Han Xin

Author: Li Fengsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book begins with Han Xin's wandering in Huaiyin, tracing his journey from joining Xiang Liang's army, abandoning Chu to follow Han, hunting pigs among the feudal lords, to the unification of the world, and ending with his execution in the Zhonglou Hall of the Changle Palace. The entire book follows the thread of Han Xin's life, showcasing the great wisdom, courage, righteousness, achievements, and great sorrow of this founding general, leaving a millennium of lament in history.
At the end of the Qin Dynasty, the peasant uprising led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang stirred up the flames of war that buried the Qin Dynasty among the ambitious heroes of the land. Amid the clash of swords between Chu and Han, the commoner Han Xin, with his unparalleled wisdom and bravery, ultimately became the key figure determining the fate of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. The strategist's theory of "dividing the world into three parts" echoed in Han Xin's ears. Against the backdrop of a vast and turbulent era, this book vividly portrays the adage "heroes emerge in chaos."
Amidst the dark clouds, red blood, and swirling winds, a bronze statue of a Chu-Han hero stands tall under the starry night sky—Han Xin, Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, Zhang Liang, Xiao He, Fan Zeng, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu. They shine brilliantly, embodying wisdom, courage, cunning, intrigue, and the loyalty of the heart and the extraordinary character of Han Xin. His choice of whether to rebel or not becomes an inevitable contemplation for readers after closing the book.
In early summer, Huaiyin was filled with white willow catkins. Outside the city, all things flourished, while inside, people were busy. Han Xin and his wife Yue'e ran a bustling inn. Although Han Xin was no businessman, Yue'e was a skilled one. She was warm to customers, gave them discounts, and treated everyone fairly, quickly earning the trust of the townspeople. Han Xin helped with the chores, did the heavy work, and ran errands—never idle. The couple hoped to work for another couple of years to pay off their debts and bring their elderly parents to the city to live, fulfilling their filial duties. But they never expected that a major event would shake Huaiyin, changing the course of Han Xin's life.
As noon approached, people suddenly panicked, rushing into the city from all four gates like wolves in pursuit. Once inside, they fled deeper into the alleys. The frightened people couldn't speak, only scrambling to escape, plunging Huaiyin into tension and terror. Before the Huaiyin people could understand what was happening, the clanging of bronze gongs filled the streets. From the south street to the north street, from the east lane to the west lane, the sound echoed like popping beans—never heard before. The stormy gong sounds added to the sense of fear. Then, the county officials shrieked in horror: "Bandits are rebelling and attacking Huaiyin City! Young men and women, quickly to the city walls to defend!" Chaos erupted in Huaiyin.
Han Xin had already heard from drinkers that the people could no longer endure Qin's oppressive rule and had risen in rebellion. The news spread rapidly: the world was in great turmoil, heroes rose in every corner, attacking county seats and killing prefects—very fierce. Han Xin didn't expect the rebels to reach Huaiyin so quickly. Seeing the chaos in the city, he hurriedly packed the shop, closed the doors and windows, and settled Yue'e and the child at home before rushing out onto the street to see what was happening.
As soon as he stepped outside, the rebels broke in. Han Xin didn't dare to move forward and hid in the shadows to watch. The rebels surged into Huaiyin like a tide. A young general, fearless and brave, led the charge. He wore a golden helmet, silver armor, rode a swift horse with mixed fur, and held a long spear. He arrived before the county office and, with a sweep of his spear, impaled the county magistrate in mid-air. The magistrate, clawing wildly in the air like a ghost, shrieked for a moment before collapsing like a wet cloth, then trampled by the advancing rebels. The county vice-magistrate tried to flee but was stabbed to death by another general with a spear. County officials who couldn't escape were hacked to death by the mob. Huaiyin was engulfed in smoke and fire, blood splattered on the red gates—a complete upheaval.
Han Xin was captivated by the sight when Yue'e came up and pulled him back to the shop to hide. He admired the golden-helmeted general for impaling the magistrate in the air—he was truly a hero. These officials, who usually oppressed the people, were worth less than tattered clothes in the face of the rebels. Yue'e held Han Xin's hand tightly, never letting go, as they hid in the shop for half the day and the night.
The next morning, when the sun rose, Han Xin quietly peered out through the crack in the door: the streets were filled with soldiers and civilians, living in harmony without hostility. He realized the rebels did not harm ordinary people and, ignoring Yue'e's persuasion, came out onto the street. Not far from his shop was the county office, but