by David K McMillin

Created on: December 24, 2009

“Therefore those who win every battle are not really skillful – those who render others' armies helpless without fighting are the best of all.” - Sun Tzu (The Art of War)

The decline in Zhou dynastic power. and the rise of local powerful nobles during the 4th century B.C lead to a time of unrest and war called the Warring States period of Chinese history. The nobles, who declared themselves kings, fought with their neighboring states in an attempt to gain both resources and the reunification of China under their authority. In 284 B.C. King Zhaowang of Yan united the states of Wei, Han, Zhao, Qin, and Chu states and under the command of General Yue Yi, attacked the rival state to the south, of Qi. The initial invasion successfully took 70 of the 72 cities ruled by the king of Qi and ultimately brought about his demise. With the loss of their king the city of Ji Mo selected Tian Dan, an able and creative commander, to be the general in charge of the 7000 troops left in the city.

In 283 General Yue Yi of Yan laid siege to Ji Mo with a combined force of 70,000 troops. After several unsuccessful attempts at the city walls, Yue Yi decided to take the city by non lethal methods. Yue Yi ordered his troops to pull back from the walls but kept the city surrounded, isolated, and under siege. He then ordered his troops to treat the local inhabitants with a great deal of kindness and respect by supplying food and water from their own stores. He went even further and required his men to help in the tilling, planting, and watering of the fields. General Yue Yi's plan was to capture the hearts of the people and thereby cause the people in the city to voluntarily surrender.

Back in the capitol of Yan, Ji (modern Beijing), King Zhaowang died and his son Huiwang took the throne. King Huiwang did not trust General Yue Yi but as of yet did not remove the General from his command. Tian Dan saw the perfect opportunity and sent his spies into the capitol to spread a rumor about Yue Yi motives for winning the hearts of the people, Yue Yi wanted to usurp the throne and become king. King Huiwang upon hearing the rumor became furious and removed General Yue Yi, who fled to a neighboring state, and replaced him with the more aggressive, and possibly less able, General Qi Jie.

General Tian Dan next sends his spies into Qi Jie's camp to spread a new rumor: if you cut off the noses of captured soldiers and dig up the bones of the ancestors you will put fear into the hearts

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>