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Zhongli Mo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 201 BC |
| Occupation | General |
Zhongli Mo (鍾離昩 / 鍾離眜; died 201 BC), often erroneously known asZhongli Mei (鍾離昧 / 鍾離眛),[a] was a Chinese military general serving under the warlordXiang Yu during theChu–Han Contention (206–202 BC), aninterregnum between theQin dynasty andHan dynasty.
Zhongli was from Shanyin County (山陰縣),[b]Kuaiji Commandery, which is around present-dayShaoxing,Zhejiang. Around 208 BC, when uprisings against theQin dynasty broke out throughout China, Zhongli joined a rebel group led byXiang Liang which aimed to restore theChu state of theWarring States period.
After Xiang Liang was killed in battle against Qin forces atDingtao in late 208 BC, Zhongli continued serving under Xiang Liang's nephew and successorXiang Yu, and became one of Xiang Yu's most trusted followers alongsideFan Zeng,Long Ju and Zhou Yin (周殷).
During this time, Zhongli developed a friendship withHan Xin, who was then serving as a lowly foot soldier in Xiang Yu's forces. He noticed Han Xin's talent and recommended him to Xiang Yu, who did not hold Han Xin in high regard. Han Xin eventually left Xiang Yu and joinedLiu Bang, who recognised Han Xin's talent and made him a general.
After the rebels overthrew the Qin dynasty in 207 BC, a power struggle, historically known as theChu–Han Contention, broke out between two of the former rebel leaders: Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King ofWestern Chu, andLiu Bang, the King ofHan. Zhongli fought on Xiang Yu's side against Liu Bang.
Although Xiang Yu initially had an advantage against Liu Bang, the tide gradually turned in favour of the latter by 203 BC. In 202 BC, Zhongli was defeated by Liu Bang's forces at theBattle of Guling. Xiang Yu also fell for a ruse byChen Ping, one of Liu Bang's advisers, and started doubting Zhongli's loyalty towards him. Seeing that his lord no longer trusted him as before, Zhongli left Xiang Yu, who ultimately lost to Liu Bang at theBattle of Gaixia and took his own life. Liu Bang, who emerged victorious in the power struggle, became the emperor and established theHan dynasty.
Meanwhile,Han Xin was made avassal king by Liu Bang as a reward for helping the emperor defeat Xiang Yu during theChu–Han Contention. Zhongli, who had become a fugitive wanted by the Han government, took shelter under his old friend Han Xin. After Liu Bang heard from his spies that Han Xin was secretly harbouring Zhongli, he ordered Han Xin to arrest Zhongli but Han Xin refused, causing the emperor to become more suspicious of him.
In 201 BC, Liu Bang heard rumours that Han Xin was plotting a rebellion against him, so he heeded a suggestion byChen Ping to pretend to go on an inspection tour in Han Xin's vassal kingdom, and then seize the opportunity to take Han Xin by surprise and capture him.
When news of Liu Bang's upcoming visit reached Han Xin, one of Han Xin's advisers suggested that they arrest Zhongli and present him to the emperor, so that the emperor would be convinced that Han Xin was loyal to him. When Han Xin discussed this matter with Zhongli, the latter warned him, "If you intend to arrest me and present me to the Han emperor to gain favour with him, I will die, but you will also follow suit." When Han Xin refused to listen to him, Zhongli scolded him for being unwise and committed suicide in frustration. Han Xin then brought Zhongli's head with him and presented it to Liu Bang.