Qin and Han · Ruler

Hán Xin 信

Xìn

Attested BC 200

Passages: 20
Chapters: 2
Histories: 2

Overview

The translated histories identify Hán Xin as a general, military officer, ruler, and warlord. This record brings together 20 passages from 2 chapters across 2 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Hán Xin	信	Xìn
Title	great king	大王	dàwáng
Personal	Han Xin	韓信	Hán Xìn
Personal	Han Xin	韓信	Han Xin
Personal	Xin	信	Xìn
Title		君王	jūnwáng

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Explicit · hanshu:042:s0132
Sex: male
Strongly inferred · shiji:098:s0048

Roles

General
Military Officer
Ruler
Warlord

Life and dates

Death

Date Text: 十一年春后，柴將軍屠參合 · Unresolved: true
Explicit · hanshu:042:s0168

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 攻韓信平城下 · Western Year: BC 200
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:098:s0048

Career and standing

Office: King of the Han kingdom / 韓王
Explicit · hanshu:042:s0132

Places and affiliations

Polity: Name: Han / 漢 · Unresolved: true
Explicit · hanshu:042:s0132
Polity: Name: Xiongnu / 匈奴 · Unresolved: true
Explicit · hanshu:042:s0141, hanshu:042:s0155

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Han, Chapter 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 19 passages

六年春，上以為信壯武，北近鞏、雒，南迫宛、葉，東有淮陽，皆天下勁兵處也，乃更以太原郡為韓國，徙信以備胡，都晉陽。 In the spring of the sixth year, the emperor considered Xin strong and martial. Since to the north his territory lay near Gong and Luo, to the south it pressed upon Wan and Ye, and to the east it had Huaiyang, all places with powerful troops, the emperor instead made Taiyuan Commandery the Han kingdom, moved Xin there to guard against the Hu, and set his capital at Jinyang.

信上書曰：「國被邊，匈奴數入，晉陽去塞遠，請治馬邑。」 Han Xin memorialized, saying, "My state borders the frontier and the Xiongnu raid repeatedly. Jinyang is far from the border passes—I ask to administer from Mayi."

秋，匈奴冒頓大入圍信，信數使使胡求和解。 That autumn, Modu of the Xiongnu made a major incursion and besieged Xin, who repeatedly sent envoys to seek peace with the Hu.

漢發兵救之，疑信數間使，有二心。 Han dispatched troops to rescue him, but suspected Xin's repeated secret contacts meant divided loyalties.

上賜信書責讓之曰：「專死不勇，專生不任，寇攻馬邑，君王力不足以堅守乎？ The emperor sent Xin a letter of reprimand, saying, "To cling to death alone is not courage; to cling to life alone is not responsibility. When the enemy attacked Mayi, was your strength insufficient to hold it?

安危存亡之地，此二者朕所以責於君王。」 This is ground where safety and ruin, survival and extinction, are decided—these are the two points for which I hold you accountable."

信得書，恐誅，因與匈奴約共攻漢，以馬邑降胡，擊太原。 When Xin received the letter, he feared execution. He therefore made an agreement with the Xiongnu to attack Han together, surrendered Mayi to the Hu, and attacked Taiyuan.

七年冬，上自往擊破信軍銅鞮，斬其將王喜。 In winter of year seven, the emperor personally campaigned, defeated Xin's forces at Tongdi, and beheaded Xin's general Wang Xi.

信亡走匈奴。 Xin fled to the Xiongnu.

與其將白土人曼丘臣、王黃立趙苗裔趙利為王，復收信散兵，而與信及冒頓謀攻漢。 Together with his generals Manqiu Chen of Baitu and Wang Huang, he established Zhao Li, a descendant of the Zhao line, as king, gathered Xin's scattered soldiers again, and plotted with Xin and Modu to attack Han.

信為匈奴將兵往來擊邊，令王黃等說誤陳豨。 As a Xiongnu commander, Xin kept raiding the border and had Wang Huang and others mislead Chen Xi into rebellion.

十一年春，信復與胡騎入居參合。 In spring of year eleven, Xin again entered and occupied Shenhe with Hu cavalry.

漢使柴將軍擊之，遺信書曰：「陛下寬仁，諸侯雖有叛亡，而後歸，輒復故位號，不誅也。 Han sent General Chai to attack and sent Xin a letter, saying, "The emperor is generous and humane. Even feudal lords who rebel and flee, if they later return, are restored to their former ranks and titles and are not put to death.

大王所知。 You know this well, great king.

今王以敗亡走胡，非有大罪，急自歸。」 Now you have been defeated and fled to the Hu—this is not a grave crime. Return quickly."

信報曰：「陛下擢僕閭巷，南面稱孤，此僕之幸也。 Xin replied, saying, "Your Majesty raised me from the alleys and let me face south as an independent ruler—this was my good fortune.

柴將軍屠參合，斬信。 General Chai massacred Shenhe and beheaded Xin.

信之入匈奴，與太子俱，及至頹當城，生子，因名曰頹當。 When Xin entered Xiongnu territory, the crown prince went with him. When they reached Tuidang City, a son was born, and he was therefore named Tuidang.

楚漢之際，豪桀相王，唯魏豹、韓信、田儋兄弟為舊國之後，然皆及身而絕。 In the interval between Chu and Han, powerful men made one another kings. Only Wei Bao, Han Xin, and the Tian brothers were descendants of the old states, yet all of them saw their lines end with themselves.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 98Biographies of Fu, Jin, and the Marquis of Kuaicheng · 1 passage

以騎都尉從擊代，攻韓信平城下，還軍東垣。 As Cavalry Commandant, Jin Xi followed in the campaign against Dai, attacked Han Xin below Pingcheng, and returned the army to Dongyuan.