Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province

Battle of Chengdu
Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms
Date 214 A.D. Location Yizhou, (present day Sichuan and Chongqing) Result Liu Bei victor
Belligerents
Liu Bei	Liu Zhang
Commanders and leaders
Liu Bei	Liu Zhang

The Battle of Chengdu was a campaign that took place in 214 A.D. during the Three Kingdoms period in China between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang. In 211, Zhang Lu was planning to attack Yi Province in order to fight Wei. Liu Zhang hearing of the attack, sent Zhang Song to Wei to request assistance. Zhang Song angered Cao Cao, and had to go to Liu Bei for assistance. Liu Bei and Liu Zhang were relatives, and so Liu Bei agreed to help. Liu Bei went on a campaign to eliminate Zhang Lu. Liu Zhang wasn't a very strong ruler. Men in Liu Bei camp argued that in order to realize the Three Kingdoms strategy Liu Bei had to take Yi Province. Liu Bei was reluctant at first, but after he was denied reinforcements Liu Bei decided to take Chengdu.

Battle

First, Liu Bei had to get out of the forest, and then take Chengdu. Pang Tong was in change of invading Chengdu. He took Fushui Pass, and advanced on Luo Castle, a defense position, but was killed in an ambush at the Valley of the Fallen Phoenix when he was mistaken for Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei hurried from Jing and took Luo Castle. At Jiameng Pass, Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei faced the fury of Ma Chao. With Zhuge Liang's maneuvering, Ma Chao would defect to Liu Bei. With the loss of Ma Chao, Liu Zhang surrendered, and Shu now belonged to Liu Bei. The Three Kingdoms had been established.

Modern references

The Battle of Chengdu is reenacted in video games such as Dynasty Warriors, which has one stage per game dedicated to the battle.

References

• English Wikipedia Biography of Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, and Pang Tong
• Luo, Guanzhong Romance of the Three Kingdoms