Fan Kui, a butcher from Pei County, rose from humble beginnings to become a key figure in Liu Bang's army. He initially joined Liu Bang to launch their rebellion from Feng, conquering Pei County. After Liu Bang became Lord Pei, he appointed Fan Kui as his personal secretary. Later, he fought alongside Liu Bang in Huling and Fangyu, then returned to defend Feng County, where he defeated Sishui's forces below Feng. He then moved east to pacify Pei County, overcoming Sishui's troops to the west of Xue County. In battles against Sima Jin to the east of Dang County, he repelled the enemy and slew fifteen soldiers, earning the title of national officer. Continuing to follow Liu Bang, Fan Kui led the charge when Lord Pei faced Zhang Han's army in Puyang, being the first to storm the city and killing twenty-three enemy soldiers, which earned him the title of lower officer. He then accompanied Liu Bang to attack Chengyang, where he breached the city walls first, entered through a window, defeated Li You's forces, and slew sixteen enemy soldiers, leading to his promotion to a higher noble rank. During Liu Bang's siege of the Commandant of Dongjun in Chengwu, he repelled the enemy, killed fourteen soldiers, captured eleven, and was rewarded with a fifth-rank noble title.
Following Liu Bang to fight the Qin army, departing from south of Bo. Defeated the army of the Hejian county guard at Gangli. Defeated the army of Zhao Bēn to the north of Kaifeng, for his bravery in leading the charge and killing the enemy, killing a military commander and 68 enemy soldiers, capturing twenty-seven people, and was ennobled. Following Liu Bang, he defeated the army of Yang Xiong in Quyu. Attacked Wanling, leading the assault on the city wall, killing eight enemy soldiers, capturing forty-four people, and was appointed as Lord Xiancheng. Following Liu Bang to attack Changshe and Huanyuan, cutting off the Yellow River crossings, attacking the Qin army to the east in Shidi, and attacking the Qin army to the south in Choudi. Defeated the army of the Nanyang county guard in Yancheng. Attacked Wancheng to the east, leading the assault on the city wall. Went west to Lixian, repelled the enemy, killed twenty-four enemy soldiers, captured forty people, and received another promotion. Attacked Wuguan, reached Bashang, killed a commander and ten enemy soldiers, captured one hundred and forty-six people, and 2,900 surrendered soldiers.
Xiang Yu, the young man, was sharpening his knife below, planning to attack Liu Bang. Liu Bang, with more than a hundred cavalry, went to see Xiang Yu on behalf of Xiang Bo, explaining that he absolutely did not mean to isolate himself and oppose Xiang Yu. At that time, Xiang Yu was distributing wine and meat to the soldiers and was a bit drunk. The wily Fan Zeng wanted to harm Liu Bang again, so he instructed Xiang Zhuang to dance with a sword at the banquet, hoping to take the opportunity to kill Liu Bang. Xiang Bo kept protecting Liu Bang in front of him. At that moment, only Liu Bang and Zhang Liang could sit at the table, while Fan Kuai was still outside the tent. Hearing that the situation was critical, he rushed into the tent with a large shield. The guards stopped Fan Kuai, but he charged straight in and stood under the tent. Xiang Yu saw him and asked who he was. Zhang Liang said, "This is Fan Kuai, the Duke of Pei's deputy commander." Xiang Yu exclaimed, "A brave man!" and rewarded him with a cup of wine and a leg of pork. After drinking the wine, Fan Kuai drew his sword to cut the meat and ate it all in one breath. Xiang Yu asked him, "Can you drink another cup?" Fan Kuai replied, "I'm not afraid of death; why would I fear a cup of wine? Besides, the Duke of Pei was the first to enter Xianyang, stationed the army at Ba, waiting for you, Your Majesty. Today, Your Majesty came but believed the slander of villains, causing a rift with Liu Bang. I worry that people all over the world will doubt and suspect Your Majesty." Xiang Yu listened in silence.
Liu Bang excused himself to the privy, sending Fan Kuai ahead. After coming out, Liu Bang left behind the chariot and cavalry, rode only one horse, and hastily walked with Fan Kuai and four others on foot, taking a small path down the mountain, escaping back to the Ba camp, while also sending Zhang Liang to apologize to Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu also let it go, dispelling the idea of killing Liu Bang. Had Fan Kuai not stormed into the tent and shouted at Xiang Yu, Liu Bang would have been a dead man.
