Battle of Yangping

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The Battle of Yangping also known as the Battle of Yangping Pass was a battle fought between Cao Cao and Zhang Lu in the year 215 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms in China. Cao Cao emerged victorious against Zhang Lu's forces.

[edit] Background

Cao Cao campaigned west against Zhang Lu, reached Chencang and personally advanced from Wudu into Dizhong. In the summer, Cao Cao advanced from San Pass and reached Hechi. Zhang Lu’s tens of thousands of followers, relied on the difficulties of the terrain, refusing to submit. In the fifth month, Cao Cao besieged and defeated them. The various generals of Xiping and Jincheng, Qu Yan, Jiang Shi and others, beheaded Han Sui and presented his head. In the autumn of 215, Cao Cao reached Yangping.^[1]

[edit] Battle

Zhang Lu sent his younger brother Zhang Wei and the general Yang Ang and others to hold Yangping Pass and they constructed a ten-mile wall along the mountain ridges. A siege could not destroy it and subsequently the army was forced to withdraw. The bandits saw that the great army had retreated and the defenders’ readiness waned. Cao Cao then covertly sent Gao Zuo and others to assault the defenses by night and greatly defeated the enemy. They beheaded the general Yang Ren and advanced on Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei and the others fled in the night. Zhang Lu broke the encirclement and fled to Bazhong. Cao Cao’s army entered Nanzheng and took all the treasures from Zhang Lu’s repository. When Zhang Lu surrendered, he was granted honors by Cao Cao, and he ended his days as comfortable prisoner.^[1]

[edit] Modern references

This battle appears in Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends.

[edit] Sources