The Battle of Fancheng (樊城之战) refers to Guan Yu’s northern campaign in 219, when he besieged Cao Ren at Fancheng (樊城) and the adjacent Xiangyang (襄阳). Cao Cao sent Yu Jin and Pang De with reinforcements; a heavy rain raised the Han River and flooded the Wei camp. Guan Yu’s forces attacked by boat; Yu Jin surrendered and Pang De was captured and executed. Fancheng itself held. Cao Cao then sent Xu Huang with fresh troops; Xu Huang broke through Guan Yu’s siege lines and relieved the city. Meanwhile, Sun Quan had Lu Meng lead a surprise attack on Jiangling; Lu Meng took the city and Guan Yu’s bases. Guan Yu, unable to hold the siege and with his rear lost, retreated south and was intercepted by Wu forces. He was captured and executed. The campaign cost Shu both Guan Yu and effective control of Jing Province; Wei kept Fancheng and Xiangyang, and Wu gained the southern Jing commanderies.
Context
Liu Bei had taken Hanzhong and been declared King of Hanzhong; Guan Yu launched the Fancheng campaign from Jing Province, possibly to coordinate pressure on Wei. The flood that destroyed Yu Jin’s army was a natural disaster exploited by Guan Yu; Xu Huang’s relief is often cited as one of the key operations of the period. Lu Meng’s strike at Jiangling exploited Guan Yu’s absence and the withdrawal of troops for the siege.