Han State's ruler and ministers knew full well that they could not possibly withstand the armies of Wei State and Zhao State on the plains. Thus, while setting up defensive lines within Han State to hold off Wei State and Zhao State, they also decisively led large numbers of Han people into Zheng territory.
When the Marquis of Han learned that the Qi People and Qin people were attacking Wei State's lands in Huai-Si, he was furious at first, then said with bitterness on his face, "Qi State must be trying to wear down the strength of the Three Jin States.
"But the good thing is that Qi State has indeed offended Wei State. At least Qi State will still stand on Han State's side, and the danger of our state's destruction can be resolved.
"Now we must hold on, for one year, two years, or even longer, until Qi State's army arrives."
The Marquis of Han hated Qi State to the core, but there was nothing he could do. Wei State refused to withdraw its troops, and Han State could not possibly cede territory, so both sides could only fight with all their might.
Fortunately, after acquiring Zheng territory, Han State's strategic depth had increased enormously. Otherwise, there truly would have been cause to worry that it could not hold out until Qi State arrived.
In Huai-Si, Qi State's nobles gleefully harvested Wei State's cities. "Take those we can capture. For those we cannot, cut off their routes out and trap them inside until they die. Tell the generals in the cities that those who surrender first will be spared."
The greatest taboo in siege warfare was to launch a fierce assault right from the start, for that would instead unite the defenders within the city into a fortress