Fan Kuai

Fan Kuai (242? – c.July 189 BC¹) was a military general of the early Western Han dynasty. He was a prominent figure of the Chu–Han Contention (206–202 BC), a power struggle for supremacy over China between the Han dynasty's founder, Liu Bang, and his rival Xiang Yu.

Early life

Fan Kuai was a close friend of Liu Bang, and both were from the same hometown of Pei County (present-day Feng County, Jiangsu). In his early days, he was a butcher specialized in preparing dog meat. He married Lü Xu, the younger sister of Liu Bang's wife Lü Zhi, making him an extended kin of the Liu family (later the royal family of Han dynasty) via affinity.

Rebelling against the Qin dynasty

Once, Liu Bang released the prisoners he was escorting and became an outlaw on Mount Mangdang (in present-day Yongcheng, Henan). Following the Dazexiang Uprising in 209 BC, the magistrate of Pei County also wanted to rebel so he heeded Xiao He and Cao Shen's advice, and sent Fan Kuai to Mount Mangdang to invite Liu Bang and his men back to help him. However, the magistrate changed his mind later and denied Liu Bang entry into the city. The citizens responded to Liu Bang's call and killed the magistrate, allowing Liu and his men to return home. Liu Bang was then known as "Duke of Pei" and Fan Kuai served as one of his close aides and bodyguards. Fan Kuai distinguished himself on the battlefield as a mighty warrior and capable general. He fought in many battles on Liu Bang's side and claimed the heads of enemies in increasing order in each battle, and was rewarded with promotions to higher ranks each time.