Battle of Yubi
546 CE · Yubi (southwest of modern Jishan, Shanxi) · China · Ancient
Wei Xiaokuan stubbornly held the city for more than 50 days, defeating every Eastern Wei siege method from tunnels to fire attacks; having lost many troops and officers, Gao Huan fell ill from grief and rage and withdrew
Belligerents
Western Wei (enemy of Eastern Wei)
- Commanders
- Wei Xiaokuan
- Strength
- Western Wei garrison of several thousand
Eastern Wei
- Commanders
- Gao Huan
- Strength
- Eastern Wei army claimed over 100,000
Background
Gao Huan hoped to follow up his victories by advancing west to destroy Western Wei; Yubi was a fortress on his route, and Wei Xiaokuan held it to the last with a small force on its strong position.
Course of the battle
- Eastern Wei besieges the cityGao Huan personally leads the main army to besiege isolated Yubi
- Tunnels and fire attacksThe Eastern Wei army launched assault after assault, digging tunnels, releasing poisonous smoke, and using fire attacks and siege towers, but Wei Xiaokuan countered each one
- Withdrawal in grief and angerAfter a long siege without success and heavy losses, Gao Huan fell ill from grief and rage and was forced to lift the siege and lead his army home
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 546 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Yubi (southwest of modern Jishan, Shanxi) |
| Result | Wei Xiaokuan stubbornly held the city for more than 50 days, defeating every Eastern Wei siege method from tunnels to fire attacks; having lost many troops and officers, Gao Huan fell ill from grief and rage and withdrew |
| Winner | Western Wei |
| Casualties | About 70,000 Eastern Wei killed, wounded or dead of disease |
| Territorial change | The westward advance of Eastern Wei (the predecessor of Northern Qi) was checked, and the standoff between Eastern and Western Wei continued |
Impact
One of Western Wei's most successful defensive battles in its standoff with Eastern Wei; Gao Huan died of illness soon after, and Eastern Wei began to decline.
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