Battles & Campaigns · 205 BCE
Battle of Jingxing
Jingxing County, Hebei, China
What happened
Han Xin sent light cavalry around behind the Zhao camp at night. He placed his main force with its back to a river, then pretended to retreat, drawing Zhao troops out. The hidden cavalry seized the Zhao camp and raised Han flags, and the panicked Zhao army broke.
Why it matters
The victory persuaded other rulers to join Liu Bang's side.
What came next
Han Xin went on to win Zhao and then invaded Qi, leading to the Battle of Wei River.
Did you know?
The Chinese saying 'fighting with your back to the river', meaning having no retreat, comes from this battle.
Timeline
- Apr 205 BCEBattle of Pengcheng.
- Oct 205 BCEBattle of Jingxing.
- Nov 204 BCEBattle of Wei River.