When I served Xiang Yu, my rank never exceeded that of a palace guard, and my position was no more than a halberd-bearer. My words went unheeded, my plans unused -- and so I left Chu for Han.
臣事項王、官不過郎中、位不過執戟。言不聴、画不用、故倍楚而帰漢。
Military Strategists
Han Xin
The greatest military mind of early imperial China, whose campaigns established the Han dynasty (c. 231-196 BCE). Han Xin's tactical innovations — including the legendary 'battle with backs to the river' — demonstrated that battlefield psychology and terrain exploitation could overcome any numerical disadvantage. His reward was execution by the emperor he helped enthrone.
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