Battle of Xiaoting (Yiling)
Near Yichang, Hubei, China, at the eastern end of the Yangtze gorges
What happened
Liu Bei, emperor of Shu Han, fought the forces of Eastern Wu commanded by the general Lu Xun. In the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei led an army down the Yangtze to win back Jing Province from Wu. He built a long chain of camps through the hills, and for months Lu Xun refused to fight while Shu's morale and supplies wore down. Then Lu Xun attacked with fire, burning over 40 Shu camps, and Liu Bei escaped at night.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended Liu Bei's effort to retake Jing Province and halted the Shu invasion. Shu and Wu soon made peace again.
What came next
Liu Bei fell ill and died at Baidicheng on 10 June 223. His successor's chancellor, Zhuge Liang, made peace with Wu.
Did you know?
The rival emperor Cao Pi is said to have scoffed that no commander could defend a line of camps stretching more than 700 li (several hundred kilometres).
Timeline
- 221Liu Bei becomes emperor of Shu Han.
- 221The Shu campaign against Wu begins.
- 222Lu Xun's fire attack defeats Shu.
- 10 June 223Liu Bei dies at Baidicheng.