Kingdom

Xin and Piao Grow Up as Slaves in the Countryside

Having lost their parents to war, Xin and Piao grow up as slaves in a Qin village. The two share a dream of becoming the greatest generals under heaven, training in swordsmanship every day.

Ying Zheng Ascends the Qin Throne at Age 13

Following the death of King Zhuangxiang, Ying Zheng ascends the throne of Qin at the age of 13. Real power lies in the hands of Chancellor Lü Buwei, leaving Zheng in a near-puppet role.

— Shiji, Annals of Qin Shi Huang. Ying Zheng acceded in 247 BC.

Piao's Assassination and Xin's Meeting with Ying Zheng

Piao is recruited to serve as King Zheng's body double in the palace, but is mortally wounded during a coup by Cheng Jiao's faction and returns to Xin. Using the map Piao left behind, Xin meets Ying Zheng.

Recapture of the Capital with Aid from the Mountain People

Ying Zheng secures the aid of Yotanwa, queen of the Mountain People, and successfully recaptures the capital Xianyang from Cheng Jiao's faction. Xin fights in the battle and carves out his own path with his sword.

Xin Rises from Centurion to Three-Hundred-Man Commander

Xin leads the Fei Xin Unit in successive campaigns, accumulating military merit and rising from centurion to three-hundred-man commander. During this period his unit steadily grows in strength amid Qin's wars against Zhao and Wei.

Battle of Sakan Plains: Xin's First Battle

General Hyou Kou led a Qin expedition against a strategic Wei stronghold. Xin fought as infantry for the first time, contributing alongside his squad to the defeat of Wei general Go Kei.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Zhao's Renowned General Lian Po Defects to Wei

When King Daoxiang ascended the Zhao throne, the veteran general Lian Po was stripped of command and, embittered, fled to Wei. This episode is recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian. In Kingdom, Lian Po leads Wei's forces against Meng Ao during the Shanyang Campaign.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru

Grand General Wang Qi Appears Before Xin's Unit

Wang Qi, one of Qin's six Grand Generals and a veteran who survived political strife with Lü Buwei's faction, appears before Xin's unit—setting the stage for events that will shape Xin's future.

— Wang Qi is a manga-original character modeled on the Qin general Wang Yi recorded in the Shiji (possibly identical to Wang He)

Assassin Kyou Kai Meets Xin's Group

Kyou Kai, from the legendary assassin clan Shiyou, appears before Xin's group. Skilled with the blade, she later becomes a core member of the Flying Sinfu Squad.

— A wholly fictional character created for the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Aspiring Strategist Kyou Ten Joins Xin's Circle

Kyou Ten, a youth aspiring to become a military strategist, begins traveling with Xin's group—later growing into a key strategic mind for the Flying Sinfu Squad.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Squad Mates Bihei and Bito Form Xin's Early Core

Bihei, Bito, and other squadmates who fought alongside Xin through battles like Sakan Plains formed the human foundation that would later become the Flying Sinfu Squad.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Qin Company Commander Bakukoshin Appears

Bakukoshin, a rough-and-tumble Qin unit commander, becomes involved with Xin's front line—his fighting style later influencing subsequent battles.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Yang Duanhe and the Mountain Tribes Deepen Their Alliance with Qin

Yang Duanhe, queen of the mountain tribes, further strengthens her alliance with Qin, lending rear-line support to operations in the Shanyang theater. The historical Yang Duanhe was in fact a male Qin general with no recorded connection to any mountain peoples; the queen persona is an invention of the manga.

