It all begins with the Battle of Gaixia, at the end of the Chu-Han contention!
History is written by the victors. They are hardly going to smear themselves on purpose, nor would they deliberately make the losers look good. Portraying the defeated as villains to make the victors look better is commonplace.
Historical records explicitly document several instances of the Han dynasty revising its history books. The Records of the Grand Historian we read today is not Sima Qian's original version. It is hard to believe that other Han historians would have recorded Xiang Yu fairly. There are still plenty of people in this world willing to grovel before emperors.
Does being good guarantee victory, while losing proves you were evil? History isn't a movie!
Xiang Yu's defeat was largely due to the despicable turncoats around him, such as Xiang Bo, Ding Gu, Ying Bu, and Zhou Yin: people who betrayed their principles for profit and sold out their own side. He did not lose because he was supposedly cruel and unpopular.
The Han dynasty's historical accounts smeared Xiang Yu to preserve its rule, portraying Liu Ji's rebellion against him and seizure of the realm as righteous and justified. This was the foundation for glorifying Han virtue. When the roots are crooked, what more is there to say?
If Xiang Yu really had been so cruel, would Liu Ji and his family have survived in comfort? Could a man who wouldn't even use a hostage in his hands be called cruel? Even Liu Ji agreed with Wang Ling that Xiang Yu was benevolent and kind to others. Why don't you believe him?
Benevolent and righteous, tender-hearted beneath his iron resolve, as bold as a tiger and mighty as a dragon, wise and courageous, preferring death to surrender, a hero beyond compare... This is the real Hegemon King Xiang Yu!
A hero should not be judged by victory or defeat. In the end, history will give Xiang Yu the justice he deserves!
P.S. The logical analysis and evidence regarding the questionable historical accounts that blackened Xiang Yu's name are included in the related works section of my two books. Readers with questions can check them out.
Swallowed Star: Starting with the Words of the Myriad Worlds
Simultaneous Transmigration: Starting with Jujutsu Kaisen, I Rewrite My Fate!
The Mecha King Roams the Heavens
Transmigrating Through the Heavens' TV Dramas and Films
Reborn in 1938: I'm Done Being a Landlord
The Emperor of Qin Rules the World
The Age of the Yellow Sky
A Dungeon Just Appeared in My Living Room
Siheyuan: Starting by Picking Up Attributes
I Found a Book of the Three Kingdoms
Back to the Three Kingdoms to Fight the Five Barbarians
A Plan to Revive the Northern Song
I've seen many people in the book club saying how bad Xiang Yu was and how good Liu Bang was! What I want to say is that everyone sees Liu Bang and Xiang Yu differently. If you don't like it, just leave! Why be so hostile? There's no need to argue. After all, the past is the past, and we'll never know what's true in books! As human beings, we shouldn't be so hostile. If you don't like a book, you can leave. There's no need to affect other people's moods and thoughts!
Xiang Yu was a man of great benevolence and righteousness, but what did he do in Guanzhong? How many cities did he massacre? How many Qin soldiers did he bury alive?
Let's create a sign-in thread and explain Xiang Yu's character design.
The following explains the character design of Xiang Yu in this book: Great benevolence and righteousness— At the Feast at Hongmen, Xiang Yu had the opportunity to kill Liu Ji, but he didn't. Part of the reason was that he regarded Liu Ji as a brother, but the main reason was that Xiang Yu wanted to destroy the tyrannical Qin and bring peace to the world.
I've been reading the reviews for this book since the last one. The author and some of his fans are really something! You guys keep talking about praising him. But I've seen a bunch of people praising Xiang Yu, and in a really extreme way. Can't you say anything bad about him? Even if you like him, can you please stop making him look bad?
1. Some people always cite Xiang Yu's inability to retain talented people as an example. Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Han Xin, and Xiang Yu were not on the same page; all three were adept at using cunning and were a good fit for Liu Ji. Ultimately, Xiang Yu was too honest and lacked Liu Ji's ability to feign and deceive.
Here's a summary of some common tactics used by critics to praise Liu (or Han) and belittle Xiang: 1. No need for discussion, the winner is the most powerful, victory is everything. Reply: Bullies and scoundrels who don't like to think love this kind of thing the most.
Starting today, Xiang Yu is coming over, hehehe! I've finished that book, now I'll read this one!
Here's the map, which I drew myself 🤓 Those who can't understand the marching route can refer to this.
This is too thin. I'll wait until the book is more substantial before selling it. I'll add it to my bookshelf first.
Author, to be honest, regarding your claims about the historical Xiang Yu, I don't know much about him and haven't read historical records like the Records of the Grand Historian. But based on your portrayal, Xiang Yu seems like a reckless brute, and a brainless one at that, with a woman's soft heart. Furthermore, this system (Hao Jiu) is a complete failure.