Battle sand tables

In the 5th year of Jian'an (200), Yuan Shao led a large army south from Hebei and first sent Yan Liang to besiege Baima. Using Xun You's feint to the east and attack to the west, Cao Cao killed Yan Liang at Baima, then lured Wen Chou with baggage wagons south of Yanjin and killed him. Cao Cao then withdrew to Guandu. The two armies faced each other for several months. Yuan's army built earthen mounds and dug tunnels, while Cao's army countered with thunderclap carts and long trenches. In the 10th month, Xu You defected to Cao Cao. Cao Cao launched a night attack on Wuchao and killed Chunyu Qiong; Zhang He and Gao Lan surrendered to Cao Cao. Yuan's army collapsed, and Yuan Shao fled north across the Yellow River.

11 phases · about 2 min

In the winter of the 13th year of Jian'an (208), after taking Jing Province, Cao Cao sailed east downriver from Jiangling. Sun Quan sent Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu with a 30,000-strong navy to join forces with Liu Bei. They won the first battle at Chibi, and Cao Cao's forces withdrew to anchor at Wulin on the north bank. Huang Gai feigned surrender and, aboard fire ships loaded with kindling, straw, and oil, rode a strong wind into Cao Cao's fleet, setting fire to the camps on shore as well. Cao Cao's forces suffered a crushing defeat and were then struck by famine and epidemic. They retreated to hold Nan Commandery. Cao Cao left Cao Ren to defend Jiangling and returned north. The novel also includes the linking of ships with chains, borrowing the east wind, and Guan Yu's decision to spare Cao Cao out of honor on Huarong Road, among other episodes.

11 phases · about 2 min

In autumn of the 13th year of Jian'an, Liu Cong's Surrender to Cao Cao took place. Liu Bei fled south toward Jiangling with more than 100,000 troops and civilians, covering just over 10 li a day. Cao Cao led 5,000 elite cavalry on a forced march of more than 300 li in a day and a night, catching up with them at Changban, Dangyang. Liu Bei left his wife and children behind and fled with several dozen horsemen. Zhao Yun carried the young Liu Shan and protected Lady Gan, enabling them to escape. Zhang Fei held the bridge over the river with 20 horsemen and held off the pursuers. Liu Bei turned diagonally toward Hanjin, joined Guan Yu's fleet and Liu Qi, and went with them to Xiakou. The novel also includes episodes in which Zhao Yun Rescues His Lord on a Single Horse, Zhang Fei shouted down Cao Cao's forces, and Guan Yu emerged from behind the hills to intercept them.

10 phases · about 2 min

In the 16th year of Jian'an, Ma Chao, Han Sui, and other Guanzhong generals rebelled and stationed their forces at Tong Pass. In the seventh month, Cao Cao led a western campaign and massed troops before the pass, secretly sending Xu Huang and Zhu Ling by night across Puban Ford to secure the west bank of the Yellow River. While crossing north, he came under Ma Chao's fierce attack and escaped with Xu Chu shielding the boats and Ding Fei releasing cattle and horses. Cao Cao then linked carts into a barrier and built stockades as he advanced south along the river, secretly crossed the Wei River, and camped south of it. Using Jia Xu's scheme to sow discord, he met Han Sui on horseback to reminisce and sent him a letter with passages altered, arousing suspicion between Ma and Han. He finally routed the allied forces in a pincer attack by tiger cavalry. The novel also adds Cao Cao cutting off his beard and abandoning his robe, an ice fort, Xu Chu fighting bare-chested, and Ma Chao severing Han Sui's left hand.

10 phases · about 2 min

In the 20th year of Jian'an (215), Cao Cao defeated Zhang Lu and secured Hanzhong. He left Zhang He to separately command the troops south into Baxi, intending to move the people of Ba to Hanzhong. Zhang He advanced to Dangqu, Mengtou, and Dangshi, where he faced Zhang Fei for more than 50 days. Zhang Fei led more than 10,000 elite troops along another route to intercept him. The mountain paths were narrow, and Zhang He's troops could not support one another, so they were routed. Zhang He abandoned his horse and climbed the mountains; with only more than 10 men under his command, he retreated by a side path to Nanzheng. The novel recasts the battle with Zhang Fei drinking and taunting the enemy, straw dummies luring them in, burning carts to block the valley, and taking Wakou Pass by a small path on Zitong Mountain.

