Lian Po
Encyclopedia
Lian Po (? - ?) was a prominent military General of Zhao
during the Warring States period of China
. Bai Qi
, Wang Jian
, Li Mu
and he were commonly known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States.
In Lian Po's early years, he had victories in the wars against Qi
and Wei
. Lin Xiangru
, a minister of Zhao, was disliked by Lian Po, because of his rapid rise to power and genius. But Lin Xiangru, in several famous incidents, took great steps to avoid Lian Po; in one case he even turned from Lian Po's carriage rather than block the great general's route. Eventually, all this began to cause shame and embarrassment to Lian Po, and he carried sharp brambles on his shoulder without clothing and asked Lin Xiangru to forgive him. Afterwards, they became good friends.
During the Battle of Changping
, he became the commander of Zhao. Deciding not to risk his forces by engaging in open battle with the Qin, under their brilliant general Bai Qi, Lian Po instead built a series of forts along the Changping area, successfully stopping the invasion of Qin. However, King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王), under the persuasion of many courtiers (most of whom were bribed heavily by Qin spies) became dissatisfied with Lian Po's strategy, and decided to replace him with Zhao Kuo
(趙括). Being the son of another famous Zhao general, Zhao She
, Zhao Kuo discarded Lian Po's cautious, defensive strategy and attacked with full strength. As a consequence, he was defeated, and Zhao never returned to prominence.
After the Battle of Changping
, Lian Po became the commander of Zhao army again to stop the invasion of Yan
. He defeated Yan army, but in his late years, he was distrusted by the King of Zhao. Therefore he decided to escape to Wei, and then Chu
.
He died in Shouchun, the capital of the Chu state, living long enough to see the gradual demise of the country he once served.
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
during the Warring States period of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Bai Qi
Bai Qi
Bái Qǐ was an outstanding military leader of the State of Qin during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Born in Mei , as commander of the Qin army for more than 30 years, Bai Qi was responsible for the deaths of a total over 890,000 enemy soldiers, earning him the nickname Ren Tu...
, Wang Jian
Wang Jian
Wang Jian , courtesy name Guangtu , formally Emperor Gaozu of Shu , was the founding emperor of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Former Shu...
, Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
and he were commonly known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States.
In Lian Po's early years, he had victories in the wars against Qi
Qi (state)
Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States in ancient China. Its capital was Linzi, now part of the modern day city of Zibo in Shandong Province....
and Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
. Lin Xiangru
Lin Xiangru
Lin Xiangru was a politician of the Warring States Period, who served the state of Zhao. He figures prominently in two stories of the period, namely the episode of "Returning the Jade to Zhao", as well as the story of "Carrying Thorned Grass and Pleading Guilt".Lin Xiangru was born sometime in the...
, a minister of Zhao, was disliked by Lian Po, because of his rapid rise to power and genius. But Lin Xiangru, in several famous incidents, took great steps to avoid Lian Po; in one case he even turned from Lian Po's carriage rather than block the great general's route. Eventually, all this began to cause shame and embarrassment to Lian Po, and he carried sharp brambles on his shoulder without clothing and asked Lin Xiangru to forgive him. Afterwards, they became good friends.
During the Battle of Changping
Battle of Changping
The Battle of Changping was a military campaign that took place during the Warring States Period in China. It concluded in 260 BC with a decisive victory by the State of Qin over the State of Zhao, and ultimately allowed Qin to conquer and unify China decades later...
, he became the commander of Zhao. Deciding not to risk his forces by engaging in open battle with the Qin, under their brilliant general Bai Qi, Lian Po instead built a series of forts along the Changping area, successfully stopping the invasion of Qin. However, King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王), under the persuasion of many courtiers (most of whom were bribed heavily by Qin spies) became dissatisfied with Lian Po's strategy, and decided to replace him with Zhao Kuo
Zhao Kuo
Zhao Kuo was a general of the States of Zhao in Warring States Period , son of the famous general Zhao She, during the epic Battle of Changping between the States of Zhao and Qin in ancient China. ."...
(趙括). Being the son of another famous Zhao general, Zhao She
Zhao She
Zhao She was a Chinese bureaucrat and general in the third century BC.Zhao She was one of the sons of Zhao He , King Huiwen of the State of Zhao. He was employed as a land tax collector...
, Zhao Kuo discarded Lian Po's cautious, defensive strategy and attacked with full strength. As a consequence, he was defeated, and Zhao never returned to prominence.
After the Battle of Changping
Battle of Changping
The Battle of Changping was a military campaign that took place during the Warring States Period in China. It concluded in 260 BC with a decisive victory by the State of Qin over the State of Zhao, and ultimately allowed Qin to conquer and unify China decades later...
, Lian Po became the commander of Zhao army again to stop the invasion of Yan
Yan (state)
Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
. He defeated Yan army, but in his late years, he was distrusted by the King of Zhao. Therefore he decided to escape to Wei, and then Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
.
He died in Shouchun, the capital of the Chu state, living long enough to see the gradual demise of the country he once served.