The next day, Xiang Yu captured Xianyang and appointed Liu Bang as the King of Han. Han Wang appointed Fan Kui as Marquess, known as the Marquess of Linwu. Fan Kui later rose to the position of Langzhong and followed Liu Bang to base themselves in Hanzhong.
It is said that Liu Bang defeated the three Qin states, then went to the west to defeat the western prime minister, and defeated Yongdi's light cavalry in the south of Yongdi. When attacking Yongcheng and Licheng, he was always the first to charge.
He defeated Zhang Ping's army at Haozhi, and was also the first to charge during the siege, killing a magistrate and a county administrator, beheading eleven people, and capturing twenty. For his achievements, he was promoted to Cavalry Commander under the Langzhong. He later participated in the battle against the Qin army cavalry in Rangdong, successfully repelling the enemy and was promoted to general.
Next, he participated in the attack on Zhao Ben, capturing Mei, Huaili, Liuzhong, Xianyang, and other places; he fought valiantly at Guanfeiqiu. Upon reaching Liyang, Liu Bang rewarded him with the fief of Duxian Fanxiang. He also followed Liu Bang to fight Xiang Yu, participating in the Battle of the Cooked Dates.
On the battlefield, he defeated the armies of Wang Wu and Cheng Chu near Huang. He then attacked Zou, Lu, Xiaqiu, Xue, and other places. Although Xiang Yu defeated King Han Liu Bang in Pengcheng, recapturing Lu and Liang, Liu Bang still made a real difference.
After returning to Xingyang, Liu Bang rewarded Fan Kui with the fief of Pingyin, in land for two thousand households, appointing him general of Guangwu. A year later, Xiang Yu withdrew his troops to the east. Fan Kui followed Liu Bang to fight Xiang Yu again, capturing Yangxia and General Zhou of Chu along with four thousand soldiers.
Later, they besieged Xiang Yu in Chendi, defeated him, and carried out a massacre at Huling.
After Xiang Yu died, Liu Bang became emperor. Because Fan Kuai stood his ground in the war and distinguished himself, the emperor rewarded him with eight hundred households as an estate. Later, he followed Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang to crush the rebellion of the Yan King Zang Tu, captured Zang Tu, and pacified the Yan territory. When the Chu King Han Xin rebelled, Fan Kuai accompanied Liu Bang to the Chen territory, captured Han Xin, and pacified the Chu territory. The emperor then made him a marquis, and together with other feudal lords, they swore a blood oath, agreeing to pass it on for generations without interruption. His estate was moved to Wuyang, and he became the Marquis of Wuyang, with his previous estate being canceled.
Next, he followed Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang as a general to put down the rebellion of the Han King Xin in the Dai territory. From Huo County to Yunzhong Commandery, he and Marquis Zhou Bo, among others, pacified the area, and his estate increased by 1,500 households. Later, he routed the armies of Chen Xi and Man Qiuchen, fought in Xiangguo, and overwhelmed the Bai people, always leading the charge and being the first to climb the city. He pacified twenty-seven counties, including Qinghe and Changshan, destroyed Dongyuan, and was later promoted to Left Prime Minister. He defeated the armies of Qi Wú'áng and Yǐn Pān in Wuzhong and Guangchang. He also defeated the army of Hu Ren Wang Huang, a subordinate of Chen Xi, in the southern part of the Dai territory, and then overcame Han Xin's army in Canhe. During the battles, his soldiers killed Han Xin, defeated the Hu cavalry of Chen Xi in Henggu, and killed General Zhao Ji. They captured ten key figures, including Prime Minister Feng Liang, Garrison Commander Sun Fen, General Wang Huang, General Tai Fu Jie Fu, and others in the Dai territory. He and the generals together pacified seventy-three townships in the Dai territory.
Later, King Yan Lu Wan rebelled, and Fan Kui, in the position of Prime Minister, went to put down Lu Wan's rebellion. He defeated Lu Wan's Prime Minister, reached as far as south of Ji County, and pacified eighteen counties and fifty-one townships in Yan territory. His fiefdom in Wuyang grew by 1300 households, totaling 5400. In this war, he killed 176 enemy soldiers and captured 288, while defeating seven armies, capturing five cities, pacifying six counties, and capturing one Prime Minister, twelve generals, and eleven officials of ranks ranging from 2000 to 300 stones.
