田儋列传

When Chen She first rose to establish the kingdom of Chu, he dispatched Zhou Shi to pacify the territories of Wei, advancing as far north as Di. The city of Di was placed under siege. Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → contrived an elaborate scheme: he bound his own servant as if a criminal, then led a group of young men toward the magistrate's court, claiming he wished to present the prisoner for execution. Upon seeing the Di magistrate, he instead killed him. Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → then addressed the local gentry and officials' sons: "The feudal lords have all risen against Qin and established themselves as rulers. Qi was an ancient kingdom, and the Tian clan, as descendants of its royal house, are destined to rule it." He thereupon declared himself King of Qi, raised troops, and marched against Zhou Shi's forces. Zhou Shi's army withdrew, and Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → pressed eastward, pacifying the territories of Qi.

When the Qin general Zhang Han besieged the King of Wei, Jiu, at Linji, the situation grew desperate. The Wei king appealed to Qi for aid, and the Qi king Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → marched to his relief. Zhang Han launched a night assault with silent troops, crushing the combined Qi and Wei armies. Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → was slain at Linji. His brother Tian Rong gathered the remnants of the Qi forces and fled eastward to Dong'e. When word reached Qi that King Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → had fallen, the Qi people installed Tian Jia, brother of the former Qi king Tian Jian, as their king, with Tian Jiao as chancellor and Tian Jian as general, to resist the other powers.

After Xiang Liang had pursued Zhang Han, the latter's forces grew ever stronger. Xiang Liang sent envoys to Zhao and Qi requesting coordinated action against Zhang Han. Tian Rong replied: "Only if Chu executes Tian Jia, and Zhao executes Tian Jiao and Tian Jian, will we send our forces." King Chu Huai responded: "Tian Jia is a king of a state allied with us. When he was hard-pressed, he came to us for refuge. To kill him would be unrighteous. Likewise, Zhao should not execute Tian Jiao and Tian Jian to curry favor with Qi." Qi answered: "When a viper strikes the hand, one cuts off the hand; when it strikes the foot, one cuts off the foot. Why? Because the harm to the body is too great. Now, Tian Jia, Tian Jiao, and Tian Jian represent to Chu and Zhao not merely wounds to hand or foot, but a direct threat. Why then are they not executed? Moreover, if Qin regains dominion over the realm, those who opposed it will see their ancestral graves desecrated." Chu and Zhao refused to comply, and Qi, indignant, ultimately declined to send forces.

Zhang Han eventually defeated and killed Xiang Liang, broke the Chu forces, and drove them eastward. He then crossed the Yellow River and laid siege to Zhao at Julu. Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → went to rescue Zhao, and from this he harbored resentment toward Tian Rong.

When Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → had secured Zhao and received Zhang Han's surrender, he marched west, slaughtered the capital Xianyang, and extinguished Qin. He established lords and kings, then relocated the Qi king Tian Shi to the eastern seaboard as King of Jiaodong, governing from Jimo. The Qi general Tian Du had joined the joint rescue of Zhao and entered the pass with Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →, so Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → installed him as King of Qi, ruling from Linzi. Tian An, grandson of the former Qi king Tian Jian, had crossed the Yellow River to assist Zhao during Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →'s campaign, captured several cities north of the Ji River, and then led his forces to surrender to Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →. Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → installed Tian An as King of Jibei, governing from Boyang. Tian Rong had once failed Xiang Liang by refusing to send troops to help Chu and Zhao attack Qin, so he was not made a king; the Zhao general Chen Yu had also neglected his duty and was not made a king. Both men resented King Xiang.

Tian Rong, having incurred Xiang Liang's displeasure by refusing to aid Chu and Zhao against Qin, had failed to receive a kingdom. The Zhao general Chen Yu, similarly passed over, had not been made king. Both men nursed grievances against Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →. Upon Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →'s return, the lords proceeded to their respective domains. Tian Rong sent forces to assist Chen Yu and recover Zhao's territories, but he also raised troops to attack Tian Du, who fled to Chu. Tian Rong detained the Qi king Tian Shi, forbidding him to go to Jiaodong. Those around Tian Shi counseled him: "King Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → is ruthless and violent. If Your Majesty remains here in Qi instead of going to your own kingdom at Jiaodong, you will surely come to harm." Frightened, Tian Shi fled to take up his post in Jiaodong. Tian Rong flew into a rage, pursued him to Jimo, and killed the Qi king. He then turned back, attacking and slaying the King of Jibei, Tian An. Tian Rong thereupon declared himself King of Qi and brought all three Qi territories under his rule.

When Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → learned of this, he flew into a rage and marched north against Qi. King Tian Rong's forces were defeated; he fled to Pingyuan, where the locals killed him. Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → then burned and razed the cities and walls of Qi, leaving nothing standing. Wherever his armies passed, he massacred the inhabitants. The people of Qi rose in rebellion.

Tian Rong's brother Tian Heng gathered the scattered Qi forces—several ten thousand men—and regrouped at Chengyang to counterattack Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →. Meanwhile, the King of Han marched with the allied lords against Chu and entered Pengcheng. On hearing this, Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → abandoned Qi and returned to engage the Han forces at Pengcheng, then continued fighting the Han, holding the line at Xingyang. Tian Heng thus recovered the cities of Qi and installed Tian Guang, son of Tian Rong, as King of Qi, with himself as chancellor. Tian Heng wielded absolute authority over the state; every matter of government, great and small, was decided by the chancellor.

