Battle of Canhe Slope
395 CE · Canhe Slope (near modern Liangcheng, Inner Mongolia) · China · Ancient
Tuoba Gui spread a rumor that Murong Chui had died; as the Yan army withdrew to Canhe Slope, it was hit by a surprise attack by the Wei army, and 40,000 to 50,000 men were captured and then buried alive
Belligerents
Northern Wei
- Commanders
- Tuoba Gui
- Strength
- Wei cavalry, about 20,000
Later Yan
- Commanders
- Murong Bao, Murong Lin
- Strength
- Yan army, 80,000
Background
Murong Bao, crown prince of Later Yan, led an army of 80,000 against the newly risen Northern Wei.
Course of the battle
- Standoff across the riverThe Wei army fortified its strongholds, cleared the countryside, and held a standoff across the Yellow River for several months
- Spreading rumorsTuoba Gui intercepted Yan envoys and spread the rumor that Murong Chui had died, shaking the Yan army's morale
- Attacked while withdrawingThe Yan army burned its boats and retreated by night; the Wei army chased it day and night with light cavalry and caught up at Canhe Slope before the Yan army even noticed
- Surrendered troops buried aliveThe Wei army launched a surprise attack from the heights and the Yan army was routed; 40,000 to 50,000 men surrendered, and on his subordinates' advice Tuoba Gui had them all buried alive
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 395 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Canhe Slope (around present-day Liangcheng, Inner Mongolia) |
| Result | Tuoba Gui spread a rumor that Murong Chui had died; as the Yan army withdrew to Canhe Slope, it was hit by a surprise attack by the Wei army, and 40,000 to 50,000 men were captured and then buried alive |
| Winner | Northern Wei |
| Casualties | The Later Yan army was almost entirely annihilated, and 40,000 to 50,000 surrendered soldiers were buried alive |
| Territorial change | The Northern Wei rose, and the Later Yan went from strength to decline |
Impact
The Battle of Canhe Slope was the decisive battle in the rise of the Northern Wei, which soon took the Central Plains and opened the era of the Northern Dynasties.
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