Fan Kui married Empress Lü's sister, Lady Lü Xu, and had a son named Fan Kang. Therefore, he was closer to other generals.
It is said that when Qiang Bu rebelled, Liu Bang fell seriously ill, was very restless, and did not want to see anyone. He lay in the palace and ordered that no one should be allowed to see him. Ministers like Marquis Zhou Bo and Guan Ying did not dare to enter the palace without permission. Over ten days later, Fan Kui barged in, followed by other ministers. Liu Bang was lying with his head on a eunuch's leg. Seeing Liu Bang, Fan Kui and the others burst into tears and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, when we rose up together from Pei County to conquer the world, it was so majestic! Now that the world is at peace, why are you so exhausted? And Your Majesty, you are so seriously ill; we are all frightened. You don't see us to discuss matters, but only stay with a eunuch. What gives? Your Majesty, have you forgotten the fate of Zhao Gao – how he abused his power and ended up...?" Liu Bang laughed and sat up.
Later, Lu Wan also rebelled, and Liu Bang sent Fan Kuai as a high-ranking official to attack Yan State. At that time, Liu Bang was very ill, and there were rumors that if Liu Bang died, Fan Kuai would massacre the Qi clan and Prince Ruyi. Liu Bang was furious when he heard this, so he sent Chen Ping with Marquis Zhou Bo to replace Fan Kuai and then executed Fan Kuai. Chen Ping was afraid of Lu Pheasant, so he took Fan Kuai to Chang'an. When they arrived in Chang'an, Liu Bang had already passed away. Lu Pheasant released Fan Kuai and restored his title and fiefdom.
In the sixth year of Emperor Xiaohui, Fan Kuai passed away and was posthumously named Wuhou. His son Fan Kang inherited the marquis position. Fan Kuai's wife Lu Xu also became the Marquis of Linyang. During Lu Pheasant's reign, she ran the show, and the ministers were all afraid of her. Fan Kang held the marquis position for nine years, but when Lu Pheasant passed away, the ministers purged the Lu clan, resulting in the death of Fan Kang. The Marquis of Wuyang position remained vacant for several months. After Emperor Xiaowen ascended the throne, he reappointed Fan Kuai's other son Fan Tegguang as the Marquis of Wuyang, restoring his original title and fiefdom. Fan Tegguang held the marquis position for twenty-nine years before passing away and being posthumously named Huanghou. His son Fan Teguang inherited the marquis position. When Fan Teguang was six years old, a house manager in the marquis's residence offended him and harbored resentment, so he accused Fan Shi of not being his biological father and reported it to the emperor. The emperor ordered officials to investigate the matter. In the sixth year of Emperor Xiaojing, Fan Teguang was stripped of his marquis title, became a commoner, and lost his land.
So, there was this guy, Li Shang, the Marquis of Quzhou, from Gaoyang. When Chen Sheng started his uprising, Li Shang rounded up a bunch of lads and started recruiting an army, and ended up with a few thousand strong! Six months later, when Liu Bang reached Chenliu, Li Shang, with his four thousand soldiers, went to Liu Bang at Qishan.
Next, he fought alongside Liu Bang at Changshe, charging into battle and being the first to climb the city wall, where he performed greatly and was appointed as Lord Xincheng. Then, at Gaoshi, he helped Liu Bang conquer the area, cutting off the Yellow River crossing and defeating the Qin army east of Luoyang. He also participated in the attacks on Wancheng and Rangcheng, bringing seventeen counties under control. He led his troops to capture Xunguan, pacifying the Hanzhong region.
Xiang Yu wiped out the Qin, making Liu Bang King of Han. King Han appointed Li Shang as Lord Xincheng and made him the Longxi governor. He led his troops to pacify Beidi and Shangjun, beat the Yongdi general Yan Shi at Xunyi, and crushed Su Zou's forces at Niyang. For this, Liu Bang rewarded him with a fiefdom of 6,000 households. Later, as the Longxi governor, he followed Liu Bang for five months, fighting from Juye to Zhonglimo, getting into some serious scraps, and was eventually appointed as the Prime Minister of Liang, with his fief increased by four thousand households.
