Battle of Chibi

**Result:** | The Cao Family and her forces were utterly crushed by Sun Jing and Liu Wuchan, and were forced to flee from pursuers.

The Battle of Chibi is what is considered to be turning point in the power of who controlled China at the current time. The weaker armies of both Sun Jing and Liu Wuchan fought at the Red Cliffs or Chibi to confront the Cao Family, who at the time had the largest army in at least Northern China if not all of China.

## Pre-Battle Period

### The History of the Warring Period of China

In the early and mid 2nd Century, China was unified under the authority of the Imperial Han Dynasty and ruled by the lineage of emperors. Its final emperor, Gong Zuan, was the one who's policies sparked a dangerous rebellion led by a band of peasants and bandits known as the Rushin Clan. With The Rushin Rebellion underway, the brave heroes of the Han such as Cao Cao, Ma Teng, Yuan Xi, Jin Dang and many other combated Zu Yang Jing and his forces. However at the end of the 2nd century in 199 AD, Gong Zuan was assassinated by Zha Ji and the world was thrown into chaos.

Ever since his assassination, numerous officials and generals soon because hardened warlords and leaders across China, in their attempt to unify the land under their banner. officials such as Zhang Xiu, Liu Biao, or Biao Nian, while generals such as Han Ju, Sun Jing, or Li Ping rose up and began much warfare that led to the spilling of much blood across the land. In 203 AD, Yuan Xi's Forces banded a coalition of warlords to defeat Zha Ji in hopes of bringing about some peace, to no avail. After Zha Ji, Hanhui the wife of Gong Zuan rose up to power very quickly. In 207 AD, Yuan Xi's Forces and Cao Cao's Forces gathered warriors to help put her down for good.

Soon, the power in China became divided near evenly after Zha Ji's death. In the south, Sun Jing began The Campaign For Wu Territory and gained much power with his victories in Wu and later Jing. death, Yuan Xi and Cao Cao became two of the lands strongest warlords. Yuan Xi vanquished Gongsun Zan, Lu Ying's army and many more while Cao Cao below focused on building his land while defeating warlords Zhang Xiu, Guang Du, and Jin Dang.

In the land of Xiapi, Tao Qian had ruled Xu Province and supported many rulers, even Cao Cao and Yuan Xi. However when he passed away, Xu Province was taken over by hi subordinate Liu Wuchan at his request. Liu Wuchan was a simple woman from Luosang Village and inexperienced as a leader. Misfortune had it at the Battle of Xiapi where when Cao Cao exploited this inexperience, Ji Yang from the north sought to kill Cao Cao and succeeded then fled. With Cao Cao's death his children Cao Xue, Cao Zhi, and Cao Annin became rulers in his land. Liu Wuchan fled to Yuan Xi alongside Ji Yang. Soon Yuan Xi clashed with the Cao Family on three different occasions and eventually was defeated.

With the Cao reign in the north, Sun Jing had also secured much in the south, but was halted as he was forced to combat against the might of Liu Biao, which led to the Conquest of Eastern China between the Cao Family, Sun Jing, and Liu Biao.

### Liu Wuchan's Run at Changban

In 218 AD, Liu Wuchan fled from Cao Xue and Cao Chun at Changbanpo. Taking many peasants with her, her journey was long and dnagerous, but eventually she escaped into Wu Territory, and sought refuge with Sun Jing. Sun Jing allowed her to stay at Wulin for a bit.

### Surrender or Fight

Seeing that their forces outnumbered their opponents, Cao Zhi and Jia Hu sent a message to Sun Jing's adviser Zhang Zhao, who delivered it to Sun Jing and his forces. Cao Zhi demanded that Sun Jing surrender his territory and join forces with her or else suffer death and defeat by the forces of the Cao Family immediately. Dai Jiang, Lu Fan, Hong Zi, and Lu Dai pushed for Sun Jing to make this choice and surrender, however he was unsure.

A few days later another message reached Sun Jing. This message was from Zhugeshi, the strategist that was siding with Liu Wuchan. She requested that Sun Jing's Forces ally themselves with her and Liu Wuchan's Forces, and combat the Cao Family at Chibi. Many still pushed for surrender before the Cao Family's might but Zhuge Jin, Ma Zhong, Lifui and Lu Kang were demanding Sun Jing accepts this alliance with Liu Wuchan and fighting against Cao Zhi.

Sun Jing had now two options; Surrender before Cao Zhi and lose all of his progress on his conquest, but have a higher possibility of his family surviving. Or, Side with Liu Wuchan and fight against Cao Zhi, knowing that if he loses it will mean a crushing blow to their army but at the same time have the chance of weakening the Cao Family greatly. Sun Jing eventually came to a decision and destroyed Cao Zhi's letter to surrender, and officially sided with Liu Wuchan.

