The tale of Xiao He pursuing Han Xin in the moonlight has been used through the ages to stress the idea of appointing capable persons to official positions.

In his youth Han Xin didn't give much indication of competence. A poor commoner, he could get no one to recommend him as an official, and he was unable to make a living as a merchant. So he relied constantly on the generosity of other. He moved in with the family of the head of the imperial courier station in his home town, Huaiyin (now in Jiangsu province ). But after several months the station head's wife let him know he wasn't wanted and he left.

He tried living on fish he caught in the river. An old woman who came there to wash and bleach silk took pity on him and fed him for many days until her bleaching was finished. Han Xin was most grateful. " I promise to repay you handsomely, " he said. The old woman became angry. " Young man, I gave you food because I felt sorry for you, not because I expected repayment. "

Han Xin's situation made him game for the bullies in his village. One of them, a butcher, accosted him in the marketplace. " You may be tall and like to carry a sword, but at heart you're nothing but a coward, " he taunted. "If you have courage then why don't you kill me? If you haven't, then I demand that you crawl between my legs, " he said as he spread his feet. Han Xin glared at the man for a long time. He apparently decided he had greater aspirations than to lose his life in such a brawl so he bent d own and crept between the man's legs--to the amusement of every one.

At this time a peasant uprising was threatening the Qin dynasty. When one of the rebel armies reached his home place Han Xi jointed it, but failed to distinguish himself. After it was defeated he became a guardsman to Xiang Yu, an aristocrat from the former State of Chu. A rebel army led by him was contending with one led by Liu Bang, a pretty official from a peasant family who had gained the title the prince of Han, for territory formerly controlled by the Qin army. Liu Bang had defeated it in 207 B.C.

Han Xin made several suggestions on strategy to Xiang Yu, but the latter didn’t pay any attention to him. So Han Xin left and went over to Liu Bang's forces in the west. He didn't cut much of a figure there either, for Liu Bang gave him only a lowly position as an official who received guests.

It was through becoming involved in a political scandal and sentenced to be beheaded that Han Xin finally attracted the attention of some important people. One was Xiao He, leading advisor to Liu Bang. Thirteen men had been beheaded before him and his turn was next. Seeing some important personages in the audience, he shouted, " Doesn't our prince want to conquer the empire? Then Why behead a brave men?" He was released and Liu Bang made him a middle-ranking official in charge of army grain, but still did not seem to appreciate his worth.

One person who did, however, was the advisor Xiao He. In several talks with Han Xin he came to feel that he had good ideas on strategy. Xiao he recommended him to Liu Bang said.

Han Xin became depressed, feeling that he would never be recognized. When, on a march, several dozens of Liu Bang's generals deserted, Han too left without notice early one morning. Xiao He, informed of it, felt this was a great loss and decided to go after him. He rode and rode till the moon came up. Finally he caught up with Han Xin on the banks of a river. Tired and breathless, he pleaded with Han Xin to return with him and Han Xin did.

On learning that his closest advisor had disappeared, Liu Bang was very irritated. When Xiao He came back, he said, " Why did you leave without telling me?" " I had no intention of leaving you, " replied Xiao He. " I was after a rare treasure and I pursued it for the defense of your rule. Han Xin would make a commander unparalleled in your whole army. If you want to march east and master the empire, Han Xin can be of great value to you. But if you don not use him properly he will leave again."

Liu Bang agreed to make Han Xin a general just to please Xiao He, but that was not enough for Xiao He. He insisted that Han Xin be made chief Marshall. Liu Bang finally agreed and prepared to call Han Xin in.

" That's just the trouble with." Xiao He said. " You are too offhand about these things, appointing a chief marshal as if you were calling for a child." He urged that the investiture be done with ceremony after fasting and purification.

XiaoHe chose an auspicious day, an altar was built, and to the roll of drums Han Xin was presented with the seal and certificate giving him power over the army.

Afterwafrd Liu Bang asked Han Xin for his ideas. Having formerly served Xiang Yu, Han Xin pointed out some of his weaknesses. Xiang Yu, he said, had a reputation for courage and magnanimity, but all this amounted to nothing, for he was incapable of employing wise generals; when someone did render service he hesitated to compensate him with a fief, " playing with the seal until the corners were rubbed smooth before he could bring himself to part with it. " Instead he awarded his favorites. With this he was sowing the seeds of his destruction. This is related by the historian Sima Qian, who wrote from the viewpoint of the Han dynasty which was established by Liu Bang.

Liu Bang got the message. With Han Xin's help, he built an army of high combat effectiveness and gradually established his rule over the whole country as first emperor of the Han dynasty. There are several tales of the military strategies by which Han Xin distinguished himself, and when his armies came back to Huaiyin, he did reward the old washerwoman. He accepted the title Marquis of Huaiyin and he and Xiao He, who became prime minister, were two of the three outstanding personalities of the early days of the Han dynasty ( 206 B.C. -A.D. 24).

The story of Xiao He's pursuit of him was made into an opera in the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)which has remained popular to his day.

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