There was a man named Ying Bu, one of six brothers, all surnamed Ying. During the Qin Dynasty, he was a commoner. When he was young, a fortune-teller told him, "You will commit a crime in the future and then become a king." When he grew up, he really did commit a crime and received the punishment of 黥刑 (qing xing) (a type of branding involving facial tattoos). Ying Bu laughed and said, "Looks like that prophecy's coming true!" When the people around him heard this, they mocked him.
Later, Ying Bu was sentenced to forced labor in Mount Li because of his crime. There were hundreds of thousands of people in Mount Li, and Ying Bu became acquainted with the leaders there. He and his crew hightailed it to the Yangtze and turned bandit. During the uprising led by Chen Sheng, Ying Bu joined the rebellion and formed a force of several thousand people. The ruler of Fan even married his daughter to him. After Zhang Han defeated Chen Sheng and the army of Lu Chen, Ying Bu led his troops north and defeated the Qin army commanders, then headed east. Hearing that Xiang Liang had established a foothold in Jiangdong Kuaiji, he crossed the Yangtze River and joined Xiang Liang. Chen Ying, whose family had been generations of generals for the Chu state, led his troops to join Xiang Liang and crossed the Huai River. Ying Bu and General Pu also led their troops to join Xiang Liang.
Xiang Liang crossed the Huai River and defeated Jing Ju, Qin Jia, and others. Ying Bu was always at the forefront of the fighting. When Xiang Liang arrived in Xue, he heard that King Chen had died, so he proclaimed Huai as the King of Chu. Xiang Liang called himself the Martial Trustworthy Lord, and Ying Bu was appointed Lord Dangyang. Xiang Liang died in the Battle of Dingtao, and King Huai moved the capital to Pengcheng, where all the generals, including Ying Bu, gathered. At that time, the Qin army was attacking Zhao, and Zhao sent for help multiple times. King Huai appointed Song Yi as commander-in-chief, Fan Zeng as second-in-command, Xiang Yu as third-in-command, and both Ying Bu and General Pu as generals, all under Song Yi's command, to go north and aid Zhao. Later, Xiang Yu killed Song Yi on the river, and King Huai appointed Xiang Yu as commander-in-chief, with all the generals submitting to him. Xiang Yu ordered Ying Bu to cross the river first and attack the Qin army. After Ying Bu won multiple battles, Xiang Yu led the entire army across the river and defeated the Qin army, resulting in the surrender of Zhang Han and others. The Chu army often won battles, ranking among the top in the states, and the other states submitted to Chu mainly because Ying Bu consistently triumphed over superior numbers.
Xiang Yu led his troops west to Xin'an and had Ying Bu and others launch a night attack on Zhang Han's Qin army, annihilating over 200,000 soldiers. At Hangu Pass, they were unable to enter, so Xiang Yu had Ying Bu and others launch a surprise attack from the side, breaking through the Qin army below Hangu Pass and entering Guanzhong, reaching Xianyang. Ying Bu always led the charge. Xiang Yu rewarded the generals, appointing Ying Bu as King of Jiujiang and establishing his capital in Liu.
In April of 206 BC, the various feudal lords concluded their affairs in the capital and returned to their respective states. Xiang Yu supported Huai as emperor, moving him to Changsha, and secretly ordered Ying Bu and others to attack him. In August, under cover of darkness, Ying Bu sent troops to attack the emperor, and in Chen County, the emperor was killed.
In 205 BC, King Tian Rong of Qi rebelled against the Chu state. Xiang Yu went to attack the Qi state and also recruited soldiers from Jiujiang. King Ying Bu of Jiujiang excused himself from going due to illness, only sending a few thousand men to make do. Later, the Han army defeated the Chu army in Pengcheng, and Ying Bu refused to support the Chu army again, citing illness. Xiang Yu held a grudge against Ying Bu, sending messengers to rebuke and summon him multiple times, but Ying Bu became increasingly afraid and dared not go. Xiang Yu was sweating bullets – the Qi and Zhao states were giving him trouble in the north, and the Han army was breathing down his neck in the west. The only one he could rely on was King Ying Bu of Jiujiang, who was talented. Xiang Yu wanted to personally use him, so he did not attack him.
