that way. The Marquis of Shu should lead his troops to cross the Han River and defend Nanzheng."
King Huiwen agreed, "Good!" Sima Cuo led 15,300 Qin cavalrymen to protect King Huiwen as they fled to Lüyang (County), while the Marquis of Shu led 10,000 Shu cavalrymen and 3,000 soldiers who were guarding Bao Han to cross the Han River and defend Nanzheng.
When Zhao Ying's Chu army cavalry arrived at Bao Han, King Huiwen had already passed through Mian County and was fleeing towards Lüyang (County), while the Marquis of Shu had also crossed the Han River and was heading towards Xinzheng (County). Zhao Ying led his army to occupy Bao Han, waiting for King Huai of Chu's arrival before making a final decision.
The next morning, King Huai of Chu led 30,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry to rush to Bao Han. The day after tomorrow, the third batch of 50,000 Chu army escorted grain and rushed to gather in Bao Han. After King Huai arrived, he observed the surrounding terrain with Zhao Yu and said: "Lüyang (County) originally belonged to Bao Han, and it is a plain, not far from Bao Han (Hanzhong City). It is a fortress that blocks the Qin army from entering the Bao Han Plain. We cannot let the Qin army occupy it. The Nan Zheng (County) on the other side of the river has three sides of mountains and one side of water, with a high and steep terrain, and we cannot let the Shu army occupy it. My opinion is that you and I each lead an army, take advantage of the enemy's recent defeat, and strike before they can stabilize their footing." Zhao Yu said: "Your Majesty! I had this intention, and I was waiting for you to decide." Therefore, King Huai ordered Zhao Yu to lead 20,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to quickly cross the Han River and occupy Nan Zheng (County), while he personally led 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to attack Lüyang (County). The rest of the Chu army was left to guard Bao Han (Hanzhong City) and prepare for a response at any time.
Qin Huiwen King arrived in Luoyang yesterday and rested for a night, calming down from the shock. This morning, he got up and said to Sima Cuo with a sigh: "I didn't expect that I would suffer such a great defeat as soon as I became king." Sima Cuo said: "It's not my incompetence, Your Majesty was surprised." Qin Huiwen King said: "It's not your fault, nor is it your mistake. I didn't expect Chu Huai King to be so brave and the Chu army to be so strong."
Just after Qin Huiwen King and others finished their breakfast, a horse rushed in to report: "Report to Your Majesty! Chu Huai King has led his troops to Bao Han (Hanzhong City), and a large number of soldiers are marching towards us." Sima Cuo heard the report and said to Qin Huiwen King: "Your Majesty should lead the army to flee to Longnan (City) quickly, I will stay here to defend the city and fight a decisive battle with the Chu army."
Qin Huiwen King held Sima Cuo's hands and said: "Your arm injury has not healed, and your energy is not good. You are not a match for Chu Huai King. Don't sacrifice your life in vain here. I would rather give up this city than lose you, the famous general. Take the soldiers and horses to follow me to Longnan (City) quickly." Therefore, Sima Cuo followed Qin Huiwen King to abandon the city and flee to Longnan (City).
Chu Huai King led his troops to Luoyang (County), saw that Qin Huiwen King had abandoned the city and fled to Longnan, and ordered 3,000 infantrymen and 2,000 cavalrymen to garrison Luoyang (County). He himself led the main force back to Bao Han (Hanzhong City).
Here is the translation:
Furthermore, Zhao Yu led 40,000 cavalry and infantry to cross the Han River and advance on Nanzheng. When the King of Shu heard the news, he immediately ordered the city gates closed and personally led 13,000 cavalry and infantry to defend the city walls to the death. Zhao Yu led 40,000 Chu soldiers across the Han River and arrived at Nanzheng, arraying his troops and challenging the enemy to battle. The Shu army neither came out to fight nor surrendered. Zhao Yu had no choice but to order his soldiers to prepare wooden battering rams and cloud ladders to attack the city.
At this time, King Hui of Chu led his main force back to Bao Han (Hanzhong City) and ordered 20,000 infantry to cross the river and attack the city. The King of Shu saw that he was in a precarious situation and could only lead his army to escape from the rear mountain. However, behind Nanzheng were the steep mountains of Mount Song, which soldiers could climb over but war horses could not. Over 10,000 war horses were unable to escape.
