In the long history of China, a number of outstanding military strategists and strategists have emerged, who have written countless brilliant chapters with their outstanding military talents and far-reaching strategic vision. As an outstanding representative of the ancient Chinese military field, the Ten Philosophers of Wumiao not only established outstanding military exploits on the battlefield, but also left a valuable legacy in military theory and practice. Below, the editor will give you a detailed introduction to these ten military heroes and take you to appreciate their extraordinary lives.
1. Sun Wu: The legendary life of the originator of the art of war
- Year of birth and death: c. 544 BC - 496 BC, c. 48 years old
- Major Achievements: Sun Wu was a famous military strategist and strategist of the Spring and Autumn Period, he was a general of the state of Wu and is best known for his book The Art of War, one of the world's earliest works of military theory.
- Descendants: Historical records of Sun Wu's descendants are unknown, but Sun Bin is believed to be his descendants.
According to the "Historical Records", when Sun Wu first arrived in Wu, Wu Wang Lu asked Sun Wu to train palace maids in order to test his art of war. Sun Wu divided the palace maids into two teams, with the two favorite concubines of King Wu as the captains. He issued military orders three times, but the palace ladies laughed and did not listen. Sun Wu was about to kill the two captains to show that his military law was like a mountain. King Wu interceded, but Sun Wu insisted on enforcing military law, and in the end the palace ladies were shocked and strictly disciplined.
2. Wu Qi: The brilliant achievements of the soldier Yasheng
- Birth and death: c. 440 BC - 381 BCE, c. 59 years old
- Major Achievements: Wu Qi was a famous military strategist and statesman during the Warring States period, known for his military prowess and reform ideas. He had important military achievements in both Wei and Chu and carried out a series of reforms.
- Descendants: There are few records of Wu Qi's descendants in historical books.
When Wu Qi was in the Wei state, he once shared the weal and woe with the soldiers, and personally sucked the pus and blood of a sick soldier to boost morale and show that he shared the weal and woe with the soldiers. When the soldier's mother learned about it, she cried loudly, because she knew that as a result of Wu Qi's actions, the soldier would die for him, and in the end, the soldier died heroically on the battlefield.
3. Sun Bin: The counterattack of a military wizard
- Birth and death years: c. 387 BC - 307 BC, c. 80 years old
- Major Achievements: Sun Bin was a famous military strategist and strategist during the Warring States period, known for his military prowess and his book The Art of War. He served the state of Qi, defeating the state of Wei in the Battle of Guiling and the Battle of Maling.
- Descendants: The descendants of Sun Bin are not recorded in the history books.
After Sun Bin was framed by Pang Juan, his friend Tian Ji rescued him and recommended him to Qi Guo. In the Battle of Guiling, Sun Bin took advantage of Pang Juan's underestimation of the enemy, set up an ambush, defeated the Wei army, captured Pang Juan, and avenged himself.
4. Le Yi: A glorious battle of a master of strategy
- Birth and death years: c. 351 BC - 289 BCE, c. 62 years old
- Major Achievements: Le Yi was a famous general during the Warring States period, who served the Yan State and planned and commanded the Yan State's war against the Qi State, especially in the Battle of Jimo.
- Descendants: Among Le Yi's descendants, Le Cheng was a general of the Zhao State.
When Le Yi was in Yan State, he planned the famous "Fire Ox Array", and in the Battle of Jimo, he used the Fire Ox to impact the enemy formation and break the Qi army, which became a classic example in military history.
5. White Rise: The legendary tale of the invincible God of War
- Birth and death years: c. 307 B.C. - 257 B.C., c. 50 years old
- Major Achievements: Bai Qi was a famous general of the Qin State during the Warring States Period, known for his victory in the Battle of Changping, and made a great contribution to the unification of the Six Kingdoms of the Qin State.
- Descendants: The descendants of Bai Qi are not recorded in the history books.
