陈涉世家

In the seventh month of the second year of the Second Emperor, an order went out to recruit nine hundred men from the left of the village gates for garrison duty at Yuyang. Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → were both selected for this contingent, serving as squad leaders. Heavy rains fell, making the roads impassable. By their calculations, they had already missed their deadline. According to law, missing the assigned date was punishable by decapitation.

Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → consulted together: "Now, if we flee, we die. If we stage a rebellion, we also die. Either way we die—so why not die for something that matters?" Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → argued, "The realm has suffered under Qin for too long. I have heard that the Second Emperor is the younger son and should not have inherited the throne—that the rightful heir was Prince Fusu. Fusu was exiled to serve as a general beyond the frontier because he repeatedly remonstrated with his father. Some have now heard that Fusu was executed without cause. The common people have long known Fusu for his virtue, yet they do not know he is dead. Xiang Yan was a general of Chu, who performed many meritorious deeds and loved his soldiers, so the people of Chu pitied him. Some believe he died in battle; others believe he escaped. If we now boldly claim that our forces represent Prince Fusu and Xiang Yan, and raise this banner to rally the realm, surely many will answer our call."

Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → agreed. They went to consult a diviner, who understood their intention. "Your enterprise shall succeed," he said, "and you shall achieve great merit. But have you considered consulting the spirits?" Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → were delighted by this cryptic suggestion. "The spirits are teaching us to first impress the masses!"

King Chen ordered Zhou Shi, a man of Wei, to go north and subdue the Wei region. Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → besieged Xingyang. Li You, the governor of Sanchuan, defended Xingyang, and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → could not capture it. King Chen summoned the heroes of the realm to consult on strategy, and appointed Cai Ci, Lord of Fang and a native of Shangcai, as Supreme Pillar of State. Zhou Wen, a worthy man of Chen, had once served as a diviner in Xiang Yan’s army and had attended Lord Chunshen; he claimed to be skilled in military affairs. King Chen gave him the seal of a general and sent him west to strike Qin. As he advanced, he gathered troops until he reached the pass, with a thousand chariots and several hundred thousand soldiers. Arriving at Xi, he encamped there. The Qin court ordered the Minister Steward Zhang Han to exempt the convict laborers at Mount Li and the sons of slaves, and to dispatch them all against the great Chu army; they utterly defeated it. Zhou Wen was routed and fled out of the pass, halting at Caoyang for two or three months. Zhang Han pursued and defeated him again, and Zhou Wen retreated to Mianchi, where he stayed for over ten days. Zhang Han attacked and shattered his forces.

Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → had always been kind to others, and many soldiers were devoted to him. One day, when the officer in charge was drunk, Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → deliberately kept speaking of desertion—enough to provoke the officer's anger—until the officer humiliated him publicly, hoping thereby to enrage the other soldiers. As expected, the officer caned Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile →. Then, as the officer drew his sword, Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → rose up, seized the blade, and killed him. Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → came to his aid, and together they killed both officers.

Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → had always been kind to others, and many soldiers were devoted to him. One day, when the officer in charge was drunk, Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → deliberately kept speaking of desertion—enough to provoke the officer's anger—until the officer humiliated him publicly, hoping thereby to enrage the other soldiers. As expected, the officer caned Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile →. Then, as the officer drew his sword, Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → rose up, seized the blade, and killed him. Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → came to his aid, and together they killed both officers.

Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → then addressed the assembled men: "Gentlemen, you encountered the rain and all missed the deadline. Those who miss the deadline face execution. Even if some escape the blade, those who die on garrison duty will still number six or seven in ten. A true hero either dies silently or, dying, wins great fame! Are kings, lords, generals, and ministers born to their positions?"

All answered, "We obey your command."

They claimed to act in the names of Prince Fusu and Xiang Yan, in accordance with the people's wishes. Baring their right arms, they proclaimed the Great Chu. They built an altar and swore an oath, using the officers' heads as offerings. Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → declared himself General, and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → was made Captain.

