Battle of Guandu
Northeast of present-day Zhongmu County, Henan
What happened
The warlord Cao Cao, who kept the Han emperor Xian with him, faced the warlord Yuan Shao, who held the lands north of the Yellow River. As the Han dynasty weakened, the two fought for control of northern China. Cao Cao won early clashes but was still outnumbered, and his army was running low on food. Yuan Shao's adviser Xu You, unhappy that his advice was ignored, switched sides and told Cao Cao about Yuan Shao's supplies at Wuchao. Cao Cao led a night raid there and destroyed them, and Yuan Shao's army fell apart.
Why it matters
Result: Cao Cao victory. Leaders: Cao Hong / Guo Jia against Chunyu Qiong / Guo Tu. Why it matters: It was the point at which Cao Cao became the dominant power in northern China, leading to the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period.
What came next
Yuan Shao died in 202 and his sons fought each other over who would succeed him. By 207 most of northern China was unified under Cao Cao, and he could turn his attention to the south.
Did you know?
When Cao Cao heard that his old friend Xu You had come over to his side, he was so overjoyed that he forgot to put on his shoes to greet him.
Timeline
- Autumn 199 CECao Cao stations troops at Guandu and builds fortifications.
- 200 CEEarly clashes along the Yellow River go Cao Cao's way.
- Tenth month, 200 CECao Cao's night raid on the Wuchao supply depot decides the battle.
- 202 CEYuan Shao dies and his sons fight over his lands.
- 207 CEMost of northern China is under Cao Cao's control.