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the-archlich · 5 years ago

Note

Do you mind expanding on Wu's operations against Wei in 237, as well as Wei's invasion in 250? Thanks!

I wrote about the 237 operations in my article on 241′s Red Crow Campaign.

The short explanation of the 250 invasion (for which I don’t have a snappy name):

In 250 (technically January of 251 actually), Wang Chang proposed invading Wu, possibly in response to some construction Sun Quan commissioned earlier that year to obstruct such an operation. He also noted the internal discord in Wu and thought Wei could take advantage of it. Sima Yi agreed and, following Wang Chang’s plan, sent armies to three key locations. Zhou Tai (executor of Xincheng/Shangyong) was sent to attack Zigui and Wu in Yidu; Wang Ji (inspector of Jing) was sent to Yiling; Wang Chang himself attacked Jiangling. All of these were Wu’s key positions north of the Jiang, in the northwest part of Jing.

This campaign achieved mixed results but was generally unsuccessful. Wang Chang’s attack on Jiangling is the best recorded part.

Things went well for Wang Chang at first. He used a pontoon bridge to outflank the defenders at Jiangling, led by Zhu Ji (Zhu Ran’s son; later named Shi Ji). Zhu Ji tried to break the encirclement but suffered heavy losses and had to fall back into the city. Hoping to draw Zhu Ji out, Wang Chang then feigned retreat. The tactic worked and Zhu Ji attempted to pursue but was ambushed, suffering heavy losses.

However, Wang Chang was still unable to capture Jiangling itself. Soon, he genuinely began to withdraw. Zhu Ji sent a letter to nearby Zhuge Rong (son of Zhuge Jin and brother of Zhuge Ke) saying that he wanted to pursue but had lost much of his strength. Zhuge Rong agreed to join him, so Zhu Ji set out and attacked Wang Chang’s camp some 30 han furlongs from Jiangling. At first the battle went well for him, but Zhuge Rong never arrived to Zhu Ji was forced to retreat again.

So Wang Chang had a lot of success in the field, but he still couldn’t take Jiangling. This was a familiar theme to Wei; the same thing happened during the Great River Campaign.

Meanwhile, Wang Ji besieged Yiling/Xiling, opposed by Bu Xie (son of Bu Zhi). Bu Xie simply held to his defenses and waited Wang Ji out. Unable to capture the city, Wang Ji instead seized a major supply depot in the area, captured some of the soldiers, and resettled the population in a way favorable to Wei. So he found some merit in the field but was also, ultimately, unsuccessful in securing his primary objective.

The least is recorded about Zhou Tai’s efforts at Wu and Zigui. We are told that he found some success in the field as well but was also not able to capture the city. He retreated in February of 251 along with Wang Chang and Wang Ji. Despite performing well in the field, none were able to capture their intended targets, rendering the campaign a firm victory for Wu.

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