Hanzhong Campaign

Conflicts between warlords Liu Bei and Cao Cao (217-219)

Hanzhong Campaign

Part of the wars at the end of the Han dynasty

A portrait of Cao Cao from Sancai Tuhui.
| Date| December 217[1] – August 219[1]

|

Location|

Hanzhong, Shaanxi, China

Result|  Liu Bei victory; Liu Bei takes control of Hanzhong
Belligerents
Liu Bei|  Cao Cao
Commanders and leaders
Liu Bei|  † Xiahou Yuan until February 219
Cao Cao from February 219

* v
* t
* e

Conflicts at the end of the Han dynasty

* Yellow Turbans
* Liang Province
* Eunuch massacre
* Campaign against Dong Zhuo
* Xingyang
* Yangcheng
* Jieqiao
* Xiangyang
* Chang'an
* Fengqiu
* Xu Province
* Yan Province
* Jiangdong
* Cao Cao vs. Zhang Xiu
* Xiapi
* Yijing
* Yuan Shu
* Guandu
* Bowang
* Xiakou
* Northern China
* Liyang
* Ye
* Nanpi
* White Wolf Mtn.
* Jiangxia
* Red Cliffs
* Northwest China
* Tong Pass
* Jicheng
* Lucheng
* Qi Mtns.
* Yangping
* Yi Province
* Ruxu (213)
* Xiaoyao Ford
* Jing Province (215)
* Ba
* Ruxu (217)
* Hanzhong
* Fancheng
* Jing Province (219)
* Three Kingdoms →

* v
* t
* e

Hanzhong Campaign

* Xiabian
* Yangpingguan
* Mt. Dingjun
* Han River

Hanzhong Campaign

Traditional Chinese| 漢中之戰
Simplified Chinese| 汉中之战
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Hànzhōng Zhī Zhàn

The Hanzhong Campaign was a military campaign launched by the warlord Liu Bei to seize control of Hanzhong Commandery from his rival, Cao Cao. The campaign took place between December 217 and August 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period. Although Cao Cao's forces had settled in Hanzhong Commandery two years prior after the Battle of Yangping, they were worn out by an overall Fabian strategy employed by Liu Bei's forces, who used targeted attacks to capture strategic locations from the enemy. One of these attacks resulted in the death of Xiahou Yuan, one of Cao Cao's top generals, delivering a huge blow to the morale of Cao Cao's forces. Due to logistical and other issues, Cao Cao was eventually forced to abandon Hanzhong Commandery and order a retreat in June 219.[1] Liu Bei emerged victorious in the campaign and occupied Hanzhong Commandery, after which he declared himself "King of Hanzhong" in August of that year.[1]

The campaign would ultimately prove to be the final military campaign that Cao Cao participated in before his death in March of 220.

## Background

[edit]

Further information: Battle of Yangping and Battle of Ba

In April 215,[2] Cao Cao attacked the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery, defeating the latter at the Battle of Yangping. In December,[2] Zhang Lu surrendered and Hanzhong Commandery came under Cao Cao's control.[3] Afterwards, Cao Cao appointed Pu Hu (朴胡), Du Huo (杜濩) and Yuan Yue (袁約) as Administrators of the three Ba commanderies. But they were defeated by Huang Quan who then seized control of Badong (巴東), Baxi (巴西) and Ba (巴) commanderies.[4][5][6]

On Liu Bei's side, he had also recently seized control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from Liu Zhang in July 214,[7] and was in the midst of a dispute with his ally Sun Quan over Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan) in July 215.[2] Liu Bei felt threatened when he received news that Hanzhong Commandery had fallen to Cao Cao, because Hanzhong was the northern "gateway" into Yi Province and he was now in danger of losing Yi Province to Cao Cao. Hence, Liu Bei came to a border treaty with Sun Quan, who had seized Changsha (長沙), Guiyang (桂陽) and Lingling (零陵) commanderies in southern Jing Province from him. Liu Bei demanded Lingling Commandery back. In return, he recognised Sun Quan's control over Changsha, Jiangxia (江夏) and Guiyang commanderies.[8]

### Strategic difference

[edit]

In Hanzhong Commandery, Sima Yi and Liu Ye urged Cao Cao to use the opportunity to attack Yi Province, but Cao Cao rejected the idea, saying, "We should not be discontent. Now that we've already conquered Longyou (referring to present-day eastern Gansu), you're still longing about merging Shu (referring to Yi Province)!"[9] Cao Cao then left his generals Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He and Xu Huang behind to defend Hanzhong Commandery, and his Chief Clerk (長史) Du Xi to oversee the commandery's military affairs.[10]

