Treatise on Military Preparedness, Volume 20

Strategic Examination

Jin Dynasty, Part 2 — Conclusion

Fu Jian original: "Qin Wang Jian" (秦王堅). The ruler of the Former Qin state (357–385 CE) who briefly unified Northern China, the King of Qin, dispatched Fu Pi the King's son and the Duke of Changle, along with Generals Fu Chang, Shi Yue, Murong Chui, and others to converge on Xiangyang a vital strategic city in modern Hubei province from four different routes.

Huan Chong a prominent general of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was stationed at Shangming. Despite commanding a large force of 70,000 men, he was intimidated by the Qin army and did not dare to advance his troops.

Fu Pi wished to launch a rapid, forceful assault to take Xiangyang immediately. However, the general Gou Chang advised him, saying: "Our forces are ten times the size of the enemy's ..., and our provisions are piled high like mountains .... We should simply relocate the people of the Han and Mian river regions toward Xuchang and Luoyang ..., block their supply routes ..., and cut off their reinforcements .... They will be like a bird trapped in a net; why should we worry about not capturing them? Why should we sacrifice many of our own officers and soldiers just to seek a hasty success?"