Han Xin (died 196 BC) was a military general who served Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han) during the Chu–Han Contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han dynasty. Han Xin was named as one of the "Three Heroes of the early Han dynasty" (漢初三傑), along with Zhang Liang and Xiao He.
Han Xin is best remembered as a brilliant military leader for the strategies and tactics he employed in warfare, some of which became the origins of certain Chinese idioms. In recognition of Han Xin's contributions, Liu Bang conferred the titles of "King of Qi" on him in 203 BC and "King of Chu" in the following year. However, Liu Bang feared Han Xin's growing influence and gradually reduced his authority, demoting him to "Marquis of Huaiyin" in late 202 BC. In 196 BC, Han Xin was accused of participating in a rebellion and lured into a trap and executed on Empress Lü Zhi's orders.
Han Xin lived a childhood in destitution as his father died early. He was despised by those around him as he often relied on others for his meals. He had a keen interest in military strategy and spent his time studying military treatises and practising sword techniques.
Han Xin (died 196 BC), also referred to as Han Wang Xin in Chinese historical texts to differentiate him from the contemporary general Han Xin, was a descendant of the royal family of the Han state of the Warring States period. After the establishment of the Hàn Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu granted Han Xin the title of "King of Han" (韓王). In 201 BC, Han Xin was suspected of conspiring with the Xiongnu to attack the Hàn Empire and decided to defect to the Xiongnu. He was killed in action during a battle against the Hàn army in 196 BC.
Han Xin was a grandson of King Xiang of the Han state from the Warring States period. Around 207 BC, Han Xin joined Liu Bang's rebel army in Henan and followed Liu to overthrow the Qin Dynasty. After the fall of Qin in 206 BC, Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms and granted Liu Bang the title of "King of Hàn" (漢王) and relocated Liu to the remote Bashu region (in present-day Sichuan).