Han Xin, Marquis of Huaiyin, was a native of Huaiyin. In his youth he was poor and of loose morals, unfit for office and unable to earn a living through trade or commerce. He frequently depended on others for food and drink, and many grew tired of him. For several months he regularly ate at the home of the chief of the downstream Nanchang post station, but the man's wife took offense at this. She would rise early to prepare and eat her meal before the usual time. When Xin arrived at the proper hour, no food had been prepared for him. Recognizing her intent, he flew into a rage and never returned.
Xin once went fishing below the city walls, where a group of women were washing silk. One of them saw that he was hungry and gave him a meal; she fed him in this way for several dozen days running. Delighted, Xin promised her, "I shall repay your kindness handsomely." She replied angrily, "A grown man cannot feed himself, yet I pitied you and gave you food—did I expect any repayment?"
Among the butchers of Huaiyin there was a young man who insulted Xin, saying, "Though you have grown tall and affect to carry a sword, your heart is timid." Publicly mocking him, the young man declared, "If you have the nerve to die, strike me down; if not, crawl under my legs." Xin studied him for a long while, then knelt and crawled beneath him. The whole market laughed at him, considering him a coward.
Crossing the Huai River, Xin joined him bearing a sword, serving among his officers but remaining unknown. After Xiang Liang's defeat, Xin transferred to Xiang Yu's forces, who made him a palace guard. Xin proposed several strategies to Xiang Yu, who refused to employ them.
When the King of Han entered Shu, Xin deserted Chu for Han, still unknown, and was appointed a supply officer. For a legal violation he was to be executed; his thirteen companions had already been beheaded when Xin arrived. He looked up and caught sight of the Duke of Teng, declaring, "Does the sovereign not wish to claim the empire? Why kill a bold warrior?" The Duke of Teng was struck by his words and his noble bearing, and released him. After speaking with him, the Duke was greatly pleased and recommended him to the sovereign, who appointed Xin Commandant of the Granaries—yet the sovereign did not find him remarkable.
Xin had several conversations with Xiao He, who found him remarkable. Near Nanzheng, dozens of officers and men deserted him along the road. Xin concluded that Xiao He had spoken of him repeatedly to the sovereign, but that the sovereign still would not make use of him, so he fled. When Xiao He learned of his departure, he did not report it to the sovereign but set off in pursuit. Someone told the sovereign, "The Chancellor has fled." The sovereign was furious, feeling he had lost his right and left hands.
A day or two later, Xiao He came before the sovereign, whose face betrayed both anger and delight. "Why did you flee?" he demanded. "Your servant did not flee," Xiao He replied. "I went after the man who did." "And who was that?" "Han Xin." The ruler cursed again. "Of the officers who have fled, there are dozens. Yet you pursue none of them—you lie about this Han Xin." Xiao He answered, "The others are easily found. But a man like Han Xin—there is no match for him in the entire kingdom. If Your Majesty intends only to rule the region of Hanzhong, then you have no need of Xin. But if you aspire to contest the empire, there is no one else who can devise strategy with you." The sovereign said, "I too wish to march east. How could I remain cooped up here in dejection?" Xiao He replied, "If Your Majesty truly intends to go east and can employ Xin, he will stay. If not, he will certainly leave." The sovereign declared, "For your sake, I shall make him a general." "If you make him merely a general, he will not stay," Xiao He responded. "Then I shall make him Grand General," said the sovereign. "That would be most fortunate."
Xiao He remonstrated, "Your Majesty has always been informal and irreverent. Appointing a Grand General as one would summon a mere child—that is precisely why he would leave. If you truly wish to appoint him, select an auspicious day, fast and purify yourself, prepare an altar with proper ceremony, and only then proceed." The ruler agreed.
All the generals were overjoyed, each confident he would be named Grand General. When the appointment was announced, it fell to Han Xin—and the entire army was left stunned.
When the ceremony concluded, the sovereign seated himself beside Xin and asked, "The Chancellor has spoken highly of you on many occasions. What strategy do you propose for your sovereign?"
Xin thanked him and returned the question: "Does Your Majesty now aspire to contend with Xiang Yu for mastery of the realm?"
"Yes," replied the King of Han.
"In your own judgment, how do you compare with Xiang Yu in courage, might, and benevolence?" The King of Han was long silent before answering, "I am not his equal."