Lian Po facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lian Po 廉頗
Born	c. 327 BC Kuxing, State of Zhao (present-day Hebei)
Died	243 BC (aged 84) Shouchun, State of Chu (present-day Anhui)
Occupation	General

Lian Po (Chinese: 廉頗; c. 327 BC – 243 BC) was a very important general in ancient China. He lived during a time called the Warring States period. This was when different states in China fought each other for control. Lian Po was a general for the Zhao state. People today remember him as one of the "Four Greatest Generals" from that time. The other three were Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Li Mu. Lian Po won many battles from a young age. This made him famous and gave him a successful military career.

Early Victories and a Famous Friendship

In his early years, Lian Po won important wars against the states of Qi and Wei.

There was a minister in Zhao named Lin Xiangru. Lian Po did not like him at first. This was because Lin Xiangru became powerful very quickly. But Lin Xiangru took great steps to avoid Lian Po. For example, he would even turn his carriage away so he would not block the general's path.

Over time, this made Lian Po feel ashamed. He decided to apologize to Lin Xiangru in a very humble way. He carried sharp brambles (thorny branches) on his bare shoulder. Then he asked Lin Xiangru to forgive him. After this, they became good friends. This story led to a famous Chinese saying. It is "Carrying Thorned Grass and Pleading Guilt" (負荊請罪). It means to apologize very humbly and ask for forgiveness.

The Battle of Changping: A Tough Decision

Lian Po became the commander of Zhao's army during the Battle of Changping. This was a huge battle against the Qin state. The Qin army was led by General Wang He.

Lian Po decided not to risk his soldiers in a big, open fight. Instead, he built many forts in the Changping area. This strategy stopped the Qin invasion for a long time. It was a stalemate, meaning neither side could win.

However, King Xiaocheng of Zhao was not happy with Lian Po's plan. Many of his advisors told him to change generals. These advisors had been secretly paid by Qin spies. The king decided to replace Lian Po with a general named Zhao Kuo. Zhao Kuo was the son of another famous Zhao general, Zhao She.

Zhao Kuo did not follow Lian Po's careful plan. He attacked the Qin army with all his strength. But Qin had secretly replaced their general Wang He with the very famous General Bai Qi. Bai Qi set a trap for Zhao Kuo's army. Zhao Kuo was killed, and his army was completely destroyed. About 400,000 Zhao soldiers were killed by Qin's orders. This was a terrible loss for Zhao.

Later Life and Legacy

After the Battle of Changping, Lian Po became the commander of Zhao's army again. He stopped an invasion from the Yan state. He defeated the Yan army.

But in his later years, the King of Zhao no longer trusted him. Because of this, Lian Po decided to leave Zhao. He first went to the Wei state. Later, he moved to the Chu state.

Lian Po died in Shouchun, the capital city of Chu. He lived long enough to see the slow decline of the Zhao state. He had served Zhao for many years as a great general.