Battle of Changping - Qin Invasion of Shangdang

Qin Invasion of Shangdang

Qin invaded the State of Han in 265 BC to capture the Commandery of Shangdang, now in modern-day southwestern Shanxi province. Shangdang was strategically placed west of Zhao and its capture would open an invasion route into Zhao. Within four years, the Qin army isolated the commandery from the rest of Han by capturing the main roads and fortresses across the Taihang Mountains. Shangdang was poised to fall.

Rather than see Qin take Shangdang, Han offered the commandery to Zhao. King Xiaocheng of Zhao (趙孝成王) accepted and dispatched Lian Po and an army to secure the strategic territory from the encroaching Qin. The Zhao army met the Qin army, led by Wang He, in 262 BC at Changping, south of Shangdang. The Zhao suffered several minor defeats and, having assessed the enemy, Lian Po decided the only way to defeat the Qin was to wait them out.

The Zhao build several fortresses in the summer of 260 BC and then waited for the Qin to go away. The Qin managed to breach the defences once but did not have the strength or equipment to exploit it; nonetheless, the Qin refused to leave. A three year stalemate ensued.