Ziwu Campaign
Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms period
DateAugust[a] – October 230[b]
Location
Qinling, Wushan County, Gansu, China
Result Inconclusive, Cao Zhen retreat
Belligerents
Cao Wei Shu Han
Commanders and leaders
Cao Zhen
Xiahou Ba
Guo Huai		 Zhuge Liang
Li Yan
Wei Yan
Strength
Unknown number of Western troops Unknown number in Hanzhong
20 000 reinforcements under Li Yan
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Ziwu Campaign was a military counter offensive launched in 230 by the state of Cao Wei against his rival state Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. The campaign was initiated by Wei's Grand Marshal, Cao Zhen following the numerous Northern Expeditions and more recently the battle of Jianwei.

Background

Following Zhuge Liang's return after the battle of Jianwei, Liu Shan issued an imperial decree to congratulate him on his recent success. He also restored Zhuge Liang to the position of Imperial Chancellor (丞相).[1][2]

While in Wei, Cao Rui summoned Cao Zhen to the imperial capital Luoyang, where he promoted him to Grand Marshal (大司馬) for his successful defense of Wei territory against Shu Han's expeditions.[3] During this meeting, Cao Zhen proposed that in response to Shu Han multiple invasions. Cao Wei should launch their own invasion. He also said that if the various generals proceeded along several routes simultaneously then there could be great chance of success. Chen Qun prevailed against such a plan on the basic, that when Cao Cao defeated Zhang Lu, the army already met difficulty with the transport of the provisions. He further said that the Hanzhong territory makes it hard to advance and retreat with great danger for the troops along with a waste of resources.[c] Cao Rui along with Cao Zhen discussed this matter. Cao Zhen in response changed the road that the army would follow to Ziwu. However Chen Qun again spoke against this plan. Cao Rui brought Chen Qun's arguments to Cao Zhen but he was adamant in his decision and the campaign began.[1][5]

The Campaign

In August 230, Cao Zhen led an army from Chang'an to attack Shu via the Ziwu Valley (子午谷). At the same time, another Wei army led by Sima Yi, acting on Cao Rui's order, advanced towards Shu from Jing Province by sailing along the Han River. The rendezvous point for Cao Zhen and Sima Yi's armies was at Nanzheng County (南鄭縣; in present-day Hanzhong, Shaanxi). Other Wei armies also prepared to attack Shu from the Xie Valley (斜谷) or Wuwei Commandery.[6]

When he heard of Wei recent movements, Zhuge Liang urged Li Yan to lead 20,000 troops to Hanzhong Commandery to defend against the Wei invasion. However, Li Yan did not want to leave his home base and serve under Zhuge Liang, so he refused at first until Zhuge Liang appeased him by allowing his son, Li Feng, to replace him if he did come. Li Yan finally went to Hanzhong Commandery under persuasion and pressure from Zhuge Liang.[1][7]

Lieutenant-General (偏将军) Xiahou Ba asked to be name as the vanguard of this expedition. He then led a force towards Hanzhong Commandery taking a route through the 330 km Ziwu Trail (子午道), and camped in a crooked gorge, near the Xingshi camp set up earlier by Shu general, Wei Yan. There, Xiahou Ba was identified by the local residents, who reported his presence to the Shu forces led by Li Yan. Xiahou Ba was under heavy attack. As the main army of Cao Zhen had not caught up with the vanguard. Xiahou Ba was put into a dire situation where he relied on his own valor to defend the barricades until reinforcements arrived, only then Xiahou Ba and his soldiers were able to withdraw.[8]

Away from the main operation, Wei Yan led some troops towards Yangxi (陽谿; southwest of present-day Wushan County, Gansu) to encourage the Qiang people to join Shu Han against Wei, Wei did the same and sent Guo Huai along with Fei Yao to counter those uprising. When both armies met on the field, Wei Yan managed to inflict a heavy defeat to the Wei forces which allowed him to rise more troops and prevented Zhang He from joining the expedition.[9]

Following those events, the conflict became a prolonged stalemate with few skirmishes. After more than a month of slow progress and by fear of significant losses and waste of resources, more and more officials sent memorials to end the campaign. Among them were Hua Xin,[1][d] Yang Fu[1][e] and Wang Su,[1][f] son of Wang Lang. The situation wasn't helped by the difficult topography and constant heavy rainy weather lasting more than 30 days. After this, Cao Rui decided to abort the campaign and recalled the officers by October 230.[1][13]

Aftermath

Although the campaign failed, Cao Zhen's timely retreat allowed Wei to limit their losses. The leading commander of the Wei forces, Cao Zhen himself fell sick on the journey back to Luoyang and became bedridden in the subsequent months. He eventually died of illness in April or May 231. Cao Rui honoured him with the posthumous title "Marquis Yuan" (元侯).[14]

