Xiahou Ying (died 172 BC[1]), posthumously known as Marquis Wen of Ruyin, was a Chinese politician who served as Minister Coachman (太僕) during the early Han dynasty.
Xiahou Ying lied that he had accidentally injured himself in order to protect Liu Bang, and the case was initially closed.
Liu Bang then gave himself the title "Duke of Pei" (沛公), and made Xiahou Ying a seventh-grade official (七大夫) and appointed him as his personal carriage driver.
In one battle at Kaifeng, he captured 68 enemy soldiers, received the surrender of 850 others, and obtained a box of golden seals.
For his achievements, he was consecutively promoted to higher positions: zhibo (執帛); zhigui (執珪); and Duke of Teng (滕公).
Liu Bang became the King of Han (漢王) and was given a domain in the remote Bashu region (present-day Chongqing and Sichuan).
He appointed Xiahou Ying as Minister Coachman (太僕) and awarded him the title of Marquis of Zhaoping (昭平侯).
This time, Liu Bang listened to Xiao He and Xiahou Ying; he appointed Han Xin as a general.
In 202 BC, Liu Bang ultimately defeated Xiang Yu, became the emperor of China, and established the Han dynasty.
Xiahou Ying followed Liu Bang to suppress rebellions by the vassal kings throughout the emperor's reign.
During the Battle of Baideng in 200 BC, Xiahou Ying helped Liu Bang escape from danger after the Han forces were defeated by the Xiongnu.