Battle of Shiting 石亭之战

In 228, Lu Xun led Wu forces to a major victory over Cao Xiu at Shiting. Cao Xiu fell into a ruse and was defeated; the battle confirmed Wu's ability to defend the middle Yangtze.

Event
Contents

The Battle of Shiting (石亭之战) was fought in 228 when Cao Xiu led a Wei army south. Eastern Wu had Zhou Fang (a former Wei officer who had ‘defected’ to Wu) send false information that the Wu interior was vulnerable. Cao Xiu advanced; Lu Xun and other Wu generals laid an ambush at Shiting. When Cao Xiu’s army entered the trap, Wu attacked from several sides and routed it. Cao Xiu retreated in disgrace and died soon afterwards from illness and shame. The victory confirmed Wu’s hold on the middle Yangtze and Lu Xun’s reputation as Sun Quan’s foremost general.

Context

Sun Quan had made Lu Xun his chief commander in the region. Wei sought to exploit apparent defections and local unrest. The ruse that drew Cao Xiu to Shiting was a classic feigned defection and false intelligence. The battle is often cited as an example of Lu Xun’s tactical skill and of Cao Xiu’s overconfidence.

See also