Wang Jian
Conquered Zhao, Yan and Chu in turn, earning the foremost merit in Qin's unification.
Life
Conquered Zhao, crushed Yan
Wang Jian was a native of Pinyang in Qin who loved military strategy as a youth. In 229 BCE he led the army against Zhao, and the next year captured King Qian of Zhao, ending the State of Zhao. He then attacked Yan and took Ji, the capital of Yan.
600,000 against Chu
When the King of Qin asked how many troops it would take to conquer Chu, Li Xin said 200,000, but Wang Jian said no fewer than 600,000. Thinking him old and timid, the king sent Li Xin instead, and Li Xin suffered a crushing defeat. The King of Qin went to Pinyang in person to apologize and asked him to return to service.
Asked for land to dispel suspicion
Before setting out he repeatedly asked for gifts of good farmland and fine houses, saying they were to provide for his descendants, but in fact it was to reassure the King of Qin that he harbored no disloyalty. He kept behind strong walls and refused battle, then struck suddenly once the Chu army grew slack, routing it in 224 BCE; the next year he captured Fuchu, King of Chu, and the State of Chu fell.
Legacy
Wang Jian was one of the generals with the greatest military merit in Qin's unification of the six states, and his tactic of protecting himself by "asking for fields and houses" has been seen by later generations as a model of how a meritorious official can keep himself safe.
Major works & achievements
- Conquest of Zhao
- Defeat of Yan
- Conquest of Chu
Did you know? He and his son Wang Ben between them fought most of the campaigns of Qin's conquest of the six states.
Key dates
- 229 BCELed the army against Zhao
- 228 BCECaptures the King of Zhao; fall of the State of Zhao
- 226 BCETook Ji, the capital of Yan
- 224 BCELed 600,000 troops against Chu
- 223 BCEFall of the State of Chu