Bai Qi, a name unique in Chinese history, was a great military general of the Qin state. His military prowess was unmatched, and his war tactics were often surprisingly victorious. Among his many war tactics, however, there was a puzzling rule: soldiers were forbidden to eat mutton. This makes one wonder why this outstanding military commander has such a rule. This is the key to victory in the war!
Let's go back in time to that war-torn era. The Qin and Zhao states confronted each other in the Changping region, and both sides invested hundreds of thousands of troops, and the scale and intensity of the war reached an unprecedented level. Bai Qi, as the military commander of the Qin State, faced with the pressure and challenges of war, he needed to develop a strategy that would allow his soldiers to maintain their combat effectiveness.
Mutton, an important meat at the time, was also loved by soldiers. However, Bai Qi forbade his soldiers to eat mutton. This decision caused widespread discussion and speculation at the time and in later generations. So, why did Bai Qi do this?
First, we need to understand the impact of the war environment on soldiers. The war in the Changping area lasted for several years, and the supply of grain, grass and materials was very tight. In such a situation, if the soldiers were able to slaughter and eat mutton at will, then their rations would be greatly reduced, which was very detrimental to the continuation of the war. In addition, mutton has a large fishy smell, and if eaten in large quantities, it will cause the soldiers' bodies to produce a peculiar smell, which is very detrimental to maintaining the concealment and suddenness of the army.
Secondly, we need to consider the impact of lamb on the health of soldiers. In ancient times, lamb was cooked in a way that was not as hygienic as it is today, and eating lamb in large quantities could have an impact on the health of soldiers. Bai Qi needs his soldiers to stay healthy and combative, so he needs to avoid diseases caused by the consumption of mutton.
Finally, we need to recognize the strategic vision of Bai Qi. What he needed was not just a victory in a war, but the long-term hegemony of the Qin state. Therefore, he needs to consider how to cultivate and maintain the fighting will and discipline of the soldiers. Prohibiting soldiers from eating mutton can make soldiers more abide by the rules and discipline of the army, and can also make them cherish food and materials more, and cultivate their sense of economy and self-discipline. Such a stipulation will also help to improve the overall quality and combat effectiveness of the armed forces.
Through the above analysis, we can see the deep-seated reasons why Bai Qi forbade soldiers to eat mutton. This provision was not only to deal with the war environment and material shortages, but also to maintain the health of the soldiers, cultivate their discipline and will to fight, and achieve the long-term hegemony of the Qin state.
In the war in the Changping area, Bai Qi relied on his wisdom and courage to successfully use this strategy, and finally won the war. This provision of his has also become a classic case in the history of Chinese affairs, and has been widely studied and cited by later generations.
However, history is always full of accidents and accidents. If it weren't for Bai Qi's provision, perhaps the Qin State would not have been able to win the Battle of Changping. However, there is not only one possibility for the development of history. If we stretch the timeline, we will find that this provision of Bai Qi is not the only key to victory. In fact, Qin's victory came from many factors: Qin's great national strength, Bai Qi's outstanding military talent, the bravery and tenacity of the soldiers, and the historical opportunities at that time. The combination of these factors enabled the Qin State to achieve victory in the Battle of Changping.
When we look back on this history, we can't help but be impressed by the wisdom and courage of Bai Qi. He was not only an outstanding military general, but also a far-sighted strategist. Every decision he made was carefully planned to achieve Qin's hegemonic goals. It is precisely because of such great figures as Bai Qi that Chinese history can be written and inherited.
Overall, Bai Qi's prohibition of soldiers from eating mutton may seem simple, but in fact it contains a wealth of strategic thinking and far-reaching political intentions. This provision is not only to deal with the war environment and material shortages, but also to maintain the health of the soldiers, and to cultivate their discipline and will to fight.