(North) The State of Yan was a vassal state in northern China from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in Chinese history. He was one of the Seven Heroes during the Warring States Period and was destroyed by Qin in 222 BC. In the feudal system of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the nobles of the Zhou royal family called Duke Shi (shi) to enfeoff the land of Yan (today's Beijing and central and northern Hebei). In 222 BC, Jing Ke assassinated the King of Qin, angered the King of Qin, and was destroyed.
(South) In the Yan Kingdom, one of the descendants of the Yellow Emperor named Bo Kui was granted the title of Yan (now northeast of Yanjin County, Henan Province) during the Shang Dynasty. Historically, it was associated with Ji Di (Hebei). The state of Yan is different from each other and is called Nanyan. It lasted until the Spring and Autumn Period.
The country of Yan in the film directed by Cheng Xiaodong is Beiyan.
The first battle between Yan and Zhao was after the famous "Battle of Changping" between Qin and Zhao. Yan took advantage of the opportunity and entered, but was repelled by Zhao.
In addition, there are other battles between Yan and Zhao
1. In 265 BC, Zhao general Tian Dan attacked the three cities of Yanba. He also attacked Yan and pulled out Zhongyang.
2. In 251 BC, Li Fu, the prime minister of Yan State, went to Zhao State as an envoy to investigate the reality of Zhao State in the name of wishing King Zhao a birthday. After returning to the country, he suggested to the King of Yan that the young and middle-aged Zhao people were killed by the Qin general Bai Qi in Changping. The country was full of orphans and widows, and they were unable to fight anymore. They should take this opportunity to attack Zhao Bisheng. General Yan Lejian believed that Zhao had been fighting Qin for many years and the people were familiar with military affairs. If he raised troops to attack Zhao, the Yan army would definitely be defeated, and he firmly opposed sending troops. King Yan refused to listen to Lejian's advice and decided to send troops to attack Zhao. He sent Li Fu as general, leading 600,000 troops and 2,000 chariots) to attack Zhao in two groups. Li Fu ordered his general Qing Qin to lead an army of 200,000 to attack Dai, and he led his main force of 400,000 to attack Chao. After the Yan army arrived at Songzi (now south of Jin County, Hebei Province), King Zhao Xiaocheng ordered Shangqing Lianpo and Lecheng to lead 130,000 troops (some say 250,000) to fight. After analyzing the incoming force of the Yan army, Lian Po believed that although the Yan army was outnumbered, they were arrogant and underestimated the enemy. In addition, they had traveled a long distance and were tired of men and horses, so he decided to adopt a strategy of defeating them one by one. Ling Lecheng led an army of 50,000 to defend Dai, attracting the attacking Yan army who could not go south to rescue him, so he led an army of 80,000 (some say 200,000) to attack the main force of the Yan army at Chaan. The Zhao army shared the same hatred of the enemy and was determined to defend its territory. They all rushed forward bravely and defeated the Yan army, killing their general Li Fu. The army attacking Dai Yan heard that the army attacking Bei was defeated, their commander was killed, and the morale of the army was shaken. Le Cheng led the Zhao army to take the opportunity to attack, quickly won, and captured Qing Qin. The two Yan armies were defeated and retreated. Lian Po led his army in pursuit for 500 miles, directly into the territory of Yan, and besieged Ji, the capital of Yan (southwest of today's Beijing city). King Yan had no choice but to cede five cities to seek peace, and the Zhao army began to break the siege and retreat. After the war, King Zhao appointed Lian Po as Lord Xinping, pretending to be the Prime Minister of the country.
3. In 250 BC, Wu Xiangjun, the general of the False Xiang Kingdom, attacked Yan and besieged its capital.
4. In 243 BC, Zhao general Li Mu attacked Yan and captured Wu Sui and Fangcheng.
5. In 242 BC, one hundred thousand Yan troops invaded Zhao, and Pang Lu led his army to resist. At the east wall of Changshan Mountain, there were deep ditches and high bases to wait for the Yan army. During this battle, Zhao soldiers mostly used strong bows and powerful crossbows to shoot at Yan, causing heavy casualties. No matter whether it is a siege or a field battle, the Yan army is disadvantageous. Retreating and encountering Li Mujun. Withdrew again, met Pang Lu's army, and was severely defeated. In this battle, more than 20,000 Yan soldiers were killed, and the rest were routed or surrendered to the Zhao army.
6. In 236 BC, Zhao attacked Yan and captured Li and Yangcheng.
7. During the reign of King Zhao Mouxiang, Zhao attacked Yan and gained thirty-six cities in Shanggu.