One late autumn night in 204 BC, Han Xin's army of several tens of thousands arrived and camped in a mountain valley dozens of li from the Jingxing Pass in Hebei. They had reached this location after three days and nights of forced marching.
While the soldiers were taking a brief rest, Han Xin summoned his deputy general Zhang Er to discuss their strategy for defeating Zhao.
This campaign was part of a strategic plan Han Xin had proposed to Liu Bang: to launch a northern campaign against the states of Dai, Zhao, and Yan; attack Qi to the east; march southward to cut off Chu's supply lines; and ultimately outflank Xiang Yu.
Liu Bang strongly approved of this plan and sent Zhang Er to accompany Han Xin on the expedition. Zhang Er had previously served as Chancellor of Zhao and later as the King of Changshan among the Eighteen Kings, having lived in Zhao territory for a long time and thus possessing intimate knowledge of the local terrain. Before departure, Liu Bang repeatedly instructed Han Xin to consult more with Zhang Er when making decisions. Han Xin outwardly agreed, but inwardly thought, "That depends on what the matter is." He knew that Zhang Er was an ordinary fellow—cautious, rule-bound, and unwilling to take any bold initiative.
Han Xin's forces advanced like a sharp blade cutting through bamboo, swiftly defeating Dai and then marching toward Zhao, penetrating deep into Zhao's heartland. Zhao had received intelligence about Han Xin's impending surprise attack, but the King of Zhao paid no heed. Zhao had a skilled general named Li Zuoche, who believed that since Han Xin was launching a long-distance raid, the Jingxing Pass would be his only route. The pass was extremely narrow—so narrow that even wagons carrying grain couldn't pass side by side. Once Han Xin entered this bottleneck, Li Zuoche argued he could lead just thirty thousand troops along a back road to encircle Han Xin, attacking from both ends and annihilating him.
The King of Zhao burst into laughter upon hearing this, pointing at Li Zuoche and saying, "You, you—you've forgotten the ancient military maxim: 'With tenfold superiority, surround; with double, engage.' What is there to fear from Han Xin's tiny force? Don't forget—we have two hundred thousand troops!" The king flatly refused to accept Li Zuoche's advice, leaving the general disheartened and silent thereafter.
This news quickly reached Han Xin's spies. When Han Xin heard it, he was overjoyed. Yet inwardly, he couldn't help but secretly admire General Li Zuoche, whom he had never met. He thought to himself that if he ever got the chance, he would bow three times before him and regard him as his teacher.
Opportunity knocks but once. Han Xin swiftly reorganized his troops and rushed nonstop to Jingxing Pass.
Immediately upon arrival, Zhang Er carefully inspected the surrounding terrain. He discovered that Jingxing Pass lacked a water source. If surrounded by Zhao forces, they wouldn't last many days. He advised Han Xin to select a site backed by hills and facing a marshy area for their camp.
Han Xin replied with subtle implication: "General Zhang Er, our men have been marching day and night—they're exhausted enough. Now that we've settled, let's not make things complicated." Zhang Er persisted: "General Han, I know this region well. Better safe than sorry. Suppose we get..." Just then, several other deputy generals entered the command tent, unanimously demanding a relocation of the camp. Han Xin flatly refused.
One general emotionally said: "Great General Han, have you forgotten your days as a wanderer, begging for food by the river?" Han Xin grew annoyed and glared at the general. Unaware of his tactlessness, the general continued: "If we are defeated by Zhao, our entire army will be wiped out, our nation destroyed, our families lost—" "Enough!" Han Xin exploded in anger. "At a time like this, still chattering pointlessly! Get out immediately!" The generals could only retreat meekly.
That same night, Han Xin selected two thousand light cavalry, ordering each man to carry a small red flag. They slipped through mountain paths, circled behind Zhao's main army, and lay hidden in ravines awaiting orders.
Zhang Er was utterly perplexed but dared not ask questions.
Around midnight, as the cavalry prepared to move out, Han Xin instructed them: "Before dawn, the Zhao army will surely attack us. As soon as they leave their camp, rush in immediately, pull down their banners, and replace them with your small red flags." Turning to Zhang Er, he ordered him to quickly distribute rations, promising a grand feast for all troops after tomorrow's victory over Zhao. Zhang Er shook his head and smiled bitterly, thinking to himself: "Alas, outnumbered as we are, who knows whether we'll live or die, succeed or fail?" Seeing his anxious expression, Han Xin gently squeezed Zhang Er's hand—a signal to stay calm—but Zhang Er's heart remained suspended.
Shortly after the two thousand cavalry departed, Han Xin dispatched another ten thousand troops to the east bank of the Mianman River near Jingxing Pass. The river ran deep and swift. Han Xin ordered them to set up camp right beside the riverbank, forming a "back-to-river" formation.
This deployment quickly reached the King of Zhao, who laughed until his mouth twisted, proudly declaring: "Han Xin, Han Xin! You don't even understand this basic tactic—what business do you have leading troops and fighting battles?" For setting up a position with one's back to a river meant cutting off one's own retreat—allowing only forward movement and no backward retreat—an absolute taboo in military doctrine. Standing nearby, Li Zuoche stroked his beard silently. He thought: Han Xin is no ordinary man; how could he possibly misunderstand such a fundamental principle? There must be something behind this. In fact, this was precisely Han Xin's stratagem.