After becoming the Prime Minister of Liang, he followed Liu Bang for two years and three months, participating in the battle of Huling. After Xiang Yu's death, Liu Bang became Emperor. In the autumn of that year, Yan King Zangtu rebelled, and Li Shang, as a general, followed Liu Bang to suppress Zangtu. In the Battle of Longtuo, he was the first to charge into the enemy's formation, defeated Zangtu's army, and successfully repelled the enemy. Due to his outstanding military achievements, he was promoted to Right Prime Minister, enfeoffed as a Marquis, and together with the other nobles, swore a blood oath, increasing his fief to five thousand households in Zhuo County, and became known as the Marquis of Zhuo.
After serving as the Right Chancellor, he was sent to conquer the Shanggu region, then attacked the Dai region and was appointed as the Chancellor of the Zhao State. Later, in his capacity as both the Right Chancellor and the Chancellor of the Zhao State, he, along with the Marquis of Jiang and others, subdued the Dai region and Yanmen Commandery, capturing 19 officials holding ranks from 600 to 2000 shi, including the Prime Minister Cheng Zong and the Governor Guo Tong of the Dai State. Upon returning to court, he served as the guard of the Empress Dowager for one year and seven months.
Later, he attacked Chen Xi as the Right Chancellor, destroying Dongyuan. Subsequently, he followed Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang in the campaign against Ying Bu, leading the vanguard forces against Ying Bu, defeating two main armies, and ultimately overcoming Ying Bu's forces. This earned him a 5100-household fief in Quzhou, significantly expanding his already considerable holdings. Overall, he defeated enemy forces three times, subdued six commanderies, and seventy-three counties, capturing one Prime Minister, one Governor, one General, two minor generals, and nineteen military officers ranging from 600 to 2000 shi.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaohui of the Han Dynasty and Empress Dowager Gao, Li Shang fell ill and was not properly treated. His son Li Ji, styled Kuang, had a close relationship with Lv Lu. After the death of Empress Dowager Gao, the court plotted to eliminate the Lü clan's influence. Lv Lu was a general stationed in the Northern Army, and the Grand Commandant Zhou Bo could not enter the Northern Army. Therefore, Zhou Bo sent someone to deceive Li Shang and let Li Ji go to mislead Lv Lu, claiming there was good news. Lv Lu believed it and went out to play with Li Ji. Zhou Bo then successfully entered the Northern Army, took control of the army, and ultimately exterminated the Lü clan. That year, Li Shang passed away and was posthumously titled the Marquis of Jing. His son Li Ji inherited the marquisate. People all over the world said that Li Kuang, this young man, betrayed his friend for personal gain!
When it came to the third year of Jingdi, the four states of Wu, Chu, Qi, and Zhao rebelled. The Emperor appointed Li Ji as a general to besiege the capital of Zhao, but after ten months, they still couldn't capture it. Then, Luan Bu, a high-ranking official from Qi, arrived and helped conquer Zhao's capital, leading to the destruction of Zhao, with the king committing suicide and the state being abolished. In the second year of Jingdi, Li Ji wanted to marry the daughter of Pingyuan Jun, which angered the Emperor. Li Ji was arrested, interrogated, found guilty, and stripped of his title. Later, Li Jian, another son of Li Shang, was appointed as Marquis of Miao, continuing the Li family's marquisate. The marquisate passed to his son, then his grandson, and finally his great-grandson, who later became the Minister of Ceremonies but broke the law and was stripped of his title.
Xiahou Ying was a Pei County horse breeder. When he returned from a mission, he would always chat with Liu Bang at the Sishi Pavilion in Pei County for several days. Xiahou Ying later became a county official and had a close relationship with Liu Bang. One day, while horsing around, Liu Bang accidentally hurt Xiahou Ying, but Xiahou Ying kept mum about it. When they reopened the case, Xiahou Ying and Liu Bang were imprisoned together for over a year, and Xiahou Ying was whipped, but they were eventually released.
