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Hanzhong Campaign

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Hanzhong Campaign
Part of the wars at the end of the Han dynasty
A drawing of a man with a long beard wearing a traditional hat. The image is in black and yellow. On the top are Chinese symbols.
A portrait of Cao Cao from Sancai Tuhui.
DateDecember 217[1] - August 219[1]
Location
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
Hanzhong Campaign
Traditional Chineseかん中之なかのせん
Simplified Chinese汉中
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHànzhōng 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

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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 (ほおえびす), Du Huo (もり) 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 (ともえひがし), Baxi (ともえ西にし) and Ba (ともえ) 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 (ちょうすな), Guiyang (かつらよう) and Lingling (れいりょう) commanderies in southern Jing Province from him. Liu Bei demanded Lingling Commandery back. In return, he recognised Sun Quan's control over Changsha, Jiangxia (江夏えなつ) and Guiyang commanderies.[8]

Strategic difference

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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 (ちょうふみ) 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

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Initial clashes

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In December 217,[1] Liu Bei's army advanced towards Yangping Pass (陽平ようへいせき). At the same time, Liu Bei also sent Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Wu Lan (らん), Lei Tong (かみなりどう) and Ren Kui (にん) to attack Wudu Commandery (たけみやこぐん), and they garrisoned at Xiabian County (したべんけん). During this time, Leiding (かみなりじょう) 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 (廣石ひろいし) and Mamingge (うまかく), 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 (固山こやま), 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

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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 (はし馬谷うまだに). 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 despatched 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

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In April 219,[1] Cao Cao personally led an army from Chang'an to Hanzhong Commandery via Xia Valley (はすだに). 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 (北山きたやま), 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

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In July 219, one month after the capture of Hanzhong, Liu Bei sent Meng Da to attack Fangling Commandery (ぼうりょうぐん) 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 (うえいさおぐん) via the Mian River (沔水). Shangyong Commandery's Administrator, Shen Dan (さるふけ), 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 (刺史しし) of Yong Province, to relocate 50,000 Di people from Wudu Commandery to Fufeng (扶風) and Tianshui (天水てんすい) 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

