Battle of Lüliang
578 CE · Lüliang (southeast of modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu) · China · Ancient
The Chen general Wu Mingche launched a Northern Expedition and besieged Pengcheng; Wang Gui of the Northern Zhou cut off the Chen army's line of retreat on the lower Qing River, the Chen army was annihilated, and Wu Mingche was captured
Belligerents
Northern Zhou
- Commanders
- Wang Gui
- Strength
- Northern Zhou relief army
Chen
- Commanders
- Wu Mingche
- Strength
- Chen northern expedition force
Background
The Northern Zhou had just conquered the Northern Qi, and Emperor Xuan of Chen, hoping to seize the land north of the Huai while he could, sent Wu Mingche on a Northern Expedition.
Course of the battle
- Flooding the cityWu Mingche built a weir on the Qing River and diverted its water to flood Pengcheng
- Cutting off the retreatWang Gui of the Northern Zhou arrived with his army and, at the mouth where the Qing River enters the Huai, sank cartwheels linked with iron chains into the water, cutting off the retreat of the Chen fleet
- Breaching the dam to break outWu Mingche broke the weir, hoping to ride the rush of water to withdraw, but when the fleet reached the mouth of the Qing River, the cartwheels blocked its passage
- Entire force annihilatedThe Zhou army surrounded them on all sides, the Chen army was routed, and Wu Mingche was captured
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 578 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Lüliang (southeast of modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu) |
| Result | The Chen general Wu Mingche launched a Northern Expedition and besieged Pengcheng; Wang Gui of the Northern Zhou cut off the Chen army's line of retreat on the lower Qing River, the Chen army was annihilated, and Wu Mingche was captured |
| Winner | Northern Zhou |
| Casualties | Chen main force of about 30,000 wiped out |
| Territorial change | The Chen dynasty lost the land north of the Huai and was never again able to mount a Northern Expedition |
Impact
The Battle of Lüliang cost the Chen dynasty all its best troops, and eleven years later the Sui dynasty advanced south and conquered Chen.
See the world in 578 on the map →