Battle of Yan–Ying
278 BCE · Yan (present-day Yicheng, Hubei) and Ying (present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) · China · Ancient
Bai Qi breached the waters to flood the city of Yan and then captured Ying; the King of Chu was forced to move the capital
Belligerents
Qin
- Commanders
- Bai Qi
- Strength
- Size of the Qin army unknown
Chu
- Commanders
- King Qingxiang of Chu
- Strength
- Size of the Chu army unknown
Background
Qin nibbled away at Chu territory year after year; Bai Qi led his army deep into Chu, first taking Yan and then striking directly at the capital Ying.
Course of the battle
- Flooding YanBai Qi built dikes to divert water and flood Yan; when the city fell, soldiers and civilians suffered heavy casualties
- Ying capturedThe Qin army pressed south after its victory, captured the Chu capital Ying, and burned the tombs of the former Chu kings at Yiling
- The King of Chu moves eastKing Qingxiang of Chu was forced to abandon Ying and move the capital to Chen
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 278 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yan (present-day Yicheng, Hubei) and Ying (present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) |
| Result | Bai Qi breached the waters to flood the city of Yan and then captured Ying; the King of Chu was forced to move the capital |
| Winner | Qin |
| Casualties | Many soldiers and civilians in Yan drowned, and Ying was burned |
| Territorial change | Chu lost its Jianghan heartland and was forced to move east to Chen |
Impact
It badly damaged the foundations of Chu; Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River as a result, and Chu never recovered.
See the world in 278 BCE on the map →