News that six states have invaded Qin forces King Ying Zheng to confront a threat to his state's very survival. The armies of Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi have crossed the border, and Zheng summons his advisors to plan a response to the coalition.
Until this crisis, Qin had been advancing toward Zheng's goal of unifying China. Victory in the Sanyou campaign had secured a crucial foothold in Wei, allowing the Qin army, including 1,000-Man Commander Xin, to look eastward. But Li Mu, Zhao's newly appointed prime minister and a formidable strategist, used a temporary truce with Qin to negotiate freely with the other states. By the time Zheng understands the purpose of that truce, the invasion is underway. Qin must now commit every available resource and strategy to avert destruction.
