One year, 300,000 troops from the State of Qin surrounded the city of Julu (now Pingxiang County, Hebei Province) of the State of Zhao (not the original State of Zhao). The King of Zhao urgently sought help from King Huai of Chu (not the original king of the State of Chu). King Huai of Chu sent Song Yi as the Grand General and Xiang Yu as the Second General, leading 200,000 troops to rescue Zhao. However, Song Yi, hearing that the Qin army was strong, stopped halfway and refused to move forward. With no food in the army, soldiers cooked vegetables and miscellaneous beans for meals, but he ignored it, only holding banquets and indulging in feasting. This infuriated Xiang Yu greatly. He killed Song Yi and became the "acting Grand General," leading his forces to rescue Zhao. Xiang Yu first sent a unit to cut off the Qin army's supply route. Then he personally led the main force across the Zhang River to save Julu. After all the Chu troops had crossed the Zhang River, Xiang Yu let them eat a full meal, each taking three days' worth of dry provisions. Then he gave an order: pierce the boats (ancient term for ship) and sink them into the river, smash the cooking pots (ancient term for cauldron) completely, and burn down the nearby houses. This was called "breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats." Xiang Yu used this method to express his determination to advance without retreating and to win at all costs. Seeing the determination of their commander, the Chu soldiers did not intend to return alive. Under Xiang Yu's personal command, they fought with tenacity, fighting ten against one and hundred against ten, rushing toward the Qin army with all their might. After nine consecutive charges, they defeated the Qin army thoroughly. Several Qin generals were either killed, captured, or surrendered. This battle not only relieved the siege of Julu but also severely crippled the Qin army, which never recovered. Two years later, the Qin dynasty fell.

After this, Xiang Yu became the true Grand General, and many other armies came under his command and leadership, spreading his fame throughout the world.