Tossup

During this period, a planned attack using “cloud-ladders” was thwarted after a strategist lost nine simulated war games. (10[1])A set of “Intrigues” written during this period recounts the story of an itinerant swordsman who tells a nobleman that “a crafty rabbit must have three burrows.” Near the end of this period, scholars argued over the opposing strategies of “vertical alliance” (10[1])and (10[1]-5[1])“horizontal (10[1])alliance.” (10[3])Soldiers (10[1])in an army (10[1])during this period received tax exemptions (-5[1])for capturing enemy heads; that army was led by a general who supposedly buried 400,000 soldiers alive after a battle (10[1])during this period. The strategy of “besieging Wèi to save Zhào” (10[1]-5[1])was employed by Sūn (10[1])Bìn during this period, (10[1]-5[1])during which Shāng Yāng devised policies (-5[1])influenced by the Hánfēizi (“hahn-FADE-zih”). For 10 points, what period ended with the unification of China (10[1])by (10[1])the Qín (“cheen”) dynasty? ■END■ (10[5])

ANSWER: Warring States period [or Zhànguó Shídài; reject “Sengoku period” or “Sengoku jidai”] (The second clue refers to Feng Xuan and Lord Mengchang.)
<World History>
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