# How Liu Bang Outsmarted China's First Empire — The Fall of Qin Begins | Silk and Steel

An episode of [UK Column News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/545305768), 24 Jul 2026, 1 h 06 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/1044e334c/podcast/play/123161920/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-22%2F428401908-44100-2-35cb2d51edbca.mp3

The Qin Dynasty conquered all of China—but it collapsed almost as quickly as it rose. In this episode of the Silk & Steel Chinese History Series, Carl Zha and JJ continue the dramatic story of the Chu–Han Contention following the decisive Battle of Julu (207 BC). Xiang Yu's stunning victory shattered Qin's elite frontier army and transformed the balance of power across China. But military victory alone would not decide who would ultimately rule. While Xiang Yu dominated the battlefield, another rebel leader—Liu Bang—quietly pursued a strategy that would undermine the Qin court from within and ultimately lay the foundation for the Han Dynasty, one of the greatest empires in Chinese history. This episode explores: • The aftermath of the Battle of Julu • Why Qin's legendary military machine finally broke • The political intrigue surrounding the Qin court • Zhang Han's impossible strategic dilemma • The mystery surrounding Crown Prince Fusu and General Meng Tian • Why Xiang Yu's battlefield brilliance wasn't enough • How Liu Bang began positioning himself to seize the Mandate of Heaven The fall of Qin was not merely the collapse of a dynasty—it marked the birth of imperial China as we know it. This episode reveals how strategy, politics, and leadership reshaped the course of Chinese civilization. ► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here ► \[UK Column Website\] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website ► \[Support UK Column\] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism ► \[UK Column YouTube\] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news Follow #UKColumn on: ► X ► Telegram ► Facebook ► Instagram 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Aftermath of the Battle of Julu 09:30 Why Qin's Elite Army Was Destroyed 20:15 The Crisis Inside the Qin Court 34:40 Zhang Han's Difficult Position 48:30 Liu Bang's Political Strategy 1:02:00 The Coming Collapse of Qin

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