Battle of Red Cliffs
Yangtze River, China (exact site debated)
What happened
The allied warlords Sun Quan and Liu Bei, with the commanders Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, faced the northern warlord Cao Cao. Cao Cao's southern campaign began in autumn 208 and took the naval base at Jiangling and a sizeable fleet. Zhuge Liang helped Liu Bei and Sun Quan join forces. Cao Cao's northern soldiers were not used to ships and were struggling with sickness. Huang Gai sent a letter pretending to surrender, then sailed ships filled with dry kindling toward Cao Cao's fleet and set them alight. The wind carried the fire into the fleet, and Cao Cao's army retreated north.
Why it matters
Result: Allied victory. Leader: Zhou Yu / Cheng Pu. Why it matters: The allied victory ensured the survival of Liu Bei and Sun Quan and left them in control of the Yangtze, setting up frontiers that later became the basis for the states of Shu Han and Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.
What came next
By the end of 209, Zhou Yu had taken Cao Cao's base at Jiangling, and Liu Bei began to occupy much of Jing Province. China was divided into the Three Kingdoms from 220 to 280 CE.
Did you know?
In 1998 the city of Puqi was renamed Chibi City ('Red Cliffs') in an attempt to spur tourism, although historians still debate where the battle happened.
Timeline
- 200 CECao Cao defeats Yuan Shao at Guandu.
- Autumn 208 CECao Cao begins his southern campaign and takes Jiangling and a sizeable fleet.
- 208 CEZhuge Liang helps form the alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan.
- Winter 208-209 CEThe allies defeat Cao Cao at Red Cliffs.
- 220-280 CEChina is divided into the Three Kingdoms.