— The historical Yang Duanhe was a Qin general first recorded in the 238 BCE Yanshi campaign; the mountain-queen role is a manga invention

Changping Jun and Changwen Jun Rise as Ying Zheng's Close Aides

Changping Jun and Changwen Jun, both of Chu origin, grow in influence as close aides to the young Ying Zheng, creating early tension with the immense power held by Chancellor Lü Buwei. Both are real historical figures who would later play central roles in suppressing the Lao Ai rebellion.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Qin Shi Huang (both figures confirmed historically in the 238 BCE suppression of the Lao Ai rebellion); the court-tension framing here is a dramatization

The Battle of Bayo Begins

Under Grand General Wang Qi's command, Qin and Zhao forces clashed at the strategic border town of Bayo. Xin's infantry unit took part in the fighting.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Pang Nuan Defeats and Kills Yan General Ju Xin (Historical)

Zhao general Pang Nuan defeated and killed the invading Yan general Ju Xin. The victory raised Pang Nuan's standing in Zhao, and he later commanded the coalition army against Qin.

— Historical event based on the Shiji and Zhanguo Ce (accounts differ on whether Yan attacked Zhao or vice versa)

Li Mu Involved in Zhao's Strategy Against Qin

Li Mu, originally a general guarding Zhao's northern frontier against the Xiongnu, becomes involved in strategy against Qin—an early step, in the manga's telling, toward his rise as one of Zhao's great commanders.

— Li Mu's historical fame comes from repelling the Xiongnu; his involvement in the Battle of Bayo is a dramatization original to the manga

Wang Qi Names Xin's Unit the "Flying Sinfu Squad"

Grand General Wang Qi bestows the name "Flying Sinfu Squad" upon Xin's unit. Xin is entrusted with Wang Qi's spear, marking the true start of his path as a commander.

— Original episode from the manga Kingdom; no corresponding historical record

Grand General Wang Qi Dies in Duel with Pang Nuan

Lured into a duel with Pang Nuan by Li Mu's strategy, Wang Qi suffered fatal wounds and died. The historical Qin general he is modeled on, Wang Yi, is likewise recorded as having died around 244 BC.

— The manner of death is a manga invention. The historical Wang Yi (possibly identical to Wang He), per the Shiji's Annals of Qin Shi Huang, is recorded as having died in the king's third year (244 BC)

Meng Ao Launches the Invasion of Wei's Shanyang Region

In the 5th year of King Zheng of Qin's reign (242 BCE), veteran general Meng Ao led a Qin army into Wei's Shanyang region, capturing cities such as Suanzao, Yan, and Xu. This campaign is recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian and forms the historical basis for Kingdom's 'Shanyang Campaign' arc, where Meng Ao commands a force of roughly 200,000 troops.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Qin Shi Huang (Year 5 of King Zheng)

Kanki Rises as Meng Ao's Deputy Commander

Kanki, a young commander who once led a band of bandits, rises to prominence as Meng Ao's deputy general during the Shanyang Campaign. A Qin general named Huan Yi appears in the historical record around this era, but his relationship to the manga's Kanki is unclear, making this largely a fictional characterization.

— First manga appearance in volume 19; identity with the historical Huan Yi is unconfirmed

Wang Jian Joins the Shanyang Front as a Qin General

The coldly calculating strategist Wang Jian joins the Shanyang campaign, displaying tactics that psychologically corner his enemies. Historically, Wang Jian's name is first confirmed in the record during Qin's 236 BCE attack on Zhao's Ye, so his appearance here is an early fictional placement by the manga.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Bai Qi and Wang Jian (first recorded in the 236 BCE Ye campaign)

Xin, Wang Ben, and Meng Tian Serve as Temporary Thousand-Man Commanders

During the Shanyang Campaign, Xin, Wang Ben, and Meng Tian are each appointed temporary thousand-man commanders. This episode, invented for the manga, brings together on one battlefield the young generation who would later form the core of Qin's military leadership.

— Original manga plot element (volumes 19-20)

Meng Wu Intercepts Chu's Relief Force

A detached Qin force under Meng Wu intercepts a Chu relief army sent to aid Wei. Depicted in the manga as a supporting engagement flanking the main Shanyang campaign, no corresponding record of this specific battle exists in the historical sources.

