Zhang Yi (Warring States period) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zhang Yi
Chancellor
Monarch	King Hui of Qin
Personal details
Born	Wei
Died	309 BC
Nationality	Chinese
Occupation	Strategist

Zhang Yi (born before 329 BC – died 309 BC) was a very clever Chinese thinker and planner. He was born in the Wei state during a time in China called the Warring States period. This was a period when many different states were fighting each other. Zhang Yi played a big part in helping the Qin state become strong. He worked to break up the alliances between other states. This helped Qin to eventually unite all of China. He believed in forming "horizontal alliances," which meant making friends with states that were far away. He was part of a group of thinkers called the School of Diplomacy.

Zhang Yi's Life Story

Early Life and Learning

Zhang Yi came from the State of Wei. He studied under a famous teacher named Guiguzi. From Guiguzi, he learned a lot about politics and how different states could get along, or not get along. After his teacher's friend, Su Qin, passed away, Zhang Yi left his studies. He then traveled to the state of Chu.

A Tricky Start in Chu

One day, Zhang Yi was at a big party in Chu. He was wrongly accused of stealing a valuable gem. People beat him badly because of this. When he finally got home, he asked his wife, "Please check if they left me my tongue!" His wife said it was safe and sound. Zhang Yi then bravely declared, "If I still have my tongue, that is all I need!" This showed he was determined to use his words to succeed.

Working for the Qin State

After this incident, Zhang Yi went to the state of Qin in 329 BC. He met King Hui of Qin, who was the ruler of Qin. King Hui had previously turned down another famous strategist. But he saw something special in Zhang Yi. King Hui decided to make Zhang Yi a very important minister.

Clever Plans and Victories

In 328 BC, Zhang Yi led a successful military plan against his home state, Wei. Qin gained a lot of land from Wei because of this. At that time, another strategist's idea of a "vertical alliance" was still strong. This alliance brought together states like Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi. They were united against Qin.

Zhang Yi had new ideas for King Hui. He suggested ways to make friends with Wei and Yan. This would help break up the strong alliance against Qin. King Hui liked these ideas and made Zhang Yi his prime minister.

Tricking the Chu King

In 314 BC, a civil war started in the Yan state. The King of Qi attacked Yan and killed its ruler. The King of Chu, who was the leader of the vertical alliance, then joined forces with Qi. This alliance between Qi and Chu was a big threat to Qin's goal of uniting China.

King Hui sent Zhang Yi to weaken this new alliance. Zhang Yi first got the attention of the King of Chu's favorite official, Jin Shang. He gave Jin Shang expensive gifts. Then, Zhang Yi made a deal with the King of Chu. He promised that Qin would give back 600 li (a measure of distance or land) of land that Qin had taken from Chu. In return, Chu had to end its alliance with Qi.

The King of Chu quickly agreed, even though his official Chen Zhen warned him not to trust Zhang Yi. When Chu sent a messenger to Qin to get the land, Zhang Yi played a trick. He gave Chu only six li of his own land! He claimed he had said "six li" of his own land, not "six hundred li" of Qin's land. This made Chu very angry, and they went to war with Qin. Qin defeated Chu and demanded even more land.

Zhang Yi's Legacy

Zhang Yi kept negotiating with many different states: Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi. He was very good at breaking their alliances and making them distrust each other. His clever plans helped to clear the way for the Qin state to eventually unite all of China.

Zhang Yi's Final Years

In 311 BC, King Hui of Qin passed away. His son, King Wu, became the new king. Zhang Yi did not get along well with King Wu. So, he left the Qin state and went back to the Wei state. He later died in Wei state.