alternatehistory.com

During 230-221 BC, the state of Qin conquered the other six of the "Warring States" and created the first unified Chinese empire.

One of these states, Qi, decided to stay out of the wars and take advantage of all other states being weakened in the fights.

However, Qin's success took them by surprise, and in 221 BC, they capitulated after Qin had annexed all other states, at which point their position was hopeless.

But what if Qi had decided to support the other states? They still were able to support an army of several hundred thousand men. While I think that Qin as the most militarized state would have won at the end, the support of Qi might have delayed their victory - maybe for another generation if the initial wars would take long enough.
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