In December 217,[1] Liu Bei's adviser Fa Zheng analysed the reason Cao Cao left Xiahou Yuan to guard Hanzhong Commandery and didn't push to conquer Yi province was not because of a lack of strength or insight but because he met some internal problems and was needed back at the capital. Fa Zheng also believed that Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He's ability didn't match those of Liu Bei's commanders, so the pair could not defend Hanzhong Commandery. Hence, Fa Zheng urged Liu Bei to attack Hanzhong Commandery, stating three benefits if the commandery could be taken: ideally it could serve as a base of operations to attack Cao Cao and revive the Han dynasty; if that were not possible one could still attack Yong and Liang provinces from it (Hanzhong Commandery granted access to the two provinces) and expand his territory; and finally Hanzhong Commandery had long-lasting strategical impact on the survival of Liu Bei's regime. Liu Bei agreed with Fa Zheng's analysis and ordered him to plan for the upcoming campaign.[11]

## The campaign

[edit]

### Initial clashes

[edit]

In December 217,[1] Liu Bei's army advanced towards Yangping Pass (陽平關). At the same time, Liu Bei also sent Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Wu Lan (吳蘭), Lei Tong (雷銅) and Ren Kui (任夔) to attack Wudu Commandery (武都郡), and they garrisoned at Xiabian County (下辨縣). During this time, Leiding (雷定) of the Di ethnic group led seven tribes to join Liu Bei. As for Cao Cao's side, Xiahou Yuan defended Yangping Pass, Zhang He and Xu Huang respectively guarded Guangshi (廣石) and Mamingge (馬鳴閣), while Cao Hong and Cao Xiu led a separate force to resist Zhang Fei.

In April 218,[1] Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's army garrisoned at Gushan (固山), where they spread news that they were going to blockade the enemy's retreat route. Cao Hong wanted to attack Wu Lan at Xiabian County, but the other officers were suspicious of Zhang Fei's movements. Cao Xiu thought that if Zhang Fei was really planning to seal their retreat route, he should keep his plan covert; now that Zhang Fei had overtly revealed his intention, they should make use of the opportunity to feign retreat and perform a frontal assault. Cao Hong agreed to Cao Xiu's tactic and attacked. Lei Tong and Ren Kui were killed in battle, while Wu Lan fled to join the Di tribes, where he was subsequently killed by a Di leader, Qiangduan. After their subordinate's defeat, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao withdrew their army.[12]

On another front, Liu Bei was facing Xiahou Yuan at Yangping Pass. Between May and August (summer) 218,[1] Liu Bei sent Chen Shi to attack Mamingge, but the latter was defeated by Xu Huang, and some of the fleeing soldiers fell into the deep valleys during their escape.[13] Liu Bei personally led an assault on Zhang He at Guangshi but was unable to overcome his enemy.[14] He then sent an urgent letter to Zhuge Liang in Yi Province's capital, Chengdu, to request for reinforcements. Zhuge Liang vacillated and consulted Yang Hong (楊洪), who said, "Hanzhong is the throat of Yi Province. This is a critical point of survival and destruction. Without Hanzhong there will be no Shu (Yi Province). A disaster has befallen on the gates of our home. At this moment, the men should go to war, the women should help in transporting supplies, what's there to hesitate about sending reinforcements?"[15] Zhuge Liang accepted Yang Hong's advice and sent reinforcements to Liu Bei while Liu Bei continued his standoff against Cao Cao's forces.

### Turn of the tide

[edit]

See also: Battle of Mount Dingjun

By October 218,[1] Cao Cao moved from Ye city to Chang'an near Hanzhong Commandery to direct the defence against Liu Bei, but had been held up by internal problems including a major coup d'état and some local uprisings. In the meantime, Liu Bei and Xiahou Yuan had been locked in a stalemate for a year. In February 219,[1] to break the deadlock, Liu Bei crossed the Mian River (沔水) south of Yangping Pass and advanced towards Hanzhong Commandery through the mountains. Liu Bei's army set up camp at Mount Dingjun. In response, Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He led their forces out in an attempt to take control of higher ground, and they made camp at Zouma Valley (走馬谷). During the night, Liu Bei followed Huang Quan's plan and set fire to the enemy camp fences. Xiahou Yuan led a force to defend the southern flank while sending Zhang He to guard the eastern side. Liu Bei launched a direct assault on Zhang He and Zhang started to falter, so Xiahou Yuan despatched half of his forces to support Zhang. At this point, Fa Zheng told Liu Bei that it was an opportune time to attack. Liu Bei ordered his men to shout loudly and beat the drums, and sent Huang Zhong to charge at the enemy. The mettlesome soldiers of Huang Zhong broke through the enemy lines and slew Xiahou Yuan and Zhao Yong, while Zhang He fled with his surviving troops to north of the Han River, where they set up a camp.[16][17][18][19]

