About the Battle of Wuzhang Plains
The Battle of Wuzhang Plains was fought in 234 (Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu)) at Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province. A stand-off of more than a hundred days across the Wei River. Zhuge Liang, who had staked everything on the northern expedition, fell like a star in his camp, and even in death sent Sima Yi running.
- Year
- 234 (Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu))
- Place
- Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province
- Era
- Three Kingdoms period
How the battle unfolded
- Lines Crossing the Wei River
In the 12th year of Jianxing Zhuge Liang set out on his fifth northern expedition. He crossed the Wei River, deployed on the Wuzhang Plains and eyed Chang'an. Sima Yi, facing him, built strong fortifications on the opposite bank and simply held them without moving. A stand-off began between a chancellor who wanted a decisive battle and a veteran who meant to avoid one.
- Taunt A Gift of Women's Clothes
To draw out the immovable Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang sent him women's clothing and a headscarf: a stinging taunt that a man who would not fight was no better than a woman. The Wei generals were furious, but Sima Yi accepted the gift with an unruffled face and never sent out his troops.
- Farms Tilling the Fields by the Wei
Prepared for a long campaign, Zhuge Liang set up military farms along the Wei. Soldiers worked the fields alongside the peasants and fed themselves from the land. The stand-off lasted more than a hundred days. But the chancellor's body was already worn down by years of overwork.
- Star Autumn Wind on the Wuzhang Plains
As the autumn wind crossed the plain, Zhuge Liang collapsed at last in his camp. "Vast is the blue heaven; what manner of man is this?" Still clutching the dream of restoring the Han, the great star fell quietly to earth. He was 54. A life of "bending his back and wearing himself out" ended here.
- Retreat Withdrawing in Secret Mourning
Jiang Wei concealed the chancellor's death and began an orderly withdrawal of the whole army. The camp stayed quiet, the ranks unbroken, moving toward the southern valleys. From the Wei lines it looked only as if the Shu army was pulling back with unusual composure.
- Flight The Dead Kongming Routs the Living Zhongda
Sensing something amiss, Sima Yi at last went over to the pursuit. But the Shu army turned its banners and raised a wooden statue of Zhuge Liang on a carriage. Was he alive? Fearing a trap, Sima Yi withdrew in disarray. "The dead Kongming put the living Zhongda to flight" became a joke for generations.
Generals and units
- Shu Han army Zhuge Liang Commander-in-chief
- Shu Han army Statue of Zhuge Liang
- Shu Han army Jiang Wei
- Shu Han army Wei Yan
- Wei army Sima Yi Commander-in-chief
- Wei army Guo Huai
- Wei army Sima Shi
FAQ
- What was the Battle of Wuzhang Plains?
- A stand-off of more than a hundred days across the Wei River. Zhuge Liang, who had staked everything on the northern expedition, fell like a star in his camp, and even in death sent Sima Yi running.
- When and where did the Battle of Wuzhang Plains take place?
- It took place in 234 at Wuzhang Plains, Yong Province (Autumn, 12th year of Jianxing (Shu)).
- Who fought in the Battle of Wuzhang Plains?
- Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han army, Sima Yi of the Wei army were among the commanders.
- Can I watch the Battle of Wuzhang Plains in 3D?
- Yes. This page plays a free three-minute 3D animated overview showing the deployments, the movements of each army and how the battle was decided.