When Liu Bang first started his uprising, he wanted to attack Pei County. At that time, I was just a lowly clerk in Pei County and helped Liu Bang with his tasks. When Liu Bang captured Pei County, he immediately appointed me as Marquis of Pei (a high-ranking noble title) and granted me the title of Seven Dafu (a high-ranking official), making me the Master of the Stables. Later, during the suppression of Huling, I helped restore order with Xiao He by the side of the Sishi River. Huling's surrender earned me a promotion to Five Dafu.
Then I was in the thick of it, fighting, smashing the Qin army east of Dangxian, taking Jiyang and Huyou, and wiping out Li You's forces near Yongqiu. I always charged into the fray, working especially hard, so I was promoted and got the title of *zhìbó* (a low-level official) and later to *zhìguī* (a higher rank). After that, I continued to follow Liu Bang, driving his chariot, and defeated Zhang Han's army in Dong'e and Puyang. Because of my battlefield heroics, I was promoted again and received the title of *zhìguī*. Later, I fought Zhao Ben's army in Kaifeng and Yang Xiong's army in Quyu. Those battles? I was a one-man army! I bagged sixty-eight prisoners, subdued eight hundred and fifty soldiers, and even snagged a whole crate of official seals! Because of my outstanding military achievements, I was promoted again and directly appointed as Teng Gong. After that, I followed Liu Bang to fight in Nanyang, where we fought at Lantian and Zhiyang, always leading the charge, until we hit Bashang. Xiang Yu toppled the Qin, making Liu Bang the King of Han. The King of Han made me a marquis, the Marquis Zhaoping, and allowed me to continue serving as the Grand Charioteer, accompanying him to Shu and Han. After pacifying the Three Qins, I followed Liu Bang to fight against Xiang Yu. When we reached Pengcheng, things got hairy. Liu Bang, with his sons Xiaohui and Lu Yuancang, made a run for it. In a critical situation, Liu Bang's horse was exhausted, and enemy soldiers were chasing after them. He was ready to ditch the kids several times, but I kept hauling them along. To escape faster, I let Liu Bang go ahead and walked slowly myself, only speeding up when we reached a large tree. Liu Bang was fit to be tied – he almost offed me a few times! But we made it, getting Xiaohui and Lu Yuancang safely to Feng County.
Liu Bang, the future founder of the Han Dynasty, arrived in Yingyang, reorganized his scattered troops, and the army grew stronger again, and I was rewarded with the fiefdom of Qiyang. I joined Liu Bang's campaign against Xiang Yu, pursuing all the way to Chen, finally pacifying the Chu region, arriving in Lu, and increasing my fiefdom with Zishi.
The King of Han became the Emperor. In the autumn of that year, King Yan Zangtu rebelled, and Liu Ying followed the team led by the Grand Steward, a high-ranking official in the Han military, to fight against Zangtu.
The following year, Liu Ying participated in the army's advance to Chen and captured King Xin of Chu. The army stationed in Ruyin to replenish supplies, and Liu Ying and King Xin agreed to be friends for generations and never turn against each other. Afterwards, Liu Ying fought alongside the army against the Dai Kingdom, reaching Wuquan and Yunzhong, and the court granted him 1,000 households of fiefdom. Then, he took part in a major battle near Jinyang with Han Xin's forces, where they really smashed the Xiongnu cavalry. They pursued the Xiongnu all the way to Pingcheng, where they were surrounded and unable to break out for seven days. Emperor Gaozu sent a messenger to bribe the wife of the Xiongnu Chanyu with a large sum of money, and only then did the Chanyu open a gap in the encirclement. Emperor Gaozu wanted to run away quickly, but Liu Ying insisted on moving slowly, having all the crossbowmen draw their bows to the full and aim outside, thus safely escaping. Afterwards, the court rewarded Liu Ying with a fiefdom of 1,000 households in Xiyan. Later, Liu Ying followed the Grand Steward's army to defeat the Xiongnu cavalry north of Juzhu, winning a smashing victory. He then joined the Grand Steward's forces to fight against the Xiongnu cavalry south of Pingcheng, breaking through the enemy lines three times, with outstanding military achievements, and the court granted him 500 enemy households. He followed the Grand Steward's team to battle against the armies of Chen Xi and Ying Bu, breaking through the enemy lines and repelling them, and the court then granted him another 1,000 households, plus 6,900 in Ruyin – excluding previous grants.