As Cao Cao's forces had just lost their commander, Xiahou Yuan, a tempest ensued. Du Xi and Guo Huai regrouped their scattered troops and (unofficially) nominated Zhang He to replace Xiahou Yuan. Zhang He accepted and gave orders to his troops, restoring peace and order in his army. The following day, Liu Bei planned to cross the Han River and attack Zhang He, whose officers pointed out they were outnumbered, and suggested to Zhang He to set up camps along the banks of the Han River.[20] Guo Huai felt that their forces were displaying weakness to the enemy by doing so, he proposed setting up camp far away from the river to lure the enemy to cross the shallow, during which they counterattack the enemy.[21] Zhang He agreed with Guo Huai's idea and moved his camp further away from the river. Liu Bei became suspicious and did not dare to cross the river.[22] In Chang'an, when Cao Cao heard that Xiahou Yuan had been killed in action, he dispatched Cao Zhen with an army to reinforce their forces at Yangping Pass. When Cao Zhen arrived, he directed Xu Huang to attack Gao Xiang, an officer under Liu Bei. Xu Huang scored a victory and temporarily restored some morale for Cao Cao's side.[23]

### Last stages

[edit]

See also: Battle of Han River

In April 219,[1] Cao Cao personally led an army from Chang'an to Hanzhong Commandery via Xia Valley (斜谷). Liu Bei was not worried, as he thought, "Even if Cao Cao came, he cannot do anything. I'll definitely take control of the Han River." Hence, Liu Bei gathered his forces and put up a firm defence, refusing to engage Cao Cao's army in a major confrontation. Liu Bei focused on a war of attrition from this point forward. As the months pass by stuck in this deadlock, more and more of Cao Cao's soldiers either died or deserted.[24]

Later, when Cao Cao's forces were transporting supplies via Beishan (北山), Huang Zhong led a force to rob the enemy's supplies, but had yet to return on time. Zhao Yun led ten horsemen out of camp in search of Huang Zhong and encountered Cao Cao's army. They were surrounded but Zhao Yun fought his way out and retreated back to camp with the enemy in pursuit. Upon reaching camp, Zhao Yun ordered the gates to be opened, flags and banners to be lowered, and the beating of war drums to be stopped. Cao Cao's men feared an ambush in the camp and turned back. Just then, Zhao Yun ordered his troops to beat the drums loudly and his archers to rain arrows on the enemy. Cao Cao's soldiers were thrown into confusion and trampled on each other as they attempted to flee, while many drowned as they tried to escape across the Han River.[25]

As Cao Cao's forces had been in a standoff against Liu Bei for several months and had been facing serious logistics problems, he eventually gave an order, "chicken rib" (雞肋). No one understood what Cao Cao meant when he said "chicken rib", except his registrar, Yang Xiu. Yang Xiu explained that it was a pity to discard a piece of chicken's rib even though it may not have much meat on it. This was an analogy to the situation Cao Cao was in: Cao Cao knew that he had little chance of defeating Liu Bei, but felt that it was a pity to abandon Hanzhong Commandery. Cao Cao was not pleased with Yang Xiu's explanation and later had him executed. By June 219,[1] Cao Cao retreated back to Chang'an and gave up Hanzhong Commandery to Liu Bei.[26]

## Aftermath

[edit]

In July 219, one month after the capture of Hanzhong, Liu Bei sent Meng Da to attack Fangling Commandery (房陵郡) via Zigui County. Meng Da defeated and killed Fangling Commandery's Administrator, Kuai Qi (蒯祺), and took control of the area. Liu Bei later sent his adopted son, Liu Feng, to attack Shangyong Commandery (上庸郡) via the Mian River (沔水). Shangyong Commandery's Administrator, Shen Dan (申耽), surrendered to Liu Feng. In around August 219, Liu Bei declared himself "King of Hanzhong".[27]

On the other hand, after withdrawing, Cao Cao was worried that Liu Bei might attack Wudu Commandery, so he ordered Zhang Ji, the Inspector (刺史) of Yong Province, to relocate 50,000 Di people from Wudu Commandery to Fufeng (扶風) and Tianshui (天水) commanderies.[28]

Word of Liu Bei's victory at Hanzhong eventually reached Guan Yu, who was, at the time, stationed in southern Jing province. Seeking to take advantage of the success of the Hanzhong Campaign, Guan Yu led an army of his own to attack Cao Cao's strongholds in northern Jing province, leading to the Battle of Fancheng in July of 219.

