Battle of Mount Dingjun

Also called: Hanzhong Campaign

Liu Bei, aiming at Hanzhong, camped on Mount Dingjun, and his general Huang Zhong killed Wei’s Xiahou Yuan when he came to attack. Liu Bei took Hanzhong and became King of Hanzhong.

From 218 Liu Bei attacked Hanzhong, held by Cao Cao. In the first month of 219 he crossed the Mian River and camped on Mount Dingjun, and Xiahou Yuan, Hanzhong’s defender, came to take it back. Following Fa Zheng’s plan, Huang Zhong charged down from the heights with drums beating and killed Xiahou Yuan. Cao Cao came in person with a great army, but Liu Bei held the passes and refused battle, and in the fifth month Cao Cao abandoned Hanzhong. It is said he summed it up as "a chicken rib" — not worth keeping, a pity to throw away. In the seventh month Liu Bei proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong.