Battle at the River Front

Chinese Idioms and their Stories

In five thousand years of traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese idiom is a shining pearl in the treasure of the Chinese language. It is concise, vivid, expressive and an accumulation of historical facts and rich ethnic culture. The formation of each phrase reflects historical truths that mirror politics, the military, culture, folk customs, ethics and ideals. These idioms allow us to better understand the long history of China, its superior wisdom and timeless language.

背 水一戰

背(bèi)-against  水(shuǐ)- water   一(yī)- one   戰 (zhàn)-- battle

Han Xin was the General and strategist of Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Bang wanted to take over the entire central China. Han Xin defeated Liu Bang’s chief rival, Xiang Yu, and crossed the Yellow River to capture the King of Wei who was under Xiang Yu. Han Xin then marched east to attack the state of Zhao. 

Han Xin’s troops needed to pass a very narrow mountain opening called Jingxing Opening. Someone in the enemy’s camp suggested that they send troops to block the Jingxing opening, and at the same time cut off the supply line for Han’s troops. The General of Zhao knew that they had many more soldiers than did Han’s army and insisted that they would fight face to face. 

Han’s troops set up their tents 30 miles from the Jingxing opening. Han Xin arranged for 10,000 soldiers to take up their position in front of the river bank to lure the enemy. At the same time, two thousand soldiers, lightly dressed, would sneak into the enemy’s camp when no one was there and would replace the Zhao flags with Han flags. Fighting in front of the river was a risky strategy and not one that was recommended in any book on how to win a battle. The General of Zhao was pleased and thought this was a good opportunity for them to win, since Han’s army would have nowhere to run.

The next morning, Han’s soldiers started to attack first and both sides fought vigorously. Han’s soldiers pretended to be defeated and ran back to the river bank. Zhao’s soldiers all joined them in the chase, leaving the camp empty. Meanwhile, as Han had sent his best forces to attack the enemy soldiers at the river front they fought as hard as they could, and as they had no place to run, they had to win the battle or die. Zhao’s army could not win and so retreated back to their camp. When they reached the camp, they found that all their flags had been replaced by Han flags. They were so panicked that they ran off in all different directions. Han’s soldiers chased them and they won a huge battle. 

Sometime later, the little generals asked Han Xin, “In all the books on the art of war, it is said that one can fight a war in front of a mountain, but not in front of a river. However, you managed to win. What kind of strategy was that?” 

Han Xin said laughingly, “My strategy is also in the book. By putting soldiers in a situation where they have nowhere to run off, they have to fight for their lives. If everyone is able to retreat, how are you going to make them fight as hard as they can?”

“Battle at the river front” means that if one has the determination to fight for one’s life, one will succeed.