Ziwu Campaign: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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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 (Hanshui)|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, Gansu|Wuwei Commandery]].<ref>(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.</ref>

When he heard of Wei recent's movements, Zhuge Liang urged [[Li Yan (Three Kingdoms)|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.{{sfnp|Sima|1084|loc=vol. 71}}<ref>(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.</ref>

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&nbsp;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.<ref>(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.</ref>