Historical figures mentioned in my article 109

Sima Cuo司马错 was a distinguished military general of the Qin秦 state during the mid-Warring States period, serving under three successive rulers: King Huiwen of Qin, King Wu of Qin, and King Zhaoxiang of Qin.

Sima Cuo advocated the strategic vision that "securing Shu蜀 would lead to control over Chu楚"—a proposal adopted by King Huiwen. In 316 BCE, he led an army on a swift campaign over a thousand li and conquered the State of Shu. In 310 BCE, when the Shu chancellor Chen Zhuang陈庄 rebelled against Qin, Sima Cuo was ordered to quell the rebellion and executed Chen Zhuang.

In the 27th year of King Zhaoxiang’s reign (280 BCE), Sima Cuo commanded a force of 200,000 troops to attack the State of Chu, compelling Chu to cede the regions north of the Han River and Shangyong. This marked the initial realization of his prophecy that Qin would "use Shu as a base to subdue Chu."

Sima Cuo was a strategist with innovative and expansive thinking. His strategic framework not only helped Qin nearly conquer Chu but also provided a reference for later regimes seeking to advance into the Central Plains from the Sichuan region. When he strongly advocated the invasion of Shu, he famously argued:

"With Shu secured, Chu will follow; once Chu falls, the empire can be unified."

This statement demonstrates his remarkable foresight.