As dawn approached, Han Xin ordered an offensive against Zhao. The thunderous war drums startled the mountains awake; the deafening shouts and battle cries scattered birds across the sky. Zhao's general Chen Yu, who had been waiting eagerly, saw Han Xin's main force emerge and immediately directed his army to counterattack. Relying on superior numbers and strong cavalry, they launched wave after wave of ferocious assaults, each fiercer than the last, surging forward like a tidal wave overwhelming mountains. Han Xin's forces were pressed so hard they couldn't lift their heads, unable to withstand the onslaught, and were forced into retreat. The battlefield was littered with abandoned horses and armor from Han Xin's fleeing troops. Riding a black horse, Chen Yu shouted: "Soldiers, charge! Capture Han Xin alive and claim your rewards!" Zhao's massive army surged forward, relentlessly pursuing Han Xin's retreating forces.
Han Xin had no intention of engaging seriously. Leading his troops in constant retreat, they eventually reached the banks of the Mianman River—with nowhere else to go.
The river churned with towering white waves. Not a single boat was visible, nor any bird in sight. Han Xin leapt onto a rocky outcrop and shouted: "Men! If we cannot fight our way to survival, we will drown in this river. Since death is certain, why not fight fiercely—for life through death!" A surge of热血 (hot blood) flooded through every soldier. They turned around, shouting battle cries, and charged back into the enemy ranks.
One man fighting for his life can resist ten; how much more so when ten thousand fight desperately! Inspired by Han Xin, they swung swords and axes, cutting Zhao troops to pieces, sending them fleeing in panic. Soon, Zhao's forces began to falter. As they tried to retreat to their camp, they looked back and saw countless Han army banners fluttering atop their own fortifications, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. The Zhao soldiers assumed their base had already fallen. Their morale collapsed instantly. Thousands ran about like headless flies, scattering in chaos.
On a hilltop, Zhang Er waved his command flag, ordering a pincer attack from both sides. His troops' courage multiplied. They rushed forward, vying to be first, heroically slaying enemies. In one decisive push, they routed the disorganized Zhao army completely. General Chen Yu was hacked to death amidst the chaos.
After the battle, someone reported to Han Xin that they had captured a Zhao officer.
Just as Han Xin was about to ask who it was, several soldiers roughly shoved a bloodied man before him. Upon interrogation, Han Xin realized—it was none other than General Li Zuoche of Zhao! He had long admired Li's talent. Earlier, he had issued an order: "Whoever captures Li Zuoche alive shall receive a thousand catties of gold." Unexpectedly, his men had actually captured him. Han Xin spread his arms wide and cried: "General Li!" Li Zuoche, seeing it was Han Xin, turned his head away in disdain.
Han Xin immediately brought Li Zuoche into his tent, drew his sword to cut the ropes binding him, then kowtowed deeply before him. Li Zuoche recalled the old story of Han Xin crawling between someone's legs as a youth, spat in disgust, and said: "Stop your tricks. Kill me if you want, do as you please!" Han Xin said nothing, merely ordering his men to prepare a banquet immediately to calm Li Zuoche's nerves.
At the banquet, Han Xin continuously offered wine to Li Zuoche and earnestly sought his advice on defeating the enemy. Li Zuoche spread his hands helplessly: "Now that I am your prisoner, how can I discuss enemy strategies with you?" Han Xin laughed: "It is said, 'When three walk together, one must be my teacher.' In matters of warfare, I am inferior to you..." Li Zuoche was taken aback: "How so?" Han Xin replied: "Back then, if the King of Zhao had truly followed your advice, my head would have been gone long ago!" This remark made Li Zuoche blush deeply, as he repeatedly stammered: "General Han, you flatter me, you flatter me!" Han Xin's sincere attitude deeply moved Li Zuoche.
When Han Xin persistently asked for guidance on what to do next, Li Zuoche said: "In my view, your army has fought continuously for a long time and is utterly exhausted. It cannot fight again." Han Xin countered: "So you mean conquering Yan will be difficult?" Li Zuoche nodded. Pressed further, Li Zuoche said: "Let me think it over carefully."
The next morning, just as Li Zuoche opened his eyes, he saw Han Xin standing by his bedside, eagerly awaiting his counsel. Li Zuoche hastily rose and whispered: "I think you should disarm and rest your troops."
"Disarm and rest?"
"Yes. Station your army at Yan's border. Yan won't know what you're planning, while in reality you're recuperating and gathering strength. Then, simply send an envoy to Yan with a letter stating when you plan to attack. Yan will tremble with fear and inevitably submit. Once Yan surrenders, Qi to the side will also surrender to you!"
Han Xin was overjoyed upon hearing this, clapping his hands three times: "General Li, are you perhaps a celestial star descended from heaven?" He genuinely adopted Li Zuoche's suggestion and conquered Yan without firing a single arrow.
At the victory celebration, Zhang Er asked Han Xin, puzzled: "Military texts say that troop deployments should rely on mountains and rivers. But you formed a back-to-river array. At the time, the soldiers were all dissatisfied, yet we still won. What is the principle behind this?"
Han Xin replied: "The military texts also say: 'Plunge them into deadly peril, and they will survive; place them in mortal danger, and they will endure.' You see, most of our troops are newly recruited soldiers lacking rigorous training and firm fighting spirit. Moreover, I haven't led this army for long and haven't yet established true authority. In a crisis, they wouldn't obey my commands. Therefore, I placed them in dire straits, forcing them to fight individually for survival. Had we camped in a secure location with an escape route, at the first sign of fierce enemy assault, they would have fled in disorder. How then could we fight?"
His words left everyone convinced and speechless.
The soldiers then asked in chorus why Yan had surrendered so easily. Han Xin smiled faintly and pushed Li Zuoche forward: "You must ask him. He is my teacher—I acted only because my teacher told me to." Li Zuoche awkwardly waved his hand: "No, no, I'm merely your prisoner. How could I be called a teacher?" Han Xin declared loudly: "He is my teacher, and the teacher of all our officers!" When he explained the full story, the assembled officers were so astonished that their mouths gaped open, unable to utter a word for a long time.