From the time Liu Bang raised his troops in Pei County, Liu Ying served as Master of the Horse until the death of Emperor Gaozu. After Emperor Gaozu's death, he continued to serve as Master of the Horse, assisting Emperor Xiaohui. Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Lü were very grateful to Liu Ying for saving their lives near Xiayi, so they treated him with special favor, granting him the best house in the north and naming it "Close to Me" to show their respect and special treatment. After Emperor Xiaohui's death, he continued to serve Empress Lü as Master of the Horse. Following Empress Lü's death, Prince Liu Heng was set to inherit the throne. Liu Ying, in his capacity as Master of the Horse, entered the palace with Marquis Dongmou, deposed the young emperor, and welcomed the prince to the mansion with the imperial regalia, along with the ministers, proclaiming him Emperor Xiaowen. Liu Ying continued to serve as Master of the Horse. Liu Ying died at the age of eight and was posthumously given the title of Marquis Wen. His son, Marquis Yi Zao, inherited the title but died seven years later. His grandson, Marquis Gong, inherited the title but died thirty-one years later. His great-grandson, Marquis Po, married Princess Pingyang. At the age of nineteen, in the second year of Yuanding, Marquis Po was sentenced to death for an improper relationship with his father's maid, and his fiefdom was also revoked.
Guan Ying started out selling cloth in Suiyang. When Liu Bang became the Duke of Pei and marched near Yongqiu, after Zhang Han crushed Xiang Liang, Liu Bang retreated to Dang County. At that time, Guan Ying was a lowly soldier, but he fought fiercely in the battles at Chengwu against the Eastern County Commandant and at Kangli against the Qin army, earning a promotion straight to the rank of Seven Majors.
Next, he followed Liu Bang to attack the Qin army in Bo'nan, Kaifeng, and Quyu. He fought fast and fiercely, received another promotion, became a Palace Attendant, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Xuanling. Later, he continued to fight, advancing from Yangwu all the way to Luoyang, where he routed the Qin army in Shibei, cutting off the Yellow River crossing, and defeated the defender of Nanyang City to the east, ultimately pacifying Nanyang Commandery. Then they moved west to Wuguan and fought in Lantian, where Guan Ying displayed exceptional bravery. He pressed on to Ba, received yet another promotion, became a Palace Attendant, and was granted the title of Marquis of Changwen.
After Liu Bang became the King of Han, he appointed Guan Ying as a Langzhong, and they entered Hanzhong together. Ten months later, Guan Ying was promoted to Zhongyue. Following Liu Bang, they pacified the land of Sanqin, captured Liyang, and subdued the King of Sai. Afterwards, they besieged Zhang Han at Feiqiu, but unfortunately could not capture it. Then they headed east to Linjing Pass, defeated the King of Yin, and took control of that territory. He also led troops in a fierce battle against Long Qie and Wei Xiang, generals under Xiang Yu, south of Dingtao, winning a decisive victory. Due to these military achievements, Guan Ying was granted the title of Marquis, known as Marquis of Changwen, with his fiefdom in Duping Township.
Guan Ying followed the envoy from Dang County all the way south to Pengcheng. They ran into Xiang Yu's army, and Han King Liu Bang was overwhelmed by Xiang Yu and fled westward in a panic. Guan Ying then withdrew with Liu Bang back to the camp and stationed in Yongqiu. At this time, Wang Wu and Shen Tu of the Wei Kingdom betrayed them and joined Xiang Yu in attacking the Han army. The Han army fought back and crushed the rebels. They then captured Huang County, retreated west, and stationed the army in Xingyang.
The cavalry of the Chu army were bearing down on them, and the Han King Liu Bang thought he needed to quickly find a capable cavalry commander. He learned that the cavalry experts from the Qin Dynasty, Li Bi and Luo Jia, were now serving as junior officers in the Han army. These two were skilled in horsemanship and were well-suited for the task! The Han King wanted to appoint them directly, but Li Bi and Luo Jia said, "We were ordinary folks in the Qin Dynasty, and we are afraid that others may not trust us. It would be better to have a skilled cavalry commander by the King's side to lead us." At that time, although Guan Ying was young, he was brave in battle and had achieved great military exploits. Therefore, the Han King appointed Guan Ying as a high-ranking official, and at the same time appointed Li Bi and Luo Jia as his left and right-hand men, letting them lead the cavalry to meet the Chu cavalry in battle east of Xingyang. As a result, the Han army achieved a great victory, defeating the Chu army's cavalry.