## Order of battle

[edit]

### Liu Bei forces

[edit]

* Governor of Yi Province (益州牧) Liu Bei
* General Who Spreads Martial Might (揚武將軍) Fa Zheng
* Protector of the Army (護軍) Huang Quan
* General Who Attacks Barbarians (討虜將軍) Huang Zhong
* General of the Standard (牙門將軍) Wei Yan
* Vice General of the Household in the Army (副軍中郎將) Liu Feng
* Administrator of Yidu (宜都太守) Meng Da
* Major General (裨将军) Chen Shi
* Gao Xiang
* Assisting General of the Army (翊軍將軍) Zhao Yun
* Zhang Zhu (張著)
* Chief of Mianyang (沔陽長) Zhang Yi
* General Who Attacks Barbarians (征虜將軍) Zhang Fei
* General Who Pacifies the West (平西將軍) Ma Chao
* † Wu Lan (吳蘭)
* † Lei Tong (雷銅)
* † Ren Kui (任夔)

Non-participants

* General of the Imperial Consular (军师将军) Zhuge Liang
* Attendant Clerk (从事) Yang Hong

### Cao Cao forces

[edit]

* Imperial Chancellor (丞相) Cao Cao
* Protector of the Army Who Attacks Shu (征蜀護軍) Cao Zhen
* Registrar (主簿) Yang Xiu
* † General Who Attacks the West (征西將軍) Xiahou Yuan
* † Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史) Zhao Yong
* General Who Defeats Bandits (盪寇將軍) Zhang He
* Chief Commandant of Escorting Cavalry (駙馬都尉) Du Xi
* Major (司馬) Guo Huai
* † Xiahou Rong (夏侯榮)
* Protector-General (都護將軍) Cao Hong
* Cavalry Commandant of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry ((虎豹骑)骑都尉) Cao Xiu
* Palace Attendant (侍中) Xin Pi
* Administrator of Wudu (武都太守) Yang Fu
* General Who Pacifies Bandits (平寇將軍) Xu Huang
* (Acting) Colonel (校尉) Wang Ping
* † Administrator of Fangling (房陵太守) Kuai Qi (蒯祺)[a]
* Administrator of Shangyong (上庸太守) Shen Dan (申耽)

