Artaphernes vs Lord Xinling

Darius I appointed his brother Artaphernes as satrap of Lydia, a key province in western Anatolia. He administered the satrapy from Sardis, overseeing the collection of tribute and maintaining Persian control over the Greek city-states of Ionia.

Artaphernes received an Athenian embassy seeking Persian support against Sparta. He demanded earth and water as tokens of submission, which the Athenians gave. This agreement briefly made Athens a Persian ally, though it later contributed to the Persian Wars.

Artaphernes, as satrap of Lydia, played a key role in suppressing the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. He coordinated military operations with the Persian fleet and reimposed Persian authority over the rebellious Greek cities, including the sack of Miletus.

Lord Xinling, a prince of Wei, stole the military tally (hubu) from the Wei king's bedchamber to command the Wei army to aid Zhao during the siege of Handan. He then led the Wei forces to break the Qin siege, saving Zhao from conquest.

When the Wei general Jin Bi refused to obey the stolen tally, Lord Xinling ordered his retainer Zhu Hai to kill Jin Bi. Lord Xinling then took command of the Wei army, an act of insubordination that saved Zhao but strained his relationship with the Wei king.

After stealing the tally, Lord Xinling remained in Zhao for ten years, fearing punishment from the Wei king. During this exile, he continued to build his reputation as a patron of retainers and a military strategist.

When Qin invaded Wei, Lord Xinling was recalled from exile. He organized a coalition of five states (Wei, Zhao, Han, Chu, Yan) and defeated the Qin army at the Battle of Hulao, temporarily halting Qin's eastward expansion.