Sima Xin
Encyclopedia
Sima Xin was a military general of the Qin Dynasty
. He surrendered to Xiang Yu
after the Battle of Julu
in 207 BC. In 206 BC, following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, he was conferred the title of "King of Sai" by Xiang and given part of the lands in Guanzhong
as his fief when the latter split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms.
and Wu Guang
started the Daze Village Uprising to overthrow the Qin Dynasty
. The emperor, Qin Er Shi
placed Zhang Han in command of the imperial army, with Sima and Dong Yi
serving as his deputies, to quell the rebels.
In 207 BC, Zhang Han attacked the insurgent Zhao kingdom
and besieged Zhao forces at Julu. Xiang Yu
of the Chu kingdom
came to Zhao's aid and defeated the Qin army at the Battle of Julu
, despite having a smaller force. Zhang sent Sima to the capital city, Xianyang
, to request for reinforcements. However, the eunuch
Zhao Gao
deceived Qin Er Shi and the emperor refused to send aid. Sima escaped from Zhao Gao's assassins along the return journey and reported to Zhang Han that the state power of Qin had fallen into the hands of the eunuch. Zhang pondered over the situation and realized that even if he defeated the rebels, Zhao would later frame him for treason and have him executed. Hence, he surrendered to Xiang Yu.
After the fall of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BC, Xiang divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms and granted the land of Guanzhong
(heartland of Qin) to the three surrendered Qin generals (collectively known as the Three Qins
). Sima was given part of Guanzhong as his fief and received the title of "King of Sai". Later that year, Liu Bang (King of Han
) attacked the Three Qins
and defeated Zhang Han. Sima and Dong Yi surrendered to Liu.
In 205 BC, during the Chu–Han contention, Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu at the Battle of Pengcheng
, and Sima and Dong Yi defected to Xiang's side. The following year, Liu attacked Xiang at Chenggao
. Liu lured Cao Jiu, the defending general, to pursue and attack him. The Chu army fell into an ambush at the Si River and was defeated by Liu's forces. Cao, Dong and Sima committed suicide.
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
. He surrendered to Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
after the Battle of Julu
Battle of Julu
The Battle of Julu was fought in Julu in 207 BC primarily between Qin forces led by Zhang Han, and Chu rebels led by Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu emerged victorious, defeating a large Qin army with a small number of soldiers...
in 207 BC. In 206 BC, following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, he was conferred the title of "King of Sai" by Xiang and given part of the lands in Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
as his fief when the latter split the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms.
Biography
In 209 BC, Chen ShengChen Sheng
Chen Sheng , also known in some sources as Chen She , was the leader of the first rebellion, known as Daze Village Uprising, against the Qin Dynasty during the reign of Qin Er Shi.-Start of the rebellion:...
and Wu Guang
Wu Guang
Wu Guang was a leader of the first rebellion against Qin Dynasty during the reign of Qin Er Shi, following the death of Qin Shi Huang. Less is known about him than Chen Sheng.-Biography:Wu was born in Yangxia...
started the Daze Village Uprising to overthrow the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
. The emperor, Qin Er Shi
Qin Er Shi
Qin Er Shi , literally Second Emperor of Qin Dynasty, personal name Huhai, was emperor of the Qin Dynasty in China from 210 BC until 207 BC.-Name:...
placed Zhang Han in command of the imperial army, with Sima and Dong Yi
Dong Yi (Qin Dynasty)
Dong Yi was a military general of the Qin Dynasty. He surrendered to Xiang Yu after the Battle of Julu in 207 BC. In 206 BC, following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, he was conferred the title of "King of Di" by Xiang and given part of the lands in Guanzhong as his fief when the latter split the...
serving as his deputies, to quell the rebels.
In 207 BC, Zhang Han attacked the insurgent Zhao kingdom
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
and besieged Zhao forces at Julu. Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
of the Chu kingdom
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
came to Zhao's aid and defeated the Qin army at the Battle of Julu
Battle of Julu
The Battle of Julu was fought in Julu in 207 BC primarily between Qin forces led by Zhang Han, and Chu rebels led by Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu emerged victorious, defeating a large Qin army with a small number of soldiers...
, despite having a smaller force. Zhang sent Sima to the capital city, Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, to request for reinforcements. However, the eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
Zhao Gao
Zhao Gao
Zhao Gao was the chief eunuch during the Qin Dynasty of China. He played an instrumental role in the downfall of the Qin Dynasty.- Early life :...
deceived Qin Er Shi and the emperor refused to send aid. Sima escaped from Zhao Gao's assassins along the return journey and reported to Zhang Han that the state power of Qin had fallen into the hands of the eunuch. Zhang pondered over the situation and realized that even if he defeated the rebels, Zhao would later frame him for treason and have him executed. Hence, he surrendered to Xiang Yu.
After the fall of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BC, Xiang divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms and granted the land of Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
(heartland of Qin) to the three surrendered Qin generals (collectively known as the Three Qins
Three Qins
The Three Qins refer to three of the Eighteen Kingdoms, formed from the division of the empire after the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BC...
). Sima was given part of Guanzhong as his fief and received the title of "King of Sai". Later that year, Liu Bang (King of Han
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
) attacked the Three Qins
Three Qins
The Three Qins refer to three of the Eighteen Kingdoms, formed from the division of the empire after the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BC...
and defeated Zhang Han. Sima and Dong Yi surrendered to Liu.
In 205 BC, during the Chu–Han contention, Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu at the Battle of Pengcheng
Battle of Pengcheng
The Battle of Pengcheng was fought in Pengcheng in 205 BC between Chu forces led by Xiang Yu and Han forces led by Liu Bang. The Han forces were unprepared and suffered heavy losses...
, and Sima and Dong Yi defected to Xiang's side. The following year, Liu attacked Xiang at Chenggao
Chenggao
Chenggao is an ancient city in present day Sishui, which is under the jurisdiction of Xingyang City in Henan Province, People's Republic of China.-References:*Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Chapter 4...
. Liu lured Cao Jiu, the defending general, to pursue and attack him. The Chu army fell into an ambush at the Si River and was defeated by Liu's forces. Cao, Dong and Sima committed suicide.