Non-participants

* Inspector of Yong Province (雍州刺史) Zhang Ji

|

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ This Kuai Qi was a nephew of Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang and previously married Zhuge Liang's oldest sister.[29]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sima (1084), vol. 68.
2. ^ a b c Sima (1084), vol. 67.
3. ^ (會魯降，漢中平，) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
4. ^ (然卒破杜濩、朴胡，) Sanguozhi vol. 43.
5. ^ (九月，巴七姓夷王朴胡、賨邑侯杜濩舉巴夷、賨民來附，於是分巴郡，以胡為巴東太守，濩為巴西太守，皆封列侯。天子命公承制封拜諸侯守相。) Sanguozhi vol. 1.
6. ^ (權破公所署三巴太守杜濩、朴胡、袁約等。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 6.
7. ^ Sima (1084), vol. 66.
8. ^ (二十年，孫權以先主已得益州，使使報欲得荊州。先主言：「須得涼州，當以荊州相與。」權忿之，乃遣呂蒙襲奪長沙、零陵、桂陽三郡。先主引兵五萬下公安，令關羽入益陽。是歲，曹公定漢中，張魯遁走巴西。先主聞之，與權連和，分荊州、江夏、長沙、桂陽東屬，南郡、零陵、武陵西屬，引軍還江州。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
9. ^ (人苦無足，既得隴右，複欲得蜀！) Jin Shu vol. 1.
10. ^ （以淵行都護將軍，督張郃、徐晃等平巴郡。太祖還鄴，留淵守漢中，即拜淵征西將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
11. ^ (二十二年，正說先主曰：「曹操一舉而降張魯，定漢中，不因此勢以圖巴、蜀，而留夏侯淵、張郃屯守，身遽北還，此非其智不逮而力不足也，必將內有憂偪故耳。今策淵、郃才略，不勝國之將帥，舉衆往討，則必可克之，克之日，廣農積穀，觀釁伺隙，上可以傾覆寇敵，尊獎王室，中可以蠶食雍、涼，廣拓境土，下可以固守要害，為持乆之計。此蓋天以與我，時不可失也。」先主善其策，乃率諸將進兵漢中，正亦從行。) Sanguozhi vol. 37.
12. ^ (備遣張飛屯固山，欲斷軍後。衆議狐疑，休曰：「賊實斷道者，當伏兵潛行。今乃先張聲勢，此其不能也。宜及其未集，促擊蘭，蘭破則飛自走矣。」洪從之，進兵擊蘭，大破之，飛果走。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
13. ^ (備遣陳式等十餘營絕馬鳴閣道，晃別征破之，賊自投山谷，多死者。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
14. ^ (劉備屯陽平，郃屯廣石。備以精卒萬餘，分為十部，夜急攻郃。郃率親兵搏戰，備不能克。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
15. ^ (漢中則益州咽喉，存亡之機會，若無漢中則無蜀矣，此家門之禍也。方今之事，男子當戰，女子當運，發兵何疑？) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
16. ^ ([建安]二十四年正月，備夜燒圍鹿角。淵使張郃護東圍，自將輕兵護南圍。備挑郃戰，郃軍不利。淵分所將兵半助郃，為備所襲，淵遂戰死。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
17. ^ (建安二十四年，於漢中定軍山擊夏侯淵。淵衆甚精，忠推鋒必進，勸率士卒，金鼓振天，歡聲動谷，一戰斬淵，淵軍大敗。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
18. ^ (二十四年，先主自陽平南渡沔水，緣山稍前，於定軍、興勢作營。淵將兵來爭其地。正曰：「可擊矣。」先主命黃忠乘高鼓譟攻之，大破淵軍，淵等授首。) Sanguozhi vol. 37.
19. ^ (二十四年春，自陽平南渡沔水，緣山稍前，於定軍山勢作營。淵將兵來爭其地。先主命黃忠乘高鼓譟攻之，大破淵軍，斬淵及曹公所署益州刺史趙顒等。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
20. ^ (其明日，备欲渡汉水来攻。诸将仪众寡不敌，备便乘胜，欲依水为陈以拒之。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
21. ^ (淮曰：“此示弱而不足挫敌，非算也。不如远水为陈，引而致之，半济而后击，备可破也。”既陈，备疑不渡，淮遂坚守，示无还心。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
22. ^ (旣陣，備疑不渡，淮遂堅守，示無還心。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
23. ^ (是時，夏侯淵沒於陽平，太祖憂之。以真為征蜀護軍，督徐晃等破劉備別將高詳於陽平。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
24. ^ (及曹公至，先主斂眾拒險，終不交鋒，積月不拔，亡者日多。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
25. ^ (夏侯淵敗，曹公爭漢中地，運米北山下，數千萬囊。黃忠以為可取，雲兵隨忠取米。忠過期不還，雲將數十騎輕行出圍，迎視忠等。值曹公揚兵大出，雲為公前鋒所擊，方戰，其大衆至，勢逼，遂前突其陣，且鬬且却。公軍散，已復合，雲陷敵，還趣圍。將張著被創，雲復馳馬還營迎著。公軍追至圍，此時沔陽長張翼在雲圍內，翼欲閉門拒守，而雲入營，更大開門，偃旗息鼓。公軍疑雲有伏兵，引去。雲雷鼓震天，惟以戎弩於後射公軍，公軍驚駭，自相蹂踐，墮漢水中死者甚多。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
26. ^ 《九州春秋》：時王欲還，出令曰‘雞肋’，官屬不知所謂。主簿楊修便自嚴裝，人驚問修：‘何以知之?’修曰：‘夫雞肋，棄之如可惜，食之無所得，以比漢中，知王欲還也。
27. ^ (建安二十四年，命達從秭歸北攻房陵，房陵太守蒯祺為達兵所害。達將進攻上庸，先主陰恐達難獨任，乃遣封自漢中乘沔水下統達軍，與達會上庸。上庸太守申耽舉衆降，) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
28. ^ (太祖將拔漢中守，恐劉備北取武都氐以逼關中，問既。既曰：「可勸使北出就穀以避賊，前至者厚其寵賞，則先者知利，後必慕之。」太祖從其策，乃自到漢中引出諸軍，令既之武都，徙氐五萬餘落出居扶風、天水界。) Sanguozhi vol. 15.
29. ^ (钦从祖祺妇, 即诸葛孔明之大姊也。) Xiangyang Ji

* Chen, Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
* Chang Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi).
* Fang, Xuanling. Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
* Pei, Songzhi. Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
* Sima, Guang (1084), Zizhi Tongjian.

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template