Han Xin (Marquis of Huaiyin)

Han Xin (c. 231–196 BC), Marquis of Huaiyin, was one of the greatest military minds in world history, celebrated as one of the 'Three Heroes of the early Han dynasty' alongside Xiao He and Zhang Liang. Born into extreme poverty and once forced to crawl between the legs of a street bully, Han Xin was recognized by Xiao He, who convinced Liu Bang to appoint him supreme commander of the Han armed forces.

Han Xin achieved legendary victories: he 'pretended to repair the wooden gallery road while marching secretly via Chencang' to capture the Guanzhong heartland, fought the Battle of Jingxing with his troops' 'backs to the river' (zhi zhi si di er hou sheng) to defeat Zhao, and swept through Qi. In 202 BC, at the Battle of Gaixia, Han Xin encircled Xiang Yu's forces and had his men sing Songs of Chu, breaking the enemy's morale and winning the Chu-Han Contention. He was later executed by Empress Lü Zhi out of dynastic paranoia.