Fan Kuai Fan Kuai ( 242 BC – 189 BC ) was a military general in the early Han Dynasty and a prominent figure of the Chu – Han Contention . Biography . Early life . Fan Kuai was a close friend of Liu Bang and they were from the same hometown of Pei County ( present - day Feng County , Jiangsu ) . In his early days , he was a butcher and specialised in preparing dog meat . He married Lü Xu , the younger sister of Liu Bang ' s wife Lü Zhi . Rebelling against the Qin Dynasty . Once , Liu Bang released the prisoners he was escorting and became a fugitive in hiding on Mount Mangdang near Pei County . Following the Daze Village Uprising in 209 BC , the magistrate of Pei County also wanted to rebel as well so he heeded Xiao He and Cao Shen ' s advice , and sent Fan Kuai to Mangdang to invite Liu Bang and his men back to help him . However , the magistrate changed his mind later and denied Liu Bang entry into the city . The citizens responded to Liu Bang ' s call and killed the magistrate , allowing Liu and his men to return home . Liu Bang was then known as " Duke of Pei " and Fan Kuai served as one of his close aides and bodyguards . Fan Kuai distinguished himself on the battlefield as a mighty warrior and capable general . He fought in many battles on Liu Bang ' s side and claimed the heads of enemies in increasing order in each battle , and was rewarded with promotions to higher ranks each time . Chu – Han contention . Fan Kuai is best known for defending Liu Bang at the dangerous Feast at Hong Gate , which was actually a trap set to kill Liu . He rushed to Liu Bang ' s defence when he heard that Xiang Yu ' s advisor Fan Zeng intended to have Liu killed . Fan Kuai chided Xiang Yu openly , making a speech about Liu Bang ' s accomplishments and stating that it would be unjust for Xiang to kill Liu . Xiang Yu was impressed by Fan Kuai ' s bravery and offered him a seat at the feast . Liu Bang escaped from the feast later on the pretext of going to the latrine , with Fan Kuai accompanying him . After the fall of the Qin Dynasty , Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms , appointed Liu Bang as " King of Han " with the lands of Shu as his fiefdom . Liu Bang seized the lands of the Three Qins and engaged in a long power struggle with Xiang Yu for supremacy over China , known as the Chu – Han Contention . Fan Kuai participated actively in many of the battles between the two contending forces and became famous for his prowess in battle . Serving the Han Dynasty . After the establishment of the Han Dynasty , Emperor Gaozu ( Liu Bang ) granted Fan Kuai the title of " Marquis of Wuyang " ( 舞陽侯 ) in recognition of Fan ' s contributions to the dynasty ' s founding . After Fan Kuai ' s death , he was posthumously conferred the title of " Marquis of Wu " ( 武侯 ) while his son Fan Kang inherited his title of " Marquis of Wuyang " . Fan Kuai ' s wife Lü Xu was put to death in the aftermath of the Lü Clan Disturbance in 180 BC and Fan Kang was killed as well . Several months later , Emperor Wen conferred the title on Fan Shiren , another son of Fan Kuai who was not born to Lü Xu . Modern references . In Chinese folk religion , Fan Kuai is sometimes regarded as a patron deity of butchers . In the action RPG " Prince of Qin " , Fan Kuai appears as a non - playable character and the player can find out Liu Bang ' s whereabouts from him .