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42-607: The campaign would ultimately prove to be the final military campaign that Cao Cao participated in before his death in March of 220. In April 215, Cao Cao attacked the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery, defeating the latter at the Battle of Yangping . In December, Zhang Lu surrendered and Hanzhong Commandery came under Cao Cao's control. Afterwards, Cao Cao appointed Pu Hu ( 朴胡 ), Du Huo ( 杜濩 ) and Yuan Yue (袁約) as Administrators of

84-713: A campaign to conquer Hanzhong Commandery. Initially, Zhang Lu had no hope of standing against Cao Cao's armies, and planned to surrender. His younger brother Zhang Wei ( 張衛 ), however, insisted on fighting and lead his army against the invading forces. He was soon killed in battle, and again Zhang Lu considered surrendering. His adviser Yan Pu, told him that surrendering so easily, they would have no position to negotiate from. Instead, Zhang Lu retreated to his fortress at Bazhong ( 巴中 ). When leaving his capital, he did not destroy his wealth and treasures, nor attempt to take them with him, instead leaving them behind saying "These things belong to

126-443: 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

168-556: 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, 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

210-420: Is historically known as the Battle of Jianwei . Acting on Zhuge Liang's order, Chen Shi led troops to attack Wudu (武都) and Yinping (陰平) commanderies and conquered them for Shu. The Wei general Guo Huai attempted to seize back the two commanderies from Chen Shi, but retreated after Zhuge Liang had personally led an army from Jianwei (建威) to reinforce Chen Shi. In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of

252-411: Is worth noting that although he nominally followed the orders of Liu Yan, when Liu Zhang succeeded him many years later, Zhang Lu refused to follow Liu Zhang's orders. As a result, Liu Zhang ordered the execution of Zhang Lu's mother, younger brothers and many other family members. It is said that Zhang Lu's rule over his territory was for its time very humane and civilised. Roads were built throughout

294-501: 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, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's army garrisoned at Gushan ( 固山 ), where they spread news that they were going to blockade

336-471: The Hanzhong Campaign under Liu Bei's command. Liu Bei sent him and ten other officers to lead their troops to cut off the enemy's route along the gallery roads at Maminge Path (馬鳴閣道; in present-day Guangyuan , Sichuan ). However, they were driven back by Xu Huang , a general under Liu Bei's rival Cao Cao , and many of Liu Bei's soldiers fell off the gallery roads into the deep valleys and died during

378-530: 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. On another front, Liu Bei was facing Xiahou Yuan at Yangping Pass. Between May and August (summer) 218, 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. Liu Bei personally led an assault on Zhang He at Guangshi but

420-504: 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. 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. Zhang He agreed with Guo Huai's idea and moved his camp further away from

462-614: The Han central government, leading to the Battle of Tong Pass and subsequent battles. Although Cao Cao's forces emerged victorious against the Guanzhong warlords, they were in no condition to continue attacking Hanzhong Commandery so they retreated. Ma Chao escaped to Hanzhong Commandery after his defeat and pledged allegiance to Zhang Lu, who considered marrying his daughter to him. However, a subordinate of Zhang Lu's, Yang Bo (楊柏), said, "A man like that, who has no love for even his parents (referring to

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504-472: The Han-appointed administrator of Hanzhong Commandery , and take over his territory. However, having his own designs, Zhang Lu killed Zhang Xiu and took command of his troops and religious followers before he went off for the campaign against Hanzhong. He successfully managed to defeat Su Gu, and upon taking control of Hanzhong, renamed the region Hanning ( 漢寧 ), ruling it by the principles of his religion. It

546-706: The Household Who Guards Civilians ( 鎮民中郎將 ) and the Administrator of Hanning ( 漢寧太守 ). According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms , Zhang Lu received a jeweled seal from the common people of his realm, which was a sign from Heaven that he was to become a king. Many of his subordinates urged him to declare himself king, but his adviser Yan Pu ( 閻圃 ) warned that to do so would bring disaster. Zhang Lu heeded Yan Pu's advice. In 211, Zhong Yao suggested to

588-510: The attack. The second mention of Chen Shi was in 221–222 during the Battle of Xiaoting , which was fought between Liu Bei and his ally-turned-rival, Sun Quan , the founding emperor of the Eastern Wu state. Liu Bei, then already the emperor of the Shu Han state, had amassed an army to attack Sun Quan and seize back Jing Province , which Sun Quan captured from him in 219. In the initial stages of

630-564: The battle, Liu Bei ordered Chen Shi and Wu Ban to lead the Shu navy and station at Yiling (southeast of present-day Yichang , Hubei ) in between the east and west banks of the Yangtze River . Chen Shi was mentioned for the third and last time in 229, during the reign of Liu Bei's son and successor, Liu Shan . He participated in the third of a series of military campaigns led by Shu's chancellor, Zhuge Liang , against Shu's rival state Wei . This

672-605: 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. 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

714-487: 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". On

756-432: The commandery's military affairs. In December 217, 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

