The Hongmen Banquet (鸿门宴)

The Hongmen Banquet- one of the single most famous and influential meals in all of Chinese history. So how exactly did this dinner party affect the country we know today? Let me explain. 

Brief Backstory

The Hongmen Banquet took place in the year of 206 BC, in the middle of an era known as ‘the Han and Chu Conflict”. Less than four years earlier, Qin Shi Huang had passed away. Normally, an imperial death was significant, but nothing unprecedented. However, as is so often the case, there was a skirmish over inheritance. Long story short, Huhai, a foolish and indolent prince, was able to acquire the throne with the help of his cunning and savage eunuch, Zhao Gao. Needless to say, the kingdom was thrown into chaos under the rule of such a lazy and corrupt government. 

Meet the characters

Xiang Yu, under the lead of his uncle, Xiang Liang, was one of the first forces to rebel against the feeble administration. Descended from Chu, a country that had been conquered by Qin during the Warring States Period, he became intent on restoring the system of individual city-states from the pre-Qin era. His uncle’s army quickly became a dominant force, and he himself grew renowned for his strength and prowess in battle. Meanwhile, Liu Bang had started out as an irrelevant citizen, in charge of transporting convicted criminals. His motive behind revolting was much less grand and ambitious; after allowing a band of prisoners to escape, he would have been sentenced to death, had he reported the failure to his superiors. Instead, Liu Bang decided that: rather than wait for death, why not make one last ditch effort at power? So, he recruited a couple of his friends and took over a nearby mountain region. Surprisingly, he was eventually able to overthrow the district government, gaining the support of a substantial force. Soon, Liu Bang found himself recruited into Xiang Yu’s army as a minor general. 

Race to the capital

Setting the Qin capital of Xian Yang as his final destination, Xiang Yu set off on a side expedition to quench a revolt in the distant Yan state. Meanwhile, because Liu Bang had taken a direct route, he arrived in the capital many weeks earlier. With more than a little fortune on his side, he was able to successfully conquer and annex Xian Yang. At this point, however, Liu Bang faced a decision that challenged his personality and virtues. Presented with a luxurious palace, unfathomable wealth and beautiful women, it was as if all of Liu Bang’s desires were within arm’s reach. Without his advisors, it’s more than likely that he would simply have become complacent with his accomplishments thus far and claimed everything in Xian Yang as his own. However, his driver and old friend Fan Kuai advised him to do otherwise, warning him that: when Xiang Yu arrived (and there was no doubt that he would), he would be irritated and belligerent no matter what Liu Bang did. Rather than provoke him further, Liu Bang would need to act submissive and loyal- two traits that taking Xian Yang over would definitely not fit. It was also at this point that Fan Kuai told Liu Bang of the substantial chance he had to overthrow Xiang Yu and take over all of China. However, for that outcome to remain possible, Liu Bang needed to keep Xiang Yu satisfied for the time being. Of all the selfish and pusillanimous descriptions that Liu Bang fit, he was not ignorant. Also, he couldn’t deny that the possibility of being emperor of China was extremely appealing. So, rather than claim everything, Liu Bang heeded his subordinate’s advice, and took only scrolls and documents. 

As Fan Kuai had predicted, Xiang Yu was infuriated when he arrived at the mountain entrance to Xian Yang after weeks of brutal campaigning, only to be rejected by Liu Bang’s guards. (Obviously, these soldiers were no match for Xiang Yu’s army, and it was a mere roadblock in the path to the capital) His rage further increased when a traitor in Liu Bang’s army reported that, in Xiang Yu’s absence, the disobedient general had prepared to take the capital for himself and resist Xiang Yu’s directives. Utterly infuriated, Xiang Yu immediately began planning for a direct assault on Liu Bang’s camp the next day. 

Preparations

Unbeknownst to Xiang Yu, his uncle, Xiang Bo had been saved by Liu Bang’s main advisor, Zhang Liang, years earlier. And, much like his nephew, Xiang Bo was an honorable man, and was unwilling to see his savior be killed; especially when it was preventable. So, he crept out of the camp, riding swiftly and unburdened by any baggage or guards. Soon, Xiang Bo arrived at the gates of Liu Bang’s campsite -which was, surprisingly, located in the outskirts of the city- and requested a meeting with Zhang Liang. Soon, Zhang Liang rode out to greet him. Though he was pleased to see his old friend, Xiang Bo’s mind was occupied by more urgent things; namely, saving his subject’s life. Upon hearing Xiang Bo’s report, Zhang Liang, ever the strategist, began working on a way to appeal to Xiang Yu. After careful consideration, he had Liu Bang set up an elegant banquet to accommodate Xiang Bo. The meal worked well to get into Xiang Bo’s good graces, thoroughly convincing him that despite the appearance, Liu Bang was still loyal to Xiang Yu. 

