樊酈滕灌列傳

Fan Kuai, Marquis of Wuyang, was a man of Pei. He made his living as a dog butcher and had been a companion of Gaozu since their early days. He followed Gaozu from the first rising at Feng, taking part in the capture of Pei. He served in campaigns against Huling, Fangyu, and the defense of Feng. He regularly accompanied the Duke of Pei in striking Zhang Han's army at Puyang. He was first to scale the walls at Yong, Si, and other cities. He fought his way through Wuguan Pass to Bashang, killing a commandant.

Xiang Yu at Hongmen intended to attack the Duke of Pei. The Duke came with a hundred cavalry to see Xiang Yu through Xiang Bo's mediation. During the feast, Fan Zeng plotted to kill the Duke, ordering Xiang Zhuang to dance with a sword. Only the Duke and Zhang Liang were admitted; Fan Kuai was outside the camp. Hearing the crisis, he seized an iron shield and forced his way past the guards, standing beneath the canopy. Xiang Yu stared at him and asked who he was. Told he was the Duke of Pei's bodyguard, Xiang Yu said: "A brave man!" and gave him a goblet of wine and a pork shoulder. Fan Kuai drained the wine, drew his sword, sliced the pork on the shield, and ate every bit. Xiang Yu asked: "Can you drink more?" Fan Kuai replied: "I would not refuse death itself — why would I refuse wine?" Xiang Yu fell silent. The Duke slipped out to the latrine and beckoned Fan Kuai to leave. Had Fan Kuai not burst into the camp and confronted Xiang Yu that day, the Duke's life would have been in grave danger.

Li Shang, Marquis of Quzhou, was a man of Gaoyang. When Chen Sheng's uprising began, Li Shang gathered young men and recruited several thousand. When the Duke of Pei reached Chenliu, Li Shang joined with four thousand troops. He fought at Goushi, cut the Yellow River crossings, and broke Qin forces east of Luoyang. He helped take Wan, Rang, and seventeen counties. The King of Han gave him the title Lord of Xincheng. He served five months fighting Xiang Yu's army. After Xiang Yu's death, he fought at Longtuo against Zang Tu, being first to breach the enemy lines. He received a perpetual tally, with five thousand households at Zhuo, titled Marquis of Zhuo.

Xiahou Ying, Marquis of Ruyin, was a man of Pei who served as the stable master's charioteer. He followed Gaozu from the first rising at Feng. After the King of Han's defeat at Pengcheng, the King fled by chariot. He found the future Emperor Hui and Princess Lu Yuan and took them aboard. The pursuit was close, the horses exhausted, and the King repeatedly kicked the two children off the chariot to lighten the load. Each time, Xiahou Ying picked them up and kept them on board, driving slowly, shielding them with his body. The King was so enraged he tried to kill Xiahou Ying over ten times, but Xiahou Ying ultimately brought both children safely to Feng.

Guan Ying, Marquis of Yingyin, was a silk merchant from Suiyang. He joined as a close attendant and fought in the campaign against the commandant of Dongjun. The King of Han sought a cavalry commander; Guan Ying was appointed and given command of the palace cavalry. When Xiang Yu fled after his defeat at Gaixia, Guan Ying led the cavalry pursuit to Dongcheng, where five of his soldiers together killed Xiang Yu. When Marquis Jiang Bo resigned as chancellor, Guan Ying succeeded him as chancellor.