Fan Zeng
Encyclopedia
Fan Zeng was an advisor to Xiang Yu
during the Chu–Han contention period of Chinese history.
, Chaohu City, Anhui
). He had a keen interest towards military strategy and politics. In 207 BC, when Fan Zeng was about 70, he left home to meet Xiang Liang
, who had rebelled against the Qin Dynasty
like many others, and was accepted by Xiang Liang as an advisor.
, as an advisor. Xiang Yu respectfully addressed Fan Zeng as his "Second Father" (亞父; Yafu). Since then, Fan Zeng had been planning and formulating strategies for Xiang Yu to overcome his rivals. In 206 BC, Fan Zeng followed Xiang Yu as their army entered Guanzhong
(heartland of the Qin Dynasty), where Fan Zeng noticed that Liu Bang would become a future threat to Xiang Yu. Fan Zeng constantly urged Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang then, but Xiang did not heed his advice.
During the Feast at Hong Gate
, Fan Zeng ordered Xiang Yu's cousin Xiang Zhuang
to pretend to perform a sword dance and use the opportunity to kill Liu Bang, who was invited by Xiang Yu to attend the feast. However, Xiang Yu listened to his uncle Xiang Bo
, a close friend of Liu Bang's strategist Zhang Liang, and he spared Liu's life, allowing Liu to leave safely. Fan Zeng was furious and exclaimed, "This mean fellow is not worthy of my service. It should be Lord Pei (Liu Bang) who will defeat Xiang Yu and conquer the country."
and Liu requested for an armistice. Xiang Yu agreed but Fan Zeng strongly opposed his decision, telling him that he would regret if he accepted the peace treaty. Xiang Yu listened to Fan Zeng and continued attacking Liu Bang. Liu Bang's strategist Chen Ping
used a scheme to trick Xiang Yu into believing that Fan Zeng had the intention of betraying him. Xiang Yu fell for the ruse and dismissed Fan Zeng. Fan Zeng made up his mind to leave Xiang Yu and he said, "The final outcome is obvious. Take good care of yourself. Please allow me to retire in peace."
Fan Zeng died of illness on his journey home and was buried by Xiang Yu's followers at Pengcheng (彭城; present-day Xuzhou
). His tomb is still present today. After Xiang Yu's death and downfall, Liu Bang remarked that it was a pity that Xiang had a capable Fan Zeng to help him, but he did not use Fan well.
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
during the Chu–Han contention period of Chinese history.
Starting his career
Fan Zeng was a native of Juchao (present-day Yafu Street, Juchao DistrictJuchao District
Juchao District was a district in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, under the jurisdiction of Chaohu City. It has a population of 859,000 and an area of...
, Chaohu City, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
). He had a keen interest towards military strategy and politics. In 207 BC, when Fan Zeng was about 70, he left home to meet Xiang Liang
Xiang Liang
Xiang Liang was a military leader who led a rebellion against the Qin Dynasty.-Early life:Xiang was a native of Xiaxiang . Xiang was a descendant of a family who served the Chu state for generations...
, who had rebelled against the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
like many others, and was accepted by Xiang Liang as an advisor.
Serving Xiang Yu
After Xiang Liang died, Fan Zeng continued serving his nephew, Xiang YuXiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
, as an advisor. Xiang Yu respectfully addressed Fan Zeng as his "Second Father" (亞父; Yafu). Since then, Fan Zeng had been planning and formulating strategies for Xiang Yu to overcome his rivals. In 206 BC, Fan Zeng followed Xiang Yu as their army entered Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
(heartland of the Qin Dynasty), where Fan Zeng noticed that Liu Bang would become a future threat to Xiang Yu. Fan Zeng constantly urged Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang then, but Xiang did not heed his advice.
During the Feast at Hong Gate
Feast at Hong Gate
The Feast at Hong Gate was a historical event later often memorialized in Chinese history, novels, and drama, including in Beijing opera...
, Fan Zeng ordered Xiang Yu's cousin Xiang Zhuang
Xiang Zhuang
Xiang Zhuang was a younger cousin of Xiang Yu, the "Hegemon-King of Western Chu". He fought on Chu's side as a military general during the Chu–Han contention, a power struggle for supremacy over China between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang...
to pretend to perform a sword dance and use the opportunity to kill Liu Bang, who was invited by Xiang Yu to attend the feast. However, Xiang Yu listened to his uncle Xiang Bo
Xiang Bo
Xiang Bo was a noble of Chu of the Seven Warring States, and an uncle of Xiang Yu. His given name was Chan while his style name was Bo ....
, a close friend of Liu Bang's strategist Zhang Liang, and he spared Liu's life, allowing Liu to leave safely. Fan Zeng was furious and exclaimed, "This mean fellow is not worthy of my service. It should be Lord Pei (Liu Bang) who will defeat Xiang Yu and conquer the country."
Retirement and death
In 204 BC, Xiang Yu's forces besieged Liu Bang at the Battle of XingyangBattle of Xingyang
The Battle of Xingyang was a battle fought in 190 during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. The battle, which was part of the campaign against Dong Zhuo, took place when Dong Zhuo's retreating forces, led by Xu Rong, encountered Cao Cao's pursuing army at Xingyang.-Background:In 190,...
and Liu requested for an armistice. Xiang Yu agreed but Fan Zeng strongly opposed his decision, telling him that he would regret if he accepted the peace treaty. Xiang Yu listened to Fan Zeng and continued attacking Liu Bang. Liu Bang's strategist Chen Ping
Chen Ping (Han Dynasty)
Chen Ping was an adviser to Liu Bang during the Chu–Han Contention period of Chinese history. After Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty and became known as Emperor Gaozu, Chen Ping served as a chancellor and received titles of a marquis.-Biography:Chen Ping was a native of Huyou Town , Yangwu...
used a scheme to trick Xiang Yu into believing that Fan Zeng had the intention of betraying him. Xiang Yu fell for the ruse and dismissed Fan Zeng. Fan Zeng made up his mind to leave Xiang Yu and he said, "The final outcome is obvious. Take good care of yourself. Please allow me to retire in peace."
Fan Zeng died of illness on his journey home and was buried by Xiang Yu's followers at Pengcheng (彭城; present-day Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
). His tomb is still present today. After Xiang Yu's death and downfall, Liu Bang remarked that it was a pity that Xiang had a capable Fan Zeng to help him, but he did not use Fan well.
Modern references
Fan Zeng is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.External links
Fan Zeng on Baidu BaikeBaidu Baike
Baidu Encyclopedia is a Chinese language collaborative Web-based encyclopedia provided by the Chinese search engine Baidu. Like Baidu itself, the encyclopedia is heavily self-censored in line with government regulations....