Pingsin Bridge

Pingsin Bridge

Huaiyang is the place where Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, outwitted and captured the great general Han Xin. To commemorate this military genius and distinguished commander, the local people of Chen referred to the suspension bridge that Emperor Gaozu crossed when he captured Han Xin as “Pingsin Bridge,” and the western township of the city as “Pingsin Township,” preserving the memory through the ages.

Han Xin, ?–196 BC, was a native of Huaiyin during the late Qin Dynasty. Initially serving under Xiang Yu, he later joined Liu Bang and was appointed as a general. He conquered Wei, overthrew Zhao, persuaded Yan to surrender, and defeated the Chu general Long Ju at the Battle of the Weishui River, thereby securing the Qi region. In the fifth year of the Han Dynasty, he joined Han forces in besieging Xiang Yu (also known as Xiang Yu) at Gaixia, leading to Xiang’s escape and eventual suicide. For his achievements, Han Xin was enfeoffed as the King of Chu. Along with Xiao He and Zhang Liang, he was celebrated as one of the “Three Heroes of the Han Rise.” In the sixth year, he was accused of plotting rebellion. Emperor Gaozu pretended to go on a hunting expedition to Yunmeng, captured him, and demoted him to the status of Marquis of Huaiyin. Eleven years later, he was executed by Empress Lü. Both the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) and the Book of Han (Hanshu) contain biographies of him.

When people walk across Pingsin Bridge, their thoughts drift to the past, and none can help but feel a chill at the fate of those whose military achievements surpassed their sovereign’s tolerance.

Source: Huaiyang Government Website