Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions

 In progress

Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions
Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms
Date 247 - 262 Location {{{place}}}
Belligerents
Shu Han	Cao Wei
Commanders and leaders
Jiang Wei	Sima Yi Deng Ai Sima Shi

For over fifteen years, from 247 to 262 A.D., Jiang Wei launched nine invasions against Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period in China. Jiang's expeditions worsened Shu's already limited resources.

First Invasion: Battle of Taoxi

Jiang launches his first invasion in 247.

Second Invasion: Battle of Qucheng

Jiang launches his second invasion in 249.

Third Invasion: Battle of Xiping

Jiang launches his third invasion in 249.

Fourth Invasion

In 253, Jiang set up a coordinated attack with Zhuge Ke to attack Wei on two fronts: Shu on the west and Wu on the east. Jiang attacked the key border city of Didao as Zhuge Ke launched a massive attack on Hefei. Wei's regent Sima Shi knew the Wu force to be the more serious threat and led the main Wei force to the eastern front, while sending a smaller unit to relieve Didao. The first sign of what would eventually recur, Jiang, while sieging Didao, ran out of food supplies and had to withdraw. Eventually, Shi's forces dealt a crippling defeat to Zhuge Ke.

Fifth Invasion: Battle of Lintao

In 254, after Li Jian, the county magistrate of Didao secretly declared that he would defect, Jiang again advanced, and took the city of Didao, but after suffering a loss from Xu Zhi, Jiang was forced to withdraw.

Sixth Invasion: Battle of Di Path

In summer 255, despite the opposition from Zhang Yi, Jiang attacked Didao again, and was successful in his initial battles against the Wei Yong Province governor Wang Jing, nearly annihilating Wang's troops. Zhang again tried to persuade Jiang to stop his campaign at this point; unfortunately, Jiang refused. Rather, he sieged Didao again and was forced eventually to lift the siege when additional Wei forces arrived under Chen Tai. Jiang and Chen's forces stayed in a stalemate throughout the winter. In summer 256, as Jiang shifted his strategy to advance on Shanggui instead, his move was anticipated by general Deng Ai, who intercepted him and dealt him a major loss that would cause the people of Shu to start to resent Jiang.

Seventh Invasion: Battle of Duan Valley

Jiang launches his seventh invasion in 256.

Eighth Invasion: Battle of Mang River

In 257, when Zhuge Dan rebelled in Wei, Jiang attacked again, advancing all the way to Mangshui, but couldn't induce Wei's forces, commanded by Deng and Sima Wang. In 258, Jiang withdrew after Zhuge was defeated.

Ninth Invasion: Battle of Taoyang

In 262, despite Liao Hua's opposition, Jiang, attacked Wei again, targeting Taoyang, but was defeated by Deng, and withdrew to Tazhong.

References

• Kongming's Archives
• Sanguozhi biography of Jiang Wei