After Emperor Gaozu of Han, suspecting Han Xin of plotting rebellion, arrested him but later pardoned him and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin believed the emperor had always resented his talents, so he frequently feigned illness to avoid court assemblies and grew bitter from disappointment. Convinced of his own merit and ability, he felt his current position was a grave injustice. Arrogant and self-important, he not only looked down on the Marquis of Jiang, Zhou Bo, and the Marquis of Yingyin, Guan Ying, ashamed to associate with them, but even held Emperor Gaozu in contempt.
One day, feeling utterly bored, Han Xin casually dropped by the home of Fan Kuai, a general under Liu Bang. Fan Kuai deeply respected Han Xin's talents and was overjoyed by the visit. He knelt to welcome and see off Han Xin, served him with great hospitality, and even addressed himself as "your subject," saying, "How could a king of your stature deign to visit my humble home!" He seemed flattered and honored. Yet Han Xin showed no appreciation for Fan Kuai's extraordinary courtesy, accepting it as his due. Even as he left, he smirked and remarked, "So this is my lot—to be in the company of men like Fan Kuai!" Arrogant and insolent, this disdain for others had become Han Xin's habit.
On another occasion, Emperor Gaozu of Han discussed troop command with Han Xin. Without hesitation, Han Xin blurted out, "The more troops I command, the better—I can handle any number. But you, Your Majesty, can only manage about a hundred thousand." Though the emperor had heard of Han Xin's arrogance, he was shocked by such blatant conceit. Suppressing his anger, Gaozu asked, "If you're so superior, why were you captured by me?" Cornered, Han Xin realized his slip and scrambled, "You may not be skilled at leading soldiers, but you excel at leading generals." Still unconvinced, he added, "Your success is due to Heaven's favor," implying that Gaozu's rise to emperor and Han Xin's subjugation were matters of fate, not true ability.
The idiom "Ashamed to Be in the Same Company as Kuai" is later used to describe being ashamed to be in the same position, activity, or partnership with someone.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "羞与哙伍" came to describe being ashamed to be in the same position, activity, or partnership with someone.