He is regarded by Chinese folklore as one of the four Greatest Generals of the Late Warring States period, along with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po.

[1] In 243 BC, Li Mu took over command in the war against Yan and managed to conquer Wusui (武遂) and Fangcheng (方城).

[2] Later, as the threat from Qin increased with the previous ascension of King Zheng, Li Mu turned his focus more towards the western parts of Zhao.

In 233 BC, when Qin forces under general Huan Yi (桓齮) attacked the cities of Chili (赤麗) and Yi'an (宜安).

During the year 232 BC, a Qin army invaded Zhao and captured the City of Langmeng, but were once again defeated by Li Mu at the Battle of Fanwu (番吾; in present-day Pingshan, Hebei).

[4] With Li Mu's death, the fall of Zhao became inevitable, and the state was swiftly crushed afterwards by Qin forces.