Sima Rangju
Executed the army supervisor who arrived late, and with strict military discipline drove back Jin and Yan.
Life
Recommended by Yan Ying
Sima Rangju, originally named Tian Rangju, came from a lesser branch of the Tian clan of the State of Qi. When the states of Jin and Yan attacked Qi and the Qi army suffered repeated defeats, Yan Ying recommended him to Duke Jing of Qi.
Executed Zhuang Jia
He asked Duke Jing to send a favored minister to supervise the army, and the duke sent Zhuang Jia. They agreed to meet at the camp gate at noon, but Zhuang Jia, drinking at a farewell feast given by relatives and friends, did not arrive until evening. Rangju had Zhuang Jia beheaded under military law; the whole army was shaken, and even the envoy Duke Jing sent to plead for him could not stop it.
Sima Fa
He shared hardships and comforts with his soldiers, and the morale of the Qi army soared. Hearing of this, the Jin and Yan armies retreated, and Qi recovered its lost territory. Later generations compiled his military teachings as the Sima Fa.
Legacy
Sima Rangju was known for strict military discipline, and the principle that "a general in the field need not obey every order of his lord" has come down through his story.
Major works & achievements
- Drove back Jin and Yan and recovered lost territory
- Art of War of Sima Rangju
Did you know? He rose to the post of Grand Marshal (da sima), which is why later generations called him Sima Rangju.
Key dates
- 530 BCEMade general on Yan Ying's recommendation (approx.)
- 530 BCEBeheads the army supervisor Zhuang Jia; drives back Jin and Yan