In the Battle of Changping, Bai Qi adopted the strategy of "feint defeat and lure the enemy", inducing the Zhao army to pursue, and then taking advantage of the terrain to besiege the Zhao army, which eventually led to the capture of 400,000 Zhao troops, most of whom were killed, and this battle was one of the largest massacres in the Warring States Period.
6. Wang Qian: The hero behind the unification of the Six Kingdoms by the Qin State
- Birth and death years: c. 304 BC - 243 BCE, c. 61 years old
- Major achievements: Wang Jian was a famous general of the Qin State during the Warring States Period, and participated in many major battles, such as the defeat of the Zhao and Chu states, and made great achievements for Qin Shi Huang to unify the six states.
- Descendants: Wang Ben, the son of Wang Qian, was also a general of the Qin state.
When Wang Jian attacked the state of Chu, he repeatedly asked Qin Shi Huang for fields and houses, ostensibly for the sake of his descendants, but in fact to dispel Qin Shi Huang's suspicions about him and show that he had no political ambitions, so as to ensure his own safety.
7. Zhang Liang: The legend of the wise and brave strategist
- Birth and death: c. 262 BC - 189 BCE, c. 73 years old
- Major Achievements: Zhang Liang was a famous strategist and statesman in the early Western Han Dynasty, known for his wisdom and loyalty, and advised Liu Bang (Han Gaozu) and played a significant role in the Chu-Han War.
- Descendants: Zhang Liang's son, Zhang Budo, attacked the Marquis of Jueliu, but was later stripped of his title for committing a crime.
After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, Zhang Liang did choose to live in seclusion, and it is said that he practiced Taoist health preservation techniques in Huangshan and became a legendary master in later generations.
8. Han Xin: The military genius of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty
- Birth and death years: c. 231 B.C. - 196 B.C., c. 35 years old
- Major Achievements: Han Xin was a famous general in the early Western Han Dynasty, known for his outstanding military skills and strategic vision, and made great contributions to Liu Bang's establishment of the Han Dynasty.
- Descendants: After Han Shin was killed, his family was rehabilitated, but some of his descendants were later rehabilitated.
After suffering the humiliation of his crotch, Han Xin worked hard and eventually became an important general of Liu Bang. When Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were competing for hegemony, he secretly Chen Cang won by surprise, and made great contributions to Liu Bang's final victory over Xiang Yu.
9. Zhuge Liang: The glorious chapter of Wolong's mountain
- Birth and death years: 181 A.D. - 234 A.D., c. 53 years old
- Major Achievements: Zhuge Liang was a famous statesman, military strategist, and inventor of the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, known for his wisdom and loyalty, and made five northern expeditions to the Central Plains in an attempt to restore the Han dynasty.
- Descendants: Zhuge Liang's son Zhuge Zhan inherited his cause, but was killed in battle with his son Zhuge Shang when Shu Han fell.
Before Zhuge Liang died of illness in Wuzhangyuan, he did teach Jiang Wei his military book and formation, hoping that he could continue his career. He also left behind the famous saying "Do your best, and then die", expressing his loyalty to the country and the nation.
10. Yue Fei: Top Gun of the anti-gold general
- Birth and death: 1103 - 1142 AD, about 39 years old
- Major Achievements: Yue Fei was a famous general and national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty, known for his anti-Jin deeds and military prowess, having defeated the Jin army in many battles.
- Descendants: After Yue Fei was killed by Qin Hui, his family was rehabilitated, but some of his descendants were later rehabilitated. Yue Fei's son, Yue Yun, was also a brave general and was killed along with Yue Fei.
Yue Fei won many brilliant victories against the Jin army, and the Yue family army led by him was highly disciplined and deeply loved by the people. However, due to Qin Hui's false accusations, Yue Fei was arrested by order of Zhao Gou of Song Gaozong, and was finally secretly executed in Fengbo Pavilion, which became a strange injustice for the ages.
The life experience and brilliant achievements of the ten philosophers of Wumiao not only reflect individual heroism and outstanding talent, but also are the concentrated embodiment of ancient Chinese military wisdom. Their military theories and practical experiences still exert a profound influence on future generations.