In the third year of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang fought a big battle with Xiang Yu in Pengcheng and lost, retreating to Liangdi and then to Yuxian. Liu Bang said to his followers, "A guy like Xiang Yu? He's not in my league when it comes to running the country!" At that moment, an envoy named Sui He interjected, "What are you getting at, Your Majesty?" Liu Bang replied, "If someone can get the King of Huainan to betray Xiang Yu and keep him stuck in Qi for a couple of months, I'll have this whole kingdom in the bag!" Sui He said, "I will go!" So he went to Huainan with twenty men.
When they arrived in Huainan, they first went to see the Prime Minister, but they couldn't meet the King of Huainan for three days. Sui He said to the Prime Minister, "The King's avoiding me because he thinks Chu's got the upper hand. That's why I'm here. If I can see the King and what I say is right, then that’s what the King wants to hear. If I'm wrong, chop off my head and these twenty guys' heads right here in the Huainan marketplace. That'll show everyone which side you're really on!" Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister quickly reported the matter to the King of Huainan, who then granted an audience to Sui He.
Suihe said, "The King of Han asked me to respectfully deliver a letter to the Great King. I'm scratching my head here—how close are you to the Chu Kingdom?" King Huainan replied, "I'm under his thumb." Suihe said, "Both you and Xiang Yu are lords. If you're submitting to him, you must think the Chu Kingdom is powerful and reliable. Xiang Yu attacked the Qi Kingdom, leading the charge and toiling alongside his men in the front lines. You should mobilize all the troops of Huainan, personally lead them, and be the vanguard of the Chu army. But you only sent four thousand people to help the Chu Kingdom. Is that all there is to being his vassal? When Liu Bang was fighting in Pengcheng, Xiang Yu hadn't even returned from the Qi Kingdom yet. You should have led the troops of Huainan across the Huai River, rushing day and night to battle Xiang Yu in Pengcheng. You have so many troops, but no one has crossed the Huai River; you're just sitting around watching who wins and who loses. Is relying on others really like this? The Great King relies on the Chu Kingdom in name only to protect himself. I think that's not worth it.
The reason why the Great King doesn't dare to betray the Chu Kingdom is that he thinks the Han Kingdom is weak. Although the Chu Kingdom's military strength is formidable, everyone believes that the Chu Kingdom is unjust because they betrayed and killed the righteous emperor. Although the King of Chu relies on victory and thinks he’s strong, Liu Bang has gathered various vassals, defended Chenggao and Xingyang, transported food from Shu and Hanzhong, dug deep ditches, and built high walls, dividing troops to guard fortresses. When the Chu army returned, passing through Liang and deep into enemy territory eight or nine hundred miles, they wanted to fight but couldn't find an opportunity; they wanted to attack but were unable to do so. Their old men and sick were hauling supplies a thousand miles. When the Chu army arrived at Xingyang and Chenggao, the Han army stood firm, unable to advance or retreat. Therefore, the military strength of the Chu Kingdom is not to be relied upon. If the Chu Kingdom defeats the Han Kingdom, other vassals will also be afraid and come to each other's aid. Chu's strength will only attract the whole world's armies against it. So, the Chu Kingdom is not as good as the Han Kingdom—it's pretty clear which side's going to win."
Your Majesty is abandoning the mighty Han in favor of Chu, a state teetering on the brink of collapse. I fear you've been misled. It's not that Huainan's army could wipe out Chu, but if we can tie Xiang Yu up for a few months, the Han will have the whole darned country. Let me take your sword back to the Han king. He'll make you a king, give you land – Huainan's yours for the taking! The Han king sent me to you with this, uh, *suggestion*, hoping you'll give it some thought." The King of Huainan said, "I will follow your arrangements." He agreed, but kept it under his hat.
A Chu envoy showed up, hot on Ying Bu's trail to get him to send troops. He was holed up at the inn. Su He barged in, grabbed the best seat, and said, "Jiujiang's already with the Han. What makes Chu think you're still in the game?" Ying Bu was stunned. The Chu envoy stood up. Su He took the opportunity to say to Ying Bu, "This has gone far enough. Off with his head! Then we join the Han, and we'll be in the money!" Ying Bu said, "Then do as you say, I will raise troops and kill him now!" So Ying Bu iced the envoy and attacked Chu. Chu sent Xiang Sheng and Long Qie after Huainan, while Xiang Yu himself went after Xiayi.
