The event
Battle of Puyang
濮阳之战
In 194, while Cao Cao was campaigning in the east against Tao Qian, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong invited Lü Bu into Yan province as its governor. Lü Bu held Puyang and the counties rallied to him. Xun Yu recognized the danger and organized the defense of Juancheng, and with Cheng Yu he secured Fan and Dong’e so that Cao Cao could return. Xiahou Dun, who had been left to defend Puyang, was seized as a hostage when a Lü Bu officer feigned surrender; afterwards Cao Cao praised Han Hao for enforcing military law despite the hostage. At Puyang, Lü Bu’s cavalry first smashed Cao Cao’s Qingzhou troops and broke his battle line — the closest Cao Cao came to capture in that war. In 195 famine ended the fighting: grain reached half a million cash a hu, people ate each other, and both armies dispersed for want of food.
The people
Who took part
Sources
Historical sources
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
While Cao Cao campaigned in the east, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong invited Lü Bu in as Governor of Yan province; he held Puyang and the counties rallied to him.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
At Puyang his cavalry smashed Cao Cao’s Qingzhou troops and broke his battle line — the closest Cao Cao came to capture in the whole war.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
Famine ended the Yan province war: grain reached half a million cash a hu, people ate each other, and both armies dispersed for want of food.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书九·诸夏侯曹传
During Cao Cao’s campaign against Tao Qian, Xiahou Dun was left to defend Puyang.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书九·诸夏侯曹传
A Lü Bu officer feigned surrender and seized Xiahou Dun as a hostage, frightening his camp.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书九·诸夏侯曹传
After Xiahou Dun was freed, Cao Cao praised Han Hao’s decision to enforce the law despite the hostage.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书十·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
When Zhang Miao and Chen Gong rebelled, Xun Yu recognized the danger and organized defenses at Juancheng.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书十·荀彧荀攸贾诩传
Working with Cheng Yu, Xun Yu helped secure Fan and Dong’e so Cao Cao could return.