Fan Kuai (Chinese: 樊噲 [1]; Pinyin: Fán Kuài; d. 204 BC) was one of Han Dynasty founder Liu Bang's best friends (and was also his brother-in-law), having married the sister of Liu Bang's wife Lü Zhi, Lü Xu (呂須).
Biography
Fan Kuai was Liu's bodyguard. He came from the same Pei region like Liu Bang and was the local butcher at their home town; one of his specialties was dog meat.
Fan become well known for his role protecting Liu during the assassination attempt in Feast at Hong Gate. When he heard that Fan Zeng, Xiang Yu's key advisor, planned to kill Liu Bang, he rushed in the tent fully dressed in armour and sword. Xiang admired Fan Kuai's bravery and gave him a pig limb and a jar of wine, Fan using his shield as a plate began to eat and drink. Xiang was further impressed. Fan then gave a lengthy speech about Liu's accomplishments and how it would be unjust for Xiang to kill him, but also implicitly confirming that Liu would not challenge Xiang's authority. Xiang did not respond but invited Fan Kuai to join the table. Fan Kuai sat next to Zhang Liang, and they planned an escape. When Liu went to the latrine, Fan accompanied him and urged him to leave; Liu felt it would be rude to take such a sudden leave, but Fan Kuai boldly said, "They are about to serve us to dinner! It is better to preserve your own life!" They therefore left in secret.
After the great war with Xiang Yu was over, the King of Yan revolted, and Fan Kuai was ordered to Dai to conquer it. After fighting there for nearly a year and a half, the region was still unpacified, and Liu Bang was forced to raise his own army and aid in its pacification. After Liu Bang broke the three major armies of Dai, Fan Kuai was finally able to arrest and execute the main rebel leaders, bringing Dai finally under the control of the Han Empire.
Fan Kuai was created the Marquess of Wuyang for his accomplishments after the Chu-Han Contention. After his death in 204 BC, his son Fan Kang (樊伉) by his wife Lü Xu inherited his title. When Lü was executed in the aftermath of the Lü Clan Disturbance in 180 BC, Fan Kang was also killed. However, several months later, Emperor Wen created another son of Fan's, not Lü's son, Fan Shiren (樊市人) to inherit the title.
In Chinese folk religion, Fan Kuai is sometimes regarded as the god of the butchers.[1]
References
- ^ 司马, 迁 (91 BC). "樊郦滕灌列传第三十五" (in Chinese). http://www.guoxue.com/shibu/24shi/shiji/sj_095.htm. Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
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