Battle of Wuzhang Plains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Wuzhang Plains |
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| Part of the fifth of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions | |||||||
 An illustration from a Qing dynasty edition of the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms depicting a statue of Zhuge Liang scaring away Sima Yi |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Cao Wei | Shu Han | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sima Yi Qin Lang Guo Huai |
Zhuge Liang # Jiang Wei Yang Yi Fei Yi Wei Yan  |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | 60,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Wuzhang Plains was a big fight in 234 AD during China's Three Kingdoms period. It happened between two powerful states, Cao Wei and Shu Han. This battle was the fifth and final "Northern Expedition" led by Shu's top advisor, Zhuge Liang. He wanted to attack Wei. Sadly, Zhuge Liang became very sick and died during the battle. After his death, the Shu army had to retreat.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
In the spring of 234, Zhuge Liang led over 60,000 Shu soldiers out of Xie Valley. They set up camp near the Wei River. Zhuge Liang was always worried about feeding his large army. It was hard to get enough food to the front lines.
To solve this, he told his soldiers to grow their own crops. They farmed alongside local people on the south bank of the Wei River. He also made sure his troops did not take food from the civilians. This plan helped them get a steady food supply.
The Wei emperor, Cao Rui, was worried about Zhuge Liang's army. He sent General Qin Lang with 20,000 soldiers to join Sima Yi. Sima Yi was the main commander of the Wei forces in that area. Sima Yi's officers wanted to wait north of the Wei River. But Sima Yi knew the south bank would be important. He moved his army across the river and set up camp with the river behind them. He believed Zhuge Liang would move towards the Wuzhang Plains, which would be good for Wei.
The Battle Begins
First Fights
When Zhuge Liang reached the Wei River, his first team crossed it. They camped at the foot of the Wugong River. Sima Yi quickly sent 10,000 cavalry to attack them. Zhuge Liang built a bamboo bridge and had his soldiers fire crossbows at the cavalry. Sima Yi saw the bridge and pulled his troops back.
Sima Yi's general, Guo Huai, thought Zhuge Liang would try to take the plains north of the river. He urged Sima Yi to move their camp there. Guo Huai explained that if Shu took the plains, they could control the northern mountains. This would scare the local people and hurt Wei. Sima Yi agreed and sent Guo Huai to secure the plains. Shu forces attacked Guo Huai's men while they built their camp, but Wei fought them off.
Zhuge Liang then moved towards the Wuzhang Plains. He planned to cross to the north side of the Wei River. Sima Yi tried to trick Zhuge Liang into attacking him at another spot. But Zhuge Liang did not move his troops for several days. Sima Yi realized Zhuge Liang wanted the Wuzhang Plains. He sent generals to defend the other area. Days later, Shu forces attacked that area at night, just as Guo Huai had predicted. But Wei's defenses were ready, and Shu failed to capture it. Zhuge Liang then pulled back to the Wuzhang Plains.
One night, Sima Yi saw a star fall towards the Shu camp. He thought this meant Zhuge Liang would be defeated. He ordered a surprise attack on the Shu camp. Some Shu soldiers were killed, and others surrendered. Wei also captured some of Shu's animals. However, historians have questioned these numbers.
Long Standoff
The Wei government knew that the Shu army was far from its home base. It was not good for Shu to fight a long war. Zhuge Liang also worried about food supplies. So, he divided his army and started farming again. This helped them stay for a long time. The local people were comfortable, and the army had no problems with them.
Meanwhile, Wei emperor Cao Rui told Sima Yi not to fight. He wanted Sima Yi to wait for the right moment. Zhuge Liang tried to make Sima Yi come out and fight. But Sima Yi followed the emperor's orders and stayed in his camp. Zhuge Liang understood that Sima Yi was trying to wear them down. So, he kept up his farming system to feed his army.
One day, Zhuge Liang sent women's clothes and jewelry to Sima Yi. This was a way to make fun of him and challenge him to fight. Sima Yi was very angry and wanted to attack. But Emperor Cao Rui again told him to stay in camp. The emperor even sent an official, Xin Pi, with a special symbol of his authority. Xin Pi was there to make sure Sima Yi did not fight. When Zhuge Liang teased him again, Sima Yi wanted to attack. But Xin Pi used the emperor's symbol to stop him.