The King of Shu had wanted to order his soldiers to kill the war horses so that they would not fall into the hands of the Chu army, but it was too late. The sound of killing filled the air as the Chu army attacked from both the west and east wings, with 50,000 Chu soldiers advancing on the villages of Zhandou, Guojiaying (west of Nanzheng County), Xiajia'an, and Xiema Township (east of Nanzheng County). The King of Shu could only lead his army in a frantic retreat over the rear mountain.
Zhao Yu led the Chu army into Nanzheng and saw that the Shu army had already escaped over the mountain by grabbing onto vines. He ordered his soldiers to cut off the vines, block the roads behind the mountain, and then dispatched 3,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry to guard Nanzheng. He himself led the main force across the river back to Bao Han (Hanzhong City).
Here is the translation:
Thus, the ten-day Battle of Bo Han ended with a Chu victory and a defeat for the Qin-Shu coalition. In this battle, the Chu army killed 195,000 soldiers from the Qin-Shu coalition, including 85,000 Qin soldiers and 110,000 Shu soldiers; they also captured 35,000 war horses, 190,000 sets of armor and weapons, and a large quantity of grain and carts. As a result of this battle, Chu Huai Wang expanded his territory by over 400 miles from Ankang City to Lueyang County, gaining control of the ten cities (counties) of Bo Han (Hanzhong City), Hanyin, Ziyang, Zhenba, Ningqiang, Shiquan, Xixiang, Chenggu, Nanzheng, Ningqiang, and Lueyang. Meanwhile, Qin Huiwen Wang, who had declared himself king at the beginning of the year with ambitions to dominate the Central Plains and replace Wei Hui Wang as the hegemon, was defeated by Chu Huai Wang in the Battle of Bo Han and forced to flee in disarray like a fish escaping from a net. He nearly fell into the hands of the Chu army alive. From then on, whenever Qin Huiwen Wang heard the names "Hanzhong Prefecture" and "Chu Huai Wang", he would shudder with fear.
Thereafter, King Hui of Chu changed the name of Bao Han to Han Zhong Prefecture, with a jurisdiction spanning over 700 li from Luoyang County to Fang County. The Yong Prefecture was abolished and its governor was ordered to take office in Han Zhong. The prefectural seat of the original Yong Prefecture was moved from Xunyang to An Kang, as a subordinate of Han Zhong Prefecture. A banquet was held in Bao Han to reward the three armies for three days.
King Hui of Chu raised his wine goblet and said to all the generals: "The Han River is the ancestral land of my people of Chu. In ancient times, our ancestors sailed down the Han River to reach Jinghan. Therefore, we are both Jing and Han. Today, we have returned to our ancestors' homeland, which has been restored to me, King of Chu. This place is not Bao or Zheng, but Han. I want to establish a prefectural seat here and make our ancestors' hometown prosperous.
This is the middle reaches of the Han River, so from today on, this place will be officially named Han Zhong Prefecture." The Chu soldiers cheered, waving their long spears and shouting: "Han Zhong Prefecture!"
Three days later, King Huai of Chu appointed Liu Xiang (originally named Liu Yang, father of Liu Bang's great-grandfather) as the Grand General, leading 100,000 Chu troops (40,000 cavalry and 60,000 infantry) to garrison Hanzhong Commandery, and arranged for the wounded soldiers to be treated in Hanzhong. Liu Xiang received the order and issued a decree: 20,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry were stationed in Hanzhong, with 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry from each of Lüeyang, Ningqiang, Nanzheng, Xixiang, and Zhenba, and the remaining 10,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry were stationed in Hanzhong, distributed among Mianxian, Hanzhong, and Chenggu. 20,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry were stationed in Ankang, with 2,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry from each of Zhen'an, Ziyang, Zhenping, Fangxian, and Yunxi, and the remaining 10,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry were stationed in Ankang, distributed among Hanyin, Ankang, and Xunyang. Liu Xiang ordered the soldiers to open up wasteland for farming and to practice military drills without slackening. King Huai of Chu had made all the arrangements, and then he and Zhao Ying led the 150,000-strong army (50,000 cavalry and 100,000 infantry, having recruited over 70,000 new soldiers from Ankang to Hanzhong due to the successive victories of the Chu army) back to Jingzhou in a grand manner.
