Han Xin - Legacy

Legacy

Some Chinese idioms and sayings originated from the events in Han Xin's life and are listed as follows:

• Shame of crawling through between someone's legs (胯下之辱): used to describe a humiliating incident. This idiom originated from the incident when Han Xin was bullied by a hooligan. (see above for more information)

• When Han Xin selects his troops, the more the better (韓信點兵, 多多益善): originated from a conversation between Han Xin and Liu Bang. Liu asked Han, "How many men do you think I can command?", to which Han Xin replied, "A maximum of 100,000." Liu Bang asked, "What about you?", and Han Xin replied, "The more the better." Liu Bang said, "So that means I cannot defeat you?" Han Xin explained, "No, my lord, you command generals while I command soldiers."

• Both success and failure are due to Xiao He, life and death are due to two women (成敗一蕭何, 生死兩婦人): Xiao He helped Han Xin become a general, which enabled Han to put his talent to good use. However, Han Xin's downfall was also due to Xiao He. In his early days, Han Xin was given "life" by the old woman, who provided him with food. Han Xin's death was due to Empress Lü Zhi.