This book is a historical novel. In the late Warring States period, Qi had been dealt a heavy blow by Yan in the Battle of Jixi and had never recovered its strength. But it lay in the east, bordering the East China Sea, and enjoyed the advantages of its terrain. Under Qin's strategy of forming distant alliances while attacking nearby states, Qi remained neutral among the Six States, barely clinging to survival. In 265 BC, King Xiang of Qi died, and Tian Jian succeeded him. When King Jian ascended the throne, his mother, Queen Dowager Jun, governed as regent. Only after she died, 16 years later, did King Jian take the reins of power. King Jian appointed his maternal uncle, Hou Sheng, as chancellor. However, Hou Sheng accepted bribes from Qin spies and continually urged King Jian to "serve Qin dutifully," sabotaging the Six States' plans to ally against Qin. This allowed Qin to destroy Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, and Yan. Only then did King Jian truly feel threatened, but it was too late. Qin's iron cavalry had arrived, and Qi's army quickly crumbled. Qin forces captured Linzi in a single attack and took King Jian prisoner. Qi had fallen.
