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How the Qin Empire Really Fell: The Deadly Trap That Created Imperial China | Silk and Steel
Published 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Description
The Qin Empire is collapsing—but the real battle for China has only just begun.
In this episode of the Silk & Steel Chinese History Series, Carl Zha and JJ continue the dramatic story that follows the Battle of Julu, where the young military genius Xiang Yu shattered Qin's strongest army and changed the course of Chinese history.
Yet victory on the battlefield is only the beginning.
As Qin's last hopes disappear, ambitious warlords begin to compete to inherit the empire. At the center of this struggle are two extraordinary figures whose rivalry would shape China for the next two thousand years: • Xiang Yu — the undefeated aristocratic warrior revered as China's greatest battlefield commander. • Liu Bang — the unlikely peasant rebel whose political instincts would ultimately make him Emperor Gaozu, founder of the Han Dynasty.
This episode explores: • Why Qin collapsed despite possessing the largest army in China • Zhang Han's final campaign and the collapse of Qin authority • Zhao Gao's palace intrigues and the assassination of the last Qin emperor • Why Xiang Yu became the most feared general of his generation • How Liu Bang quietly positioned himself for ultimate victory • The historical setup for the legendary Hongmen Banquet, one of the most famous political traps in Chinese history ⏱ Chapters00:00 Introduction02:05 Aftermath of the Battle of Julu08:34 Qin Dynasty on the Brink17:10 Zhang Han's Impossible Position27:45 Palace Intrigue & Zhao Gao's Downfall39:30 The Collapse of Qin Authority51:40 Liu Bang vs Xiang Yu Takes Shape1:04:00 The Road to the Hongmen Banquet1:14:00 Audience Q&A
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here ► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website ► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism ► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook ► Instagram
In this episode of the Silk & Steel Chinese History Series, Carl Zha and JJ continue the dramatic story that follows the Battle of Julu, where the young military genius Xiang Yu shattered Qin's strongest army and changed the course of Chinese history.
Yet victory on the battlefield is only the beginning.
As Qin's last hopes disappear, ambitious warlords begin to compete to inherit the empire. At the center of this struggle are two extraordinary figures whose rivalry would shape China for the next two thousand years: • Xiang Yu — the undefeated aristocratic warrior revered as China's greatest battlefield commander. • Liu Bang — the unlikely peasant rebel whose political instincts would ultimately make him Emperor Gaozu, founder of the Han Dynasty.
This episode explores: • Why Qin collapsed despite possessing the largest army in China • Zhang Han's final campaign and the collapse of Qin authority • Zhao Gao's palace intrigues and the assassination of the last Qin emperor • Why Xiang Yu became the most feared general of his generation • How Liu Bang quietly positioned himself for ultimate victory • The historical setup for the legendary Hongmen Banquet, one of the most famous political traps in Chinese history ⏱ Chapters00:00 Introduction02:05 Aftermath of the Battle of Julu08:34 Qin Dynasty on the Brink17:10 Zhang Han's Impossible Position27:45 Palace Intrigue & Zhao Gao's Downfall39:30 The Collapse of Qin Authority51:40 Liu Bang vs Xiang Yu Takes Shape1:04:00 The Road to the Hongmen Banquet1:14:00 Audience Q&A
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here ► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website ► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism ► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook ► Instagram