Chinese Idiom: 捷足先登 (Jie Zu Xian Deng)
English Translation: Swift feet ascend first
pīn yīn: jié zú xiān dēng
Idiom Meaning: Refers to those who act quickly to reach a destination first or to obtain what they desire before others.
Historical Source: From “Records of the Grand Historian” (《史记·淮阴侯列传》).
Idiom Story:
In 197 BC, Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, personally led troops to attack the governor of the Julu Commandery, Chen Xi (who was located in present-day Xiang County, Hebei). He requested Han Xin to accompany him. However, Han Xin had a close relationship with Chen Xi and, after being demoted to the Marquis of Huaiyin, was also dissatisfied with Liu Bang. He pretended to be ill and stayed behind in Chang’an.
In January of the following year, someone reported to Empress Lü (Liu Bang’s wife) that Han Xin was plotting a rebellion. The accuser was a subordinate of Han Xin, who had offended him, leading Han Xin to consider killing him. The subordinate’s brother reported Han Xin to Empress Lü, claiming that Han Xin was colluding with Chen Xi to incite rebellion. Empress Lü and Xiao He conspired to lure Han Xin into the Chang Le Palace to have him killed.
As Han Xin faced death, he gazed at the sky and sighed deeply, lamenting, “I regret not listening to Kuai Tong (his advisor). Today I have been deceived by a woman!”
After Liu Bang defeated Chen Xi and returned to Chang’an, he learned of Han Xin’s last words and ordered Cao Can to bring Kuai Tong to face justice. Upon arriving in Chang’an, Liu Bang interrogated Kuai Tong, asking if he had ever encouraged Han Xin to rebel against the Marquis of Huaiyin. Kuai Tong admitted, “Yes, during the struggle between Chu and Han, I advised Han Xin to declare himself king and divide the world among three rulers.”
Liu Bang was furious and wanted to execute him. In his defense, Kuai Tong argued: “The fall of the Qin has led to chaos, with various factions rising in rebellion. When the Qin Dynasty loses its power, the whole world seeks to seize it, leading to those with great talent and quick action to succeed first. At that time, I only knew of Han Xin, not of you. There were many who desired to claim the power of the Qin; could you possibly kill them all?”
Liu Bang shifted from anger to amusement and remarked, “He truly is a loyal minister!” He pardoned Kuai Tong and offered him an official position. Kuai Tong declined, saying, “I have no face to serve anymore. Please, Your Majesty, grant Han Xin a burial plot for his past contributions; that will be my greatest reward.” Liu Bang agreed and arranged for Han Xin’s remains to be buried in Huaiyin with the honors befitting a king.
