Han Xin ignored the advisor who told him to seize power — and was executed

After the Battle of Gaixia (202 BCE), Han Xin was the most powerful general in China. He had defeated the Zhao and Qi kingdoms, held the territory of Qi, and commanded an army that could tip the balance between Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, and Xiang Yu, the last rival. Kuai Tong, a strategist, saw that Han Xin's position was the decisive factor and urged him to break away.

Kuai Tong argued on strategic grounds: 'Those whose valor and strategy make rulers feel threatened place their lives in danger.' He warned that Liu Bang would never fully trust a man of Han Xin's ability. He cited the proverb of the rabbit and the hound — once the game is caught, the hound is cooked. Han Xin refused, saying: 'Han treats me generously. He gives me his carriage to ride, his clothes to wear, his food to eat. I cannot betray him.'

Kuai Tong tried again, warning that the moment of opportunity was passing. Han Xin hesitated, then chose loyalty. After the Han dynasty was established, Liu Bang grew suspicious of Han Xin's influence. He demoted Han Xin from King of Qi to King of Chu, then lured him into arrest and downgraded him to Marquis of Huaiyin. In 196 BCE, Empress Lü and Chancellor Xiao He tricked Han Xin into Changle Palace, where he was executed on conspiracy charges. His three clans were exterminated.

Before he died, Han Xin said: 'I regret not using Kuai Tong's plan. I was deceived by such people — is this not heaven's will?' Kuai Tong was later arrested by Liu Bang, who wanted to boil him alive. Kuai Tong defended himself by saying he had only served his master, and was pardoned.