— Original manga episode with no corresponding historical record

Qin Captures Twenty Cities in Shanyang and Establishes Dong Commandery

The Qin army under Meng Ao captures twenty Wei cities—including Suanzao, Changping, Yongqiu, and Shanyang—and establishes the new Dong Commandery. This extended Qin's territory to the lower Yellow River and sharply increased pressure on the Central Plains states.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Qin Shi Huang (Year 5 of King Zheng, first establishment of Dong Commandery)

The Shanyang Campaign Ends in Qin Victory

After fierce fighting against Wei's army and Chu's relief forces, Qin achieves a decisive victory in the Shanyang region. Wei's national strength is further diminished, accelerating Qin's steady advance toward the unification of China.

— Narrative conclusion drawn from the manga, set against the historical backdrop of the Annals of Qin Shi Huang

Battle of Sai — the Alliance Army Reaches the Outskirts of Xianyang

A detached coalition force bypassed Hangu Pass and advanced to Sai, a fortress just outside Xianyang, but could not take it against Qin's desperate defense and withdrew. The stand at Sai proved decisive in repelling the coalition, and Qin escaped the threat of destruction.

— The Shiji records that Pang Nuan led a Zhao-Chu-Wei-Yan force against Sai but failed to take it.

Formation of the Coalition Army: Five States Unite Against Qin

Alarmed by Qin's expansion after it created Dong Commandery in 242 BCE, the states of Chu, Zhao, Wei, Yan, and Han formed a coalition army. King Kaolie of Chu served as nominal supreme commander with Lord Chunshen directing operations, marching west toward the Qin capital Xianyang. This was the last coalition attack on Qin during the Warring States period.

— Historically attested in the Shiji and Zhanguo Ce (coalition formation, Lord Chunshen's command); troop movement details are dramatized.

Qin Deploys a Three-Tier Defense at Hangu Pass

Qin's defense at Hangu Pass placed Mou Gou, Chou Tou, and Kanki along the front line, Mou Bu and Tou on the left flank, and Ou Sen on the right, forming a layered defensive network against the five-state coalition's advance.

— Qin's defense at Hangu Pass is historical; the specific general-by-general troop deployment is a manga invention.

Mou Bu Clashes with Chu's Supreme Commander Han Ming at Hangu Pass

Facing Han Ming, the supreme commander embodying Chu's military might, Qin general Mou Bu countered with his signature diagonal formation tactic, in one of the fiercest confrontations on the Hangu Pass front.

— Chu's participation follows the historical framework, but the figure of Han Ming and the tactical details are manga-original dramatization.

Ou Sen Seizes the Rear of Hangu Pass, Cutting Supply and Retreat

Ou Sen's right-flank Qin force circled behind Hangu Pass and seized it, depriving the coalition of any foothold to breach the gate and effectively dooming their frontal assault.

— Consistent with the historical outcome of Qin's successful defense, but Ou Sen's specific rear-seizure maneuver is a manga dramatization.

General Hyou Kou Falls in Single Combat Against the "War God" Hou Ken

Isolated by a stratagem of Zhao's supreme commander Li Mu, Qin's veteran general Hyou Kou fought Zhao's mightiest warrior, Hou Ken, in single combat. After a fierce struggle he was killed, having passed his shield to Shin with instructions to head for Xianyang.

— Both Hyou Kou and Hou Ken are largely manga-original characters with little historical basis; the duel and death scene are entirely dramatized.

King Zheng of Qin Resolves to Personally Defend the Fortress of Sai

As Zhao's forces bypassed Hangu Pass to threaten the strategic fortress of Sai just outside the Qin capital, King Zheng conferred with Lord Changpingjun and resolved to lead the defense in person, staking the survival of the Qin state on the outcome.

— The fortress of Sai and the coalition threat align with historical geography, but the account of the king's personal expedition is a manga dramatization.

