Siege of Chencang

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Siege of Chencang
partof=the Second Northern Expedition of Shu of the Three Kingdoms


caption=
date=December 228 – Spring 229
place=Yong Province
casus=
territory=
result=Wei victory
combatant1=Cao Wei
combatant2=Shu Han
commander1=Hao Zhao
commander2=Zhuge Liang
strength1=estimated 1,000
strength2=estimated 20,000
casualties1=
casualties2=The Siege of Chencang was a siege of Cao Wei's Chencang Castle by Shu Han from December 228 to spring 229 A.D. during the Three Kingdoms period in China as part of Zhuge Liang's northern expeditions. Cao Wei emerged victorious against Shu Han's forces.

Background

After Eastern Wu defeated Wei at the Battle of Shiting, Wei reinforced the east by transferring troops from the west. Because of the troop transfers, Zhuge attacked Chencang. Hao Zhao was told to make defensive preparations after Zhuge Liang's first expedition in fear of a second expedition. [http://kongming.net/novel/sgz/zhugeliang.php Sanguozhi biography of Zhuge Liang] ]

iege

In the winter, Zhuge Liang marched through San Pass again and surrounded Chencang. Zhuge Liang brought an array of siege equipment, including scaling ladders, battering rams and archery towers, still Chencang couldn't be broken and the Wei soldiers provided stubborn resistance with various incendiary devices. Cao Zhen opposed him and Zhuge Liang withdrew after provisions were exhausted. Zhang He arrived with relief forces, and food supplies after three weeks. Short on grain, Zhuge ordered a retreat to Hanzhong. Wang Shuang, one of Zhang He subordinates, led his cavalry in pursuit of Shu to Qinling and was killed in an ambush orchestrated by Zhuge.

In the 229, Zhuge Liang sent Chen Shi to besiege Wudu and Yinping. Guo Huai, contemplated leading his men to attack Chen Shi but Zhuge Liang personally advanced on Jianwei. Guo Huai withdrew and the two commanderies were pacified.

Modern references

The Siege of Chencang has so far only been featured in the fifth game in the "Dynasty Warriors" series for the Playstation 2. Playing on the Shu side is difficult as the castle is guarded by a wide variety of anti-siege equipment.

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