Strategic Studies: The Warring States

Ready to die to bind the hearts of the people This refers to the extreme loyalty inspired by Lord Xinling’s leadership during the crisis.

Among brothers, the elder was sent home. Only sons with no brothers were sent home to care for their parents. In this way, he selected eighty thousand elite troops. Leading them, he advanced and dealt a crushing blow to the Qin army beneath the walls of Handan. Wang He The Qin general leading the siege. broke the siege and fled.

Li Mu was a brilliant general of Zhao on the northern frontier. He once resided in Dai and Yanmen to defend against the Xiongnu Xiongnu: A powerful confederation of nomadic peoples from the Eurasian Steppe who were the primary northern rivals of the Chinese states.. He was permitted to appoint officials as he saw fit, and the taxes from the local markets were sent directly to his headquarters original: "幕府" (mufu) — literally "tent government," referring to a general’s field command center. to cover the expenses of the soldiers. Every day, several oxen were slaughtered to feast the troops. He saw to it that they practiced mounted archery, kept a vigilant watch over the beacon fires, and employed many spies.

He issued a standing order: "Whenever the Xiongnu enter to raid, you must immediately retreat into the fortifications for safety. Anyone who dares to attempt a capture of the enemy shall be executed." After several years of this, nothing had been lost. However, the Xiongnu all came to believe that he was a coward. Even the Zhao border troops thought, "Our general is a coward."

The King of Zhao sent messengers to reprimand him, but Li Mu continued as before. The King grew angry and sent someone to replace him. The new commander repeatedly went out to do battle, but met with no success and suffered heavy losses; soon, the people of the border could no longer farm or raise their livestock. The King again requested that Li Mu return to his post. Li Mu claimed illness and refused to leave his home. The King forced him back into service. Li Mu said, "If your servant must be used, [you must allow me to act as I did before]..."