Lord Changpingjun Deploys a Corps of Strategists to Fortify Sai

Lord Changpingjun dispatched roughly a hundred commander-level strategists, including Kaioku, to Sai, devising a meticulous wall-defense layout that made the most of the fortress's limited troops and terrain.

— Lord Changpingjun's existence and standing as a senior minister has historical basis, but the specific strategic command at Sai is a manga dramatization.

Sai's 30,000 Residents Mobilized as King Zheng Rallies Them

With fewer than a thousand soldiers of its own, Sai mobilized its entire population of 30,000 — mostly women, children, and the elderly — as King Zheng addressed the residents directly, calling on them to join a battle on which the state's survival depended.

— The population and troop figures and the drama of civilian mobilization are manga-original elements with no corresponding record in historical texts.

The Feishin and Heki Units Join Sai's Front Line with Hyou Kou's Survivors

Heki led the surviving remnants of Hyou Kou's army to join Shin's Feishin Unit at Sai's front line. Even combined with King Zheng's personal guard, Qin's total defending force numbered only about five thousand.

— The Feishin Unit and the character Heki are manga-original, and their deployment at Sai is entirely fictional.

Mountain Tribe Reinforcements Arrive; Li Mu Chooses to Withdraw from Sai

The arrival of mountain-tribe reinforcements shifted the balance at the besieged fortress of Sai. Zhao's supreme commander Li Mu judged the front had turned and ordered a withdrawal, though Hou Ken continued fighting the mountain tribe on his own.

— Li Mu is a well-attested historical figure, but the mountain tribe's intervention and his withdrawal decision at Sai are manga-original dramatization.

The Coalition Army Is Repelled on Both the Hangu Pass and Sai Fronts

With Qin holding firm at both Hangu Pass and Sai, the coalition army withdrew. Historically, this was the last time the six eastern states mounted a joint offensive against Qin, after which Qin's drive toward unification accelerated.

— Historically documented as the coalition's final offensive against Qin; the specific resolution at Sai is a manga dramatization.

The Lao Ai Rebellion and the Fall of Lü Buwei

Queen Dowager's lover Lao Ai stages a rebellion but is suppressed and executed by dismemberment. Chancellor Lü Buwei, implicated in the affair, loses his position and later takes his own life. Ying Zheng seizes the opportunity to establish direct rule.

— Shiji, Annals of Qin Shi Huang: in 238 BC (year 9 of Shi Huang's reign), the Lao Ai rebellion was crushed and Lü Buwei was removed from office.

Dowager Zhao Ji Confined at Yong

After the Lao Ai rebellion was crushed, King Zheng of Qin had the Dowager Empress Zhao Ji moved to a detached palace at Yong and placed under confinement, holding her responsible for her ties to Lao Ai. She reportedly remained confined there for years before being pardoned and allowed back to Xianyang.

— Based on Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Qin Shi Huang.

Changping Jun and Changwen Jun Rise After Crushing the Rebellion

Changping Jun and Changwen Jun, who led the suppression of the Lao Ai rebellion at Xianyang, were rewarded with greater standing in the Qin court for their achievement. Both went on to serve as key ministers supporting King Zheng in military and domestic affairs.

— Shiji records their military role in the suppression; exact appointment timing is unclear.

Lü Buwei Dismissed as Chancellor, Sent to His Fief at Luoyang

Suspected of involvement in the Lao Ai affair, Lü Buwei was dismissed from his post as Chancellor of Qin by King Zheng and sent back to his fief at Luoyang. His continued contact with envoys from other states would later seal his fate.

— Based on the Biography of Lü Buwei in the Shiji.

King Zheng Issues the Order to Expel Foreign Officials

After the discovery that the Han engineer Zheng Guo had been sent as a spy, Qin grew suspicious of officials from other states and issued an order expelling all foreign-born advisors, including Li Si, temporarily disrupting Qin's talent policy.

— Based on the Biography of Li Si in the Shiji.

