During the Warring States Period, many outstanding military generals and strategists emerged in many vassal states, who made great contributions to the prosperity of the country, the expansion of its territory and the reform of the system, so that the country gradually reached its peak.
However, there were three high-achieving generals who, due to their high fame and fortune, either attracted the suspicion of the monarch or the jealousy of the villain, and eventually died tragically, and their departure also led to the decline of their country.
If you talk about the generals of the Warring States Period, I have to mention Bai Qi, who was one of the four famous generals of the Warring States Period and made great achievements for the Qin State. Bai Qi has the title of "God of Killing", Liang Qichao once studied the history of the Warring States Period, and found that two million people died in battle during the Warring States Period, half of which were killed by Bai Qi; In the Battle of Changping, he annihilated 450,000 people in one battle, and he can be said to be the most combat-effective general in history.
However, his killing spirit is too heavy, and there are unfavorable evaluations of him in history, as Zhao Kuangyin said, "He killed people who had surrendered, this kind of behavior is very unmartial, how can He De enjoy such treatment?" ”
Bai Qi's most famous battle was undoubtedly the Battle of Changping, but this battle made the vassal states fear Bai Qi for three points. In the forty-eighth year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin (259 BC), when Bai Qi led his troops to attack Korea and Zhao, in order to protect themselves, the two countries bribed Fan Ju, the prime minister of Qin, and divided the relationship between the generals.
Fan Ju was provoked by others, and when he saw his wealth, he made a proposal to the king of Qin to make peace with the enemy country. Bai Qi originally wanted to continue the attack, but after hearing about this, he formed a grudge with Fan Ju.
Bai Qi insisted on sending troops to aid Han Zhao despite being riddled with war sickness, but his strength was greatly reduced and his march was slow, but he attracted the suspicion of King Qin and Fan Ju, and was finally unjustly killed.
Li Mu, who was one of the four famous generals alongside Bai Qi, guarded Yanmen County at first, and was always vigilant and cautious about the harassment of the Xiongnu, and after accumulating strength for several years, he defeated the Xiongnu in one fell swoop, and was praised by Emperor Wen of Han.
During the Warring States Period, in addition to the brave and warlike generals, there were also some civilian officials who also made world-class contributions. Among them, Wu Qi is one. Wu Qi was originally a Confucian student, but because he was expelled from his teacher, he switched to learning the art of war.
During his service in Wei, he made many military exploits, but he was forced to flee to Chu because he was framed by traitors. In the state of Chu, he was soon promoted to taishou, and in just one year, he became the Ling Yin (equivalent to the phase) of the state of Chu.
With his unique Legalist thoughts, Wu Qi formulated and implemented a set of profound decrees, which had a profound impact on the state of Chu and even the vassal states of the entire Warring States period. However, his variations are similar to those of Confucianism"Punishment with courtesy"The clash of ideas made him an enemy of the aristocratic class.
Although his efforts made the state of Chu gradually stronger, he was eventually killed by the aristocratic forces after the death of the king of Chu and was tortured by Che Split.
Bai Qi, Li Mu and Wu Qi, these three outstanding generals and ** in the Warring States Period, they made great contributions to the construction of the country, but this powerful force also brought disasters.
Although they eventually suffered a tragic end, the historical traces they left behind are our precious spiritual wealth. They stood up for their beliefs and ideals, and their heroic deeds will forever be recorded in the annals of history and passed down through the ages.