The event
Siege of Xiapi
下邳之战
In 198 Lü Bu broke with Cao Cao again and sided with Yuan Shu; his officer Gao Shun defeated Liu Bei at Pei, and Cao Cao marched against him in person. Lü Bu had held Xiapi since 196, when he surprised Liu Bei’s base there while Liu Bei was fighting Yuan Shu in the east and took Xu province. Cao Cao’s army grew weary, and when he considered withdrawing, Guo Jia urged an immediate attack. Inside the walls Chen Gong advised Lü Bu to camp outside and strike Cao Cao’s supply lines while Chen Gong held the city, but Lü Bu could not bring himself to do it. With the city flooded and morale gone, his officers Hou Cheng, Song Xian and Wei Xu seized Chen Gong and Gao Shun and surrendered, and Zhang Liao brought his troops over to Cao Cao. Lü Bu begged to serve Cao Cao and nearly won him over, until Liu Bei asked whether he had forgotten what became of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao had Lü Bu strangled, and the heads of Lü Bu, Chen Gong and Gao Shun were sent to Xu before burial.
The people
Who took part
Sources
Historical sources
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
While Liu Bei fought Yuan Shu in the east, Lü Bu surprised his base at Xiapi and took Xu province; Liu Bei returned and was sent to garrison Xiaopei.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
In 198 he broke with Cao Cao for Yuan Shu again; his officer Gao Shun smashed Liu Bei at Pei, and Cao Cao marched on him in person.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
Chen Gong urged him to camp outside the walls and strike Cao Cao’s supply lines while Chen Gong held the city; Lü Bu could not bring himself to do it.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
With the city flooded and morale gone, his officers Hou Cheng, Song Xian, and Wei Xu seized Chen Gong and Gao Shun and surrendered.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
Begging to serve Cao Cao, Lü Bu nearly swayed him — until Liu Bei asked whether he had forgotten what became of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书七·吕布臧洪传
Cao Cao had Lü Bu strangled; the heads of Lü Bu, Chen Gong, and Gao Shun were sent to Xu before burial.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书一·武帝纪
Cao Cao campaigned against Lü Bu and eventually captured him at Xiapi after surrounding the city.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书十四·程郭董刘蒋刘传
When Cao Cao considered withdrawing after a difficult siege of Lü Bu, Guo Jia urged an immediate attack.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书十七·张乐于张徐传
After Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu at Xiapi, Zhang Liao brought his troops over and surrendered.