Li Si's Petition Reverses the Expulsion Order

Facing expulsion, Li Si submitted his famous petition 'Remonstrance Against the Expulsion of Guest Officials' to King Zheng, arguing for the value of foreign talent. The king rescinded the order and restored Li Si as a guest minister, launching his rise within the Qin court.

— Based on the Biography of Li Si in the Shiji.

Changping Jun Appointed Right Chancellor

Following Lü Buwei's fall, Changping Jun was promoted to Right Chancellor of Qin and took on a central role in the court. He would later be largely erased from official chronicles after his eventual revolt, but at this stage he wielded considerable power as a trusted minister.

— Inferred by comparison with records of chancellor-rank promotions; the exact year is debated among sources.

Qin Launches Invasion of Northern Zhao, Captures Nine Cities Around Ye

Exploiting the fact that the Zhao general Pang Nuan had deployed forces against Yan, leaving the homeland thin on defense, Qin launched an invasion of Zhao with Wang Jian as commander-in-chief, Huan Qi as deputy commander, and Yang Duanhe as third-in-command. They first captured nine cities surrounding Ye.

— Based on historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and Stratagems of the Warring States; depicted similarly in the manga.

Wang Jian Captures Yuyu and Liaoyang, Reorganizes His Army

Wang Jian also captured Yuyu and Liaoyang, consolidating his previously divided forces into a single army. Eighteen days later, due to supply concerns, he sent home low-ranking soldiers without merit and led only elite troops to complete the capture of Ye and Liaoyang.

— Based on accounts in Records of the Grand Historian regarding the fall of Yuyu/Liaoyang and the culling of troops.

Qin and Zhao Clash at the Plains of Shukai (Manga-Original Battle)

During the campaign to capture Ye, Qin forces and the main Zhao army led by Li Mu clashed on a massive scale at the Plains of Shukai. This large-scale battle has no corresponding historical record and is an original creation of the manga, involving multiple Qin units including the Hi Shin Unit.

— No corresponding real battle has been confirmed; this is an original manga creation, with some commentators noting parallels to the later battle near Fanwu.

Wang Ben and Meng Tian's Flanking Forces Engage Zhao Generals E'long and Ki Sui

In the Battle of Shukai Plains, Wang Ben and Meng Tian, leading the Qin right and left flanks, clashed with Zhao generals such as Zhao E'long and Ki Sui under Li Mu's command. Both sides sustained heavy losses in the fierce fighting.

— Manga-original depiction; Zhao E'long and Ki Sui are not confirmed in historical records and appear to be largely fictional figures.

Shin and Kyou Kai of the Hi Shin Unit Fight Fiercely at Shukai Plains

Shin, commander of the Hi Shin Unit, and his deputy Kyou Kai fought against Zhao troops at the Plains of Shukai. Kyou Kai displayed the skills of her assassin background, while Shin rallied his unit to hold the line.

— Manga-original depiction.

Battle of Shukai Plains Ends in a Hard-Won Qin Victory

The multi-day battle at the Plains of Shukai ended in a narrow Qin victory after heavy losses on both sides. This battle appears only in the manga; no corresponding historical record has been confirmed.

— An original large-scale battle created for the manga.

Ye Falls, Qin Secures a Key Stronghold in Northern Zhao

After fierce fighting, Qin forces brought the strategic city of Ye and surrounding cities under their control. This campaign gave Qin a foothold in northern Zhao, laying groundwork for Zhao's eventual fall eight years later in 228 BCE.

— Based on Records of the Grand Historian and related sources regarding the outcome of the Ye campaign.

Lü Buwei Takes His Own Life After Being Ordered into Exile

Wary of Lü Buwei's continued influence at Luoyang, King Zheng sent a letter of reproach ordering him and his family to relocate to Shu. Realizing execution was inevitable, Lü Buwei is said to have drunk poison and taken his own life.

— Based on the Biography of Lü Buwei in the Shiji; the year of his suicide is generally placed around 235 BCE.