After a few months, Long Qie smashed Ying Bu's forces in Huainan. Ying Bu wanted to lead his troops to join the Han Dynasty, but he was afraid that the King of Chu would kill him, so he secretly went to the Han Dynasty with Sui He. When they arrived in the Han Dynasty, the Han King was chilling in bed, soaking his feet, and called Ying Bu to see him. Ying Bu was immediately angered and regretted coming to the Han Dynasty, wanting to commit suicide. However, when he left the room and saw the tents, carriages, food, and attendants, pretty much the same as the Han King's setup, Ying Bu was overjoyed. He then sent people to Jiujang. Chu had already sent Xiang Bo to recruit the army in Jiujang and killed all of Ying Bu's family members. Ying Bu sent people to Jiujang, lined up support from old friends and powerful Han officials, and brought several thousand people to join the Han Dynasty. The Han sent reinforcements to Ying Bu, and together they pushed north, all the way to Chenggao. In July of the fourth year, the Han King made Ying Bu King of Huainan and ordered him to attack Xiang Yu together.
In the fifth year of the Han Dynasty, Ying Bu sent people into Jiujang and captured several cities. In the sixth year, Ying Bu and Liu Jia entered Jiujang, convinced Chu's Grand Marshal, Zhou Yin, to defect, and then the army of Jiujang joined the Han army to attack Chu, defeating the Chu army at Gaixia. Xiang Yu died, the war was over, and the Han King held a banquet to celebrate. However, the Han King belittled Sui He's contributions, calling him a stuffy Confucian and questioning what use they were. Sui He knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, when you went after Pengcheng and the King of Chu had not left Qi, you only brought fifty thousand infantry and five thousand cavalry. Could you have taken Huainan?" The Han King replied, "No." Sui He continued, "Your Majesty sent me with twenty men to Huainan. If we can achieve your goals, wouldn't my contribution be greater than fifty thousand infantry and five thousand cavalry? But you call me a stuffy Confucian and say the world does not need Confucians, what does this mean?" The Han King said, "I was just considering your contributions." He then appointed Sui He as the Commander of the Guard. Ying Bu was officially appointed as the King of Huainan, with his capital at Liu. Jiujang, Lujiang, Hengshan, and Yuzhang were all under Ying Bu's jurisdiction.
In the seventh year, Ying Bu paid a courtesy call on the Han King in Chen. In the eighth year, he paid a courtesy call on the Han King in Luoyang. In the ninth year, he paid a courtesy call on the Han King in Chang'an.
In the eleventh year, Empress Lü killed Han Xin, which spooked Liu Pi. That summer, the Han Dynasty also killed Prince Liang Peng Yue and made his flesh into ground meat, sending it to the other princes as a warning. When the ground meat arrived in Huainan, King Liu Pi was hunting and freaked out when he saw it. He secretly mustered his troops, ready for any trouble.
Liu Pi's favorite concubine fell ill, so he sent her to see a doctor. This doctor lived next door to court physician Ben He. The concubine often visited the doctor, and Ben He, who fancied himself a big shot, showered her with gifts and got drunk with her at the doctor's. One day, while serving the king, she called Ben He a great guy. When Liu Pi heard this, he became angry and asked her, "How do you know he is a good person?" She told Liu Pi the whole story. Thinking Ben He was in on it, Liu Pi became even madder. Ben He, fearing for his life, called in sick. This made Liu Pi even madder, and he wanted to arrest Ben He. Seeing the writing on the wall, Ben He ratted Liu Pi out to the emperor, claiming he was plotting a rebellion.
After the emperor read the report from Benhe, he discussed it with Xiao He. Xiao He said, "Liu Bi shouldn't have done this. It's probably because Benhe has a grudge against Liu Bi and deliberately framed him. We should arrest Benhe and send someone to secretly investigate the Prince of Huainan." As a result, when Liu Bi heard that Benhe had escaped after accusing him, and the emperor already suspected that he was secretly opposing the court, along with some evidence found by the Han envoys, Liu Bi had Benhe's family executed and then rebelled. When the news of the rebellion reached Chang'an, the emperor then pardoned Benhe and appointed him as a general.
The emperor summoned all the generals and asked them, "Xiang Yu has rebelled. What do we do?" Everyone said, "Let's just send troops and take him out. What's he gonna do?"
Ruyin Marquis Teng Gong (Teng Bi) also consulted a former prime minister of Chu. The prime minister said, "He'll definitely rebel." Teng Gong asked, "The emperor made him a king with his own kingdom and a fancy title. Why would he rebel?" The prime minister replied, "Two years ago he killed Peng Yue, last year he killed Han Xin. Those three were all equally important, and Xiang Yu was scared, so he rebelled." Teng Gong told the emperor this and said, "I've got a friend, old Xue Gong, former prime minister of Chu. He's a sharp cookie – we should ask him."
