Han Xin

Timeline

1. c. -231–-210Huaiyin · JiangsuHan Xin came from a poor family in Huaiyin, suffered the humiliation of crawling between legs in his youth, and repeatedly sought office under Chu and Qin without being valued. Amid the chaos at the end of the Qin, he first joined Xiang Yu as a attendant without recognition, then turned to Liu Bang, and was recommended by Xiao He and appointed grand general, beginning his military career.
2. -205–-203Around Jingxing and Linzi · North ChinaHan Xin led Han forces north, arrayed with his back to the river at Jingxing and routed the Zhao army, capturing King Xie of Zhao; he then attacked Qi to the east, broke through Lixia, and forced King Tian Guang of Qi to surrender to Han. Liu Bang enfeoffed him as King of Qi, and Han Xin became the decisive northern commander of the Chu-Han War, pinning down and weakening Xiang Yu's power.
3. -202Gaixia · AnhuiHan Xin led his army south to encircle Xiang Yu at Gaixia with Liu Bang, Peng Yue and others; songs of Chu on all sides forced Xiang Yu's defeat and suicide. After the Han dynasty was founded, Liu Bang re-enfeoffed Han Xin as King of Chu, with his capital at Xiapi, guarding the Xu-Huai region; his high rank and power, however, already showed signs of the sovereign's suspicion.
4. -201–-196Chang'an · ShaanxiLiu Bang suspected Han Xin of disloyalty and, using Chen Xi's rebellion as pretext, reduced him from King of Chu to Marquis of Huaiyin and confined him in Chang'an. Later implicated in Chen Xi's plot, he was lured by Empress Lü and Xiao He into the bell chamber of Changle Palace, beheaded, and his three clans exterminated. Han Xin's death marked the peak of the purge of early Han meritorious officials and became a classic narrative of later political tragedy.