Qin conquers Yan
226 BCE · Yan capital Ji (modern Beijing) · China · Ancient
After Jing Ke's attempt on the King of Qin failed, the Qin army launched a major attack on Yan and captured Ji; King Xi of Yan fled to Liaodong
Belligerents
Qin
- Commanders
- Wang Jian, Li Xin
- Strength
- Size of the Qin army unknown
Yan (with remnants of Dai-Zhao)
- Commanders
- King Xi of Yan, Crown Prince Dan
- Strength
- Size of Yan army unknown
Background
Crown Prince Dan sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin; the attempt failed and instead gave Qin a pretext to attack Yan.
Course of the battle
- Jing Ke's Attempt on the King of QinCrown Prince Dan sent Jing Ke, carrying a map, to assassinate King Zheng of Qin; the dagger was revealed as the map unrolled, but the attempt failed
- Qin army attacks YanUsing this as a pretext, the Qin army marches north in force against Yan
- Fall of JiThe Yan capital was taken, and King Xi of Yan and Crown Prince Dan fled to Liaodong
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 226 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yan capital Ji (modern Beijing) |
| Result | After Jing Ke's attempt on the King of Qin failed, the Qin army launched a major attack on Yan and captured Ji; King Xi of Yan fled to Liaodong |
| Winner | Qin |
| Casualties | The Yan capital fell, and the Yan army collapsed |
| Territorial change | Yan survived in name only (a remnant regime held out in Liaodong until it was finally destroyed in 222 BCE) |
Impact
Jing Ke's attempt on the King of Qin was the most dramatic episode of Qin's conquest of the six states, and it hastened the fall of Yan.
See the world in 226 BCE on the map →