Battle of Wancheng

Battle of Wan
In Feb. 197 A.D., Cao Cao headed south to Jing Province in order to annex the lands on his southern border. Having reached Wan, Zhang Xiu welcomed Cao Cao and surrendered to him. Cao Cao was very pleased and he invited Zhang Xiu and his commanders for a great feast.

However, the amity between them lasted no more than a dozen days. Cao Cao took the widow of Zhang Ji 張濟, an elder clansman of Zhang Xiu, for himself; and also, to Hu Che'er 胡車兒, who was the crowning glory of Zhang Xiu's army, Cao Cao gave gold because he admired his strength and resolve. So Zhang Xiu resented Cao Cao for taking Zhang Ji's widow and feared that he was also plotting to turn his attendants against him.

Using the advice of his counsellor, Jia Xu 賈詡, Zhang Xiu begged Cao Cao that he be allowed to resituate his army, which in doing so required he take the high road, which passed through Cao Cao's camp. Zhang Xiu also to Cao Cao:


 * "Our carts are few and heavy, I beg you permit each of my soldiers to wear their armour thereby relieving the carts."

Cao Cao trusted Zhang Xiu and in all points heeded him, thus was Zhang Xiu able to bring his army to Cao Cao's position and launch a devastating surprise attack on his camp. The horse Cao Cao was riding was shot and Cao Cao himself was also hit in the right arm. His eldest son Cao Ang 曹昂 gave his father his horse so Cao Cao was able to escape, but this resulted in Cao Ang's death. One of Cao Cao's nephews, Cao Anmin 曹安民, was also killed.