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Notes

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

References

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  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. ^ (かい魯降,かん中平なかひら,) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  4. ^ (しかそつやぶもり濩、ほおえびす,) Sanguozhi vol. 43.
  5. ^ (きゅうがつともえななせいえびすおうほおえびす、賨邑こうもり濩舉ともええびす、賨民らい,於是ぶんともえぐん,以胡ためともえひがし太守たいしゅ,濩為ともえ西にし太守たいしゅみなふう列侯れっこう天子てんしいのちこううけたまわせいふうはい諸侯しょこうもりしょう。) Sanguozhi vol. 1.
  6. ^ (けんやぶ公所ぐぞしょ三巴太守杜濩、ほおえびす、袁約とう。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 6.
  7. ^ Sima (1084), vol. 66.
  8. ^ (じゅうねんまごけん以先ぬしやめえきしゅう使つかい使ほう欲得よくとく荊州。さきぬしげん:「須得りょうしゅうとう以荊しゅうしょうあずか。」けん忿之,乃遣りょこうむかさねだつちょうすなれいりょうかつら陽三ようぞうぐんさきぬし引兵まん公安こうあんれいせき羽入はにゅうえきこれさい,曹公定こうていかんちゅうちょう遁走とんそうともえ西にしさきぬし聞之,あずかけんれんふん荊州、江夏えなつちょうすなかつら陽東ようとうぞくみなみぐんれいりょうたけりょう西にしぞく,引軍かえしゅう。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
  9. ^ (ひとあし既得きとく隴右,ふく欲得よくとくしょく!) Jin Shu vol. 1.
  10. ^ (以淵ぎょうみやこまもる將軍しょうぐんとくちょう郃、じょあきらとうたいらともえぐんふとしかえ鄴,とめふちもりかんちゅうそくはいふちせい西にし將軍しょうぐん。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  11. ^ (じゅうねんせいせつさきしゅ曰:「曹操そうそう一舉而降張魯,じょうかんちゅういん此勢以圖ともえしょく,而留なつほうふかしちょう郃屯もり遽北かえ,此非其智逮而力不足ちからぶそく也,必將內有ゆう偪故みみいまさくふち、郃才りゃくかつ國之くにゆき將帥しょうすい,舉衆往討,のり必可克之かつゆき克之かつゆきこうのうせきこくかん釁伺すきうえ以傾くつがえ寇敵,みこと獎王しつちゅう蠶食さんしょく雍、りょうこうつぶせさかいした固守こしゅ要害ようがいため乆之けい。此蓋てん以與わが不可ふかしつ也。」さきぬしぜん其策,乃率しょしょうしんへいかんちゅうただしまたしたがえくだり。) Sanguozhi vol. 37.
  12. ^ (備遣ちょうたむろ固山こやまよくだんぐん衆議しゅうぎ狐疑こぎきゅう曰:「ぞくじつだん道者どうしゃとう伏兵ふくへい潛行せんこうこん乃先ちょうこえぜい,此其不能ふのう也。むべ及其しゅう,促擊らんらんやぶのりはし矣。」ひろししたがえしんへいげきらん大破たいははてはし。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  13. ^ (備遣ひねしきとう十餘營絕馬鳴閣道,あきらべつせいやぶこれぞくとう山谷さんや死者ししゃ。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
  14. ^ (りゅう備屯陽平ようへい,郃屯廣石ひろいし。備以せいそつまんあまりふんためじゅうよるきゅうおさむ郃。郃率おやへい搏戰,備不能ふのうかつ。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
  15. ^ (かんちゅうそくえきしゅう咽喉いんこう存亡そんぼう機會きかいわかかんちゅうそくしょく矣,此家もんわざわい也。方今ほうこんこと男子だんしとうたたかえ女子じょしとううんはつへいなにうたぐ?) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
  16. ^ ([たてやすし]じゅうよんねん正月しょうがつ,備夜しょうかこえ鹿角かつのふち使ちょう郃護ひがしかこえしょうけいへいまもるみなみかこえ。備挑郃戰,郃軍不利ふりふちぶんしょ將兵しょうへいはんじょ郃,ため備所かさねふちとげ戰死せんし。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  17. ^ (けんやすじゅうよんねん,於漢ちゅうじょうぐんやまげきなつこうふちふちしゅ甚精,ちゅう推鋒必進,すすむりつ士卒しそつきむてん歡聲かんせいどうだにいちせんふちふちぐん大敗たいはい。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  18. ^ (じゅうよんねんさきぬし陽平ようへいみなみわたり沔水,えんさんややまえ,於定ぐんきょうぜいさく營。ふち將兵しょうへいらいそう其地。せい曰:「げき矣。」さき主命しゅうめいちゅうじょうだか譟攻大破たいはふちぐんふちとう授首。) Sanguozhi vol. 37.
  19. ^ (じゅうよんねんはる陽平ようへいみなみわたり沔水,えんさんややまえ,於定ぐんやまぜいさく營。ふち將兵しょうへいらいそう其地。さき主命しゅうめいちゅうじょうだか譟攻大破たいはふちぐんふち及曹公所ぐぞしょえきしゅう刺史ししちょう顒等。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
  20. ^ (其明,备欲わたり汉水らいおさむ。诸将仪众寡不敌,备便乘びんじょう胜,ほしみず为陈以拒。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
  21. ^ (淮曰:“此示じゃく不足ふそくくじけ敌,さん也。如远すい为陈,引而致之,はん济而きさき击,备可やぶ也。”すんで陈,备疑不渡ふわたり,淮遂坚守,しめせ无还しん。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
  22. ^ (すんでじん,備疑不渡ふわたり,淮遂堅守けんしゅしめせかえこころ。) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
  23. ^ (なつほうふかしぼつ於陽ひらめふとしこれ。以真ためせいしょくまもるぐんとくじょあきらとうやぶりゅう備別しょうだかしょう於陽たいら。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  24. ^ (及曹こういたりさきぬし斂眾こばめけわしおわり交鋒,せきがつ不拔ふばつ亡者もうじゃ。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
  25. ^ (なつほうふかしはい,曹公そうかん中地なかじうんまいきた山下やましたすうせんまん囊。ちゅう以為くもへいずいちゅうまいただしかえくもしょうすうじゅうけいぎょうかこえむかいちゅうとう。值曹こうあげへい大出おおいでくもためこうぜんほこさきしょげきぽうせん,其大衆たいしゅういたりいきおい逼,とげぜん突其じん,且鬬且却。おおやけぐんやめふくあいくもおちいてきかえおもむきかこえはたちょうちょそうくもふくはせかえ營迎ちょおおやけぐんついいたりかこえ,此時沔陽ちょうちょうつばさざいくもかこえ內,つばさよく閉門へいもんこばめもり,而雲入營にゅうえいさらだい開門かいもん,偃旗いきおおやけぐんうたぐくもゆう伏兵ふくへい引去ひきさくもかみなりふるえてんおもんみ以戎いしゆみ於後しゃおおやけぐんおおやけぐんおどろき駭,あい蹂踐,墮漢水中すいちゅう死者ししゃ甚多。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  26. ^ 九州きゅうしゅう春秋しゅんじゅう》:どきおうほっかえれい曰‘雞肋’,かんぞく不知ふち所謂いわゆるおも簿楊修便びんいむそうひとおどろきといおさむ:‘なに以知?’おさむ曰:‘おっと雞肋,棄之如可惜,しょく所得しょとく,以比かんちゅうおうほっかえ也。
  27. ^ (けんやすじゅうよんねんいのちたちしたがえ秭歸きたおさむぼうりょうぼうりょう太守たいしゅ蒯祺ためたちへいしょがいたちはた進攻しんこうじょういさおさきぬしかげおそれたちなんどくにん,乃遣ふうかんちゅうじょう沔水すべたちぐんあずかたちかいじょういさおうえいさお太守たいしゅさるふけ舉衆くだ,) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
  28. ^ (ふとしはた拔漢ちゅうもりこわりゅう備北たけ氐以逼關ちゅうもんすんですんで曰:「すすむ使北出きたいで就穀以避ぞくぜんいたりしゃあつ其寵しょうのりさきしゃ必慕。」ふとししたがえ其策,乃自いたかんちゅう引出しょぐんれいすんでたけ,徙氐五萬餘落出居扶風、天水てんすいかい。) Sanguozhi vol. 15.
  29. ^ (钦从祺妇, そく诸葛孔明こうめいだい姊也。) 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.