Reflections on the Chu-Han War

I've just finished the last episode of "The Conqueror's Story" (literal translation of Mandarin title was "Proud Heroes of Chu and Han") on Channel 55 of SCV. It is a dramatisation of an actual period in Chinese history when the lands of Chu and Han were at war for dominion over the whole of China after the Qin Dynasty. Watching this show, my mind was fascinated at the rich Chinese history that had been preserved in Chinese idioms.

For example:
破釜沉舟 (Break all the cooking pots and sink all the ships): This idiom means the fierce determination to reach your goal at any cost, even if it requires the cutting off of any alternatives. It came from the historical event of Xiang Yu (later the Prince of Chu, who led a rebellion against the Qin dynasty) ordering the breaking of all the cooking pots and sinking of all ships after crossing the Zhang river. He issued 3-days rations to all his soldiers and warned them that all exit routes except the total defeat of the Qin soldiers had been cut off - it's do or die.

四面楚歌 (Chu songs on all sides): This idiom refers to the decisive point in battle when the Han soldiers had Xiang Yu and his army hemmed in on all sides. In order to break the morale of the Chu soldiers, he had his soldiers play Chu songs so that Xiang Yu's soldiers would be homesick and give the impression that many of the people of Chu had fallen in with the Han people. It thus refers to suffering in isolation, bearing the knowledge that even your allies have fallen in with your enemies.

成于萧何，也败于萧何 (Made by Xiao He, yet also destroyed by Xiao He): With Xiao He's persuasion and recommendation, Han Xin was made commander-in-chief to Liu Bang, the Prince of Han. However, after the establishment of the Han dynasty, it was also Xiao He's machinations with the Empress Lu, that led to Han Xin's death by execution. Thus the idiom referring to the same person who made me was the same person who destroyed me refers to this person Xiao He.

My heart was touched at the scene of 霸王别姬 (hegemonic prince's farewell to his concubine). Often depicted as the romantic, noble hero, Xiang Yu, the self styled 西楚霸王 (hegemonic prince of Western Chu) was bidding farewell to his favourite concubine, Lady Yu, who was performing a sword dance during the last decisive battle where he fell.

项羽：力拔山兮气盖世，时不利兮骓不逝，骓不逝兮可奈何？虞兮，虞兮奈若何？
Xiang Yu: My strength uprooted mountains, My spirit overstepped the world; But the times are against me, And my horse can gallop no more. Even if he can gallop on, what can I do? Lady Yu, what will become of you?

虞姬：汉兵已略地，四方楚歌声。大王意气尽，贱妾何聊生！
Lady Yu: The Han soldiers had overtaken the land, only the songs of Chu hangs in the air. My lord's determination has reached its end, how can your humble concubine live on!

She slit her throat and died so that Xiang Yu need not worry about her and can concentrate on the battle. My tears were streaming down my cheeks at that point in time.

What got my spirit though was the drama's depiction of Liu Bang's (Prince of Han and later the Emperor of China when he established the Han Dynasty) fictional struggle to renege on his promise and betray his sworn brother, Xiang Yu (ironically, also his enemy, the Prince of Chu) and the philosophy of his advisor:

"Justice does not lie in the hearts of men, right or wrong is dependent on the circumstances. Yet I do not know about ultimate justice."

In the earlier parts of the series, it looks like cunning, shrewdness, ruthlessness is richly rewarded. Empress Lu, through ruthless means and sacrifice of family members, propelled her husband, Liu Bang to establish his kingdom and herself as the Empress. She was also seen as the real person who pulled the strings when her son Emperor Hui took over the throne. The emperor who succeeded Emperor Hui was even more of her puppet king. With this power, she was able to promote many of her relatives to positions of influence.

Ending the series at this point would have pointed to serious considerations if simply being morally right is enough? Look at the way she abused Concubine Qi after the death of her husband - cutting off her limbs, shaving her head, gouging out her eyes and cutting off her tongue and having the concubine exhibited as the Human Pig until the concubine died from all the torture. She herself, on the other hand, led a blessed life to her end. Is there real, ultimate justice?

Yet after her death, her whole clan was exterminated and the son of Concubine Bo, reputed to be a simple, humble and thoughtful woman, was made emperor and the entire empire was his and his descendents for the majority of the Han Dynasty.

Somehow, knowing this bit of history, makes me remember these bible verses, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." (Ex 34:6-7)

It also makes this psalm come alive for me when I read this bit of history, a psalm that was a reflection of the questions in my heart during my personal struggle in the past few months, and prayerfully my lifetime hope and reward in heaven:

"A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." (Ps 73)