Battle of Yangping
| Battle of Yangping |
| Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms |
|
|
| Belligerents |
| Cao Cao |
Zhang Lu |
| Commanders and leaders |
| Cao Cao |
Zhang Lu |
| Strength |
| 90,000 |
25,000 |
The Battle of Yangping, also known as the Battle of Yangping Pass, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Zhang Lu in 215 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle concluded with victory for Cao Cao.
Background
In 215, Cao Cao campaigned west against Zhang Lu, reached Chencang and personally advanced from Wudu into Dizhong. In summer, Cao Cao advanced from San Pass and reached Hechi. Zhang Lu's tens of thousands of followers, relied on the difficulties of the terrain, refusing to submit. In the fifth month, Cao Cao besieged and defeated them. The various generals of Xiping and Jincheng, Qu Yan, Jiang Shi and others, beheaded Han Sui and presented his head. In the autumn of 215, Cao Cao reached Yangping.[1]
The battle
Zhang Lu sent his younger brother Zhang Wei, general Yang Ang and others to hold Yangping Pass and they constructed a 2.58 miles wall along the mountain ridges. Cao Cao besieged the pass but was unable to capture it and eventually his army withdrew. Zhang Lu's troops saw that Cao Cao's army had retreated and their readiness waned. Cao Cao then covertly sent Gao Zuo and others to assault the defenses by night and greatly defeated the enemy. They beheaded the general Yang Ren (楊任) and advanced on Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei and the others fled in the night. Zhang Lu broke the encirclement and fled to Bazhong. Cao Cao's army entered Nanzheng and took all the treasures from Zhang Lu's repository. When Zhang Lu surrendered, he was granted honors by Cao Cao, and he ended his days as a comfortable prisoner.[1]
Modern references
The battle is featured as a playable stage in Koei's video game Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends and Dynasty Warriors 7.
Notes
- ^ a b Chen Shou. Records of Three Kingdoms, Volume 1, Biography of Cao Cao.
References