An edict from Qin State swept across the Qin River Valley, passed beyond Xiao-Han, crossed the burial grounds of countless people, and reached Bai Qi's hands.
King Ji of Qin lavishly praised Bai Qi's actions in Chu State. He paid no heed to Zhao State's dissatisfaction and ordered Bai Qi to lead the Qin Army in taking possession of the lands of Han, Wei, and Chu States.
He also instructed Bai Qi not to return to Qin State yet, but to rest and reorganize his troops where he was. If Zhao State dared to act, he was to strike it hard.
This also served as a measure to protect Bai Qi. Too many people hated him now, and at least he was safe among his troops.
The Ducal House of Chu State fled with the nobles. The State People directly under its authority and the strong slaves fled with them, but large numbers of slaves were still left behind.
In the late Warring States period, only Chu State, which still retained the Hereditary Office and Stipend System and numerous enfeoffed lords, had so many slaves.
Once Nanyang and Jianghan were lost, none of the territory west of the Ying River could be held.
The current situation between Chu State and Qin State bore a distinct resemblance to the confrontation between Wu State and Chu State in the south years ago.
The difference, however, was that Qin State was far stronger than Chu State had been back then. All Xia had been cleaved cleanly in two: everything to the west belonged to Qin State, while to the east lay the Seven States of Shandong, with six kings and one marquis.
Hundreds of thousands of Qin State's troops were stationed on the former lands of Zhou State, Han State, and Wei State.