In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huang defeated the state of Qi, successfully completing the unification of the six warring states, marking the first grand unification in Chinese history. He standardized the axle width of carts and unified the written script, laying a foundation for a cohesive empire. Due to this monumental achievement, Qin Shi Huang was later honored as the “Emperor for Eternity.” However, in the history of Qin, there was actually someone who could have unified the six states earlier. If not for falling victim to malicious advice and making a critical mistake, the glory of “Eternal Emperor” might have belonged to him instead.
Who was this person? He was none other than Qin Shi Huang’s great-grandfather—King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Ying Ji.
Ying Ji was among the longest-reigning monarchs in Chinese history, ruling for fifty-six years. During his reign, he commanded Qin’s armies to wage campaigns across the south and north, severely weakening the six rival states by depleting their manpower. His military successes laid a crucial groundwork that made Qin Shi Huang’s later unification possible.
After years of preparation, Qin’s forces became highly skilled and well-equipped, while the six states grew increasingly exhausted. Among them, only the state of Zhao, having adopted nomadic cavalry tactics known as “Hu-style” riding and archery, could still challenge Qin’s dominance. In the 47th year of King Zhaoxiang’s reign, Qin dispatched the general Wang He to attack Zhao and seized the strategic region of Shangdang. Aware of Qin’s military might, Zhao’s renowned general Lian Po chose to adopt a defensive strategy, avoiding open battle and waiting for the right moment. This cautious stance caused great frustration for Qin’s forces, as the prolonged siege strained their logistics and morale. To counter this, Qin resorted to psychological warfare by spreading rumors that they feared Zhao’s new general Zhao Kuo more than Lian Po. Deceived by these claims, the Zhao king replaced Lian Po with Zhao Kuo.
What followed was the infamous Battle of Changping. Qin secretly appointed the legendary general Bai Qi to command their forces. Using a well-coordinated strategy, Bai Qi surrounded and divided Zhao’s equally numbered army of 500,000. After forty-six days of starvation and siege, Zhao’s troops surrendered, only to face a devastating massacre where 400,000 soldiers were executed. The entire state of Zhao was plunged into fear and chaos.
Bai Qi believed the moment was ripe to completely conquer Zhao and thus secure Qin’s path to unification. Although both Qin and Zhao suffered heavy losses in the battle, Zhao’s defeat left it severely weakened. With 400,000 soldiers slaughtered, deep-seated hatred brewed, making Zhao desperate for vengeance. It was a strategic moment for Qin to press on aggressively before Zhao could recover, as the latter’s fierce spirit combined with resentment would make future conflicts far more difficult.
Unfortunately, Ying Ji heeded the advice of his chancellor Fan Ju, who argued that Qin’s army was exhausted and needed rest. Consequently, Ying Ji halted the offensive against Zhao, relinquishing the chance to destroy the rival state entirely. Zhao ultimately secured peace by ceding six cities, a costly yet tolerable compromise.
Two years later, after Qin’s forces had rested, Ying Ji launched another campaign, besieging Zhao’s capital, Handan. But this time, Handan was a changed city. Following the horrors of Changping, the people had initially been demoralized, but two years of recovery had rekindled their resolve. United in anger and mourning, the Zhao army vowed to defend their homeland and avenge fallen comrades. Ying Ji’s attempts to breach the city, including multiple changes of generals, failed to yield success.
Ying Ji appointed Bai Qi once again to lead the campaign against Zhao. However, Bai Qi judged that the opportunity had passed. He warned that attacking now would not bring victory but only needless sacrifice for Qin’s soldiers. Moreover, Bai Qi was in declining health and refused the command.
Perceiving Bai Qi’s refusal as an excuse fueled by resentment over past disagreements, Ying Ji angrily ordered Bai Qi to commit suicide by sword. Thus ended the life of the great general Wu’an Jun Bai Qi, a war hero who never tasted defeat on the battlefield and remained devoted to his country, only to be killed by his own sovereign.
In the same year, the Wei general Xinling Jun delivered a crushing defeat to Qin’s forces outside Handan.
King Zhaoxiang Ying Ji had the chance to destroy Zhao decisively after Changping but chose to forgo this crucial opportunity—this was his first grave mistake. Then, by killing Bai Qi and mishandling the campaign, Qin suffered a catastrophic defeat—his second mistake.
Alas, these lost opportunities would only reappear during the reign of Qin Shi Huang, who grasped them firmly and ultimately achieved what Ying Ji had once missed.
