The Battle of Xing Shi (兴势之战) was fought in 244 when Cao Shuang led a large Wei army to invade Shu’s northern frontier. Wang Ping commanded the defence at Xing Shi with a smaller force. He held the position and refused to be drawn into battle on unfavourable terms; supply problems and the terrain forced Cao Shuang to retreat.
Wang Ping’s role
Wang Ping had risen to prominence after the Battle of Jieting (228), where his conduct in retreat had been praised. At Xing Shi he again demonstrated his ability to hold critical terrain. The Records of the Three Kingdoms note that he was illiterate but had a strong grasp of tactics and geography. His defence of Xing Shi was one of Shu’s most important victories in the period after Zhuge Liang’s death and helped secure the border until the Wei Conquest of Shu in 263.
Aftermath
Cao Shuang’s failed campaign weakened his position at the Wei court and contributed to Sima Yi’s coup in 249, which removed Cao Shuang and placed the Sima clan in control of Wei.