An outstanding military strategist and politician in the ancient China. His extraordinary bravery has been unmatched in China. And he is the bravest military officer in the China's history.
His name is one of the most common Chinese names for men.
Background
Xiang Yu was born in the late Warring States Period when the Qin state started annexing the other six major states.In 221 BC, when Xiang Yu was about 11 years old, the Qin state finally unified China and established the Qin Dynasty.
Xiang Yu was slightly taller than eight chi (approximately 1.85 metres) and possessed unusual physical strength as he could lift a ding (an ancient Chinese vessel resembling a giant cauldron on tripods).
Education
In his younger days, Xiang Yu was instructed in scholarly arts and swordsmanship but he did not manage to master what he was taught, and his uncle Xiang Liang was not very satisfied with him. Dut Xiang Yu said, "Books are only useful in helping me remember my name. Mastering swordsmanship allows me to face only one opponent, so it's not worth learning. I want to learn how to defeat 10,000 enemies."
Hence, his uncle tried to educate him in military strategy instead, but Xiang Yu stopped learning after he had grasped the main ideas.Xiang Liang was disappointed with his nephew, who showed no sign of motivation or apparent talent apart from his great strength, so he gave up and let Xiang Yu decide his own future.
Career
In 209 BC Xiang Yu joined the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang in Daze. In 207 DC he acted as the Second General in Command and followed Song Yu to save the army of Zhao which had been surrounded by the Qin army. But Song Yi neglected the well-being of his army while pursuing his own interests. So Xiang Yu killed him and told the army that he had been orded to do that by the King of Chu. The army made him General in Command.
In 206 BC he invaded Xianyang and set fire to the Qin place. He proclaimed himself King of Western Chu and elevated Liu Bang as King of Han.
As Xiang Yu was unfair in his promotions, the feudal lords and meritirious officials were displeased. The Han army defeated the three kings elevated by Xiang Yu in Qin and, while Xiang Yu was fighting against the Qi army, Liu Bang's army entered Xiang Yu's capital, Pengcheng. Xiang Yu had to lead his army 30000 men to fight for Pengcheng.
The Chu army under the leadership of Xiang Yu came to Pengcheng and triumphed over the Han army. So Xiang Yu managed to recover the lost territory with a smaller yet more powerful army.
In the fifth year of his reign (202 BC), Liu Bang launched yet another battle against Xiang Yu. He trapped the Chu army in Gaixia. The soldiers were tired and exausted and, by the time Xiang Yu reached Dongcheng, only 28 men were left. Xiang Yu wanted to cross the river but felt too ashaimed to see his men. He finally killed himself in despair with his sword at the age of 31.