Huan Yi Conquers Pingyang and Wucheng of Zhao (Historical Record)

The Shiji records that in 234 BCE, the Qin general Huan Yi attacked Pingyang and Wucheng in Zhao, defeating and killing the Zhao general Hu Zhe and beheading 100,000 Zhao troops — a turning point in Qin's escalating invasion of Zhao.

— Based on the Annals of Qin Shi Huang in the Shiji.

Battle of Kokuyokyu (Manga-Original Clash with Zhao's Keisha)

In the manga Kingdom, Kanki's army and Shin's Flying Blade Squadron clash with the young Zhao commander Keisha over five hills at Kokuyokyu. The arc is a dramatized adaptation of the historical Battle of Pingyang, but Keisha and much of the specific plot are fictional creations of the manga.

— A manga-original dramatization built on the historical Battle of Pingyang; Keisha is a fictional character.

The Flying Blade Squadron Expands After Kokuyokyu

Following its performance at the Battle of Kokuyokyu, Shin's Flying Blade Squadron grew in both troop numbers and standing within the Qin army. This is a manga-original development; the unit's size and status are not recorded in historical sources.

— A manga-original depiction with no corresponding historical record.

Qin Forces Invade Zhao's Chili and Yi'an

In 233 BCE, Qin forces under Huan Qi invaded Zhao's Chili and Yi'an. Zhao recalled its renowned general Li Mu to intercept the Qin advance.

— Based on Records of the Grand Historian, Hereditary House of Zhao, and related sources.

Li Mu Wears Down Qin Forces at Chili and Seals Off Intelligence

Li Mu devised tactics to wear down Qin forces at Chili while concealing his own army's movements, deterring Qin reinforcements. Huan Qi's now-outnumbered army was gradually pushed into an unfavorable position.

— Depiction of Li Mu's tactics as shown in the manga; historical sources do not confirm this level of tactical detail.

Li Mu Crushes Huan Qi's Army at Feixia

The Zhao army under Li Mu clashed with Huan Qi's Qin forces at Feixia and inflicted a crushing defeat. Following this major loss near Yi'an and Feixia, Qin's pressure on northern Zhao temporarily eased.

— Records of the Grand Historian records that Li Mu defeated Qin forces at Feixia.

Kanki Falls at Feixia, Struck by Arrows (Manga Depiction)

In the manga Kingdom, Kanki attempts a counterattack while at a disadvantage but fails to overcome Li Mu's forces, ultimately dying at Feixia after being struck by numerous arrows. The historical Huan Qi's fate afterward is unknown; some theories suggest he fled to Yan.

— An original death scene created for the manga; the historical Huan Qi's subsequent fate is unconfirmed, with unproven theories linking him to Fan Wuqi.

Li Mu Is Enfeoffed as Lord Wu'an

For his achievement in repelling Qin forces at Yi'an and Feixia, the King of Zhao enfeoffed Li Mu as Lord Wu'an. Li Mu would continue to be a pillar of Zhao's defense, but would be executed a few years later due to slander.

— Records of the Grand Historian, Hereditary House of Zhao, records Li Mu being enfeoffed as Lord Wu'an.

Han Fei Arrives in Qin and Dies in Prison

Legalist philosopher Han Fei travels to Qin as an envoy, and King Zheng is captivated by his writings. Fearing Han Fei might supplant him, fellow Legalist Li Si is said to have slandered him to the king; Han Fei is imprisoned and, according to the Records of the Grand Historian, forced to take poison and die.

— Shiji, Biography of Laozi and Han Fei: in 233 BC Han Fei died in prison in Qin; the Stratagems of the Warring States offers a differing account.

Battle of Fanwu — Li Mu Repels the Qin Army Again

King Zheng sends a large Qin army into Zhao, seizing Langmeng and Fanwu, but Zhao's celebrated general Li Mu crushes the invaders and drives them back to the Han-Wei border. At the time, Li Mu and Chu's Xiang Yan were said to be the only generals who had repelled a Qin offensive.

