Han and Chu: Diverging Paths

While Han culture emerged from a blend of influences, it wasn’t simply Chu culture rebranded. Consider Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, both Chu natives with predominantly Chu teams, who diverged dramatically after Qin’s fall.

Xiang Yu, a localist, divided conquered land among supporters, crowning himself “Overlord of Western Chu.” This backfired, with lords vying for power and rebelling. When advised to leverage Qin’s wealth and strategic location, he declared, “Returning home without glory is like walking in fine clothes at night.” An advisor sighed, “People called Chu people proud monkeys in fancy crowns; now I see it’s true.” Xiang Yu executed him, later basing himself in Pengcheng (modern Jiangsu).

Liu Bang faced different circumstances. Promised to be King of Qin for reaching the capital first, his army did so, but Xiang Yu’s forces defeated the Qin army and massacred them. Xiang Yu denied Liu Bang Qin, making him King of Han in Hanzhong, separated by mountains. He also killed the surrendering King Ziying, burned Qin palaces, and stationed three surrendered Qin generals as “Three Qin” lords to block Liu Bang.

This stoked resentment in Qin, who saw Xiang Yu as a tyrant and the “Three Qin” as traitors. They welcomed Liu Bang as their leader. His first strategy was capturing Qin, changing Han’s cultural makeup. While his cabinet remained largely Chu, his base population became Qin. In the Chu-Han War, his backline was unwavering, with much credit to Xiao He’s management but also reflecting Qin’s support.

After defeating Xiang Yu, Liu Bang was advised to make Qin’s capital Chang’an his own. Unlike Xiang Yu, he accepted, establishing the Han Dynasty. His ambition wasn’t local rule; he sought a unified empire, with his homeland merely one part. Any favoritism towards Chu was personal, like tax exemptions for his hometown.

As emperor, he had to integrate diverse cultures. Unlike Qin Shi Huang’s brutality, his goal was similar: a unified empire with a unified culture.