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Maling 342 BC
Strategic Context
Of the Seven Warring States in China, Wei finds itself particularly vulnerable following its defeat at the Battle of Kuei-ling in 353 BC to Zhao and Qi. While not crippling, this major defeat encourages Chu and Qin to launch border incursions against Wei. King Hui of Wei decides to concentrate against one enemy at a time, defeating each in detail. King Hui first improves relations with Zhao and Qin as best he can, and then sends an army under P’ang Chuan west to invade Han and occupy its capital, Cheng. Han urgently pleads for help from Qi, situated on Wei’s eastern border. After a brief but heated debate, King Wei of Qi sends an army under T’ien Qi and Sun Pin west to threaten the Wei capital of Ta’liang, forcing Chuan to abandon his assault on Cheng to save his own capital. Chuan’s army unites with additional forces under Prince Shen with the combined army falling under Prince Shen’s command.
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Stakes
+ A Qi victory would exhaust Wei strength and ensure good diplomatic relations with Han.
+ A Wei victory would secure its eastern border with Qi and allow it to resume its assault against Han.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

2. Maling, 342 BC Strength Qi T’ien Qi Well Wei Prince Shen P’ang Chuan
Sun Pin
100,000
100,000
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

3. China c. 350 BC

4. (Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)
The battlefield is relatively flat with various small rivers criss-crossing it. The Taihang Mountains and Zhang River restrict movement northwest off-map while the terrain itself is a mix of plains and forest. The only urban area is the Wei capital of Ta’liang in the southwest. Qi
(T’ien Qi/Sun Pin)
Ta’liang
Wei
(Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)

5. (Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan) 100,000
The two armies encamp northeast of Ta’liang. Sun Pin orders his army to light less and less fires every night to give the illusion of mass desertions in the Qi army. After advancing for three days straight against the Qi, the ruse further emboldens the Wei commanders.
On the fourth night, the Wei commanders resolve to catch the disintegrating Qi army on the run. P’ang Chuan charges ahead with the swifter elite troops, 20,000 strong, while Prince Shen advances with the main body, mostly heavy infantry. Sun Pin leaves behind most of the Qi artillery in the retreat to bolster the illusion of the Qi army’s disorder. In reality, Sun Pin withdraws to a carefully chosen ambush site. The Qi commanders place 10,000 crossbowmen along a narrow road littered with caltrops. Chariots are employed as stationary defensive fortifications to establish a blocking position at the end of the road.
Wei
(Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)
100,000 Qi
(T’ien Qi/Sun Pin)
Wei Qi
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Chariots Chariots
Camp Camp
Crossbowmen
Artillery
Caltrops Qi
(T’ien Qi/Sun Pin)
100,000
Symbol guide
Wei
(Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)

6. (Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan) 100,000
On the fourth night, the Wei commanders resolve to catch the disintegrating Qi army on the run. P’ang Chuan charges ahead with the swifter elite troops, 20,000 strong, while Prince Shen advances with the main body, mostly heavy infantry. Sun Pin leaves behind most of the Qi artillery in the retreat to bolster the illusion of the Qi army’s disorder. In reality, Sun Pin withdraws to a carefully chosen ambush site. The Qi commanders place 10,000 crossbowmen along a narrow road littered with caltrops. Chariots are employed as stationary defensive fortifications to establish a blocking position at the end of the road.
At the end of the kill zone, a tree is stripped to reveal white bark and an attached message for P’ang Chuan. Sun Pin orders his crossbowmen to fire as soon as they see a torch in the darkness. Sure enough, P’ang Chuan, at the head of his troops, lights a torch to read the message and is one of the first to die from the deadly volley of bolts. The Wei mounted troops are unable to maneuver off the road due to the caltrops and rout backwards, right into the Wei main body, causing confusion and panic. The Qi main body attacks, quickly routing the Wei army.
Wei
(Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)
100,000 Qi
(T’ien Qi/Sun Pin)
Wei Qi
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Chariots Chariots
Camp Camp
Crossbowmen
Artillery
Caltrops Qi
(T’ien Qi/Sun Pin)
100,000
Symbol guide
Wei
(Prince Shen/P’ang Chuan)

7. Maling, 342 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Qi:
Wei: ? or ? or
Wei’s defeat allowed Qin and Qi’s power to grow substantially with Qin seizure of much Wei territory in the immediate aftermath and Qi’s lack of threats along its borders. Reflecting the tumultuous interstate relations, in 298 BC, Qi gained hegemonic status after defeating Qin with the help of Wei and Han. This ended abruptly in 285 BC when Qin, Wei, Han and Zhao defeated Qi, allowing Qin to enjoy hegemonic status. From BC, Qin conquered each of the other six warring states, unifying China for the first time. Another period of warring states occurred when the Qin empire collapsed in 206 BC; in this renewed struggle, Han reigned supreme, unifying China until 220 AD.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

8. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

9. Notes Feb 8 – created file Feb 24 – completed data and geo slides
Mar 11 – completed landscape
Mar 12 – completed deployment, M2 and M3
Mar 16 – completed M4 and context
Mar 20 – completed narrations and aftermath
Mar 26 – systemic editing