798-623: The country, not to me." Cao Cao was greatly impressed by this, and sent a messenger to Zhang Lu asking him to surrender. Yan Pu's plan was successful, as Zhang Lu and his forces were warmly welcomed by Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed Zhang Lu as General who Guards the South ( 鎮南將軍 ) and enfeoffed his five sons as marquises. Zhang Lu also married his daughter to Cao Yu , one of Cao Cao's sons. When Cao Cao turned Ma Chao's son Ma Qiu ( 馬秋 ) over to Zhang Lu, Zhang Lu personally killed Ma Qiu – most likely as revenge against Ma Chao's desertion. Zhang Lu died in 216 and

840-650: 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. 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

882-521: 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

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924-575: The execution of Ma Teng caused by Ma Chao's rebellion), cannot love another" and the marriage proposal was scrapped. Ma Chao then borrowed soldiers from Zhang Lu and attempted to regain some of his lost territory from Cao Cao, but was ultimately unsuccessful. His failures caused the relationship between the two to sour. When Liu Bei 's forces had surrounded Liu Zhang, Ma Chao chose this time to leave Hanzhong Commandery with his own followers and join Liu Bei. Ma Chao's subordinate Pang De , however, remained in Zhang Lu's service. In 215, Cao Cao again launched

966-444: The men should go to war, the women should help in transporting supplies, what's there to hesitate about sending reinforcements?" Zhuge Liang accepted Yang Hong's advice and sent reinforcements to Liu Bei while Liu Bei continued his standoff against Cao Cao's forces. By October 218, 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

1008-452: 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

1050-456: The novel, he attempts to invade Liu Zhang's Yi Province, only to be stopped. When Ma Chao left his service, he sent a servant Yang Bo (楊柏) along to spy on him. However, when Ma Chao joined Liu Bei, he killed Yang Bo. Chen Shi (Three Kingdoms) Chen Shi ( fl. 217–229) was a military officer of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under

1092-419: 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)!" 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

1134-480: 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. 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

1176-498: 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

1218-523: The river. Liu Bei became suspicious and did not dare to cross the river. 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. In April 219, Cao Cao personally led an army from Chang'an to Hanzhong Commandery via Xia Valley ( 斜谷 ). Liu Bei

1260-513: 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. Zhang Lu (Han dynasty) Zhang Lu ( pronunciation ) (died 216), courtesy name Gongqi , was a Chinese politician, religious leader, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty . He

1302-433: The survival of Liu Bei's regime. Liu Bei agreed with Fa Zheng's analysis and ordered him to plan for the upcoming campaign. In December 217, 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

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1344-452: The territory with rest stops and foods provided free of charge. The taxes and donations taken from the people were not to be used for amusement, but instead for the support of the common people. In addition, under his leadership was a powerful army and strong defences such that neither Cao Cao nor Li Jue could easily defeat him. The Han central government recognised Zhang Lu's authority over Hanzhong Commandery and appointed him as General of

1386-550: 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. 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, 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. Liu Bei felt threatened when he received news that Hanzhong Commandery had fallen to Cao Cao, because Hanzhong

1428-452: The warlord Cao Cao , who was the de facto head of the Han central government, to launch an invasion of Hanzhong Commandery. Cao Cao heeded his advice and mobilised his forces. However, the warlords Ma Chao and Han Sui , who were based in the Guanzhong region in between Cao Cao's territories and Hanzhong Commandery, thought that Cao Cao wanted to attack them so they started a revolt against

1470-439: The warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty . His name is sometimes recorded as Chen Jie . Little is recorded about Chen Shi in history. Information about him is scattered throughout the biographies of different persons and across different years in the Records of the Three Kingdoms , the authoritative source for the history of the Three Kingdoms period. Chen Shi was first mentioned in 217 when he participated in

1512-505: Was Zhang Lu's grandfather Zhang Daoling ). The religion enjoyed its greatest popularity in Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing ), but when Zhang Lu took control of the group, it was being challenged in the area by a shamanistic religion led by Zhang Xiu ( 張脩 , no family relation to Zhang Lu). Against this background, both Zhang Lu and Zhang Xiu were abruptly ordered by Liu Yan to go together to attack Su Gu ( 蘇固 ),

1554-468: 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, Cao Cao retreated back to Chang'an and gave up Hanzhong Commandery to Liu Bei. In July 219, one month after

1596-476: Was honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Yuan" ( 原侯 ) by the Han imperial court. His sons continued to lead the "Five Pecks of Rice" Taoist Order, which later evolved into the one of the two major Taoist schools that survive to modern times known as Zhengyi Dao . In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , Zhang Lu is portrayed as strongly craving the title of King of Hanning, and attempting to aggressively expand his territory. In

1638-514: 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. Later, when Cao Cao's forces were transporting supplies via Beishan ( 北山 ), Huang Zhong led

1680-490: 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. In Hanzhong Commandery, Sima Yi and Liu Ye urged Cao Cao to use

1722-535: Was the third generation Celestial Master , a Taoist religious order. He controlled a state in the Hanzhong region, which he had named Hanning ( 漢寧 ) until 215, when he surrendered to Cao Cao , whom he would serve until his death one year later. Upon the death of his father, Zhang Heng ( 张衡 ), Zhang Lu inherited control of the Celestial Masters religious group, and therefore became its third leader (the first

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1764-431: Was unable to overcome his enemy. 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,

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