The Battle of Changban (长坂之战) took place in 208 when Cao Cao led his cavalry south after Liu Bei, who had left Xinye with a large refugee column. Cao Cao’s vanguard caught up with Liu Bei at Changban (长坂). In the chaos, Zhang Fei held the rear with a small force at a narrow bridge, buying time for the refugees. Zhao Yun fought through the enemy ranks to find and rescue Liu Bei’s wife and young son Liu Shan (A Dou). Liu Bei escaped with a handful of followers to Jiangxia, where he joined Liu Qi and later allied with Sun Quan for the Battle of Red Cliffs. The episode of Zhang Fei’s stand and Zhao Yun’s rescue became central to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative.
Context
After Liu Biao’s death and Liu Cong’s surrender of Jing Province to Cao Cao, Liu Bei led civilians and troops south. Cao Cao sent light cavalry to pursue. The encounter at Changban was a running battle and rearguard action rather than a set-piece field battle; its importance lies in Liu Bei’s survival and the later alliance with Sun Quan.