Battle of Han River

The Battle of Han River was fought between the warlords Liu Bei and Cao Cao in April 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle was the last major engagement in the Hanzhong Campaign, in which Liu Bei emerged victorious and subsequently declared himself King of Hanzhong.

Battle of Han River
Part of the Hanzhong Campaign
DateApril 219[1]
Location
Hanzhong, Shaanxi, China
Result Liu Bei victory
Belligerents
Liu Bei Cao Cao
Commanders and leaders
Zhao Yun Cao Cao
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Battle of Han River
Traditional Chinese漢水之戰
Simplified Chinese汉水之战

Background

Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan was defeated and killed by Liu Bei at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in February 219. In retaliation, Cao Cao led a large army along with millions of grains to supply his troops. Cao Cao wanted to attack Liu Bei's camp at the south of the Han River. Therefore, Liu Bei sent his generals Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong to defend it. Later, as Huang Zhong along with his soldiers went to capture the enemy's supplies. Zhao Yun and his subordinate Zhang Zhu (張著) remained in the main camp with Zhang Yi to keep it safe until their return.[2]

The battle

Huang Zhong led some troops to capture the supplies of grain Cao Cao stocked at the North Mountain. Zhao Yun along with his unit assisted Huang Zhong during this mission. As Huang Zhong had been gone for long, Zhao Yun became worried that something happened to him and along with some tens light cavalry left his camp to find Huang Zhong's unit. During their search, they encountered Cao Cao's main army and were forced to fight against them, as more and more of Cao Cao's soldiers joined the battle. Yet, Zhao Yun with a handful of soldiers charged among their masses. At the same time, attacking and retreating, Zhao Yun managed to defeat a far larger army.[3][4]

Cao Cao's soldiers soon regrouped but Zhao Yun again, along with his fellow riders broke the encirclement and lead them back to the main camp. During this battle, the officer Zhang Zhu (張著) was wounded hence he could not retreat. Zhao Yun turned back, rescued the wounded Zhang Zhu and led him back to the camp. However, Cao Cao's army followed them until they reached the camp. When Zhang Yi saw that Cao Cao's army was in pursuit of Zhao Yun, and headed towards the main camp. He thought that they should close the gates and prepare for their assault. However, Zhao Yun ordered to have the gates wide open, lowered the flags and quieted the drums.[5][6]

Seeing this, Cao Cao's army was fearful of some ambush therefore they withdrew. At this moment, Zhao Yun suddenly ordered to beat the drums with thundering sounds and along with crossbowmen, he led Liu Bei's forces as they pursued the retreated army. Cao Cao's soldiers panicked and while fleeing trampled over each other, with many among them drowning into the Han river.[7][8]

Aftermath

As Liu Bei later arrived and inspected the battlefield. He exclaimed: "Zilong is full of guts!" He ordered a celebration until late that night honoring Zhao Yun. From then on, Liu Bei's army called Zhao Yun "General of Tiger's Might" (虎威將軍).[9][10]

The battle is featured as a playable stage in Koei's video game Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends. The player can choose to play as Zhao Yun or Huang Zhong, with both characters following different paths even though they are on the same battleground.

References
  1. Sima (1084), vol. 68.
  2. (夏侯淵敗，曹公爭漢中地，運米北山下，數千萬囊。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  3. (黃忠以為可取，雲兵隨忠取米。忠過期不還，雲將數十騎輕行出圍，迎視忠等。值曹公揚兵大出，雲為公前鋒所擊，方戰，其大眾至，勢偪，遂前突其陳，且鬥且卻。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  4. (操運米北山下，黃忠引兵欲取之，過期不還。翊軍將軍趙雲將數十騎出營視之，值操揚兵大出，雲猝與相遇，遂前突其陳，且鬥且卻。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 68.
  5. (公軍散，已復合，雲陷敵，還趣圍。將張著被創，雲復馳馬還營迎著。公軍追至圍，此時沔陽長張翼在雲圍內，翼欲閉門拒守，而雲入營，更大開門，偃旗息鼓。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  6. (魏兵散而復合，追至營下，雲入營，更大開門，偃旗息鼓。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 68.
  7. (公軍疑雲有伏兵，引去。雲雷鼓震天，惟以戎弩於後射公軍，公軍驚駭，自相蹂踐，墮漢水中死者甚多。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  8. (魏兵疑雲有伏，引去；雲雷鼓震天，惟以勁弩於後射魏兵。魏兵驚駭，自相蹂踐，墮漢水中死者甚多。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 68.
  9. (先主明旦自來至雲營圍視昨戰處，曰：「子龍一身都是膽也。」作樂飲宴至暝，軍中號雲為虎威將軍。) Zhao Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.
  10. (備明旦自來，至雲營，視昨戰處，曰：「子龍一身都為膽也！」) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 68.
  • Chen Shou. Records of Three Kingdoms.
  • Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
  • Sima, Guang (1084), Zizhi Tongjian.

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