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Kevin McSpadden

There may be no more renowned historical military figure than the ancient philosopher-general Sun Tzu, whose seminal work, The Art of War, remains widely read today.
Sun Tzu is such a revered figure that he eclipses many great military leaders who have attained immense glory throughout Chinese history.
Whether it is overthrowing a despised regime, taking extraordinary risks on the battlefield, or repelling pirate attacks, these four generals distinguish themselves as pivotal military leaders from China’s history.
Wu Qi (440-381 BC)
Wu Qi is less renowned for his military strategies than for his political reforms, serving as a cautionary tale of how abrupt political shifts can lead to disaster.
Wu lived during the Warring States period (481/403 BC-221 BC), emerging in the state of Wei, where he gained fame for his numerous victories in battle. Eventually, however, he became estranged from the Lord of Wei, prompting him to depart from that state and assume the role of prime minister in the state of Chu.

Wu leveraged his position of power in Chu, the largest of the warring states at the time, to enact a series of political reforms that stripped wealth and power away from the aristocracy and centralised it with King Dao of Chu.
The result of these reforms was a significant increase in the wealth of the Chu treasury, which was shifted towards military spending to build a robust and formidable fighting force.
Unfortunately for Wu, King Dao died as the project was building momentum, and the aristocrats seized on the moment to regain much of the power they had lost due to the reforms.
The nobles would assassinate Wu, and he became an example of how shifting political winds can alter military outcomes more than any invasion ever could.
His book, Wuzi, is considered one of China’s seven military classics.
Xiang Yu (232-202 BC)
Xiang Yu dealt the final blow to the Qin state and spent four years as the Hegemon-King of the Western Chu (206-202 BC). He lost a power battle with his former lieutenant Liu Bang, who became the first leader of the Han dynasty (202 BC-9, 25-220).
Xiang was born into a prominent family in the Chu state but was forced into poverty when the Qin state successfully conquered China. The Qin was notoriously brutal during its reign, which opened them up to hatred and rebellion.

Xiang convinced his uncle, Xiang Liang, to rebel against the Qin state, and Xiang Yu would eventually take command of that fighting force.
He would amass victories with the Chu forces and eventually overwhelm the Qin imperial army near the Wei River. Xiang Yu executed the Qin leader, Ziying, in 207 BC. The Chu army destroyed Xiangyang, the capital of the Qin empire the following year, which historians mark as the official end of the Qin dynasty.
After the fall of the Qin dynasty, Xiang Yu and Liu entered into an uneasy power-sharing treaty, but Liu betrayed his former leader, prompting Xiang Yu to take his own life rather than be captured by the enemy.
Han Xin (unknown-196 BC)

Han Xin played a crucial role in the power struggle between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, employing clever yet ruthless tactics to secure victories in battle.
One of Han’s most famous battles for Liu occurred when his force of 30,000 men faced the overwhelming 200,000 troops of Chu. Han strategically positioned his soldiers with their backs to a river, effectively preventing surprise attacks and minimising the risk of desertion.
As his outnumbered troops fought for their survival, Han sent a small band of cavalry into the enemy base camp, seizing control of their headquarters.
As the fighting continued, the Chu forces descended into chaos when they realised they had no secure base for retreat or to receive further orders. Han seized this opportunity, turning the confusion to his advantage and ultimately winning the battle.
Qi Jiguang (1528-1588)
Qi Jiguang, a notable general of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), is best remembered for his successful defense against Japanese pirates who plagued China’s coastal regions.
Following his father’s death, he took command of the Dengzhou Garrison, where he implemented significant fortifications and retrained his soldiers to effectively combat the raiders.

One of Qi’s most innovative strategies involved recruiting soldiers who harboured personal grievances against the pirates. This tactic proved crucial, as these recruits were highly motivated and fought with a fierce determination to avenge the past crimes committed against them, making them formidable opponents even when outnumbered.
Under Qi’s leadership, “Qi’s Army” achieved remarkable victories, ultimately succeeding in diminishing the threat posed by the Japanese pirates.
In addition to his naval campaigns, Qi was frequently assigned to the Great Wall of China, dedicating a decade to strengthen its defences against various foreign incursions.


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The Post features four renowned ancient figures in Chinese history for their war tactics and contributions to military strategy besides Sun Tzu, known for “The Art of War”. Photo: SCMP composite/Wikipedia

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Under Qi’s command, “Qi’s Army” secured significant victories, successfully diminishing the threat from the Japanese pirates. Photo: Wikipedia

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People & Culture

These military geniuses transformed armies, toppled emperors, even battled pirates


These military geniuses transformed armies, toppled emperors, even battled pirates.