They attacked Chen, but the prefect and the magistrate were both absent—only the acting magistrate remained, who fought them at the gate of the yamen. When he was killed, the rebels entered and took the city.

By this time, thousands of Chu soldiers had gathered into bands too numerous to count.

King Chen ordered the Wei native Zhou Shi to campaign northward into Wei territory. Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → was besieging Xingyang, but Li You, the Inspector of Sanchuan, was defending the city and Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile → could not take it. King Chen summoned the state's most distinguished men to advise him, and appointed the Shangcai native Fang Jun Cai Ci as High Marquis of State.

Zhou Wen was a worthy of Chen who had once served in the Xiang Yan army as a diviner, and had also served Lord Chunshen. He claimed expertise in military affairs. King Chen gave him a general's seal and sent him west to strike at Qin. Zhou Wen recruited troops as he marched; by the time he reached the passes, he had a thousand chariots and several hundred thousand soldiers. He arrived at Xi and made camp there.

Zhou Wen was a worthy of Chen who had once served in the Xiang Yan army as a diviner, and had also served Lord Chunshen. He claimed expertise in military affairs. King Chen gave him a general's seal and sent him west to strike at Qin. Zhou Wen recruited troops as he marched; by the time he reached the passes, he had a thousand chariots and several hundred thousand soldiers. He arrived at Xi and made camp there.

Qin dispatched the Lord of the Lesser Treasuries Zhang Han to assemble the convicts from Mount Li and the children of household servants, mobilizing them all to strike the rebel army. Zhou Wen's forces were thoroughly defeated. He retreated through the passes and halted at Caoyang, where he remained for two or three months. Zhang Han pursued and defeated him again. Zhou Wen fled further, to Mianchi, where he camped for more than ten days. Zhang Han attacked once more and crushed him utterly. Zhou Wen took his own life, and his army dissolved without further fighting.

King Chen flew into a rage and ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Wu Chen's family members, intending to execute them. The High Marquis remonstrated: "Qin has not yet fallen, and if we execute the families of Zhao's king, generals, and ministers, we would only create another Qin. It would be better to acknowledge their position."

King Chen flew into a rage and ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Wu Chen's family members, intending to execute them. The High Marquis remonstrated: "Qin has not yet fallen, and if we execute the families of Zhao's king, generals, and ministers, we would only create another Qin. It would be better to acknowledge their position."

King Chen therefore sent an emissary to congratulate the King of Zhao, while transferring Wu Chen's imprisoned relatives to the palace. He enfeoffed Zhang Er's son Zhang Ao as Lord of Chengdu, urging the Zhao army to march quickly into the passes.

The King of Zhao and his ministers debated: "For Wang to crown himself King of Zhao—this was not what Chu intended. Once Chu has finished with Qin, it will surely turn its forces against Zhao. The best strategy is to avoid marching west. Instead, send an emissary to campaign north into Yan territory and expand our own domain. With the south blocked by the Great River and the north holding Yan and Dai, even if Chu defeats Qin, it will not dare to control Zhao. And if Chu fails to defeat Qin, it will have to rely on Zhao. Zhao can then exploit Qin's weakness and gain the advantage throughout the realm."

The King of Zhao agreed and refrained from advancing west. He sent the former Chief Historian of Shanggu, Han Guang, to lead troops northward into Yan territory.

The Yan aristocrats and gentry said to Han Guang: "Chu has crowned its king, and Zhao has crowned its king. Though Yan is small, it is still a state of ten thousand chariots. We ask that the General crown himself King of Yan."

Han Guang replied, "My mother is in Zhao. I cannot."

Han Guang replied, "My mother is in Zhao. I cannot."

The men of Yan argued: "Zhao is currently worried about Qin to the west and Chu to the south. Its strength cannot control us. Moreover, even with Chu's power, it does not dare to harm the families of Zhao's kings, generals, and ministers—how would Zhao alone dare to harm the family of our general?"