Battle of Yangcheng

The Battle of Yangcheng was a battle fought between Yuan Shu's officer Sun Jian and Yuan Shao's officer Zhou Ang. Both warlords being of the Guandong Coalition, this battle was one of the battles that marked the end of the Campaign Against Dong Zhuo.

The next battle, the Battle of Jieqiao, was a result of this battle's outcome.

Yuan Shao's Forces

 * led by Zhou Ang

Yuan Shu's Forces

 * led by Sun Jian

Officers:


 * Gongsun Yue

The Battle
The warlords Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu did not trust each other. Yuan Shu had sent his officer Sun Jian to attack Dong Zhuo. However, before Sun Jian returned, Zhou Ang of Kuaiji was appointed as Inspector of Yu province by his warlord Yuan Shao.

Zhou Ang attacked Sun Jian's camp at Yangcheng and captured it.

Sun Jian sighed and spoke:

"Together we raised loyal troops to save the nation. Now the rebels and bandits are almost destroyed, and yet each can act like this. Whom can I work with?"

Sun Jian counter-attacked and put Zhou Ang to flight.

During the battle, Yuan Shu sent Gongsun Yue to reinforce Sun Jian's army. During the battle, Gongsun Yue was hit by a stray arrow and died.

Gongsun Zan, elder cousin of Gongsun Yue, was furious when he heard of his younger cousins death and he blamed Yuan Shao for this, saying: "My cousin is dead, and Yuan Shao is to blame." He led out his army and camped at the Pan River. The Battle of Jieqiao followed.