Later, Guan Ying was ordered to lead his troops alone to attack the eastern flank of the Chu army, cutting off their food supply route, and he pursued them from Yangwu to Xiangyi. Near Lu County, he defeated Xiang Guan, a general under Xiang Yu, and killed the enemy's second-in-command and a cavalry commander. Then, he defeated Zhe Gong and Wang Wu, stationed the army on the west side of Yan State, and also killed five generals and a Liangyin (a local military official) of the Lou Fan army. He also defeated Huan Ying, a subordinate of Wang Wu, and killed a Commander. Later, Guan Ying led the cavalry across the Yellow River, escorted the Han King to Luoyang, and then went north to meet the army of Han Xin, joining forces in Handan. Upon returning to Aocang, Guan Ying was promoted to Inspector General (御史大夫), a position of significant power and prestige.
Three years later, Guan Ying was made a marquis and given the fief of Du Pingxiang. His military prowess quickly gained recognition. During his tenure as the Imperial Inspector, he was ordered to lead the cavalry to support Han Xin in the east. There, they decisively routed the Qi army at Li Xia, capturing Hua Wushang, the Qi general, along with 46 other officers. Subsequently, Guan Ying seized Linzi and captured Tian Guang, the Qi minister. He then swiftly pursued Tian Heng to Ying and Bo, overwhelming his cavalry, killing one cavalry general, and taking four others as prisoners. After taking Ying and Bo, he defeated the Qi general Tian Xi in Qiancheng and killed him. Finally, joining Han Xin at Gaomi, he helped defeat Long Qie and Liu Gongxuan, killing Long Qie and capturing their Right Commander, a county magistrate, ten generals from Loufan, and the deputy general Zhou Lan.
After Han Xin took over the land of Qi, he took the title of King of Qi. He sent General Ying to attack the Chu general Gong Gao, with the battle taking place in the northern part of Lu territory, winning a decisive victory. He then swept south, taking Xue County and capturing a cavalry commander from the Chu army. He then advanced to Fu Yang and Xiaxiang, before securing Lü and Xu territories. After crossing the Huai River, cities along the way fell to him in rapid succession, finally reaching Guangling. Xiang Yu sent Xiang Sheng, Xue Gong, and Tan Gong to retake the land north of the Huai River. General Ying also crossed the Huai River, fought in the north, defeated Xiang Sheng and Tan Gong in Pei County, killed Xue Gong, and took over Pei County. He then defeated the Chu cavalry at Pingyang, capturing Pengcheng, and the cities of Liu, Xue, Pei, Zou, Xiao, and Xiang also surrendered. He attacked the territories of Ku and Qiao, capturing a lower-ranking Chu general, Zhou Lan. Later, he joined forces with the King of Han in Yixiang. Together, they attacked Xiang Yu's army in Chen territory, achieving victory. General Ying's troops killed two of Lou Fan's commanders, captured eight cavalry commanders, and were rewarded with 2500 households' worth of land and tax revenue. After Xiang Yu's defeat at Gaixia, he fled, and General Ying was appointed as the Imperial Inspector, leading the cavalry to pursue Xiang Yu and defeating him in Dongcheng. Five of his men fell upon Xiang Yu and slew him, and they were all appointed as marquises. He also captured Xiang Yu's left and right marshals, as well as ten thousand soldiers, completely disintegrating Xiang Yu's army. He conquered Dongcheng and Liyang, crossed the Yangtze River, captured the defender of Wu County, and thus secured Wu, Yuzhang, and Kuaiji counties. His campaign in the north of the Huai River resulted in the pacification of fifty-two counties.
After Emperor Han ascended the throne, he rewarded General Ying with a fief of 3,000 households. That autumn, General Ying, as Cavalry General, followed the Han army and together defeated King Zangtu of Yan. The following year, they reached Chen and captured King Xin of Chu. Upon returning to the capital, Emperor Gaozu held a ceremony for him to ensure his descendants would also enjoy wealth and honor. He was granted a fief of 2,500 households in Yingyin and titled the Marquis of Yingyin.
