Wang Jian (Qin)

Wang Jian (王翦, † before 209 BC ) was a Chinese commander of the Kingdom of Qin . He played an important role in the unification of China under the first emperor .

Origin, early years and family

Wang Jian was a native of Pinyang in the Kingdom of Qin. He joined the military in his youth and quickly made a career there. He then became a general under Qin Shihuangdi. His son was the strategist Wang Ben .

Campaigns

236 BC In BC Wang Jian attacked Zhao State in the Eyu region, where he was able to take control of 9 cities. He also took part in another campaign against Zhao (229 BC). Here he again had an important part in the victory. The kingdom of Zhao was subsequently annexed by Qin. 228 BC On the orders of his king he attacked the state of Yan and was jointly responsible for the decisive victory over the ruling monarch Xi and the subsequent capture of the city of Ji. Because of differences of opinion with his king and General Li Xin over the campaign against Chu , Wang Jian temporarily withdrew from the command staff and settled again in his native city. After the strategy of the other commanders in Qin failed, the king asked him to return. Wang Jian agreed after he had been assured a force of 600,000 men and replaced Li Xin as commander-in-chief of the army. In a great battle, he defeated the enemy general Xiang Yan von Chu and was able to defeat the opposing state in 223 BC. Finally occupy. He was also involved once again in the conquest of the states of Yan and Qi . After the last victories, China was finally unified under the rule of the Qin.

According to Sima Qian , Wang Jian was no longer alive during the reign of the second Qin emperor . It can therefore be assumed that before 209 B.C. Chr. Died.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Burton Watson (transl.): Qian, Sima: Records of the Grand Historian, New York 1961.

Note: This article places the family name before the person's first name. This is the usual order in Chinese. Wang is the family name here, Jian is the first name.