For his success against Guo Huai and Fei Yao. the Shu government promoted Wei Yan to Vanguard Military Adviser (前軍師) and Senior General Who Attacks the West (征西大將軍), and elevated him from a village marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Nanzheng" (南鄭侯).[15] Li Yan was not permitted to go back to the east. Instead, he became a subordinate of Zhuge Liang to help him during his future expeditions.[16]

Cao Zhen's own son, Cao Shuang, would be the leading commander of a similar expedition in 244 which resulted into the battle of Xingshi.[17]

Notes

  1. ^ The campaign started in the 7th month of the 3rd year of the Taihe era of Cao Rui's reign. This month corresponds to 28 July to 26 August 230 in the Gregorian calendar.[1]
  2. ^ The troops retreated in the 9th month of the 3rd year of the Taihe era of Cao Rui's reign. This month corresponds to 25 September to 24 October 230 in the Gregorian calendar.[1]
  3. ^ Chen Qun said; "Before, when Cao Cao launched a campaign against Zhang Lu. He made sure to have large quantity of both wheat and beans to have the army well provisioned. Yet, before he defeated Zhang Lu, he already met problem with provisions and could not find a solution. Moreover the land is steep, It is difficult to advance or retreat, even more with transport. For sure, our troops would be intercepted and destroyed. If we use a large number of soldiers for this operation, It would be a waste. We must give this matter more consideration."[4]
  4. ^ Hua Xin memorial is as follows "A long time already passed since the beginning of those conflicts and turmoils in this land. During this time, our great dynasty of Wei succeeded the Mandate of Heaven. Thanks to your Magesty's virtue, our country met providence such as the previous rule of King Cheng and Kang of Zhou. You must cultivate your enlightened rule to others and succeed the Three Kings. There are the two rebels kingdoms but knowing of your ever growing wisdom and the love that the people have for virtuous people. Surely those from far away will join you with their children on their shoulders. One must use weapons only as a last ressort and therefore armies must be used on a few occasions. I hope that your Majesty would cultivate the country's economy and relegate military actions. Moreover an expedition carrying provisions over a thousand li, crossing many pass and advancing deep into the enemy territory is bound to fail. I have heard that most of this year harvest have been used to provision the army. Now a ruler should look at his people as his foundation and what matter more for them is food and clothing. If China does not suffer from disaster and people are joined in heart with their superiors. Then it is a great chance for the Empire and only a matter of time before the surrender of the two rebels. As one of the foremost minister of the State, I grow with each day even weaker. Soon my unworthy life shall end. I fear not seeing you again and therefore must wishes to carry my duty as a servant to his sovereign. I hope you shall take notice of this."[10]
  5. ^ Yang Fu memorial is as follows "In the past, King Wen of Zhou saw a red crow and during the whole day couldn't eat his meal while King Wu of Zhou seeing a white fish leaped into his boat became fearful along with his subordinates. Those two events were considered as great auspicious signs yet they were afraid, now if one saw calamitous omens, how could he not feel a shiver? Wu and Shu are still not pacified yet we received many ominous omens. What your Majesty should do is looking for wise advices demonstrating yourself as a humble man. Showing to those far away your tolerance while pacifying those near thanks to your frugality. Our soldiers barely started the campaign that came great calamity of rain from the Heavens. For many days, they have suffered trapped in the mountains and defiles. The toil of the transport along with the burden of carrying provisions has already cost us so much. If we continue as such, our plan would fall. The ancient said "To advance when possible and withdraw when faced with difficulty is the way to