Later, as Cavalry General, General Ying followed the Han army to quell the rebellion of King Xin of Han. Reaching Mayi, he was ordered to attack the six counties north of Loufan, where he killed the Prime Minister of Dai and defeated the Xiongnu cavalry north of Wuquan. He then fought alongside the Han army against Han Xin and the Xiongnu cavalry at the foot of Jinyang City, where his troops killed the Xiongnu general Hupaiti. He then led cavalry from Yan, Zhao, Qi, Liang, and Chu against the Xiongnu cavalry at Shashi. Upon reaching Pingcheng, they were surrounded by the Xiongnu forces and eventually retreated to Dongyuan with the Han army.
Following his victory over Chen Xi, he was ordered to attack the army of Prime Minister Hou Chang in Quni, defeating them and killing Hou Chang and five senior commanders. Quni, Lulu, Shangquyang, Anguo, and Anping all surrendered. He also captured Dongyuan.
Later, when Ying Bu rebelled, I was appointed as a General. I first set out to attack Ying Bu's supporting troops, defeated them in Xiangdi, and killed their second-in-command along with three leading officers. I then went on to defeat Ying Bu's main force and the Grand Marshal's troops. Later, I defeated another of Ying Bu's generals, Fei Zhu. I personally captured their Left Marshal, and my soldiers killed ten of their junior generals, pursuing them all the way to the banks of the Huai River. For these military achievements, I was granted an additional 2,500 households of land. After Ying Bu was brought under control, Emperor Gaozu returned and granted me an additional 5,000 households of land in Yingyin, including the previous grants. In total, from this war, I captured two officials of the 2,000 stone rank (a high-ranking official), defeated sixteen armies, took over forty-six cities, pacified a kingdom, two counties, and fifty-two districts, and captured two generals, a Grand Marshal, a Prime Minister, and ten officials of the 2,000 stone rank.
After defeating Ying Bu and returning, Emperor Gaozu passed away, and I served Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Dowager Lü as a marquis. After the death of Empress Dowager Lü, Lü Lu and others supported Prince Zhao to declare himself General, stationed in Chang'an, and started a rebellion. King Ai of Qi heard about this and led his troops westward, preparing to march on the capital to execute the usurpers. Upon hearing this, Lü Lu and others sent me as a general to attack King Qi. When I reached Xingyang, I discussed with Jiang and then stationed the army there, secretly informing King Qi that we intended to jointly eliminate the Lü clan. As a result, King Qi's army halted and did not continue to advance. After Jiang and others destroyed the Lü clan, King Qi withdrew his troops, and I also withdrew from Xingyang. Together with Jiang and Chen Ping, we supported Prince Dai as Emperor Xiaowen. Emperor Xiaowen granted me an additional 3,000 households of land, rewarded me with 1,000 pounds of gold, and appointed me as the Grand Commandant.
These events solidified my position and influence, shaping my future endeavors in service to the empire.
When Guan Ying was three years old, Zhou Bo, the Marquis of Jiang, was dismissed and returned to his fiefdom. With Zhou Bo gone, Guan Ying became Prime Minister, and the post of Grand Commandant was abolished. In the same year, the Xiongnu launched a massive invasion of Beidi and Shangjun, so the Emperor ordered Prime Minister Guan Ying to lead 85,000 cavalry to fight the Xiongnu. After the Xiongnu retreated, the King of Jibei rebelled, and the Emperor recalled Guan Ying's army. He died in office a little over a year later and was posthumously given the title of Marquis Yi. His son inherited the title of Marquis Ping, his grandson inheriting it as Marquis Adai. His grandson died at 28, and his son inherited the title. Thirteen years later, this son committed a crime, and his title was abolished for two years. In the third year of Yuanguang, the Emperor granted the title of Marquis Linru to Guan Ying's grandson, Xian, thus continuing the family line. But at eight, Xian was convicted of bribery and lost his title.
This rise and fall of fortunes among the Han Dynasty's elite is a recurring theme. Sima Qian recounts: I went around Fengpei, chatting with old-timers and checking out where guys like Xiao He, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai, and Teng Gong used to live. It's amazing what I found out! Who'd have guessed these guys, back when they were just butchering pigs and selling cloth, would end up making history alongside Liu Bang, their names remembered for generations? Everyone I talked to said that's how most of Gaozu's top guys got their start.
