| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 项伯, 項伯, Xiàng Bó |
| Other name | Hạng Bá |
| Courtesy name | 伯, 伯, Bó, Bo, tự Bá |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | ? BC |
| Birth Place | Xiapi, Chu (楚地下邳; Hạ Bì, đất Sở) |
| Died | 192 BC |
| Death Reason | Natural causes in Western Han |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Chu / Western Han |
Xiang Bo (项伯, Hạng Bá; personal name Xiang Chan 项缠; d. 192 BC; Marquis of Sheyang 射阳侯), was a high noble general of Western Chu, the youngest uncle of Overlord Xiang Yu (Hạng Vũ), and the heroic savior of Liu Bang at the immortal Hongmen Banquet (鸿门宴).
Having been saved from criminal arrest in youth by master strategist Zhang Liang (Trương Lương), Xiang Bo rode alone by night into Liu Bang’s camp at Bashang on the eve of the Hongmen Banquet in 206 BC to rescue Zhang Liang. Persuaded by Zhang Liang, Xiang Bo arranged a reconciliation between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. At the banquet, when Chu strategist Fan Zeng secretly ordered Xiang Zhuang to perform a sword dance to assassinate Liu Bang, Xiang Bo drew his own broadsword, leaped into the hall, and danced beside Xiang Zhuang, constantly using his own body and blade to shield Liu Bang from fatal thrusts (‘Xiang Bo danced his sword, constantly shielding Duke Pei’ 项伯亦拔剑起舞，常以身翼蔽沛公).
Later, during the standoff at Guangwu in 203 BC when Xiang Yu threatened to boil Liu Bang’s father Liu Taigong alive, Xiang Bo intervened again, convincing Xiang Yu that executing family brought only dishonor. Following Xiang Yu’s defeat at Gaixia in 202 BC, Liu Bang expressed immense gratitude: he pardoned Xiang Bo, bestowed upon him the imperial royal surname Liu (Liu Chan 刘缠), and ennobled him as Marquis of Sheyang with grand aristocratic revenues.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 7, Annals of Xiang Yu): “Xiang Zhuang drew his sword and danced; Xiang Bo likewise drew his sword and danced, shielding Duke Pei with his body so that Xiang Zhuang could find no opening. Fan Kuai then crashed through the door, and Liu Bang escaped.”
Xiang Bo — Historical & Literary Timeline
Qin Dynasty
Noble Lineage of Chu
Youngest son of Chu general Xiang Yan; brother of Xiang Liang.
206 BC
Midnight Ride to Bashang
Rides to save Zhang Liang; arranges the Hongmen Banquet reconciliation.
206 BC
The Sword Dance of Hongmen
Dances with his sword, shielding Liu Bang with his own body.
203 BC
Saving Liu Taigong
Convinces Xiang Yu not to boil Liu Taigong alive at Guangwu.
202 BC
Marquis of Sheyang
Pardoned by Liu Bang, granted the imperial surname Liu, and ennobled as Marquis of Sheyang.
192 BC
Passing with Honors
Passes away in Chang’an, commemorated for his lifesaving chivalry.
Key Relationships
Family
- Nephew Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ – Hegemon-King of Western Chu): Ruler whose impulsive wrath Xiang Bo repeatedly restrained.
- Brother Xiang Liang (项梁): Patriarch of the Chu restoration.
- Nephew Xiang Zhuang (项庄): Whose sword dance he blocked at Hongmen.
Friends
- Lifelong Sworn Friend Zhang Liang (张良, Trương Lương): Master strategist whom Xiang Bo rode into the night to save.
- Saved Sovereign Liu Bang (刘邦 – Emperor Gaozu): Granted Xiang Bo the imperial surname Liu in eternal gratitude.
Enemies
- Chu Strategist Fan Zeng (范增, Phạm Tăng – Master Fan): Architect of the Hongmen assassination plot thwarted by Xiang Bo.
Other
- Saved Elder Liu Taigong (刘太公): Saved from the boiling cauldron by Xiang Bo’s counsel.
In Shiji
The Shield of Hongmen
"Blade clashed upon blade in the banquet hall; Xiang Bo's broadsword turned aside every lethal stroke, shielding Duke Pei as an eagle shields its fledgling beneath its wings."
Cultural Significance
Xiang Bo's intervention at Hongmen is one of the most famous turning points in world history; without his chivalric defense, Liu Bang would have perished and the Han Dynasty would never have existed.
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