After the grand coalition campaign ended, China as a whole entered a period of economic revival. The triumphing state of Qin shared this resurgence. Inside Qin, the factions headed by Ying Zheng and Buwei Lü persisted in their internal rivalry. Having served as king during the coalition war, Zheng enjoyed popular confidence—yet Lü remained far from relinquishing his claim. In eighteen months he intends to disrupt Zheng"s coming‑of‑age ceremony.
At the same time, a Zhao force of 20,000 soldiers marched toward Qin. In the palace, because no capable commander could confront the threat, Lü covertly urged Zheng to assume leadership. Instead, Cheng Jiao, Zheng"s half‑brother, stepped forward. Their mutual trust forged during the coalition battle led Zheng to accept Jiao as his deputy.
The Zhao troops withdrew after only half a day of engagement with Jiao"s army. With new dangers looming, Qin"s internal conflict grew even more tangled. Zheng could rely on only two men: Bi, the general commanding 30,000 troops; and Xin, commander of the Fei Xin contingent.
