Han Xin

Author: Nan Gong Bo / Country:
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Features: He first searched for the secret signs of the refugees at the edge of the Great Marsh. The signs were numerous, and he meticulously discerned and judged them, spending nearly the entire day before finally entering the marsh. The Great Marsh had no roads, covered in dense grass and continuous trees. He used a bamboo cane to clear the path and advanced. At night, he climbed a tree and slept among the branches. The next morning, he resumed his journey.
On the second day, he advanced about twenty-seven or eight li into the marsh. The first few li were traversable. On the third day, he traveled ten li and encountered a muddy swamp. He carefully searched for firmer ground, taking step-by-step progress, during which he killed three snakes. At dusk, he met three refugees, who were Ju people hiding nearby. They had come to capture orphans to feed their own tribe. They gave Han Xin necessary instructions.
The third day, Han Xin emerged from the swamp and passed through a continuous forest stretching about eight or nine li. By sunset, he spotted traces of refugees. He then moved toward a narrow, elongated depression in the forest. The scouts of the refugee group spotted Han Xin first. A young man leaped down from a tree, blocking his path while drawing back his bow. Two more men emerged from behind the tree.
"Han Xin, what are you doing here?" the young man asked rudely. Turning to the old man who had emerged from behind the tree, he added, "It’s just him!" The old man spat at Han Xin and scoffed with a snort.
Han Xin, angered by the humiliation, stood tall and said, "Why must you treat me so? I am also a Korean!" The old man’s hair stood on end as he roared, "You (coward), you say you are Korean? Hmph, are you ashamed? Tell me, when have you done anything for Korea?"
At that moment, another injured young man emerged from behind the tree. He quickly stopped the old man and gently interjected, "Old Uncle, don’t trouble him. Although Han Xin is not capable, he has never been a spy for money. Moreover, consider Xu Ji."
While the old man was reprimanding Han Xin, he stood frozen. Hearing Xu Ji’s name, his eyes widened with emotion. "Han Xin, Xu Ji is injured. Go see her," the injured young man pointed to the left rear. "Go through the two towering trees." The men blocking his path moved aside, and Han Xin, bowing his head with tension and worry, took a step forward. Behind him, he heard sneering laughter.
The sun began to set, and the remaining light fell on the treetops. Finally, Han Xin found a shelter—a hut woven from flexible branches. Before the hut, two injured middle-aged men sat facing each other, watching Han Xin coldly. He suppressed his frustration and asked, "Is Xu Ji inside?"
"She is inside, but there’s no money for you!" Again, he was humiliated. The veins on both sides of Han Xin’s temples throbbed as boundless anger burned like fire. But at the moment he was about to erupt, he restrained himself. Bending low, he squeezed into the hut.
Inside, four injured people lay. Han Xin looked to the left and saw two men, then slowly turned to the right. The hut was filled with the stench of medicinal herbs and decaying flesh. On the right lay a man and a woman, but the woman’s face was wrapped in herbs, and he couldn’t see her clearly. Yet, he guessed she was Xu Ji. He approached and called softly, "Auntie."
There was no response. It seemed the injured had not heard his call or noticed his approach. Han Xin’s heart ached as he thought, "If she’s not in a deep sleep, this wound must be fatal." He called out again and pressed her hand resting on her abdomen—his slender fingers identified Xu Ji. But when he touched her hand, his heart seized. Her hand was burning like fire.
"Auntie, Auntie—" he knelt down, almost crying out.
Now, he saw her face was horrifyingly swollen, and fresh blood seeped from a pile of herbs on her right cheek. Her gaze drifted to the branches of the tree where Han Xin had built a sturdy nest. She whispered to herself, "Will I spend eternity in this nest with him?"
The sunlight illuminated the nest. She sighed softly, having avoided the question in the passionate night and the intoxicating day. But now, as the world around them seemed to awaken, the question arose. She gazed at the nest that could accommodate both of them. Then, she climbed the tree and entered Han Xin’s nest. She smelled the fragrance of plants and saw several branches of fragrant wood that would repel insects.
"Sheong’s arrangements are thorough!" she murmured, shaking a support for one of the fragrant trees. Finally, she tore one down. Then she found a knife, hesitated for a moment, and cut the vines tying Han Xin’s belongings.
She gathered Han Xin’s supplies and clothes, bandaging them. Turning back, she saw Han Xin was still unconscious. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and, torn between hesitation and resolve, tossed Han Xin’s bundle down. Then, she used a branch to dismantle the nest. Since the vines were already cut, she quickly dismantled five branches and threw them down as well.
Han Xin woke up, startled, and shouted, "Xu Ji." She responded vaguely, descending from the branches and looking at him, her voice heavy, "Han, I don’t want to see you die in the Great Marsh."
He hesitated. After two nights of love, his determination to leave the marsh had wavered. She stood before him and waved, saying, "Han, go to the Chu army. Xiang Yu will need talented people to assist him!" She spoke sternly, as if she were the commander of a million armies, giving orders.