The emperor summoned Duke Xue and asked him. Duke Xue replied, "Xiang Yu's rebellion isn't surprising. If Xiang Yu uses the best strategy, the Shandong region will no longer belong to the Han Dynasty; if he uses a moderate strategy, it's hard to predict the outcome; if he uses the worst strategy, then Your Majesty can rest easy." The emperor asked, "What is the best strategy?" The prime minister replied, "Take the Wu region to the east, take the Chu region to the west, annex the Qi state to take over the Lu region, then use written orders to command the Yan and Zhao states to submit and consolidate your own territory. Then the Shandong region will no longer belong to the Han Dynasty." "What is the moderate strategy?" "Take the Wu region to the east, take the Chu region to the west, annex the Han state to take over the Wei region, secure the granaries and supplies at Aocang and Yucheng, and control the strategic pass at Chenggao. Then the outcome is hard to predict." "What is the worst strategy?" "Take the Wu region to the east, take the Xiacai region to the west, seek an alliance with Yue, escape to Changsha, then Your Majesty can rest easy, and the Han Dynasty will be fine." The emperor asked, "What strategy will he most likely use?" The prime minister replied, "He will use the worst strategy." The emperor asked, "Why would he abandon the best and moderate strategies and use the worst strategy?" The prime minister replied, "Xiang Yu is originally from the wilderness, rising to power as a warlord. He's only looking out for himself, with no thought for the long-term good of the people, so he will use the worst strategy." The emperor said, "You are right!" He then made Duke Xue a marquis. Then he appointed Prince Liu Zhang as the King of Huainan. Finally, the emperor personally led his troops east to conquer Xiang Yu.
At first, Ying Bu was already plotting a rebellion. He said to himself, "The Emperor's old and war-weary. He definitely won't come to personally suppress me. Even if he sends generals, those generals are only afraid of Han Xin. Now that they are dead, the rest are no match for me!" So he rebelled. It went exactly as Xue Xu predicted. Ying Bu first attacked Jingchu in the east, and King Jing Liu Jia fled and eventually died in Fuling. Ying Bu seized Jingchu's army, crossed the Huai River, and attacked the State of Chu. The State of Chu split their forces into three armies between Xuzhou and Tongxian, trying to use this strategy of diversion to rescue. Someone advised the Chu generals, saying, "Ying Bu is good at warfare, and the common people are afraid of him. Moreover, in military strategy, fighting on the enemy's territory will lead to a dispersion of forces. Now that you are divided into three routes, if Ying Bu defeats one route, the remaining two will definitely flee. No way they could support each other!" The Chu generals did not listen. Ying Bu did indeed defeat one route of the Chu army, and the other two Chu armies scattered and ran.
Next, Ying Bu advanced westward and met Liu Bang's army on the west side of Qixian. Ying Bu commanded a crack army, while Liu Bang stationed in Yongcheng, observing from afar the formation of Ying Bu's troops, reminiscent of Xiang Yu's army, which Liu Bang detested. Facing off from a distance, Liu Bang demanded, "Why the rebellion, Ying Bu?" Ying Bu replied, "I want to be emperor!" Liu Bang went ballistic, and then the two sides engaged in a bloody battle. Ying Bu's army was defeated and fled in disarray. After crossing the Huai River, they tried to regroup and fight several times, but were always outmatched. In the end, Ying Bu escaped to Jiangnan with only over a hundred men. Ying Bu was related to the Changsha king, so the Changsha king's men tricked him into fleeing to Yue territory. Believing it to be true, he followed them to Fanyang. As a result, the people of Fanyang killed Ying Bu in a farmer's field in Zixiang, and that was the end of Ying Bu.
Later, Liu Bang appointed his son Liu Zhang as the King of Huainan and appointed Ben He as Marquis of Qisi. Many generals were rewarded for their achievements.
Sima Qian asked: Were Ying Bu's ancestors actually descended from Gao Tao after the Chu State destroyed the six small countries of Ying and Liu during the Spring and Autumn Period? He'd been punished, so how'd he become such a ruthless, power-hungry dude? Xiang Yu's family killed millions of people, and Ying Bu always led the evil deeds. His merits surpassed the vassals, and with these merits, he obtained the throne, but ultimately could not escape the fate of becoming a great criminal in the world. The origin of disaster lies in favoring concubines; jealousy and suspicion lead to chaos, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the country!
