破釜沉舟 — “To burn one's boats”

At the end of the Qin Dynasty, people across the land rose in rebellion against the tyrannical rule. The most famous leaders of the peasant uprisings were Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, followed by Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Here is a story about Xiang Yu's act of 'burning his boats and smashing his cauldrons.'

One year, a 300,000-strong Qin army besieged Julu (present-day Pingxiang County, Hebei Province), part of the Zhao Kingdom. The King of Zhao urgently sought help from King Huai of Chu. King Huai of Chu dispatched Song Yi as the chief general and Xiang Yu as his deputy, leading an army of 200,000 to rescue Zhao.

However, Song Yi, upon hearing of the formidable strength of the Qin army, halted his advance midway. He neglected the starving soldiers, who subsisted on boiled vegetables and beans, while he himself indulged in banquets. Xiang Yu was enraged by this. He killed Song Yi and took on the role of 'acting chief general,' then led his troops to relieve Zhao.

Xiang Yu first sent a detachment to cut off the Qin army's supply routes. He personally led the main force across the Zhang River to lift the siege of Julu. After all the Chu troops had crossed the Zhang River, Xiang Yu ordered them to eat a hearty meal, and each soldier was given three days' worth of dry rations. Then, he issued a command: sink all the boats used for crossing the river, smash all the cooking cauldrons, and set fire to all the nearby houses. This act was known as 'Po Fu Chen Zhou' (破釜沉舟). Xiang Yu used this method to demonstrate his unwavering determination to advance without retreat, vowing to secure victory.

Seeing their commander's resolute will, the Chu soldiers had no intention of returning alive. Under Xiang Yu's personal command, they fought with extraordinary bravery, each soldier fighting as ten, and ten as a hundred. They charged the Qin army desperately. After nine consecutive charges, they inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Qin forces. Several of the Qin generals were killed, some captured, and others surrendered. This battle not only lifted the siege of Julu but also dealt a blow from which the Qin army never recovered, leading to the collapse of the Qin Dynasty two years later. From then on, Xiang Yu became the true chief general, commanding many other armies, and his prestige spread throughout the land.