Battle of Chengpu
Chengpu, China
What happened
The state of Jin under Duke Wen, with Qi, Qin and Song, fought the state of Chu and its allies, commanded by Ziyu. Chu had invaded Song, an ally of Jin. At Chengpu, one Jin wing quickly broke the weaker Chu right, while another pretended to retreat, drawing the Chu left forward. Jin chariots raised dust to hide their movements, and the Chu left was then attacked from the side, turning Ziyu's withdrawal into a rout.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major battle in the long struggle between the states of the Yellow River and the Yangtze. It confirmed Duke Wen as the leading ruler among the Chinese states and checked Chu's advance north for a time.
What came next
The next year Duke Wen called a meeting of rulers at Jiantu and was confirmed as hegemon, one of the 'Five Hegemons'. He died in 628 BCE.
Did you know?
Years earlier, as an exile in Chu, Duke Wen had promised to pull his army back 'three days' march' if the two states ever fought, and at Chengpu he kept that promise.
Timeline
- 697 BCEDuke Wen is born as Ji Chong'er.
- 636 BCEHe returns from 19 years of exile to rule Jin.
- 633 BCEChu invades Song.
- 632 BCEJin wins at Chengpu.
- 631 BCEDuke Wen is confirmed as hegemon at Jiantu.