The General Who Won Three Empires
From eating from strangers' tables and humiliation in the market to commanding a million soldiers — the greatest military genius of the early Han, undone by his own emperor.
Han Xin was born poor in Huaiyin. He was so poor he ate from others' tables and was often mocked. The worst humiliation: he crawled between a man's legs in the market to avoid a fight. He joined Xiang Yu's army as a common soldier but was never recognized. He crossed to the Han side and served under Liu Bang as a low-ranking officer. One night, the prime minister Xiao He rode after Han Xin as he fled camp: 'If you flee again you will die — but you have talent!' Xiao He recommended him to Liu Bang, who made him a general. Han Xin then won battle after battle — annihilating Qi, destroying Wei, defeating Chu. He won three kingdoms for Liu Bang. But he was never fully trusted. When someone told Liu Bang that Han Xin might rebel, Liu Bang had him seized. At Gaixia, Han Xin was executed by a bamboo pole in a woman's home. His genius and his tragedy were equally complete.