— Shiji, House of Zhao and Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru: in 232 BC Li Mu defeated the Qin army at Fanwu.

Fall of Han — the First of the Six Kingdoms to Fall

Qin General Teng leads an army into Han and captures King Hanan. The smallest of the Seven Warring States, Han becomes the first to fall, marking the true start of Qin's unification campaign.

— Shiji: in 230 BC (year 17 of Shi Huang's reign), General Teng captured King An of Han, destroying Han.

Yingchuan Commandery Established on Former Han Territory

After conquering Han, Qin official Neishi Teng incorporates the former Han territory directly into the Qin state as Yingchuan Commandery. This is the first instance during the unification wars of conquered land being absorbed into the commandery system, foreshadowing the administrative model later applied empire-wide.

— Shiji, Annals of Qin Shi Huang: in 230 BC, Yingchuan Commandery was established on former Han territory.

Wang Jian's Final Zhao Campaign and the Execution of Li Mu

Wang Jian launches a full-scale assault on Zhao together with Qiang Lei and Yotanwa. Zhao's celebrated general Li Mu repeatedly repels the Qin army, but Wang Jian's disinformation campaign causes the Zhao king to have Li Mu executed in 228 BC. With Li Mu gone, Qin captures Handan and takes King Youmiu of Zhao prisoner.

— Shiji: Wang Jian began the Zhao campaign in 229 BC; in 228 BC Li Mu was killed on the king's orders and Handan fell.

Prince Jia of Zhao Flees to Dai and Proclaims Himself King

When Handan falls and King Qian of Zhao is captured, the royal prince Jia flees north to Dai with several hundred kinsmen and declares himself 'King of Dai,' continuing resistance against Qin. This remnant Zhao regime survives for six more years until 222 BC.

— Shiji, House of Zhao: in 228 BC, after the fall of Handan, Prince Jia established himself as King of Dai.

Jing Ke's Failed Assassination Attempt on King Zheng

Sent by Crown Prince Dan of Yan, the assassin Jing Ke gains an audience with King Zheng of Qin bearing the head of defector general Fan Wuji and a map of Dukang as gifts. He attacks with a dagger hidden inside the map scroll but fails and is cut down on the spot. The incident directly triggers Qin's retaliatory invasion of Yan.

— Shiji, Biographies of Assassins: in 227 BC, Jing Ke attempted to assassinate King Zheng and failed.

Fall of Yan's Capital Ji — King Xi Flees to Liaodong and Executes His Son

Enraged by the Jing Ke incident, Qin invades Yan; Wang Jian, with his deputy Meng Wu, captures the Yan capital Ji while Li Xin pursues Crown Prince Dan toward Liaodong. King Xi of Yan flees to Liaodong and, on the advice of King Jia of Dai, has his own son Dan killed and sends his head to Qin in a bid to spare his state.

— Shiji, Annals of Qin Shi Huang and House of Yan: in 226 BC, Qin forces under Wang Jian (with Li Xin) took Ji; King Xi of Yan killed Crown Prince Dan and sent his head to Qin.

Qin Floods the Wei Capital and Destroys Wei

Qin's Wang Ben diverts the Yellow River to flood the Wei capital Daliang. After three months the walls collapse and King Jia of Wei surrenders. Wei is destroyed, and Qin extends its dominion further eastward.

— Shiji: in 225 BC (year 22), Wang Ben flooded Daliang and destroyed Wei.

Li Xin's Disastrous Chu Campaign — 200,000-Man Army Annihilated

Ying Zheng sends Li Xin with 200,000 troops to invade Chu, but the army is catastrophically defeated at Chengfu by Chu general Xiang Yan's counterattack and the defection of Changpingjun. Li Xin loses seven generals and flees.

— Shiji, Biography of Bai Qi and Wang Jian: Li Xin's 200,000-man Chu campaign was crushed in a pincer attack by Xiang Yan and Changpingjun.

