In 453 BC, the Zhi (智) clan was exterminated by the noble houses of Han (韓), Zhao (趙) and Wei (魏) in the Battle of Jinyang.
[1] A furious Duke Chu decided to launch a punitive attack on the Han, Zhao and Wei clans, but was instead forced to flee the Jin state.
[1] Zhi even invaded the state of Zhongshan, annexing Qiongyu (in present-day Yi County, Hebei).
After enduring two years of siege, Zhao Xiangzi secretly sent an envoy to negotiate with Han and Wei, persuading them to switch sides.
[1] The three clans had by this time become separate states while the Duke of Jin was reduced to a mere figurehead.