The Journey to Hanzhong: A Strategic Retreat

In the fourth month of the first year of the Han era, Liu Bang’s army broke camp at Bashang and commenced a historic march. Their route took them south through Du County—near present-day Xi’an in Chang’an—and into the Ziwu Valley, a treacherous mountain passage leading toward the remote territory of Hanzhong. This movement was not a retreat in defeat but a calculated strategic withdrawal, part of the complex political settlement following the fall of the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang, once a minor official from Pei County, had risen to become a key contender in the power struggles that followed the collapse of unified imperial rule.

The decision to relocate to Hanzhong was born out of the delicate negotiations at the Hongmen Banquet, where Liu Bang and his rival Xiang Yu had reached a tense accord. Though Liu Bang had initially entered the Guanzhong region with a force bolstered by surrendered Qin troops, the terms brokered by Xiang Yu required him to relinquish these additional soldiers. Thus, Liu Bang departed with only his core loyalists—approximately thirty thousand veterans who had been with him since the early days of the rebellion. These men, hailing primarily from the eastern regions of Sishui and Dang Commanderies, formed the backbone of what would become the Han imperial army. Their loyalty was unquestioned, forged through years of campaigning together from Pei to the gates of the Qin capital.

The Core Loyalists: Foundation of a New Dynasty

Liu Bang’s thirty thousand troops were more than just soldiers; they were a community bound by shared origins, experiences, and ambitions. Most came from the eastern territories formerly under Chu influence, with a heavy concentration from Sishui and Dang. This group, later known historiographically as the Dang-Si Chu Faction, represented the heart of Liu Bang’s military and administrative machine. From their ranks would emerge the future generals, ministers, and nobility of the Han Empire—men like Xiao He, Cao Shen, and Fan Kuai, whose names would be etched into the annals of Chinese history.

These veterans had accompanied Liu Bang on his dramatic rise from local magistrate to regional warlord. They had fought their way through central China, eventually penetrating the Qin heartland via the Wu Pass. Their cohesion and morale were critical assets at a time when the political landscape was fracturing into numerous rival states. Despite their reduced numbers after the Hongmen agreement, this core group retained its discipline and esprit de corps, qualities that would prove indispensable in the challenging times ahead.

The Volunteers: Opportunists and Dreamers

Beyond the official contingent, thousands of unofficial followers joined the march to Hanzhong. These were men from various eastern states who had entered the Guanzhong region either with Liu Bang through Wu Pass or with Xiang Yu through Hangu Pass. According to the post-Qin settlement, they were supposed to return to their home regions following Xiang Yu’s redistribution of territories into nineteen states. Yet many chose otherwise—dissatisfied with the prospect of returning to ordinary life, they saw greater opportunity in following Liu Bang into what seemed like exile.

Historians estimate these volunteers numbered in the tens of thousands. They became known as the “Princes’ Followers” , reflecting their diverse origins and their decision to cast their lot with Liu Bang rather than return home. Their motivations were mixed: some sought glory and advancement; others believed Liu Bang possessed the mandate to eventually unite China; all were willing to endure hardship for the chance of greater rewards. Those who persevered would later form a significant part of the Han establishment, enjoying special privileges and status in the new dynasty.

The Ambitious Outsider: Han Xin’s Arrival

Among these volunteers was Han Xin, a native of Donghai Commandery in the former Chu territories. Unlike many of his fellow volunteers, Han Xin arrived with extraordinary ambition—not merely seeking employment but aiming for the highest military position in the Han forces: commander-in-chief. His background was unusual; he had previously served under Xiang Yu as a Langzhong, a mid-level officer in the personal guard. Dissatisfied with his prospects under Xiang Yu, he defected to Liu Bang’s side during this period of transition.

Han Xin was no ordinary soldier. He saw himself in the tradition of legendary strategists like Jiang Ziya . He believed Liu Bang had the potential to become a new Zhou Wu Wang or King Helü of Wu—a ruler who could unite China under his banner. Han Xin aimed to be the military mastermind behind such an achievement. His defection was thus a calculated gamble, betting that his talents would be better recognized and utilized under Liu Bang’s leadership.

Early Service and Frustration

Upon joining the Han forces in Hanzhong, Han Xin was appointed to the position of Lian’ao, a mid-level military office in the Chu administrative system that Liu Bang had retained. This was roughly equivalent to his previous rank under Xiang Yu, reflecting Liu Bang’s policy of integrating defectors at comparable levels, especially those from Chu backgrounds. However, for Han Xin, this was a profound disappointment. Rather than bringing him closer to the center of power, it seemed to push him further away from the strategic planning and command roles he coveted.

