Li Mu
In the following two years, Zhao was struck by two natural disasters — an earthquake and a severe famine. In 229 BC, Qin took advantage of the situation to launch a pincer attack from the north and south on Handan, the Zhao capital. Three Qin armies embarked from Shangdi (; in present-day northern Shaanxi), Jingxing (; present-day Jingxing County, Hebei) and Henei (; present-day Xinxiang, Henan), respectively led by Wang Jian, Qiang Hui () and Yang Duanhe, to coordinate the attack on Handan. On the Zhao side, Li Mu and Sima Shang () were put in command of the Zhao army. Li Mu ordered his troops to build defensive structures and avoid direct confrontation with the enemy. The Qin forces were unable to advance further and both sides reached a stalemate.