In the ancient history of China, the name of Zhao Kuo, a general of the State of Zhao, is often closely linked with the idiom "talking about war on paper". However, is the real Zhao Kuo really as incompetent as traditionally believed? Through further discussion, we can re-examine this historical figure from multiple perspectives.

I. Misunderstood Image

Zhao Kuo's label of "talking about war on paper" mainly originated from his failure to win the Battle of Changping after replacing Lian Po as the general of the State of Zhao. However, the failure of this battle cannot be solely attributed to Zhao Kuo. In fact, his performance on the battlefield was not as incompetent as traditionally described.

II. Actual Achievements and Strategies

Despite Zhao Kuo's ultimate defeat in the Battle of Changping, he initially employed innovative tactics and strategies that gave the Zhao army an advantage. For example, he used terrain and enemy intelligence to deploy his troops flexibly, demonstrating a certain military talent.

III. Era Background and Limitations

When evaluating a historical figure, it is important to consider the era they lived in. During that time, the State of Zhao was weak, and its army was exhausted, while its opponent, the State of Qin, was a powerful force. Given such disadvantageous circumstances, Zhao Kuo's ability to lead the army in resistance was already remarkable.

IV. Shift in Later Evaluations

As time passed, some historians and researchers began to re-evaluate Zhao Kuo's historical status. They believed that he was not completely incompetent but was misunderstood due to the influence of later literary works. In fact, he possessed certain military talents and potential.

V. Conclusion

In summary, Zhao Kuo was not a completely incompetent figure. Although the defeat in the Battle of Changping brought negative evaluations, from multiple perspectives, he demonstrated certain military talents and wisdom. At the same time, we should objectively view historical figures, avoiding the shackles of traditional beliefs, to gain a more comprehensive understanding and evaluation of them.

　　Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from the internet and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement of your original copyright, please inform us and we will delete the relevant content as soon as possible.