"Xu Ji—just a few more days, Xu Ji," he pleaded.
Han, clinging to the marsh, reluctant to part with the past two nights, looked at her with a cold, heartless gaze.
"Xu Ji, tomorrow—"
He seemed to beg.
"Han, you can’t delay any longer. Every day is tomorrow! Han, from today forward, from this moment!"
"Xu Ji—" she waved sharply and said, "From this moment, from today’s birth!"
Xu Ji stood tall and declared. Though short, her figure seemed immature, yet in this moment, she was solemn, with an indomitable spirit.
Han looked at her, his heart filled with reverence. The endless desire was washed away in an instant. He instinctively felt that the young Xu Ji before him was a deity, not a mere mortal!
Under the divine authority and love, he finally nodded and said solemnly, "From today forward—"
Then, Xu Ji offered a faint smile, picked up the bundle, and handed it to Han.
"Now."
Han took the bundle with both hands.
"Now! Go northwest and cross the Great Marsh. This way, you won’t encounter the people who were here before," she said imperiously. After a pause, she added, "I will go southeast."
"Xu Ji, are we leaving right away?"
"Yes, we must. Han, let’s go!" she said, whistling to summon her dog.
Han stood frozen, Xu Ji’s encouragement shaking him, yet leaving him reluctant to leave immediately and without hesitation. He was devising farewell words, picturing their reunion and planning when and where they might meet again.
"Yes. We’ve escaped the siege, and perhaps only twenty thousand remain! But we have no choice. Please, both of you, do your best!" Han said, handing over military seals and commands.
After issuing the seals and commands, there was no more room for discussion!
Ji Xin and Zhou Ke led eight thousand strong soldiers out. Then, Han Xin gathered the elite troops within the walls, selecting twelve thousand, opened the eastern gate, and advanced eastward.
A fierce battle broke out on the plains, and Han Xin’s troops quickly broke through the first encirclement line of the Chu army! But as they made some progress, the of Western Chu appeared. The Han soldiers, already advancing in battle, turned chaotic at the sight of Xiang Yu’s banner and retreated toward the walls.
Han Xin ordered the eastern wall gate shut, ignoring the twelve thousand elite soldiers outside, and personally led the entire army out from the south, following Ji Xin’s corridor to dash toward Liu Bang’s forces.
The sacrifice of the twelve thousand soldiers allowed the King of Han and his general to unite, but it was no guarantee of escape. When Han Xin met Liu Bang on the battlefield, the Chu army had already filled the gap and encircled them again.
"General—" Liu Bang panted, seeing Han Xin, and said in despair, "How many troops do we still have?"
"But with the King here, all the troops of the world belong to the King," Han Xin said, trying to rally Liu Bang’s spirits in the crisis.
"General, the Chu troops are too many, surrounding us on all sides," Liu Bang remained silent, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"The King, please be at ease. I guarantee you’ll escape. Charge now!" Han Xin said calmly.
"Mother of God!" Liu Bang cursed in pain, "So many more will die! Alright, General, do as you say!"
At that moment, the general Fan Kui approached Han Xin to report. Han Xin glanced at him coldly and gestured to stop him. Then he said, "Fan Kui, bandage your left arm first. I won’t let any general’s blood be spilled!"
Fan Kui froze, blushing, and immediately ordered someone to bandage him.
"King, please stay with Fan Kui and head northwest!" Han Xin said, mounting his horse and galloping away swiftly.
A new battle then began! The meeting of the two Han armies did not turn the tide of the war. The Chu army’s movements were faster, and as Han Xin adjusted his troops to concentrate for an attack to cover the retreat, the Chu army turned against them, breaking through the original. The commander of this sector, Cao Can, retreated to the center. Han Xin quickly ordered to lead troops to defend. Then, he sent his own guard of a thousand soldiers, with General Xia Hou Yin commanding, to reinforce the front.
This was one side of the battlefield, but there were many sides—
Suddenly, urgent news arrived: Xiang Yu of Western Chu had appeared in the northwest. The troops originally assigned to clear the path for the King in the northwest had (disintegrated), and the brothers, General Cao Bo and Cao Mo, had been killed.
Han Xin sent troops to strike from the north in a circuitous route toward the northwest—
But Fan Kui and Liu Bang had also been defeated and retreated.
After only a short separation, Liu Bang was in disarray. Seeing Han Xin, he clamored impatiently, "General, you’re heading up—Xiang Yu won’t let me go!"
"King," Han Xin replied sternly, "please reorganize the troops and head northwest."
Liu Bang was astonished. Xiang Yu was in the northwest—how could he go there? He wanted to curse, but the situation was urgent. Fearing to anger Han Xin further and cause uncontrollable consequences, he had to endure it. Instead, he said with a pained expression, "General, Xiang Yu is in the northwest—I’ve been pushed back by him."
"Now, Xiang Yu has turned south. The King must leave quickly!" Han Xin said sternly once more.
As soon as he finished speaking, he issued a special order: "All troops must break out separately and save themselves."