When word reached these two parties, Zhugeshi quickly began making plans for the upcoming battle, while Jia Hu began to rally together the Cao Family's Forces and set sail for Chibi.

### Sun Jing meeting with Liu Wuchan

It wasn't long after the alliance was made that the two parties soon began to meet. Sun Jing personally met with Liu Wuchan to tell her of the previous predicament he was in before making this decision, with Liu Wuchan responding with how glad she was that he chose to make this alliance deal instead of surrendering.

Meanwhile, many of the warriors of both sides also met. Cheng Pu and Yun Chang being the ones that greeted Mi Wan, who Liu Wuchan and Zhugeshi both considered to be their strongest warrior. Jiang Qin also attempted to act friendly towards Liu Weitai to no avail. Ji Wan met Zhao Lei while Sun Yi met with Mi Zhu. With many generals now knowing one another, they all had a chance to formulate a battle strategy.

#### *The Strategies of Zhugeshi*

Meanwhile, Zhugeshi had met with Lifui to discuss their main plans for this battle, in which Lu Kang insisted to participate in. Lifui later allowed him to join with them in formulating a plan to use against the Cao Family at Chibi.

Lifui's first strategy consisted of trying to chain together the boats that the Cao Family would use in order to reach their forces. As such Zhugeshi had planned for their officer Pang Tong to act as a strategist under Cao Zhi's ranks to suggest this idea. When questioned by Lu Kang as to why they wold take this course of action, Lifui stated that a fire attack would best be used to wipe out the enemy fleet in an instant. The problem that came up would be someone who would lead the fire attack towards the enemy fleet.

Lu Kang pointed out one thing. With the way that the wind was blowing, a fire attack on the enemy fleet would head in the direction of their own fleet instead. Lifui was aware of this but had yet to make plans to counter this. Zhugeshi however, ensured them that the wind would blow in their favor. That is when they shall launch their attack.

## The Battle of Chibi

Though a week had passed and not once did the wind seem to blow in their favor. Lifui and Lu Kang had followed through with Zhugeshi's requests of an altar either way, and were waiting to see if the wind would blow. However, their time to wait soon ended as on that same night, the ships of the Cao Family began to set sail, Cao Zhi leading the charge. Their large ships crushed through some of Sun Jing's fleet as they docked as well. Cao Zhi, Cao You, Yue Jiu, and Li Tong were the officers leading the first advance. Following behind them were Wei Kang and Dongli Gun.

Not expecting Cao Zhi to launch an attack so suddenly, the Allied Forces were scrambling towards the docks to combat her forces, Cheng Pu and Mi Zhu leading. Liu Wuchan went towards Zhugeshi's altar in order to remain on guard as Lifui and Lu Kang went to the front lines. As Cheng Pu and Mi Zhu reached the front docks, another boat docked from another area, with Lu Ying, Zhu Ling and Xiahou Mao approaching. Lu Ying went to launch a pincer attack on Cheng Pu and Mi Zhu, while Xiahou Mao and Zhu Ling engaged any forces coming to their aid.

### Assault on the Altar

Meanwhile, the Cao Family's Forces could see the altar which Zhugeshi set up from their side of the river. Cao Xue was heavily suspicious of this and did not want to leave this be. She sent Cao Xiu and Wen Hu to lead a small ship of forces towards the altar, and capture it. Liu Weitai spotted their ship before it landed and quickly alerted her sister. Zhugeshi asked that Liu Wuchan hold off the enemy from reaching the altar. Liu Wuchan advanced outside along with Zhao Lei and Liu Weitai.

When Cao Xiu and Wen Hu arrived, the latter took up the front lines and engaged Liu Wuchan's Forces head on while the former struck at them and the altar with archery. Liu Wuchan and Zhao Lei charged ahead, managing to fight their way through Wen Hu's advance while Liu Weitai snuck around and put a stop to Cao Xiu's attack. Both Cao Xiu and Wen Hu were pushed back to their boats and forced to withdraw. Meanwhile, Cheng Pu and Mi Zhu had defeated Lu Ying and Yue Jiu, forcing Cao Zhi's attack to fail and forcing her forces to withdraw.