The Lian’ao position involved routine military duties with little scope for the grand strategic thinking Han Xin believed he could contribute. As months passed in Hanzhong, his frustration grew. He felt his talents were being wasted, and the isolation from Liu Bang’s inner circle became increasingly galling. This period represented a personal and professional low point for the ambitious young officer, who had risked much in switching allegiances.

The Death Sentence and Turning Point

Historical records indicate that Han Xin eventually found himself in grave danger—condemned to death for an unspecified offense. The exact nature of his crime remains lost to history, though some scholars speculate it may have involved attempted desertion or other acts born of frustration. Whatever the case, he was sentenced to execution along with several others.

On the day of the executions, thirteen men were beheaded before Han Xin’s turn arrived. At this critical moment, he did not beg for mercy but instead looked up at the supervising officer and shouted: “Does the King of Han not wish to conquer the world? Why then does he execute brave men?” This bold declaration caught the attention of Xia Houying, the officer in charge. Struck by Han Xin’s imposing physique, calm demeanor, and eloquent speech even in the face of death, Xia Houying ordered a stay of execution.

Rescue and Recognition

Xia Houying, a longtime confidant of Liu Bang from their days in Pei County, was no ordinary official. His relationship with Liu Bang dated back to their time as local administrators, and he had been a trusted companion throughout the rebellion. After sparing Han Xin, Xia Houying engaged him in conversation and quickly realized he was in the presence of an extraordinary military intellect. Impressed by Han Xin’s strategic insights and vision, he immediately recommended him to Liu Bang.

This recommendation carried significant weight given Xia Houying’s status and relationship with the ruler. Liu Bang, trusting his old friend’s judgment, appointed Han Xin to the position of Superintendent of Grain Transportation . This role, responsible for managing army provisions and logistics, was a substantial promotion that placed Han Xin in a position of considerable responsibility, though still not the field command he ultimately sought.

The Logistics Master: Excelling in Supply Management

As Superintendent of Grain Transportation, Han Xin applied his analytical mind to the critical task of supplying the army in its remote Hanzhong base. This was no minor assignment—maintaining an army far from fertile agricultural regions required sophisticated planning and management. Han Xin excelled in this role, demonstrating organizational skills that impressed his superiors and ensured the army remained provisioned during its preparation period.

His performance in this logistical position, though not the battlefield command he desired, provided crucial evidence of his administrative capabilities. It also brought him closer to the attention of senior officials, including Xiao He, the chancellor who would later play a pivotal role in Han Xin’s eventual promotion to general. This period of service, though seemingly a diversion from his ambitions, ultimately proved essential to his later success.

The Path to Generalship

Han Xin’s tenure as logistics master, combined with Xia Houying’s continued advocacy and his own demonstrated competence, gradually built his reputation within the Han leadership. Though the precise timeline is unclear, historical records indicate that within a year, Han Xin would indeed achieve his ambition—appointed as supreme commander of the Han forces following additional recommendations, particularly from Xiao He.

This appointment would prove transformative for both Han Xin and the Han cause. His military campaigns against Xiang Yu’s forces would become legendary, featuring brilliant stratagems and decisive victories that turned the tide of the civil war. The man who had nearly been executed would become the architect of military victory, justifying both his own high self-assessment and Xia Houying’s fateful intervention at the execution ground.

Legacy of the Hanzhong Period

The months spent in Hanzhong represented a crucial formative period for the Han state-in-embryo. It was during this time that Liu Bang consolidated his core supporters, integrated new talent like Han Xin, and prepared for the coming conflict with Xiang Yu. The story of Han Xin’s near-execution and rescue illustrates several important aspects of this period: the meritocratic tendencies within Liu Bang’s administration, the importance of personal connections, and the willingness to recognize and utilize talent regardless of background.

Han Xin’s subsequent career would see him become one of the most celebrated generals in Chinese history, his campaigns studied for millennia as exemplars of military strategy. His contributions were instrumental in establishing the Han Dynasty, which would rule China for four centuries and establish patterns of governance, culture, and society that endure in many ways to the present day.

The story that began with a march into the mountains of Hanzhong thus represents not just a historical episode but a turning point in Chinese civilization—one that hinged on the recognition of talent, the willingness to take risks on unlikely candidates, and the understanding that great achievements often begin with inauspicious circumstances. From near-obscurity and even near-death emerged one of history’s greatest military minds, whose contributions helped shape the destiny of a nation.