Cao Cao was determined to conquer the Jiangnan region. One day, he gathered his civil and military officials to discuss a southern expedition. Xu Shu recommended Zhuge Liang, saying that with his exceptional talent, Liu Bei would be like a tiger with wings. However, Xiahou Dun was unconvinced. He volunteered to capture Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang alive.
Overjoyed, Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Dun as commander, with Yu Jin, Li Dian, and Han Hao as his deputies. He ordered them to lead a force of 100,000 soldiers to attack Xinye. Zhuge Liang, now appointed as Liu Bei’s military advisor, began deploying his troops. He instructed Zhao Yun to act as the vanguard, luring the enemy into Bowang Slope. He also sent Guan Ping and Liu Feng ahead with plenty of kindling, telling them to wait at Bowang Slope and light the fires as soon as the enemy arrived around the first watch of the night. He instructed Liu Bei to lead the reserve troops, abandoning the camp and fleeing as soon as the enemy approached, but to return and attack once the fires were lit. Zhuge Liang himself, along with Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, would defend Xinye. At first, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the other generals were skeptical of Zhuge Liang’s plan, as it was their first time seeing him use his strategy.
Xiahou Dun and his deputies, Yu Jin and Li Dian, led their army to Bowang. Zhao Yun came out to fight but feigned defeat and fled. Liu Bei’s army, which was supposed to provide support, also abandoned their camp and ran. Xiahou Dun, underestimating Liu Bei’s smaller, weaker force, pursued them relentlessly. As night fell, the roads grew narrow. Li Dian and Yu Jin, fearing a fire attack, urgently warned Xiahou Dun. He suddenly realized the danger, but it was too late. Flames erupted all around, and Cao Cao’s army fell into chaos. Zhao Yun turned back to attack, while Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei also launched a surprise assault from different directions. Cao Cao’s army suffered a devastating defeat, and Xiahou Dun barely escaped.
A poem says: “At Bowang, a fire attack was waged, his command like a master at play. It must have shocked Cao Cao to his core, a first victory fresh from the straw hut!”
Dr. Wilson Yong. Copyright 2025.