The Shu general Jiang Wei heard that Xin Pi was in Sima Yi's camp. He told Zhuge Liang that the enemy would not come out. Zhuge Liang replied that Sima Yi did not really want to fight. He was just pretending to want to fight to keep his soldiers ready. Zhuge Liang believed a general on the battlefield does not always need to follow orders if they can win.
Sima Yi's brother, Sima Fu, asked about the situation. Sima Yi replied that Zhuge Liang had big goals but missed chances. He said Zhuge Liang was smart but not quick to decide. Sima Yi believed Zhuge Liang had fallen into his trap and would be defeated.
During the standoff, Sima Yi asked a messenger about Zhuge Liang's daily life. The messenger said Zhuge Liang ate very little grain each day. He also said Zhuge Liang managed almost everything himself, even small things. Sima Yi then said, "How can Zhuge Kongming last long? He's going to die soon."
Sima Yi also tried to trick Zhuge Liang. He ordered 2,000 people to cheer loudly. When Zhuge Liang sent a scout to check, the scout reported that an envoy from Eastern Wu had come to surrender. Zhuge Liang knew it was a trick. He said Sima Yi was an old man and did not need to use such tricks.
Zhuge Liang's Death and Shu Retreat
Around September or October 234, Zhuge Liang became very ill. His health got worse every day. The Shu emperor Liu Shan sent a messenger to ask Zhuge Liang about who should lead after him. Zhuge Liang said Jiang Wan should take his place, and Fei Yi could succeed Jiang Wan. When asked about Fei Yi's successor, Zhuge Liang did not answer.
Before he died, Zhuge Liang gave secret orders. He told Yang Yi, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei to lead the Shu army back home after his death. Wei Yan was to protect the rear, and Jiang Wei would follow behind him. If Wei Yan refused, they were to leave without him. When Zhuge Liang died, his death was kept a secret.
After more than 100 days, Sima Yi heard from local people that Zhuge Liang had died. He also heard that the Shu army had burned their camp and left. Sima Yi led his Wei forces to chase them. Zhuge Liang's assistant, Yang Yi, ordered the Shu soldiers to beat their war drums and get ready to fight. Sima Yi did not push forward, thinking the Shu army was already defeated. Yang Yi then pulled his troops back.
A popular story says Sima Yi retreated because he saw a wooden statue of Zhuge Liang. He thought Zhuge Liang was still alive. In some versions, Jiang Wei pretended to be Zhuge Liang to scare Sima Yi away.
Days later, Sima Yi looked at the remains of the Shu camp. He found maps, documents, and food supplies. He realized Zhuge Liang was truly dead. Sima Yi said Zhuge Liang was a rare talent. Sima Yi then quickly pursued the enemy. He sent 2,000 men to clear the path because the ground had many thorny plants. When Sima Yi confirmed Zhuge Liang's death, he heard a saying: "A dead Zhuge scares away a living Zhongda." Sima Yi laughed and said, "I can predict the thoughts of the living, but I can't predict the dead's."
What Happened Next
Fight Between Wei Yan and Yang Yi
The Shu general Wei Yan was upset that the army was retreating just because one man died. He gathered his soldiers and went back to Shu territory ahead of the main army. Wei Yan even burned the roads leading back to Shu.
Wei Yan and Yang Yi both sent messages to the Shu emperor, accusing each other of being a traitor. The emperor Liu Shan asked his ministers for advice. They both agreed with Yang Yi and thought Wei Yan's actions were suspicious.
Yang Yi ordered his men to cut down trees to rebuild the roads. His troops marched day and night to catch up with Wei Yan. Wei Yan reached the southern valley first and attacked Yang Yi. Yang Yi sent Wang Ping to fight Wei Yan. Wang Ping shouted at Wei Yan, reminding him that Zhuge Liang had just died. Wei Yan's men realized their commander was wrong and left him.
Wei Yan was left with only his son and a few followers. They ran towards Hanzhong Commandery. Yang Yi ordered Ma Dai to chase them. Ma Dai caught Wei Yan and killed him. Wei Yan's family members were also executed.
Long-Term Effects
After Zhuge Liang's death, Jiang Wan became the new chancellor. But Jiang Wan was more interested in managing the country than fighting wars. So, Zhuge Liang's death removed a big threat to Cao Wei. The Wei court soon started big building projects.
Sima Yi's success in this battle helped him become more powerful. His grandson, Sima Yan, later founded the Jin dynasty. This dynasty eventually brought an end to the Three Kingdoms period.
