Peng Yue
| Peng Yue | |
|---|---|
| General of the Western Han dynasty | |
| Born | (unknown) |
| Died | 196 BC |
| Names | |
| Traditional Chinese | 彭越 |
| Simplified Chinese | 彭越 |
| Pinyin | Péng Yuè |
| Wade–Giles | P'eng Yüeh |
| Courtesy name | Zhong (Chinese: 仲; pinyin: Zhòng; Wade–Giles: Chung) |
Peng Yue (died 196 BC), courtesy name Zhong, was a prominent military leader and political figure in the late Qin dynasty and early Western Han dynasty. He was involved in the Chu–Han Contention – a power struggle between the Han dynasty's founder, Liu Bang (Emperor Gao), and his rival, Xiang Yu – as an ally of Liu Bang. In recognition of his contributions, Liu Bang granted Peng Yue the title "King of Liang" (梁王) after the Han dynasty was established.
Peng Yue was a native of Changyi (present-day Jinxiang County, Shandong), and was originally a fisherman. Following the Dazexiang Uprising in 209 BC, Peng Yue was nominated by his fellows to be their leader and he led an uprising against the Qin dynasty. Initially, Peng Yue was reluctant to rebel, but obliged eventually and he arranged for his supporters to meet him the next morning. However, his men did not arrive on time and the last one came at noon. Peng Yue said, "Since everyone has chosen me to be the leader, there must be discipline. As there are too many people who were late today, I cannot possibly punish all of them. The last man to arrive will be executed."
In 205 BC, Peng Yue allied with Liu Bang, the King of Han, and became one of Liu's generals after Liu promised to grant him land and the title of a vassal king. Earlier on, Peng Yue had refused to send his troops to help Liu Bang, that resulted in the latter's defeat by Xiang Yu at the Battle of Guling. Three years later, Peng Yue conquered more than 20 cities around Changyi and acquired a large amount of supplies. He then led his troops southwards and joined the armies of Han Xin and Liu Bang at the Battle of Gaixia against Xiang Yu. Peng Yue's contributed greatly to the eventual Han victory over Xiang Yu. After Liu Bang founded the Han dynasty, Peng Yue was conferred the title of "King of Liang" (梁王) and granted the lands of former Wei state as his kingdom.
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