Afternoon of Opposites: Giant Genius of Strategy in a Garden and Gems of Art in a Small Museum

Terrace of Acknowledging the General Han Xin

The huge statue impressed us with its sheer size, but we had no real appreciation for the man it portrayed.

We admired the setting, hedges of solid, deep pink flowers bisected with paved paths all carefully trimmed, tended and swept by gardeners. I wondered why so much time was spent here.

Now I know.

The man, I learned, is Han Xin, whose military strategy and gift for commanding armies made it possible for commoner and minor Qin Dynasty official Liu Bang to become Emperor Gaozu and found the Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.E .- 220 A.D.

Also born a commoner, Han Xin was orphaned as a child and forced to fend for himself, suffering indignities and insults in the process. His interest in martial arts, skill and persistence in pursuing an education in them developed an exceptional, determined individual intensely loyal to any who assisted him.

As the Qin Dynasty crumbled, Liu Bang raised an army to take over, but rulers of other kingdoms and states rose to challenge. Han Xin offered his leadership services to the most powerful contender, Xian Yu of Sun Chu state, but was rebuffed and placed in a lowly position.

General Han Xin

Unhappy, he turned to Liu Bang with the same offer, but was given no better position until trusted advisor Xiao He intervened, telling Liu Bang that if he was happy leading the Han state, he didn't need another general, but if he wanted to rule all of China it couldn't be done without Han Xin. His advise was taken, Han Xin was named chief general and the rest is history.

One by one, Yong and Wu Kingdoms, Zhaok, Yan and Qi states fell to his brilliant tactics. Seeing himself surrounded, General Xiang Yu committed suicide and the war of succession was over. Han Xin was appointed King of Chu state and rewarded those who had aided him, including the woman in his village who had shared her food with him who was given more than 200 pounds of gold. Even a former tormentor was offered a job.

Emperor Gaozu, founder of Han Dynasty

 Liu Bang became Emperor Gaozu and the Han Dynasty became one of the most successful and long lasting in Chinese history, bringing China and eventually the world paper, porcelain, acupuncture, pulleys and wheelbarrows, a form of seismograph, the Silk Road, more of the Great Wall, salaried bureaucracy based on merit and commpulsive record-keeping.

Unfortunately, General Han Xin did not enjoy his success or that of his Emperor for long. The combination of exceptional ability and loyalty proved his undoing. Whether from jealousy or fear, the Emperor and his wife had their general killed.

General Han Xin

I doubt his statue would have been as large had not Han Xin's loyalty been such a vital part of his moral code. When associates wondered why he was so loyal to the emperor, every story about the general features this response:

"My gratitude to the Han King runs extremely deep. He let me ride in his chariot, let me wear his clothes, and gave me some of his food to eat. I've heard it said that if you ride in another's chariot, you must share responsibility for the misfortunes they encounter, if you wear another's clothes, you must resolve their worries, and if you eat another man's food, you must be loyal to him unto death.

How could I abandon morality and justice for the sake of self-interest?"


 And when the emperor challenged his general asking, "How many troops do you think I am capable of leading?"

"One hundred thousand," Han Xin replied.

"And what about you?" 

"The more troops, the better I handle them," said Han Xin.

"If you are so capable, then why are you one of my subjects?"

"Your position is mandated by Heaven. It is not something humans can change."

Evidently the emperor feared it was. I, on the other hand, wasn't sure the statue of Han Xin was large enough.

 There was yet another surprise in store. 

Hanzhoun  Cultural Historical Relics Exhibition
 An engaging and enthusiastic director introduced us to this gem of an exhibit concentrating on artifacts from 2-million-year-old fossils to Han Dynasty bronze and clay works.

Take this Bronze Age "grinder."

Women rubbed it on their cheeks as a rouge. It also repels mosquitoes and is a sun screen.

Or this 6,000-year-old pendant for a woman. (We do like our trinkets!)






















During the Han Dynasty animals were depicted more realistically.

Pottery Peking duck

Grey pottery ox

1,007-year-old bronze horse

Pillow shows Han era potters' skill with glazes, if not Western-style comfort.

Sometimes the best part of a trip is finding out more about what you saw.