Bai Qi (The Human Butcher)
Source: Wikipedia: Bai Qi
Military Leaders & Strategists • Historical Archive • 🇨🇳 Qin State (China) • 2 views

Bai Qi (The Human Butcher) 🇨🇳

白起 (Known as "Bai Qi")
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Born c. 332 BCE 🇨🇳 Meixian (Shaanxi), Qin State (China)
Passed Away 257 BCE Duyou (Shaanxi), Qin State (China)
Lifespan ~75 years old
2 views
Notice / Correction
"I have committed crimes against Heaven; at Changping, hundreds of thousands of soldiers surrendered, and I had them put to death. It is right that I should die."

Archival Overview

Undefeated supreme general of the State of Qin during the Warring States period who captured Chu's capital and annihilated Zhao at the Battle of Changping.

Biographical Record

Bai Qi (died 257 BC), titled the Lord of Wu'an, was the greatest military commander of the Qin state and one of the four legendary generals of the Warring States period. In a military career spanning over thirty years, Bai Qi fought in more than seventy battles and never suffered a single defeat, earning the fearful sobriquet 'The Human Butcher' (Ren Tu).

In 278 BC, Bai Qi flooded and captured Ying, the ancient capital of Chu. His crowning triumph occurred at the Battle of Changping in 260 BC against the state of Zhao. Luring Zhao Kuo into an overextended offensive, Bai Qi severed their supply lines, encircled their 400,000-man army for forty-six days, and forced their surrender. Fearing future insurrection, he ordered the execution of the captured soldiers. Sidelined by political jealousy from Prime Minister Fan Ju, he was ordered by King Zhaoxiang to commit suicide with his sword.

Key Life Milestones

Capture of the Chu Capital (Ying)

Flooding of the City Walls

Diverted river waters to collapse the fortifications of the Chu capital of Ying, burning the royal tombs and breaking Chu military power.

Battle of Changping

Decisive Annihilation of Zhao

Encircled Zhao Kuo's 400,000-man army through feigned retreat and cavalry cutoff, securing Qin's irreversible hegemony over ancient China.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Tomb of Lord Wu'an (Bai Qi Mausoleum)
Xianyang, China
GPS: 34.3314, 108.7188
View on Memory Atlas
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