Lian Po

Lore & Background

During the Battle of Changping between the state of Qin and state of Zhao, Lian Po was the general initially commanding the Zhao forces. Frustrated with the stalemate and encouraged by Qin spies, King Xiaocheng of Zhao replaced general Lian Po with the less cautious Zhao Kuo. The Qin army under Bai Qi then destroyed the army of Zhao, establishing Qin's military superiority over all other Chinese states. The battle took place near modern-day Gaoping in Shanxi and hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Zhao were executed after the battle.

Reader's Guide

Lian Po's significance lies in his role as the Zhao general at the Battle of Changping who was replaced by Zhao Kuo. King Xiaocheng of Zhao, frustrated with the stalemate and encouraged by Qin spies, replaced Lian Po with Zhao Kuo. Hearing of this, King Zhaoxiang of Qin secretly sent the famous general Bai Qi to take control of the Qin army. The Qin army under Bai Qi destroyed the army of Zhao, establishing Qin's military superiority over all other Chinese states during the Warring States period. The battle took place near modern-day Gaoping in Shanxi and hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Zhao were executed after the battle. The source does not provide further details about Lian Po's life or legacy.

Did You Know?

• Lian Po was replaced by Zhao Kuo during the Battle of Changping after King Xiaocheng of Zhao became frustrated with the stalemate and was encouraged by Qin spies.
• After Lian Po's replacement, King Zhaoxiang of Qin secretly sent the famous general Bai Qi to take control of the Qin army.
• The Qin army under Bai Qi destroyed the army of Zhao, with hundreds of thousands of Zhao soldiers executed after the battle.
• The Battle of Changping took place near modern-day Gaoping in Shanxi.