Battle of Jieting

The Battle of Jieting was Zhuge Liang's first attempt to attack Wei.

The Battle
The Prime Minister, Zhuge Liang, had decided it was time for Shu's first major campaign north since Liu Bei's conquest of Hanzhong almost a decade earlier. He consulted his subordinates for their ideas. Zhuge Liang's Major, Wei Yan stated that Xiahou Mao, the recently appointed Governor of Guanzhong stationed at Chang'an, was only appointed to his position because he was friendly with Emperor Cao Pi, that he lacked the talent deserving of such an important position. He then asked for 5,000 troops and a further 5,000 men to carry supplies so he could lead a quick march on Chang'an and be there in 10 days.

Zhuge Liang argued that it was too risky. That failure to capture the city would result in Wei Yan's forces being isolated and would result in them starving. But Wei Yan believed that Xiahou Mao would simply abandon Chang'an and take flight when he heard word of their advance, then Chang'an would be entirely open to attack. Still, Zhuge Liang thought it unsafe and so decided to march with the entire army and set up proper supply routes north.

Zhuge Liang let it be known that he was marching through Yegu Pass to take Mei, the city just west of Chang'an. He even sent General Who Guards the East Zhao Yun and General Who Manifests Prowess Deng Zhi to occupy Ji Pass (Jigu) as decoys. The Emperor quickly dispatched Cao Zhen to fortify Mei. Secretly, Zhuge Liang marched his forces to Qishan further in the west.

It had been years since Liu Bei's death and Shu had shown no signs of aggression towards the north. As a result, the people of the north had felt secure in their position. The sudden news of Shu's incursion sent the people of Liang province into a panic; Tianshui, Nan'an and Anding commanderies all revolted immediately.

Emperor Cao Rui marched to Chang'an and appointed General Zhang He as commander and gave him 50,000 troops to subdue the prefectures of Liang.

Battle of Jieting
Zhuge Liang appointed Ma Su as Advisor of the Army. Before Liu Bei died, he told Zhuge Liang that he thought Ma Su a man whose words exceeded his talents, so he shouldn't be put in any important position. But Zhuge Liang was friendly with Ma Su, they would frequently spend a day discussing military strategy. As such, Zhuge Liang ignored Liu Bei's advice. Instead of utilising more experienced generals like Wei Yan or Wu Yi, Ma Su was given command of the vanguard.

Zhuge Liang had given Ma Su instruction on how to proceed, but when Ma Su reached Jieting he assessed the situation for himself. Unfortunately for him, Ma Su had a superficial understanding of the Art of War, he knew the high ground gave an advantage in warfare so he set up his camp on the mountains. General in Charge of the Camp's Gate Wang Ping repeatedly tried to advise Ma Su against his actions, but was not heeded.

When Zhang He arrived at Jieting, he noticed that Ma Su had set up his camp on the mountains instead of in a city. Zhang He cut of access to Ma Su's water supply and waited for the Shu forces to collapse.

Ma Su's army was soundly defeated, scattering in all directions. Only the 1000 men under Wang Ping's command remained on duty; they continued to strike the drums as Ma Su's men fled. Zhang He intended to pursue the Shu forces, but Wang Ping's effort made him think there would be some form of ambush waiting, so he withdrew. Wang Ping took the opportunity to collect some of the abandoned equipment and withdrew also.

Zhang He then went on to pacify the three commanderies in revolt.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun's decoy forces was fighting Cao Zhen in Ji Pass and he too was defeated. Zhao Yun, in person, commanded the rearguard. Through his actions, the decoy forces was able to retreat orderly and left behind neither people nor baggage. Zhuge Liang had great success in his campaigns, wherever he went he found success, capturing more than 1,000 households in Xixian. But withdrew to Hanzhong when he heard of Ma Su's defeat.

Aftermath
The Shu forces fought against Wei on three fronts, at each position they outnumbered the enemy but at each position they were forced to retreat. So the campaign was a failure.

Zhuge Liang also demoted himself by three degrees, accepting the blame for the failed campaign. He said: "In fact, things have gone so far as the regrettable event of disobedience to my command at Jieting and the remissness of my lack of caution at Jigu. These faults are all attributable to me for my lack of intelligence in the employment of men and my lack of experience in affairs."

Zhao Yun was also demoted to General Who Guards the East for his defeat at Ji Pass.

Because Ma Su had disobeyed military orders, Zhuge Liang was forced to arrest and execute him.