In the state of Chu, there was a great general named Xiang Yu.
楚国有个大将军名叫项羽。
He was brave and undefeated in countless battles.
他骁勇善战，百战百胜。
Leading his troops, he defeated the Qin army and became the ruler of the land.
他带领军队击败秦军，成为天下霸主。
However, he was overly confident and never listened to advice.
可是，他过于自信，从不听取别人的意见。
Liu Bang’s power grew, but Xiang Yu dismissed him as insignificant.
刘邦势力渐渐壮大，项羽却不放在眼里。
His strategist warned, “Liu Bang may be weak, but he is cunning. Do not underestimate him.”
谋士劝他说：“刘邦虽弱，但善用计谋，不可轻敌。”
Xiang Yu ignored the warning, continuing his feasts without any precautions.
项羽不以为然，依旧大摆宴席，丝毫不做防备。
Soon, Liu Bang allied with Han Xin, and many regions rebelled against Xiang Yu.
不久后，刘邦与韩信联合，各地纷纷反叛项羽。
Realizing the crisis, Xiang Yu rushed to mobilize his troops.
项羽才意识到情况不妙，急忙调兵应战。
But by then, his soldiers had lost morale and began to desert.
可这时，楚军士气低落，士兵们纷纷逃亡。
He fought Liu Bang but was eventually surrounded at Gaixia.
他与刘邦大战，被围困在垓下，四面楚歌。
Xiang Yu attempted to break through, but his army was nearly wiped out.
项羽想突围，但兵力已经所剩无几。
With only a few hundred cavalry left, he fled to the Wu River.
最终，他带着仅剩的几百骑兵逃到乌江边。
The river warden advised him, “Cross the river and rebuild your forces.”
乌江亭长劝他渡江回家，东山再起。
Xiang Yu bitterly replied, “I cannot face my people after such a failure.”
项羽苦笑道：“无颜再见江东父老！”
Then, he drew his sword and ended his own life.
说完，他拔剑自刎，结束了一生的辉煌。
With his death, the Chu army was completely defeated.
楚军彻底失败，项羽的霸业化为乌有。
"Total defeat" describes an absolute and irreversible failure.
一败涂地，形容失败得彻底，没有任何挽回的余地。
