The Hongmen Banquet is an allusion that occurred between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, the overlord of Chu, during the dispute between Chu and Han at the end of Qin. In 206 BC, Liu Bang led the rebel army to attack Hangu Pass and enter the Guanzhong region. Prince Ying of Qin surrendered to Liu Bang. After Liu Bang entered the customs, he made three chapters with Qin Min, and sent people to garrison Hangu Pass to prevent Xiang Yu from entering the customs. At that time, Xiang Yu had just won the Battle of Julu and annihilated the main force of the Qin army, and was marching towards Guanzhong. Although Liu Bang's troops were inferior to Xiang Yu, Liu Bang broke through Xianyang first and sent people to stop Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu was furious and sent Yingbu to attack Hangu Pass, and after Xiang Yu entered Xianyang, he arrived in Xixi, while Liu Bang garrisoned in Bashang. Liu Bang's Zuo Sima Cao Wushu sent someone in front of Xiang Yu to say that Liu Bang planned to claim the throne in Guanzhong, and Xiang Yu became even more angry after hearing this, and ordered the soldiers to have a full meal early the next morning to defeat Liu Bang's army.
Zhang Liang learned about this from Xiang Yu's uncle, Xiang Bo, and informed Liu Bang, Liu Bang was surprised, and asked Zhang Liang to invite Xiang Bo into the camp, Liu Bang respectfully held a glass of wine to Xiang Bo with both hands, flattered Xiang Bo, and made an appointment with his in-laws, Liu Bang's feelings were wooed, and Xiang Bo persuaded Xiang Bo, Xiang Bo promised to intercede in front of Xiang Yu, and asked Liu Bang to come to Xiang Yu to apologize the next day.
At the Hongmen banquet, although there is no shortage of wine and delicacies, there is a hidden murderous intention. Xiang Yu's father, Fan Zeng, has always advocated killing Liu Bang, and at the banquet, he repeatedly signaled Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang, but Xiang Yu hesitated and silently refused. Fan Zeng summoned Xiang Zhuang to dance the sword to cheer up the banquet and took the opportunity to kill Liu Bang, and Xiang Bo also drew his sword and danced to cover Liu Bang in order to protect Liu Bang. At the critical juncture, Liu Bang's subordinate Fan Xu broke into the military gate with a sword and shield, and looked at Xiang Yu angrily, Xiang Yu saw that this person was extraordinary, and asked who it was, when he learned that it was Liu Bang's participation, he immediately ordered to give wine, Fan Xu immediately drank it, and gave it a pig leg, and asked if he could drink again, Fan Xu said, the minister died and did not avoid, what else is worth resigning from a glass of wine. Fan Hao also took the opportunity to say a good word about Liu Bang, Xiang Yu was speechless, and Liu Bang took the opportunity to leave with an excuse. The article "Hongmen Banquet" is a record of this incident.