move armies." To leave our soldiers harassed into valleys with no purpose and nothing to conquer when they advance and no solution for the retreat is not the way for the ruler's army. In the past King Wu withdrew yet defeated Yin, with time he received his Mandate from Heaven. At this moment, the harvest have been bad and the people are starving. A great edict should announced less requisition of food and clothing and all that is used to finance art and trinkets should be reduced. In the past, Shao Xinchen said that in time of peace; one should limit his meals, now that the army's supplies are lacking then even more."[11]
  6. ^ Wang Su memorial is as follows "I have read that "If one transport food for a thousand li then the army will face hunger, if one must harvest wood before starting fire, then the soldiers will not eat their meal before night." This is for a stable terrain but we are moving through the mountains and valleys where the roads are not stable. Now the toil of this expedition must be severe. Moreover, there have been incessant rains making the road slippery. The army cannot spread out and the provisions are far away and difficult to manage. This is a terrific task for his commander. I have heard that Cao Zhen who started more than a month ago only made it to half of Ziwu. All the army must work for the maintenance of the road, while our enemy awaits us eagerly while the army is already tired. This is against the teaching of strategy. Before King Wu made a campaign against Zhou but retreated soon after. Even closer to us, both Cao Cao and Cao Pi did not cross the Jiang river when they faced Sun Quan. Are they not men of clairvoyance who accepted limit decided by Heaven? If the people heard that you wise ruler hearing the difficulties of rain gave your soldiers rest then you would take use of this opportunity. As they said when one is comforted after difficulties, he forget death."[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sima (1084), vol. 71.
  2. ^ (詔策亮曰：「街亭之役，咎由馬謖，而君引愆，深自貶抑，重違君意，聽順所守。前年耀師，馘斬王雙；今歲爰征，郭淮遁走；降集氐、羌，興復二郡，威鎮凶暴，功勳顯然。方今天下騷擾，元惡未梟，君受大任，幹國之重，而乆自挹損，非所以光揚洪烈矣。今復君丞相，君其勿辭。」) Sanguozhi vol. 35.
  3. ^ ([太和]四年，朝洛陽，遷大司馬，賜劒履上殿，入朝不趨。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  4. ^ (羣以爲「太祖昔到阳平攻張鲁，多收豆麦以益軍粮，鲁未下而食犹乏。今既无所因，且斜谷阻险，難以进退，转运必见钞截，多留兵守要，則损戰士，不可不熟虑也」。) Sanguozhi vol. 22.
  5. ^ (真當發西討，帝親臨送。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  6. ^ (真以八月發長安，從子午道南入。司馬宣王泝漢水，當會南鄭。諸軍或從斜谷道，或從武威入。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  7. ^ (八年，迁骠骑将军。以曹真欲三道向汉川，亮命严将二万人赴汉中。亮表严子丰为江州都督督军，典为后事。) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
  8. ^ (黃初中為偏將軍。子午之役，霸召為前鋒，進至興勢圍，安營在曲谷中。蜀人望知其是霸也，指下兵攻之。霸手戰鹿角間，賴救至，然後解。) Weilue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  9. ^ (八年，使延西入羌中，魏後將軍費瑤、雍州刺史郭淮與延戰于陽谿，延大破淮等，遷為前軍師征西大將軍，假節，進封南鄭侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
  10. ^ (歆上疏曰：「兵亂以來，過踰二紀。大魏承天受命，陛下以聖德當成康之隆，宜弘一代之治，紹三王之迹。雖有二賊負險延命，苟聖化日躋，遠人懷德，將襁負而至。夫兵不得已而用之，故戢而時動。臣誠願陛下先留心於治道，以征伐爲後事。且千里運糧，非用兵之利；越險深入，無獨克之功。如聞今年徵役，頗失農桑之業。爲國者以民爲基，民以衣食爲本。使中國無饑寒之患，百姓無離土之心，則天下幸甚，二賊之釁，可坐而待也。臣備位宰相，老病日篤，犬馬之命將盡，恐不復奉望鑾蓋，不敢不竭臣子之懷，唯陛下裁察！」) Sanguozhi vol. 13.
  11. ^ (阜上疏曰：「昔文王有赤烏之符，而猶日仄不暇食；武王白魚入舟，君臣變色。而動得吉瑞，猶尚憂懼，況有災異而不戰竦者哉？今吳、蜀未平，而天屢降變，陛下宜深有以專精應荅，側席而坐，思示遠以德，綏邇以儉。閒者諸軍始進，便有天雨之患，稽閡山險，以積日矣。轉運之勞，擔負之苦，所費以多，若有不繼，必違本圖。傳曰：『見可而進，知難而退，軍之善政也。』徒使六軍困於山谷之間，進無所略，退又不得，非主兵之道也。武王還師，殷卒以亡，知天期也。今年凶民饑，宜發明詔損膳減服，技巧珍玩之物，皆可罷之。昔邵信臣爲少府於無事之世，而奏罷浮食；今者軍用不足，益宜節度。」) Sanguozhi vol. 25.
  12. ^ (肅上疏曰：「前志有之，『千里饋糧，士有饑色，樵蘇後爨，師不宿飽』，此謂平塗之行軍者也。又況於深入阻險，鑿路而前，則其爲勞必相百也。今又加之以霖雨，山坂峻滑，衆逼而不展，糧縣而難繼，實行軍者之大忌也。聞曹真發已踰月而行裁半谷，治道功夫，戰士悉作。是賊偏得以逸而待勞，乃兵家之所憚也。言之前代，則武王伐紂，出關而復還；論之近事，則武、文征權，臨江而不濟。豈非所謂順天知時，通於權變者哉！兆民知聖上以水雨艱劇之故，休而息之，後日有釁，乘而用之，則所謂恱以犯難，民忘其死者矣。」) Sanguozhi vol. 13.
  13. ^ (會大霖雨三十餘日，或棧道斷絕，詔真還軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  14. ^ (真病還洛陽，帝自幸其第省疾。真薨，謚曰元侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
  15. ^ (遷為前軍師征西大將軍，假節，進封南鄭侯.) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
  16. ^ (亮以明年當出軍，命嚴以中都護署府事。嚴改名為平。) Sanguozhi vol. 40.
  17. ^ (七年春，魏大將軍曹爽率步騎十餘萬向漢川，前鋒已在駱谷。時漢中守兵不滿三萬，諸將大驚。) Sanguozhi vol. 43.
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