Battles & Campaigns · 354–353 BCE
Battle of Guiling
Changyuan, Henan, China
What happened
Wei was besieging Handan, capital of Qi's ally Zhao. Instead of going to Handan, Sun Bin marched on Wei's own capital. Pang Juan rushed home with his cavalry, leaving his infantry and supplies behind, and his tired troops were ambushed at Guiling.
Why it matters
It gave rise to the famous saying 'Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao', which became one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
What came next
Sun Bin and Pang Juan met again at Maling about a decade later.
Did you know?
The idea of attacking an enemy's home to make them leave a siege is still known by this battle's saying.
Timeline
- 354 BCEWei besieges Handan.
- 353 BCEBattle of Guiling.
- 342 BCEBattle of Maling.