Zu Ti's northern expedition
313 CE · Yongqiu and Qiaocheng area (modern Henan) · China · Ancient
Zu Ti launched a Northern Expedition with a small force and within a few years recovered most of the land south of the Yellow River, so that Shi Le dared not invade the south
Belligerents
Eastern Jin
- Commanders
- Zu Ti
- Strength
- Several thousand self-recruited troops
Later Zhao
- Commanders
- Shi Le, Tao Bao
- Strength
- Later Zhao army
Background
In 313 CE Zu Ti asked to lead a Northern Expedition; Sima Rui gave him only enough grain for 1,000 men and 3,000 bolts of cloth, leaving him to recruit troops himself.
Course of the battle
- Striking the oar midstreamZu Ti crossed the Yangtze with more than 100 households of his retainers; in midstream he struck the oar and vowed to recover the Central Plains
- Garrisoned at YongqiuAt Huaiyin he cast weapons and recruited soldiers, then pushed north to occupy Qiaocheng and Yongqiu
- Cloth sacks filled with earthWhen his grain ran out during a standoff with Tao Bao of Later Zhao, he filled cloth bags with earth and pretended to transport rice, while having a few men carry real rice and deliberately let it be intercepted; the Zhao army concluded that the Jin army had plenty of food and withdrew
- Recovering the lands south of the Yellow RiverMost of the region south of the Yellow River submitted; Shi Le dared not invade the south and sent men to repair the tomb of Zu Ti's mother as a gesture of goodwill
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 313 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yongqiu and Qiaocheng area (modern Henan) |
| Result | Zu Ti launched a Northern Expedition with a small force and within a few years recovered most of the land south of the Yellow River, so that Shi Le dared not invade the south |
| Winner | Eastern Jin |
| Casualties | Wins and losses on both sides |
| Territorial change | Eastern Jin briefly recovered the lands south of the Yellow River |
Impact
Zu Ti's northern expedition was the Eastern Jin's first successful recovery of lost territory, but the court sent officials to hold him in check, and after his death the recovered lands were gradually lost again.
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