Just months prior to the siege, Zhao suffered a major loss in Battle of Changping, during which more than 400,000 soldiers were killed by the Qin army led by Bai Qi.

Qin quickly captured Pilao and Taiyuan which caused panic in the Zhao and Han states.

Meanwhile, Zhao should form an allied force with Han, Wei, Yan and Chu to stop the eastward expansion of Qin together.

The king took Yu Qing's suggestion and began to prepare for a potential total conflict against Qin.

[3] In July of 259 BC, Qin restarted the war against Zhao, with Wang Ling appointed commander.

Wang Ling was unable to breach the city's walls for almost two years, and five of his vice generals were killed in the battle.

Mao Sui answered, "You are respected by others because you are the king of Chu, a state with great military strength.

The king of Chu was impressed, so he agreed to send an army of 100,000 soldiers, led by Lord Chunshen, to Handan to fight along with Zhao.

Therefore, Lord Xinling decide to lead his courtiers (about 100 chariots) to Handan in order to save his sister, even though he knew that this would be more like a suicide attack.

[7] When Lord Xinling left the Wei capital, the gatekeeper Hou Sheng bid him farewell in chilly fashion.

Before departing, Hou Sheng further advised Lord Xinling to bring his man Zhu Hai along, to kill Jin Bi if the latter did not hand over command of the army.

When Lord Xinling arrived at Ye, Jin Bi confirmed that the Tiger Seal was genuine, but he was suspicious because it was unusual for the Wei king to send a small entourage to take command of an army as large as his.

On hearing this, Zhu Hai killed Jin Bi and Lord Xinling took command of the army.

They launched an attack on the rear of Qin army while Lord Pingyuan led a sortie of 3,000 soldiers from the besieged city.