When Xiang Bo later returned to Xiang Yu’s camp, he immediately sought out his nephew, informing him of his visit. Xiang Yu, who had never been the sharpest tool in the shed, accepted Xiang Bo’s views without question. Of course Liu Bang was loyal! How could he have doubted him on the word of a mere servant? 

The next morning, encouraged by Xiang Bo, Liu Bang set out to officially greet Xiang Yu. His entourage consisted only of a small force of 100 men. Xiang Yu, after hearing Liu Bang’s apology in addition to Xiang Bo’s explanation the previous evening, welcomed Liu Bang with open arms. The thought that Liu Bang could possibly have betrayed him had been erased from his mind. In fact, he decided to set up a luxurious feast to celebrate – you guessed it, the Hongmen Banquet. 

Assassination Plan

As Liu Bang had been preparing to greet Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu’s senior advisor, Fan Zeng, had also been assembling a plan to eliminate Liu Bang. Fan Zeng was no fool. He could fully acknowledge the significance of Liu Bang’s actions, and viewed him as a prominent threat to Xiang Yu’s position. Though he had repeatedly prompted Xiang Yu to attack, Fan Zeng’s efforts were counteracted by Xiang Bo’s, and he was unable to convince Xiang Yu. Now, it seemed increasingly unlikely that Xiang Yu would approve a plan to assassinate Liu Bang. So, he took matters into his own hands. Before the banquet was set to begin, Fan Zeng informed Xiang Zhuang, a trusted subordinate, of his intentions. Together, they arranged for Xiang Zhuang to murder Liu Bang in the midst of the feast, under the pretense of sword dancing. 

*Xiang Yu was never notified or aware of this plan

Hongmen Banquet

The feast took place at noon. All significant personnel from both Liu Bang and Xiang Yu’s forces, including Zhang Liang, Xiang Bo, Fan Zeng and Xiang Zhuang were present. Tensions were high between the two parties; as the celebration began, only Liu Bang and Xiang Yu remained somewhat oblivious to the evident hostility. 

After a healthy amount of conversation and dining, Xiang Zhuang stood up and announced: “How can we have a feast without a sword dance? I would be honored to take the lead.” And with that, he drew his sword and stepped delicately to the center of the room. 

Had this been a typical party between close friends, there would have been nothing out of the ordinary with such an activity. However, the Hongmen Banquet was by no means an ordinary party, and the attendees were anything but friends. Zhang Liang, understanding this, was immediately suspicious. He knew little about Fan Zeng, and automatically assumed that any respectable advisor would see Liu Bang as a threat. Therefore, Fan Zeng would use any means possible to eliminate Liu Bang- and this unannounced sword dance seemed like the perfect excuse. So, Zhang Liang excused himself from the party to alert Fan Kuai of the issue. Meanwhile, Xiang Bo had also become aware of the ongoing plot. Obviously, he would not allow Liu Bang, whom he had so tediously protected, to die so easily. Standing up, he said: “Two is always better than one; allow me to join you in your dancing.” and with that, Xiang Bo got up and began to defend Liu Bang under the pretense of sword fighting. 

Minutes later, Fan Kuai barged into the room. Immediately, all attention was drawn to the burly wagon-driver standing in the doorway. 

“Who are you?” Xiang Yu inquired. Being a warrior himself, he did not feel threatened by the appearance of Fan Kuai. Instead, Xiang Yu was curious as to who the man was and why he was there. 

Fan Kuai, already having heard Fan Zeng’s true intentions, began to distract the party’s attendees. “I am Liu Bang’s driver. I merely came in here to find some food- I’m starving!” Taken slightly aback but amused nonetheless, Xiang Yu ordered the chef to give Fan Kuai a leg of raw ham, and even offered him a cup of human blood. Fan Kuai, needing to play the part, tore into the pork without hesitation, washing it down with a mouthful of blood. Impressed, Xiang Yu allowed Fan Kuai to stay. 

While Fan Kuai had been diverting Xiang Yu’s attention, Zhang Liang had re-entered the room to warn Liu Bang. Upon hearing about the assassination attempt, Liu Bang immediately grew nervous, looking around apprehensively. Luckily, Zhang Liang had designed an escape plan, and managed to keep Liu Bang calm. Heeding Zhang Liang’s advice, Liu Bang asked to go to the bathroom- a perfectly nonchalant request that attracted no suspicion. Once he was outside, however, he immediately began to rally his men. Liu Bang told his soldiers that he would flee first, and once his horse’s hoofbeats were no longer audible, they could run as well. And just like that, Liu Bang survived the Hongmen Banquet, even gaining Xiang Yu’s trust while doing so.