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Zhang Han

Qin general who led convict labourers from Mount Li against the rebels, killed Xiang Liang, surrendered to Xiang Yu after Julu and, as King of Yong, died besieged by Han forces at Feiqiu

Also known as Zhang Shaorong

Zhang Han was privy treasurer under the Second Emperor of Qin. In 209 BCE, when Chen Sheng's general Zhou Wen pushed west to Xi, close to the capital Xianyang, Zhang Han asked for the convicts labouring at Mount Li to be pardoned and armed, drove Zhou Wen back, and went on to defeat Chen Sheng's other forces and the restored king of Wei. In 208 BCE he crushed the Chu army at Dingtao, killing Xiang Liang, and then joined Wang Li in besieging Zhao at Julu. After Xiang Yu routed the Qin forces at Julu in 207 BCE, Zhang Han, losing battles and distrusted by the eunuch Zhao Gao, surrendered with some two hundred thousand men. Xiang Yu made him King of Yong, ruling the land west of Xianyang from Feiqiu. When Liu Bang returned to take the Guanzhong region in 206 BCE he besieged Feiqiu, and the next year the Han army flooded the city and Zhang Han killed himself.

Life and times

  1. UnknownBornQin
  2. 207 BCEBattle of JuluTook partXiang Yu crossed the river with the Chu army and defeated Qin forces under Zhang Han and Wang Li at Julu.
    1. Xiang Yu Winning at JuluXiang Yu destroyed supply cauldrons and crossed the Zhang River, crushing Qin main forces at Julu.
  3. 205 BCEDied