Lian Po 廉頗 was a general of the state of Zhao 趙 during the Warring States period 戰國 (5th cent-221 BCE). Under the reign of King Huiwen 趙惠文王 (r. 298-266) he successfully made a raid on territory of the state of Qi 齊. He was promoted to the position of senior minister (shangqing 上卿). He created himself the name of a stubborn and brave enemy at Changping 長平 (modern Gaoping 高平, Shanxi), where he was able to resist the intruding powerful army of Qin 秦 for more than three years. After the death of king Huiwen spies of Qin managed to have him demoted and replaced with Zhao Kuo 趙括, a less able military leader that could not keep on the success of Lian Po. The armies of Zhao were smashed, and only then Lian Po could reenter governmental service. In 251 he crushed an army of Yan 燕, was appointed Counsellor-in-chief and enfeoffed as Lord of Xinping 信平君. Years later he again lost the confidence of the court, left Zhao and served Wei 魏 and finally Chu 楚, were he died. Source: Cang Xiuliang 倉修良 (ed. 1991). Shiji cidian 史記辭典, p. 614. Jinan: Shandong jiaoyu chubanshe.