Han Xin

Han Xin (? ~ 196 BC)

A famous military strategist in the late Qin and early Han Dynasties. A native of Huaiyin (now southwest of Huaiyin, Jiangsu Province). Originally from a commoner family, he came from a poor family. He once begged his mother for food and was humiliated by his butcher. At first he was attached to Xiang Liang, and then to Xiang Yu. He made repeated suggestions, but they were not accepted. In the first year of the Han Dynasty (206 BC), he abandoned Chu and surrendered to Han. Lian Ao was first in charge of the warehouse, and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander Su on the recommendation of Xiahou Ying. He had many conversations with Xiao He and was regarded as a genius. Zidu would not be reused by Liu Bang, so he left without saying goodbye. Xuan was recovered by Xiao He and sincerely recommended him to Liu Bang. In July, he was worshiped as a general. At the beginning of his appointment, he analyzed the world situation, stated Liu Xiang's shortcomings and strengths, and formulated a strategy for Liu Bang's eastern expedition. In May of the second year, he collected the remnants of the Han army that had returned from the defeat after the Battle of Pengcheng, and met with Liu Bang in Xingyang (now northeast of Xingyang, Henan). He led his troops to stop Chu's pursuers, and Han was able to regain its strength. After that, he took charge of his own business, opened up the northern battlefield, and made great contributions to the destruction of Chu and the prosperity of Han. In August, he defeated the Wei army and captured King Bao of Wei by pretending to be a frontal attack but actually attacking from the flanks (see Han Xin's Battle to Defeat Wei). In the next nine months, he attacked Dai and captured Xiang Xia Shuo. In the Battle of Jingxing in October of the third year, he set up a formation with his back to the water, annihilated the Zhao army, killed Chen Yu, the king of Dai, and won the king of Zhao's rest. His bold decision to "leave everyone to death and make everyone fight for themselves" ("Historical Records: Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin") is an example of using troops with "knowledge of oneself". In October of the fourth year, they attacked Qi and captured Linzi (now northeast of Zibo, Shandong). Following the Battle of Weishui, he used tactics such as blocking the water by blocking embankments, feigning defeat to lure the enemy, and attacking halfway across the river. He defeated the Qi-Chu coalition forces, killed Chu General Long Qie, and captured Qi King Tian Guang. After pacifying Qi, he asked himself to be the king of Qi, which aroused Liu Bang's suspicion. Still devoted to serving the Han Dynasty, he categorically rejected the lobbying of Xiang Yu's envoys and his subordinate advisers to persuade him to divide the world into three parts and live in a tripartite way. In the Battle of Gaixia in December of the fifth year, he commanded the Han army to gather and annihilate the Chu army. That month, Liu Bang took away military power. In January, the title was changed from King Qi to King Chu, and the capital was Xiapi (now south of Pizhou, Jiangsu). In the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, he was falsely accused of treason and was bound to Luoyang (east of today's Luoyang, Henan). Because there was no solid evidence, he was demoted to the title of Marquis of Huaiyin. From then on, he felt unhappy and said he was ill. In January of the eleventh year, Chen Xixiang was accused of colluding with the rebels and was trapped and killed in Changle Palace for Empress Lu and Xiao He. Han Xin said that "the more the better" in using troops, but in fact he "selected people to follow the situation" ("Sun Tzu: Potential Chapter"). He used troops according to the situation and used troops to create momentum, so he could win by surprise, win in battle and capture in attack. He was proficient in the art of war and skilled in military affairs. He worked with Zhang Liang to sort out the writings of ancient military strategists, and also collected and updated military laws.

As soon as the Chu-Han War ended, Han Xin was renamed King of Chu. In October of the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (201 BC), Liu Bang once again adopted Chen Ping's strategy to trap Han Xin. In December, Han Xin was demoted to the title of Marquis of Huaiyin. Han Xin was depressed and frustrated. He claimed to be ill and refused to participate in court activities. In September of the tenth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (197 BC), Liu Bang's favored minister Chen Xi rebelled, proclaimed himself King of Zhao, and plundered the territories of Zhao and Dai. Liu Bang used Yu Xi to recruit soldiers from all over the world, and personally led his troops to conquer Chen Xi. Han Xin had always been on good terms with Chen Xi, so he claimed to be ill at home and refused to obey Liu Bang's edict. He secretly sent people to contact Chen Xi and seek cooperation inside and outside. He also prepared to pretend to be an edict at night with his retainers to amnesty officials, criminals and slaves, and sent troops to attack Empress Lu. and the prince. At that time, Han Xin's sacrifice offended Han Xin, and Han Xin wanted to kill him. Shiren's younger brother held a grudge and reported Han Xin's rebellion to Empress Lu. Empress Lu wanted to summon Han Xin, but was worried that his followers would cause trouble, so she discussed strategies with Prime Minister Xiao He, captured Han Xin and beheaded him in the Bell Chamber of Changle Palace, and also wiped out his three clans. Han Xin was initially recommended to Liu Bang by Xiao He, and now it was Xiao He who tricked him into entering the palace. It is true that "Xiao He succeeds and Xiao He fails."

According to historical records, Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, relied on his capable general Han Xin to conquer the world. Han Xin took credit for his rebellion, and Empress Lu trapped him to death. This is Han Xin's "success" and "failure". Han Xin was reused by Liu Bang, which was the result of Xiao He's strong recommendation. Liu Bang's wife, Empress Lu, was also trapped and killed by Han Xin according to Xiao He's plan. They all clearly tell people that Han Xin's success was due to Xiao He, and his failure was also due to Xiao He.