Siege of Chencang

The Siege of Chencang was a siege of the Cao Wei stronghold at Chencang by forces of the rival state of Shu Han from December 228 to early 229 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The siege was part of second Northern Expedition led by Shu's chancellor Zhuge Liang to attack Wei. The siege concluded with victory for Wei.

Background

In 228, after Eastern Wu defeated Cao Wei at the Battle of Shiting, Wei reinforced the east by mobilizing its troops in the west. Zhuge Liang used the opportunity to launch a second Northern Expedition and attacked Chencang. Hao Zhao, the Wei general defending Chencang, was told to make defensive preparations after Zhuge Liang started the first Northern Expedition earlier that year.^[1]

The siege

In the winter of 228, Zhuge Liang launched the second Northern Expedition against Wei and surrounded Chencang. Zhuge Liang's army brought an array of siege engines, including scaling ladders, battering rams and archery towers. However, Chencang could not be penetrated and the Wei defenders put up stubborn resistance with various incendiary devices. The Wei general Zhang He arrived at Chencang with reinforcements and food supplies after three weeks.

By then, Zhuge Liang's forces were running short of grain, so Zhuge ordered a retreat to Hanzhong. Wang Shuang, a general under Zhang He, led his cavalry in pursuit of the enemy to the Qinling Mountains. Wang Shuang fell into an ambush planted by Zhuge Liang and was killed.^[1]

In 229, Zhuge Liang sent Chen Shi to besiege Wudu and Yinping commanderies. The Wei general Guo Huai contemplated leading his men to attack Chen Shi but Zhuge Liang personally advanced on Jianwei. Guo Huai withdrew and the two commanderies were pacified.^[1]

Modern references

The Siege of Chencang is featured as a playable stage in the fifth installment of Koei's video game series Dynasty Warriors 5.

References