Han Xin

Hàn Tín

NAME
Chinese Name韩信, 韓信, Hán Tín
NicknameBinh Tiên (Tiên trong quân sự), Quốc sĩ vô song
Other nameHàn Tín
INFORMATION
Born231 TCN
Birth PlaceHuaiyin County, Linhuai Commandery (临淮郡淮阴县; huyện Hoài Âm, quận Lâm Hoài)
Died196 TCN
Death ReasonBị Lữ hậu và Tiêu Hà lừa bắt vào cung Trường Lạc rồi bị xử tử vì tội danh mưu phản.
FAMILY
Relatives
CAREER
AllegianceHạng Vũ (nước Sở), Lưu Bang (nhà Hán)
BattlesChiến dịch Minh Sạn ám độ Trần Thương, Trận An Ấp, Trận Tỉnh Hình, Trận Duy Thủy, Trận Cai Hạ

Biography & Historical Record

Han Xin (韩信, Hán Tín) was a prominent military general and strategist who served Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang) during the Chu-Han Contention. Known as one of the ‘Three Heroes of the early Han’, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in Chinese history. His early life was marked by poverty and humiliation, famously suffering the ‘insult of crawling through the legs’ (ku xia zhi ru), which he endured with patience. Upon joining Liu Bang, he was initially ignored until Xiao He (萧何, Tiêu Hà) famously chased him down to convince Liu Bang of his worth. He is celebrated for his brilliant tactics, including the ‘placing troops in a position of death to facilitate survival’ at the Battle of Jingxing and the ingenious use of flood tactics at the Battle of Wei River. His ultimate victory at the Battle of Gaixia led to the defeat of Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ), establishing the Han Dynasty. Despite his genius, his immense power and popularity eventually aroused the suspicion of the Han court, leading to his downfall.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

While Han Xin lived long before the Three Kingdoms period, his strategic brilliance is frequently invoked by characters like Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) and Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) as the ultimate benchmark for military genius and the tragic fate of a powerful minister under a suspicious monarch.

Han Xin — Historical & Literary Timeline

231 BC

Birth of a Legend

Born in Huaiyin, Han Xin enters the world in poverty, eventually becoming an expert in both the sword and the Art of War.

209 BC

Entry into Rebellion

Han Xin joins the uprising against the Qin Dynasty, initially serving under Xiang Liang (项梁, Hạng Lương) and then Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ) without receiving recognition.

206 BC

Defection to Han

Frustrated by Xiang Yu’s lack of vision, he defects to Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang) and is recommended by Xiao He (萧何, Tiêu Hà) to be the commander-in-chief.

202 BC

Consolidation of Power

He orchestrates the final defeat of Xiang Yu at Gaixia, effectively ending the Chu-Han Contention.

196 BC

The Tragic End

Accused of conspiring against the throne, he is lured into the palace by Empress Lu Zhi (吕雉, Lữ Trĩ) and executed at Changle Palace.

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Han Xin on Wikipedia.

Key Relationships

  • Political & Military Leaders
    • Liu Bang (刘邦, Lưu Bang): His sovereign who relied on him for conquest but feared his military genius.
    • Xiao He (萧何, Tiêu Hà): The statesman who recognized his talent and brought him to prominence.
    • Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ): His former commander who failed to appreciate his strategic insights.

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