How a clever general used his enemies' mutual hatred to win a lopsided war
In 293 BC, the kingdom of Qin faced a combined force of Wei and Han twice the size of its own army. General Bai Qi realized that his opponents were bitter rivals rather than true partners. By exploiting their internal distrust, he turned a stalemate into a decisive military triumph.
By 294 BC, the kingdom of Qin had emerged as a formidable military power in China. Its expansionist ambitions targeted the neighboring states of Wei and Han, which had long been enemies themselves. Initially, these two kingdoms ignored the rising threat of Qin, but after Qin captured a critical fortress in 294 BC, they finally realized the danger and formed an alliance to halt further conquest.
The alliance assembled 240,000 troops to defend a vast region of fortresses and natural barriers. Opposing them was General Bai Qi, commanding only 120,000 men. Recognizing that the alliance feared Qin's superior training and equipment, Bai Qi initially faced a stalemate. However, he soon identified a critical vulnerability: the deep-seated hostility between the Wei and Han officers. He employed a divide-and-conquer strategy, using small ambushes to distract the Han forces while focusing his main strength on the weaker Wei positions.
The strategy proved devastatingly effective. As Bai Qi systematically dismantled Wei's defenses, the Wei officers became convinced that their Han allies were intentionally withholding support. This suspicion shattered the alliance, leading Han to prioritize its own survival over helping Wei. With the coalition fractured, Bai Qi defeated the Wei positions one by one before turning his full force against the isolated Han troops. The victory was absolute, resulting in 240,000 casualties for the alliance and the capture of their general, Gongsun Xi.
The Battle of Yique marked the first time Qin exerted significant influence in central China. While Wei and Han ceded land to secure a temporary peace, their ultimate fate was sealed. The destruction of their combined forces at Yique paved the way for Qin to eventually conquer Han in 230 BC and Wei in 225 BC, cementing its dominance in the region.
Source: Battle of Yique
