Battle of Mount Dingjun
219 CE · Mount Dingjun (modern Mian County, Shaanxi) · China · Ancient
Liu Bei crossed the Mian River and occupied Mount Dingjun; Huang Zhong struck down from the heights and killed Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao's personal campaign achieved nothing and he withdrew, and Liu Bei took Hanzhong
Belligerents
Liu Bei
- Commanders
- Liu Bei, Fa Zheng, Huang Zhong
- Strength
- Main Shu army
Cao Wei
- Commanders
- Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He
- Strength
- Hanzhong garrison
Background
In 217 CE Liu Bei advanced into Hanzhong and was locked in a stalemate with Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He around Yangping Pass for more than a year.
Course of the battle
- Standoff at YangpingLiu Bei and Xiahou Yuan were locked in a stalemate at Yangping Pass, and his attacks failed to break through
- Holding the mountainIn the first month of 219 CE Liu Bei crossed south over the Mian River, advanced gradually along the mountains, and camped at Mount Dingjun
- Huang Zhong slays Xiahou YuanXiahou Yuan came to contest the position; Fa Zheng said it was time to attack, and Huang Zhong led an all-out assault down from the heights and killed Xiahou Yuan
- Withdrawal over "chicken ribs"Cao Cao came to the rescue in person with a large army, but Liu Bei held the strongpoints and refused battle; after several months Cao Cao withdrew
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 219 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Mount Dingjun (modern Mian County, Shaanxi) |
| Result | Liu Bei crossed the Mian River and occupied Mount Dingjun; Huang Zhong struck down from the heights and killed Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao's personal campaign achieved nothing and he withdrew, and Liu Bei took Hanzhong |
| Winner | Liu Bei |
| Casualties | Cao Wei commander Xiahou Yuan killed in battle |
| Territorial change | Liu Bei occupied Hanzhong and proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong |
Impact
The Battle of Mount Dingjun was the most brilliant victory of Liu Bei's life, giving Shu Han Hanzhong as a base for its Northern Expeditions and fixing the map of the Three Kingdoms.
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