Pingxin Bridge

　　Huaiyang is the place where Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, outwitted and captured the great general Han Xin. To commemorate this brilliant military leader, the local people named the drawbridge that Emperor Gaozu crossed while capturing Han Xin as “Pingxin Bridge,” and the surrounding township in the western part of the city as “Pingxin Township,” preserving the memory through the ages.

　　Han Xin (circa ? – 196 BCE), a native of Huaiyin during the late Qin Dynasty. Initially serving under Xiang Yu, he later joined Liu Bang and was appointed as a grand general. He conquered Wei, overthrew Zhao, subdued Yan, 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 (Yu) at Gaixia, leading to Xiang Yu’s flight and suicide. Han Xin was then enfeoffed as the King of Chu. Along with Xiao He and Zhang Liang, he was known 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 tour to Yunmeng, captured him, and demoted him to the title 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 Pingxin Bridge, their thoughts drift to ancient times, and they can’t help but feel a chill at the fate of those whose achievements surpassed their sovereign’s tolerance.

　　Source: Huaiyang Government Affairs Website