Tian Rong's brother Tian Heng gathered the scattered Qi forces—several ten thousand men—and regrouped at Chengyang to counterattack Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →. Meanwhile, the King of Han marched with the allied lords against Chu and entered Pengcheng. On hearing this, Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → abandoned Qi and returned to engage the Han forces at Pengcheng, then continued fighting the Han, holding the line at Xingyang. Tian Heng thus recovered the cities of Qi and installed Tian Guang, son of Tian Rong, as King of Qi, with himself as chancellor. Tian Heng wielded absolute authority over the state; every matter of government, great and small, was decided by the chancellor.

Tian Rong's brother Tian Heng gathered the scattered Qi forces—several ten thousand men—and regrouped at Chengyang to counterattack Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →. Meanwhile, the King of Han marched with the allied lords against Chu and entered Pengcheng. On hearing this, Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile → abandoned Qi and returned to engage the Han forces at Pengcheng, then continued fighting the Han, holding the line at Xingyang. Tian Heng thus recovered the cities of Qi and installed Tian Guang, son of Tian Rong, as King of Qi, with himself as chancellor. Tian Heng wielded absolute authority over the state; every matter of government, great and small, was decided by the chancellor.

Three years after Tian Heng had restored order in Qi, the King of Han sent Li Yiji to persuade the Qi king Guang and his chancellor Tian Heng to submit. Tian Heng found the argument persuasive and disbanded his defenses at Lixia. Han's general Han XinHan XinHere's the translation of "The General Who Won Three Empires" into English: **The General Who Conquered Three Empires** Alternatively, if you want a more literal translation: **The General Who Won Three Empires** Both are correct, but "conquered" might sound more natural in English depending on the context.From begging for meals at strangers' tables and enduring humiliation in the marketplace, to commanding a million troops—the greatest military genius of the early Han Dynasty, ultimately undone by his own emperor.View profile →, meanwhile, led his forces eastward to attack Qi. Qi had initially stationed the generals Hua Wushang and Tian Xie at Lixia to hold against Han. When Han's envoys arrived, these generals—trusting Li Yiji's diplomatic mission—dismissed their garrison and let their guard down, drinking freely while sending envoys to negotiate terms with Han.

Three years after Tian Heng had restored order in Qi, the King of Han sent Li Yiji to persuade the Qi king Guang and his chancellor Tian Heng to submit. Tian Heng found the argument persuasive and disbanded his defenses at Lixia. Han's general Han XinHan XinHere's the translation of "The General Who Won Three Empires" into English: **The General Who Conquered Three Empires** Alternatively, if you want a more literal translation: **The General Who Won Three Empires** Both are correct, but "conquered" might sound more natural in English depending on the context.From begging for meals at strangers' tables and enduring humiliation in the marketplace, to commanding a million troops—the greatest military genius of the early Han Dynasty, ultimately undone by his own emperor.View profile →, meanwhile, led his forces eastward to attack Qi. Qi had initially stationed the generals Hua Wushang and Tian Xie at Lixia to hold against Han. When Han's envoys arrived, these generals—trusting Li Yiji's diplomatic mission—dismissed their garrison and let their guard down, drinking freely while sending envoys to negotiate terms with Han.

Han XinHan XinHere's the translation of "The General Who Won Three Empires" into English: **The General Who Conquered Three Empires** Alternatively, if you want a more literal translation: **The General Who Won Three Empires** Both are correct, but "conquered" might sound more natural in English depending on the context.From begging for meals at strangers' tables and enduring humiliation in the marketplace, to commanding a million troops—the greatest military genius of the early Han Dynasty, ultimately undone by his own emperor.View profile →, having already subjugated Zhao and Yan through the strategy of Kuai Tong, judged the terrain at Pingyuan favorable for an advance. He struck and shattered Qi's positions at Lixia, then pressed on to enter Linzi. The Qi king Guang and Chancellor Tian Heng, enraged at what they perceived as Li Yiji's betrayal, had Li Yiji executed. The Qi king fled northeast to Gaomi; Tian Heng fled to Bo; the acting chancellor Tian Guang retreated to Chengyang; and the general Tian Ji positioned his forces in Jiaodong.

Han XinHan XinHere's the translation of "The General Who Won Three Empires" into English: **The General Who Conquered Three Empires** Alternatively, if you want a more literal translation: **The General Who Won Three Empires** Both are correct, but "conquered" might sound more natural in English depending on the context.From begging for meals at strangers' tables and enduring humiliation in the marketplace, to commanding a million troops—the greatest military genius of the early Han Dynasty, ultimately undone by his own emperor.View profile → had already slain Long Ju. He now ordered Cao Can to advance and destroy Tian Ji in Jiaodong, while Guan Ying defeated and killed the Qi general Tian Xi at Qiansheng. Han XinHan XinHere's the translation of "The General Who Won Three Empires" into English: **The General Who Conquered Three Empires** Alternatively, if you want a more literal translation: **The General Who Won Three Empires** Both are correct, but "conquered" might sound more natural in English depending on the context.From begging for meals at strangers' tables and enduring humiliation in the marketplace, to commanding a million troops—the greatest military genius of the early Han Dynasty, ultimately undone by his own emperor.View profile → thus completed the conquest of Qi. He petitioned to be made a provisional king of Qi, and the Han court granted his request.

More than a year later, Han extinguished the house of Xiang. The King of Han ascended the throne as Emperor. Peng Yue was enfeoffed as King of Liang. Tian Guang, fearing execution, fled with his followers—over five hundred men—to the sea, where they took refuge on an island.