### Advance on the Shorelines

On the Cao side of the river, Jia Hu took note that the Allied Forces were doing their best to put a stop to anything that they could throw at them, as well as the teamwork between Sun Jing and Liu Wuchan. with he, Xun Xian and Fu Xakou having taken Pang Tong's "advice" to chain the main fleet together he did not want to separate them. As such, he suggested that they will have to attack from a different angle. As such, Jia Hu stationed himself on the shores in the southwest, behind the Sun side of the river. Along with him he took Cao Chun, Yang Puan, Liang Xing, Wei Xu, and Chen Qun. From there, the forces he lead began cutting thier way towards the Allied Forces main camp.

Sun Jing took notice of this and quickly dispatched Qin Song and Xian Man towards the southwest. However this did not work well as soon Cao Chun charged ahead of his main unit. He battled the two and killed Qin Song while forcing Xian Man to withdraw immediately. Jia Hu and the others quickly followed Cao Chun's lead and advanced with more morale.

Jiang Qin and his pirate band soon sought to put a stop to this with Sun Jing's permission. Quickly, Jiang Qin and Qian Xiu advanced from the front against Cao Chun and the others. Next, Hu Gong and Yang Ding advanced from the sides against them, forcing their opponents backwards. Lastly, You Xian and Jing Wan came out against them from behind, surrounding them. Knowing that they had made a foothold in enemy territory, Jia Hu ordered they fall back to the area they had claimed and recovered, with Cao Chun leading the advance to fall back. Though Hu Gong and You Xian were killed during this attack, the assault on the Allied Forces Main Camp was halted for now.

However Lifui quickly pointed out that Jia Hu's assault was a trick. She was proven right as per Fu Xakou's orders, another assault unit was making their way from the southeastern shores behind them. An attack unit led by Fu Xakou consisting of Wang Jing, Xun Fan, Xu You, Lu Kuang, and Lu Xiang advanced towards the main camp with great speed, due to the focus of the camp's defenders being on the southwest side. With Liu Wuchan being aware of this, she asked Chen Dao and Feng Lian to buy some time for Sun Jing's Forces, which they did by engaging Fu Xakou's unit. As Jiang Qin's forces returned, Jia Hu's men set out once again, forcing them to remain in the southwest. Lu Kang noticed this and advanced to the southeast with Han Dang and Yun Chang. While Fu Xakou had numbers, the strength of officers Chen Dao and Yun Chang specifically was more than she could handle. Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang were killed as Fu Xakou's unit fell back. Soon Jia Hu's unit withdrew as well, and returned to the main fleet.

### Zhugeshi Calls Forth the Wind

Some time later, the direction of the wind had suddenly changed. Lu Kang and Lifui were stunned to see that Zhugeshi had done it. However, with all the commotion they did not have anyone prepared to lead the fire attack. All of a sudden, Han Dang rode towards the fire attack boat himself and stated he would do so.

Realizing that something was up, Cao Xiu had set out one last time with Cao Hong and Bian Xi to put a stop to any plans they had. As they came across the withdrawing Zhugeshi, they were attacked by Lu Kang and Lifui and forced to quickly withdraw. However as Cheng Pu destroyed their ships, they had to find another route, as they could not warn the main fleet.

### The Spirit of the Warriors of Wu

Han Dang boarded the fire attack ship and quickly set sail as oil was now all over it. He was prepared to set the ship on fire and let it ram into the enemy fleet. In order to deceive the enemy for as long as possible, he had taken the flag that was on Cao Xiu's boat and placed it on his fire ship to make them think that this ship was just Cao Xiu and the others returning. Cao Zhi had not noticed this trick whatsoever and just let his boat past without any problems. Cao Annin was not with the main fleet to see this.

Cao Xue however, was the one who was able to tell that something was up. She noted that the smell of oil was suddenly high in the air, leading to the officers to scramble to see what was going on with "Cao Xiu's returning ship". It was then they noticed the Sun soilders that were stationed on this boat. Immediately, the opened fire with arrows.

Several officers were struck, but Han Dang even though hit by numerous arrows, stood strong. He stood strong till the boat was closing in on the Cao Family's main fleet, and then lit the boat ablaze. Han Dang, due to injuries, fell backwards into the flames himself as the other soldiers jumped off into the water. Before he died, the cried out about how this attack was the "Spirit of all the Warriors from Wu striking at once".

The fire attack ship struck the main fleet, lighting ablaze the entire fleet of the Cao Family, even moreso due to the winds and the chained ships (Pang Tong had also withdrawn once the winds started to blow). Dong Zhao heavily scolded and cursed Xun Xian and the others for allowing the ships to be chained together, despite their reasons for doing so being beneficial for the battle. Cao Xue began to see this battle as a loss as well, though Cao Zhi was insisting that they could turn this around.

