Battle of Guandu
Yuan Shao (red) and Cao Cao (blue) sphere of control on the eve of the battle
| date | 200 |
|---|---|
| place | Guandu, Yellow River , China |
| output | Cao Caos wins |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
| Troop strength | |
| 20,000 infantry | 100,000 infantry , 10,000 cavalry |
| losses | |
|
unknown |
70,000 |
Sishui Pass - Hulao Pass - Jieqiao - Guandu - Changban - Chibi - Tong Gate - Hefei - Dingjun - Fancheng - Xiaoting - Southern Campaign - Shiting - Jieting - Northern Expeditions - Wu Zhang Plain
The Battle of Guandu was one of the battles that prepared the Three Kingdoms Period . It took place in 200 on the Yellow River . For the Chinese warlord Cao Cao , the battle was the decisive victory on the road to power that began with his revolt against Yuan Shao . He destroyed Yuan Shao's grain supplies and troops, and Yuan Shao himself died soon after. Cao Cao rose to become the undisputed ruler in northern China .
background
The confrontation between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao over rule in the north was already apparent in 196, when Cao Cao had taken in the Han Emperor Xian . The Guandu site (now a Guandu Township in Zhongmu County ) became a key point between the two adversaries' spheres of power. It was near the Yan Ford on the Yellow River , and through it the route to Xuchang ran . The first thing they noticed was Cao Cao (fall 199). He moved his troops there and had fortifications built. The next year his ally Liu Bei switched sides and went to Yuan Shao, who immediately mobilized his army to campaign south.
Yuan Shao's campaign
In January 200, his vanguard attacked the garrison in Liyang (now a large parish in Xun County ) on the north bank of the Yellow River. Yu Jin , the Liyang commander, reported Yuan Shao's advance to Headquarters. Cao Cao immediately changed his line-up and stationed 20,000 men in Guandu to prepare for battle.
Yuan Shao's main force arrived soon. Their number was 110,000, of which 10,000 were cavalry. Yuan Shao's General Yan Liang crossed the Yellow River and attacked Baima City . On Xun Yu's advice, Cao Cao led his army across the Yan Ford through the Yellow River. However, this maneuver was only a ruse. As soon as Yuan Shao withdrew his troops from Baima to meet Cao Cao's troops, Cao Cao withdrew the troops to Baima to relieve the city. In the battle outside the city, Yan Liang was killed and Yuan Shao's forces had to withdraw with heavy losses. Cao Cao decided to give up Baima and sent the residents south. Liu Bei and Wen Chou seized the opportunity and attacked Cao Cao with 6000 light cavalry men. Cao Cao had taken precautions, however. As soon as Yuan Shao's riders were behind his army, he gave orders that the horses, pieces of equipment, and other valuables be left behind. When Yuan Shao's horsemen started looting, 600 horsemen from Cao Cao's elite cavalry attacked them, and Wen Chou fell in battle. Yuan Shao had lost two of his most capable generals in this way before the actual battle. This lowered the morale of his troops.
Yuan Shao rearranged his forces and sent Liu Bei to Runan City , near Cao Cao's headquarters in Xuchang (where Emperor Xian was), to expose Cao Cao's flank. Cao Cao responded with a full retreat to Guandu so as not to expand his front too far. He also sent his generals Cao Ren and Yu Jin to fall in the rear of the enemy. Cao Cao instructed the administrators to run their government mildly to avoid unrest in the hinterland. In August, Yuan Shao and his army moved to Yangwu , north of Guandu, and had fortifications built there. Cao Cao also had his defense strengthened, and both sides brought machines of war into the field ( ballistae and catapults ), but without any significant success. To turn the deadlock around, it was suggested to Yuan Shao that he use his numerical superiority to his advantage and encircle the enemy and then advance into Xuchang. Yuan Shao refused and preferred to wait for Cao Cao's provisions to run out.
The battle
Cao Cao's grain supplies were actually dwindling at the time, and he considered withdrawing. Its situation called for immediate action. He sent raid teams to burn Yuan Shao's grain store to force him to make a sortie. In October, however, Chunyu Qiong's 10,000-strong force returned with fresh supplies. They camped 20 km away from Yuan Shao's main camp in a place called "Crow's Nest" ( Wuchao ). This position was challenged by his aide Ju Shou , who believed the supplies were too poorly guarded. Soon afterwards, Cao Cao found out about this weak point from a defector and took the opportunity. He left his main camp to Cao Hong and moved with 5000 elite fighters to the supply camp behind enemy lines.
Cao Cao's forces marched at night and under Yuan Shao's banner to disguise themselves for supplies. He besieged Chunyu Qiong's camp and burned it with almost all of Yuan Shao’s grain. Although his general Zhang He urged him to do so, Yuan Shao Chunyu Qiong did not send any help (except for a few riders), but instead attacked Guandu with his entire force. At dawn, the supply store had burned down, and Cao Cao's troops easily destroyed the small relief force. Yuan Shao was unable to get through in Guandu, and his men became discouraged. Zhang He surrendered to Cao Hong, and his men burned their weapons. Cao Cao also attacked Yuan Shao in the back. 70,000 soldiers were killed and Yuan Shao himself narrowly escaped with his life. With 800 riders he saved himself across the Yellow River.
consequences
Cao Cao had won a decisive victory in Guandu. Yuan Shao no longer posed a threat, and he died in misery less than two years later. Cao Cao expanded his sphere of influence over the next few years and did not meet an equal opponent until the Battle of Chibi . Even after the defeat there, he was able to recover and expand his power into the western provinces of the Han Empire.
meaning
Unlike Yuan Shao, Cao Cao knew the tactical value of retreat. At the strategic level, he was able to understand his opponent's moves and to counter them, as well as to take calculated risks. Cao Cao's victory over an outnumbered opponent came from the fact that his tactics and strategy were vastly superior to those of his opponent. He compensated for the size of the opposing army with greater mobility of his own. Yuan Shao, on the other hand, was hesitant, stubborn, and often ignored the warnings and advice given by his advisors, who were often wise and helpful. The Battle of Guandu is a good example of the fact that quality cannot be equated with quantity .
Coordinates: 34 ° 54 ′ 26.39 " N , 114 ° 37 ′ 13.3" E