Changpingjun, a Qin Chancellor-Rank Official, Turns Against Qin at Yingchen

Changpingjun, a Chu prince who had risen to a chancellor-level position within Qin, was entrusted with governing Yingchen, the former Chu capital. During Li Xin's invasion of Chu, he turns against Qin and rebels; his defection at this strategic rear base contributes to the destruction of Li Xin's army.

— The Shiji's account is brief; details of Changpingjun's chancellorship, his governance of Yingchen, and his defection are largely reconstructed from modern scholarship drawing on excavated Qin bamboo-slip texts.

Wang Jian's 600,000-Man Army Pacifies Chu

Wang Jian agrees to lead the Chu campaign on condition of receiving 600,000 troops. After exhausting the Chu army through a war of attrition, he captures King Fuchu of Chu in 223 BC and destroys the state.

— Shiji: in 223 BC (year 24), Wang Jian and Meng Wu captured King Fuchu of Chu, ending the state.

Chu's Last Stand — Changpingjun Enthroned, Xiang Yan's Death

Even after King Fuchu of Chu was captured, Xiang Yan installed Changpingjun as a new Chu king and continued resisting south of the Huai River. In 223 BC, the Qin forces of Wang Jian and Meng Wu crushed this last holdout — Changpingjun died in battle and Xiang Yan took his own life, bringing Chu's final destruction.

— The Shiji's accounts differ by one year on Xiang Yan's death (House of Chu and Biography of Wang Jian give 224 BC; the Annals of Qin Shi Huang give 223 BC). This entry follows the 223 BC dating from the Annals.

Fall of Yan and Dai

Wang Ben captures King Xi of Yan, ending the state. He then subdues the Dai remnant state, capturing King Jia. Only Qin and Qi remain of the Seven Warring States.

— Shiji: in 222 BC (year 25), Wang Ben captured King Xi of Yan and King Jia of Dai.

Qi Surrenders; China is Unified

Wang Ben invades Qi and King Jian surrenders without a fight. Having subdued all six rival states, Ying Zheng declares himself 'Qin Shi Huang' — the First Emperor — the first ruler to unify all of China.

— Shiji: in 221 BC (year 26), King Jian of Qi surrendered and Ying Zheng took the title 'Qin Shi Huang, First Emperor.'

Qi Chancellor Hou Sheng's Betrayal — Bribery Behind the Bloodless Surrender

Qi's chancellor Hou Sheng accepted vast bribes from Qin over many years, persuading King Jian of Qi to refrain from aiding the other states and neglect military preparedness. When Qin forces finally invaded, King Jian followed Hou Sheng's counsel and surrendered without resistance, ending Qi's existence without a battle.

— Shiji, House of Tian Jingzhong Wan, and the Stratagems of the Warring States, Qi section: record that Hou Sheng's bribery led to Qi's surrender without battle in 221 BC.

The Title 'Emperor' Adopted; Wang Wan and Li Si Clash over Feudalism vs. Commanderies

After unification, King Zheng orders Chancellor Wang Wan, Censor Feng Jie, and Commandant of Justice Li Si to deliberate a new title, ultimately choosing 'Emperor' from among proposals including 'Supreme Sovereign.' In the ensuing debate over governance, Wang Wan urges enfeoffing the emperor's sons as regional kings, but Li Si strongly objects, and the commandery-county system is adopted nationwide instead.

— Shiji, Annals of Qin Shi Huang: in 221 BC, the adoption of the title 'Emperor' and the Wang Wan–Li Si debate over the commandery system are recorded.

The First Emperor's Reforms After Unification

The First Emperor unifies weights and measures, script, and currency, implements the commandery-county system, and fortifies the Great Wall, establishing a centralized imperial order. Xin continues on his path toward the rank of supreme general.

— Based on the Shiji and other sources; post-unification reforms are historically documented.