Sun Jing saw that their foe's fleet was in flames and emerged from the main camp. Along with him were the officers Cheng Pu, Yun Chang, Lifui, Lu Kang, Jiang Qin, Jing Wan, Zhu Huan, Zhang Cheng, Sun Shao, Ling Cao and many others who boarded their attack ships, and went straight for the main docks of the Cao Family, engaging them and defeating many soldiers and officers on their fleet. Cao Xue and Cao Zhi soon knew that they could not win this battle. Fu Xakou and Dong Zhao quickly began organizing a retreat, with Xu Chu and Dian Man helping to clear a path.

## The Withdrawal From Chibi

The Battle at Chibi was lost as Sun Jing and his men completely obliterated the forces of Cao Xue, Cao Zhi, and Cao Annin. Cao Annin had quickly made his way into enemy territory and was aiding Cao Xiu, Cao Hong, and Bian Xi to escape.

### Escape From Death

Meanwhile, in the north, Cao Xue and Cao Zhi had reunited with Xun Xian and Jia Hu, as well as Dong Zhao, Fu Xakou, and Lu Ying also heading to them. Lu Ying stated that their escape route northward had been compromised. As of now Xiahou Wei, Dan Han Ye, Jia Nanfeng and Gao Rou were fighting against Liu Wuchan's Forces, specifically against Liu Weitai, Gongsunji, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and Chen Zhen. More of Liu Wuchan's Forces were on the way. At the same time, Sun Lang and Wu Jing were leading forces to chase after Cao Xue and Cao Zhi. With no time to waste, the forces of the Cao Family began to run.

Cao Xue and Cao Zhi led their forces quickly through the north in order to reach their troubled allies. Though they could not best their enemies, they did manage to rescue the others.

However as they soon reached the end of their escape, they find the route to be blocked by Mi Wan, along with Liu Pi, He Xiao, and Feng Lian. The former soldiers who worked for Cao Xue now blocked her escape. However, being honorable for the time Cao Xue let them stay, then allowing them to leave on their own, Mi Wan paid back this kindness, and ordered his men to allow Cao Xue and Cao Zhi, along with their forces to withdraw. Reluctantly they did so. Meanwhile Cao Annin had also managed to find another passage and awaited for them safely at Xuchang.

## Aftermath

### Zhugeshi's Next Plans

After withdrawing from Chibi, Zhugeshi and Pang Tong were both aware that now is the time that they focus on helping Liu Wuchan build up her numbers. Their solution was to turn to Jing Province. Liu Biao has recently passed away and now Jing is ruled by his retainers, Jin Xuan, Liu Du, and Zhao Fan. Liu Wuchan however remained hesitant, and did not want to attack Liu Biao retainers, as they had previously helped her during the Conquest of Eastern China.

Zhugeshi instead made plans with Mi Zhu, Mishi, and the others to attack them herself.

### The Crushing Blow to the Cao Family

The Cao Family had received a devastating blow to the amount of power they held after their defeat at Chibi. However, quickly Cao Zhi had made it seem like the defeat was moreso the fault of Cao Xue due to her being the main commander and remaining at the main fleet.

### Glory of Wu

Meanwhile, the Sun Family had hosted a celebration towards their glorious victory, as well as the funerals for their lost allies, especially Han Dang.

### What Lies Ahead

As of now these three warlords now had their future to look forward to.

Liu Wuchan was attempting to remain friendly and try to make piece with the warriors in Jing Province.

Cao Xue was looking to attack the west where Ma Teng and the Xiliang Alliance were in order to build up her forces once again.

Sun Jing was looking to expand into Jing, and continue his conquest for the south before destroying the Cao Family in the north.

## Casualties

### Cao Family's Forces

* Lu Xiang - Killed by Han Dang.
* Lu Kuang - Killed by Han Dang.
* Xu You - Killed by Cheng Pu
* Liang Xing - Killed by Lu Kang.
* Bao Jong - Killed by Liu Weitai.
* Cao Zang - Killed by Jiang Qin.
* Chen Jiao - Killed during the fire attack.
* Chen Qun - Killed during the fire attack.
* Yan Rou - Killed by Chen Dao.
* Gao Lan - Killed during the fire attack.
* Xiahou En - Killed during the fire attack.
* Over 600,000 soldiers.

### Allied Forces

* Qin Song - Killed by Cao Chun.
* Hu Gong - Killed by Jia Hu.
* You Xian - Killed by Yang Puan.
* Han Dang - Died setting the Cao Family's fleet ablaze.
* Wu Jing - Killed by Cao Zhi. Was gravely ill during Chibi.
* About 250,000 soldiers from both forces.