Battle of Jingxing
204 BCE · Jingxing Pass in Zhao (present-day Jingxing, Hebei) · China · Ancient
Han Xin drew up his army with the river at its back and sent a hidden force to swap the flags, crushing the Zhao army
Belligerents
Han
- Commanders
- Han Xin, Zhang Er
- Strength
- Han army, over 30,000
Zhao
- Commanders
- Chen Yu, Zhao Xie
- Strength
- Zhao army, said to be 200,000
Background
Han Xin was ordered east to attack Zhao. Zhao ignored Li Zuoche's plan to cut off his supplies, and Chen Yu, underestimating the enemy, sallied out to fight. Han Xin deployed with the river at his back, placing his army in a position of certain death.
Course of the battle
- Drawn up with the river at their backsThe Han army emerged from the Jingxing Pass and deployed with the river at its back, deliberately trapping itself in a deadly position
- Hidden force swaps the flagsTwo thousand light cavalry slipped into the undefended Zhao camp and planted red Han banners everywhere
- Zhao army collapsesSeeing the flags over their camp changed, the Zhao troops fell into confusion and were caught in a pincer attack and wiped out
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 204 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Jingxing Pass in Zhao (present-day Jingxing, Hebei) |
| Result | Han Xin drew up his army with the river at its back and sent a hidden force to swap the flags, crushing the Zhao army |
| Winner | Han |
| Casualties | The Zhao army was destroyed, Chen Yu was beheaded, and Zhao Xie, King of Zhao, was captured |
| Territorial change | The Han army pacified Zhao and opened a northern front, laying the groundwork for the Chu–Han contention |
Impact
"Fighting with backs to the river" became the classic example of finding life by placing an army in a position of certain death.
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