Battle of Hao and Dai
251 BCE · Hao (north of present-day Baixiang, Hebei) and Dai (around present-day Yu County, Hebei) · China · Ancient
Lian Po led the Zhao army to crush the Yan main force at Hao, while another Yan column was driven back at Dai
Belligerents
Zhao
- Commanders
- Lian Po, Yue Cheng
- Strength
- Size of Zhao army unknown
Yan
- Commanders
- Li Fu, Qing Qin
- Strength
- Yan army claimed 600,000 (in two columns)
Background
King Xi of Yan, seeing that Zhao had been gravely weakened by the Battle of Changping, wrongly judged Zhao to be defenseless and launched a major invasion.
Course of the battle
- Yan army marches south in two columnsYan army splits to attack Hao and Dai
- Decisive battle at HaoLian Po led the Zhao main army to meet Li Fu's column and crushed the Yan army
- Holding action at DaiYue Cheng led another Zhao army to drive back the Yan force under Qing Qin
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 251 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Hao (north of present-day Baixiang, Hebei) and Dai (around present-day Yu County, Hebei) |
| Result | Lian Po led the Zhao army to crush the Yan main force at Hao, while another Yan column was driven back at Dai |
| Winner | Zhao |
| Casualties | The Yan commander Li Fu was killed in battle, and the Yan army suffered heavy losses |
| Territorial change | Yan attacked Zhao in search of gain but was badly mauled instead, and Zhao's prestige recovered for a time |
Impact
Zhao proved that its military strength remained, and Yan never again dared lightly to invade Zhao territory from the north.
See the world in 251 BCE on the map →