Wang Jian (Qin)

Wang Jian (;) (year of birth and death unknown), a military leader of Qin in the Warring States Period. He was born in Guanzhong county, city of Pinyang, Dongxiang village (now as the northeast of Fuping in Shǎnxī Province).

Major Achievement

He led the Qin army in seizing Handan, the capital city of the State of Zhao; Defeated Yan , Zhao and Chu . He along with Bai Qi, Lian Po and Li Mu were called the most prestigious 4 generals in the Warring States Period.

Conquest of Chu, 225-223 BCE

In 225 BC, only three kingdoms (states) remained independent: Chu, Yan and Qi. Chu had recovered significantly enough to mount serious resistance after their disastrous defeats to Qin in 278 BC and losing their centuries-old capital of Ying (Jingzhou). Despite its territorial size, resources and manpower, Chu's fatal flaw was its largely corrupt government that mostly overturned the legalistic-style reforms of Wu Qi 150 years ago, when Wu Qi transformed Chu into the most powerful state with an area of almost half of all the states combined. Ironically, Wu Qi was from the same state (Wei) as Shang Yang, whose legalistic reforms turned Qin into an invincible war machine at this stage.

The King of Qin, Ying Zheng, decided to finally defeat the remnants of the Chu state located in Huaiyang. According to Shiji's chapter on the great generals of the Warring States, Ying Zheng had first requested his great general Wang Jian to lead the invasion, but Wang Jian did not believe the time was...
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