Liu Bang enters the pass and destroys Qin
206 BCE · Xianyang (modern Xianyang, Shaanxi) · China · Ancient
Liu Bang made a detour through Wu Pass and took Yao Pass by stratagem, entering the Guanzhong region ahead of Xiang Yu; Ziying, King of Qin, surrendered in a plain carriage drawn by white horses
Belligerents
Chu (Liu Bang's army)
- Commanders
- Liu Bang
- Strength
- Liu Bang's force of several tens of thousands
Qin
- Commanders
- Ziying, King of Qin
- Strength
- Qin forces in Guanzhong already collapsed and unable to resist
Background
With the main Qin army pinned down at the Battle of Julu, Liu Bang, under King Huai's pact, advanced west via Nanyang, avoiding strength and striking weakness to head straight for Guanzhong.
Course of the battle
- Detour via NanyangLiu Bang avoided the main Qin army and advanced west via Nanyang toward Wu Pass
- Taking Yao Pass by stratagemUsing decoy troops and bribes, Liu Bang took Yao Pass by stratagem and reached the vicinity of Xianyang
- Ziying surrendersSeeing that all was lost, Ziying, King of Qin, rode out of the city in a plain carriage drawn by white horses and surrendered
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 206 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Xianyang (modern Xianyang, Shaanxi) |
| Result | Liu Bang made a detour through Wu Pass and took Yao Pass by stratagem, entering the Guanzhong region ahead of Xiang Yu; Ziying, King of Qin, surrendered in a plain carriage drawn by white horses |
| Winner | Chu (Liu Bang's army) |
| Casualties | Without any major battle, the Qin army had already lost the ability to resist |
| Territorial change | The Qin dynasty fell; Liu Bang won over the people of Guanzhong with the Three-Article Covenant, setting the stage for the Chu–Han Contention |
Impact
The Qin dynasty formally came to an end; by entering Guanzhong first, Liu Bang gained an advantageous position for the later Chu–Han War.
See the world in 206 BCE on the map →