About this episode

This episode explores the Battle of Julu and the rise of Xiang Yu during the collapse of the Qin Dynasty.

The Battle of Julu (207 BC) stands among the most decisive military engagements in Chinese history. It marked the beginning of the end for the mighty Qin Dynasty—the empire that first unified China under Qin Shi Huang. In this episode of the Silk & Steel Chinese History Series, Carl Zha and JJ continue their exploration of the collapse of the Qin Empire as they examine how a peasant rebellion evolved into a full-scale civil war. They explain how Xiang Yu emerged as one of history's greatest battlefield commanders when he defeated the seemingly invincible Qin army despite overwhelming odds. The discussion covers: • Why the Qin Empire unravelled so quickly after unification • The massive peasant rebellions that shook China • Zhang Han and the desperate mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of convict labourers • The strategic brilliance of Xiang Yu at the Battle of Julu • Why neighbouring armies refused to fight—and how Xiang Yu inspired them • The famous "burn the boats" strategy and its historical significance • How this battle sealed the fate of the Qin Dynasty • The coming rivalry between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang • The road toward the founding of the Han Dynasty Whether you're…

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