Zhongli Mo
| Zhongli Mo | |
|---|---|
| General of Xiang Yu | |
| Born | (unknown) |
| Died | 201 BC |
| Names | |
| Traditional Chinese | 鍾離昩 (or 鍾離眜) |
| Simplified Chinese | 钟离昩 (or 钟离眜) |
| Pinyin | Zhōnglí Mò |
| Wade–Giles | Chung-li Mo |
Zhongli Mo (died 201 BC) was a military general who served the warlord Xiang Yu during the Chu–Han Contention (206–202 BC), a power struggle between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang (Emperor Gao), the founder of the Han dynasty. His name is sometimes incorrectly written and pronounced as "Zhongli Mei" (鍾離昧 or 鍾離眛).
Zhongli Mo was from Yilu Village (in present-day Guanyun County, Lianyungang, Jiangsu). He joined Xiang Liang's rebel force in around 208 BC when uprisings erupted throughout China to overthrow the Qin dynasty. Initially a common soldier, he was later promoted to the rank of general for his outstanding bravery and prowess on the battlefield. After Xiang Liang was killed in action at the Battle of Dingtao in late 208 BC, Zhongli Mo continued to serve Xiang Liang's nephew, Xiang Yu, and became one of Xiang Yu's two most important subordinates, along with Long Ju.
Zhongli Mo was a close friend of Han Xin, then serving as a low-ranking soldier in Xiang Yu's army. Zhongli Mo noticed Han Xin's talent and often recommended Han Xin to Xiang Yu, asking Xiang to promote Han to higher ranks, but Xiang disagreed with Zhongli's view and did not put Han in high regard. Han Xin left Xiang Yu later and defected over Xiang Yu's rival, Liu Bang. Han Xin's talent was recognised by Liu Bang and he was appointed by Liu as a general.
Following the collapse of the Qin dynasty in 207 BC, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang began to engage in a power struggle for supremacy over China, historically known as the Chu–Han Contention. Xiang Yu initially had an advantage over Liu Bang in terms of military strength, but gradually lost popularity and the tide turned in favour of Liu by 203 BC. Xiang Yu fell for a ruse by Liu Bang's strategist Chen Ping and began to doubt Zhongli Mo's loyalty towards him.
Seeing that his lord no longer trusted him as before, Zhongli Mo left Xiang Yu's camp during the Battle of Gaixia, and Xiang lost the battle and committed suicide after his defeat. Liu Bang emerged victorious in the Chu–Han Contention and unified China under his rule. He was proclaimed "Emperor" and he established the Han dynasty.
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