12 phases · about 3 min

In the 8th month of the 20th year of Jian'an, Sun Quan led 100,000 troops to besiege Hefei. The defenders, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, and Li Dian, had only a little over 7,000 men. Following Cao Cao's secret instructions, Zhang Liao led 800 volunteers in a dawn assault on the camp, pressing all the way to Sun Quan's command, and broke the Wu army's spirit. The Wu army besieged the city for more than 10 days without taking it, then suffered an epidemic. As they withdrew, Sun Quan was caught in a surprise attack by Zhang Liao north of Xiaoyao Ford. Ling Tong and Gan Ning fought desperately, and Sun Quan escaped by riding his horse over the broken bridge. The novel instead depicts an ambush north of the ford and a leap on horseback over Xiaoshi Bridge.

13 phases · about 2 min

In the spring of the 24th year of Jian'an, after Liu Bei had faced Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He at Yangping Pass for years, he followed Fa Zheng's advice, crossed the Mian River south from Yangping, and established a camp on the slopes of Mount Dingjun. Xiahou Yuan came to contest the position and camped at Zouma Valley. Liu Bei burned the Wei camp's barricades at night and attacked Zhang He. Xiahou Yuan divided his forces to come to Zhang He's aid, but Huang Zhong charged down from higher ground amid loud shouts and killed Xiahou Yuan in the battle. Zhang He retreated to Yangping. Guo Huai put him forward as commander, and he formed up away from the river. Liu Bei did not cross the river. The novel instead says that Huang Zhong seized the opposing mountain and killed Xiahou Yuan using red and white flags as signals.

10 phases · about 2 min

In autumn of Zhangwu 1, Liu Bei personally led a campaign against Sun Quan to avenge Guan Yu. He sailed east through the Three Gorges, captured Wu, and advanced to Zigui. In the second month of the following year, he reached Xiaoting in Yidao. His navy camped along both banks at Yiling; Huang Quan commanded the forces north of the river, with dozens of camps linked together. Lu Xun held his ground with 50,000 troops and refused to fight. The sides faced off for 7–8 months. In the intercalary sixth month, Lu Xun used fire to destroy more than 40 Shu camps in succession and encircled Liu Bei at Mount Ma'an. Liu Bei fled by night to Baidicheng, losing all his ships and supplies; Huang Quan surrendered to Wei. The novel adds such episodes as camps stretching 700 li, moving camps into the shade of the woods, Zhao Yun rescuing the emperor, and the Eight-Formation Diagram.

10 phases · about 2 min

In the spring of the 6th year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang advanced from Mount Qi, and three commanderies responded. He made an exceptional appointment, sending Ma Su to Jieting as vanguard. The Wei general Zhang He crossed the Longshan range to oppose him. Ma Su left the water and took to the mountain, relying on the southern mountain for defense. Zhang He cut off his access to water and routed him. The Shu army scattered; only Wang Ping, with 1,000 men, held his ground by beating drums, gathered the remaining troops, and withdrew. Guo Huai then defeated Gao Xiang at Liucheng. Zhuge Liang had no secure position from which to advance, so he evacuated more than 1,000 households from Xixian and withdrew to Hanzhong. The novel adds episodes including Sima Yi masterminding the campaign, Wei Yan intercepting the enemy, the tearful Execution of Ma Su, and the Empty Fort Strategy.

10 phases · about 2 min

In spring of Jianxing 12 (234), Zhuge Liang advanced north through Xie Valley, using flow-horses to transport grain, and occupied Wugong Wuzhang Plains. He faced Sima Yi across the Wei River, south of the river. Guo Huai was first to occupy the Northern Plain. Shu forces failed to seize it, feint west and attack east, or raid Yangsui by night. Zhuge Liang divided his troops to farm and stay for the long term; Sima Yi held behind his walls and refused battle. They faced off for over 100 days. In the eighth month, Zhuge Liang died in camp. Yang Yi concealed his death and led the camps in retreat. Wei Yan hurried south, burned the plank road, and resisted at the southern valley mouth. His troops dispersed, and Ma Dai pursued and killed him. The novel also includes the Fire Attack at Shangfang Valley, the sending of women's garments, the star ritual, and the tale of dead Zhuge Liang driving off the living Sima Zhongda.

14 phases · about 2 min