Battle of Changping
Northwest of Gaoping, Shanxi
What happened
The Qin state's generals Wang He and later Bai Qi fought the Zhao state's army, led first by the veteran general Lian Po and then by the young general Zhao Kuo. During China's Warring States period, the states of Qin and Zhao fought over the region of Shangdang. Lian Po built strong defensive lines, including one along the Dan River, until Qin spread rumours that he was a coward and the Zhao king replaced him with Zhao Kuo. Bai Qi pretended to retreat, drew Zhao Kuo's army out and surrounded it, and after weeks the starving Zhao army surrendered.
Why it matters
Result: Qin victory Qin strategic supremacy consolidated Severe weakening of Zhao military might Siege of Handan. Leaders: Lian Po / Zhao Kuo against Bai Qi / Neishi Teng. Why it matters: It was one of the largest and most decisive battles of ancient China, and Zhao never recovered its strength. It helped clear the way for Qin to unify China in 221 BCE.
What came next
Many of the captured Zhao soldiers did not survive, according to the ancient historian Sima Qian. About forty years later, in 221 BCE, the Qin state united China under its first emperor.
Did you know?
Zhao Kuo had studied many books about war but had little real experience, and his story gave Chinese the idiom 'talking about war on paper', for someone who knows only theory.
Timeline
- 262 BCEQin and Zhao begin fighting over Shangdang.
- c. 262-260 BCELian Po holds Zhao's defensive lines.
- 260 BCEZhao Kuo replaces Lian Po and is surrounded by Bai Qi's army.
- 260 BCEThe Zhao army surrenders.
- 221 BCEQin unifies China.