The Prelude to a Historic Triumph
In 293 BCE, the Qin capital of Xianyang buzzed with anticipation as King Zhaoxiang and his chancellor Wei Ran awaited news from the frontlines. The previous year, the young general Bai Qi had captured the strategic Han stronghold of Xincheng (modern Yichuan, Henan), earning a promotion. Yet instead of suing for peace, the newly enthroned rulers of Han and Wei mustered a massive coalition force to retake the city.
At the narrow mountain pass of Yique, Bai Qi’s outnumbered army faced the allied forces. When the battle report finally arrived, the court erupted: Qin had annihilated the enemy, capturing their commander Gongsun Xi and decimating 240,000 troops—an unprecedented slaughter in Chinese warfare. The victory shattered the balance of power in the Central Plains.
Strategic Crossroads: From Yique to Hedong
The Qin leadership recognized that Yique was not an endpoint but a springboard. For over a century, the Qin-Wei rivalry had oscillated across the Yellow River’s great bend:
– Hexi (West of the Yellow River): Secured by Qin after generations of conflict
– Hedong (East of the Yellow River): The fertile Wei heartland containing the former Wei capital Anyi
Bai Qi proposed an ambitious plan: exploit the enemy’s disarray to push eastward. The Qin military machine mobilized with terrifying efficiency:
– Logistics: Granaries stockpiled 600,000 dan of grain (enough to feed 100,000 men for a year)
– Troop Mobilization: Conscripts from frontier counties assembled at staging points like Gaoluo
– Espionage: Scouts infiltrated enemy territory, reporting weakened defenses
The River Crossing Campaign
In a masterstroke, Bai Qi divided his forces:
1. Western Column: Crossed at Maojin Ford near Shaan County
2. Eastern Column: Struck from Jimin Ford near Mianchi
The pincer movement targeted the weakly defended corridor between Anyi and the Gan River. Key engagements included:
– Night Assault on Maojin: Qin vanguard secured the crossing before dawn
– Feint Toward Anyi: Drew Wei reinforcements away from primary targets
– Siege of Yanghu and Gaoluo: Isolated Han strongholds fell within weeks
Archaeological evidence from Qin slips reveals meticulous preparation:
> “For every 100 soldiers: 55 halberdiers, 28 crossbowmen, 17 archers”
> — Yuelu Qin Slips
The Siege of Wangyuan: A Tactical Masterclass
The 295 BCE campaign against Wei’s mountain fortress demonstrated combined-arms warfare:
– Reconnaissance: Scouts mapped the fortress’s “breadth and wall thickness”
– Engineering: Siege towers and battering rams constructed onsite
– Shock Troops: “Dare-to-die” squads offered extra rewards for breaching walls
The Qin assault followed strict protocols:
1. Initial Bombardment: Catapults and repeating crossbows suppressed defenders
2. Multi-Axis Attack: Simultaneous assaults on multiple wall sections
3. Exploiting Weak Points: Concentrated forces where enemy banners wavered
When the walls were breached, Qin soldiers famously discarded armor for mobility—a practice later documented in burial pits showing unarmored infantry.
The Diplomatic Gambit
Despite military success, Qin unexpectedly returned Wangyuan to Wei in 294 BCE. This puzzling move reflected:
– Strategic Pivot: Shifting focus to Chu in the south
– Factional Politics: Chancellor Wei Ran’s pro-Chu faction losing influence
– Resource Management: Avoiding overextension in the north
Legacy of the Eastern Campaigns
The 293-290 BCE campaigns established critical precedents:
1. Doctrine of Annihilation: Bai Qi’s preference for total destruction over territorial gains
2. Logistical Systems: The “segmented relay” supply chain became standard
3. Psychological Warfare: Deliberate terror tactics to demoralize enemies
Modern excavations at Anyi reveal layers of destruction corresponding to these campaigns, with Qin-style arrowheads embedded in defensive walls. The eastern expansion laid groundwork for Qin’s ultimate unification a century later, proving that in the Warring States, victory belonged not just to the strong, but to those who could sustain relentless momentum.