Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>After the invasion of Qi, Zhao was the last state left that stood out as a military leader among the eastern states. Zhao’s power had been increased by the reforms of King Wuling of Zhao (r. 325 B.C.E.-299 B.C.E.), who had dramatically increased the cavalry power of Zhao by imposing “barbarian dress (hu fu)” on his courtiers and officials, making it possible to incorporate steppe peoples into the army of Zhao and facilitating the training and deployment of Zhao cavalry forces. In the two decades after the sack of Linzi, an intensifying cold war settled over relations between Qin and Zhao, inspiring each kingdom to pursue self-strengthening reforms with the goal of defeating its rival. Zhao recruited a slate of talented military commanders and civil officials. The Qin King was finally moved to break the hold that his mother, uncles and brothers had on the court and its revenues. He enlisted the talented knight Fan Sui to be the Prime Minister of a more disciplined and efficient civil administration. The clash came to a head at the Battle of Changping, which ended in catastrophic defeat for the forces of Zhao.</jats:p>