Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province
Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province from the provincial governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between the years 211 and 214 in the late Eastern Han dynasty; although the conflict between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang started in January or February 213 when the latter discovered the former secret communications and subsequently executed Zhang Song. It concluded with victory for Liu Bei and his successful takeover of the province from Liu Zhang in July 214. Yi Province would serve as the foundation of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.
Background
After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan invited Liu Bei to take Yi Province with him, but the latter strongly rebutted the former, saying: "if you're going to conquer the land of Shu, I will loosen my hair and become a hermit in the deep hills. Earth under Heaven can hear my promise, and I'll live up to my words!" Believing Liu Bei, Sun Quan aborted his plan; however, Liu Bei was actually trying to take Yi Province for himself and negotiated Yiling County and Nan Commandery from Sun Quan. In 211, Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province, heard that Cao Cao was planning to attack Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery. As Hanzhong Commandery was a strategic location and the "gateway" into Yi Province, Liu Zhang sent Fa Zheng to form an alliance with Liu Bei after Zhang Song convinced him to do so. Liu Bei then led his men to Yi Province under the pretence of helping Liu Zhang conquer Hanzhong Commandery.The campaign (211–214)
Takeover of Jiameng (211–213)
In 211, Liu Bei led an expedition force of tens of thousands of soldiers into Yi Province after leaving behind Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun to guard Jing Province. When Liu Bei entered Yi province, it was as if he was returning home. When he arrived at Fu County Liu Zhang led 30 000 soldiers in a flambloyant display to welcome Liu Bei warmly; it was the occasion of a great meeting where they feasted for more than 100 days. Liu Zhang provided Liu Bei with more provisions and equipment for his army before they parted ways.During this meeting; Fa Zheng told Liu Bei that Zhang Song along with Pang Tong wanted to use this opportunity to capture Liu Zhang and force him to hand over Yi Province; however Liu Bei didn't follow this plan because he felt that the plan was too hasty and that he should first win the hearts of the people of Yi province. Many of Liu Zhang's retainers protested against his decision to invite Liu Bei into the Yi province. Among them were Liu Ba and Huang Quan with Wang Lei committing suicide. Yan Yan famously remarked that Liu Zhang's decision was the equivalent of setting a tiger free to defend himself.
Liu Bei's army totalled more than 30,000 soldiers, all well-equipped along with many supplies. They headed to Jiameng Pass at the border between Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu's territories. However, instead of engaging Zhang Lu, Liu Bei halted his advance and focused on building up connections and gaining influence around the area in preparation for his takeover of Yi Province. Since he was kind and virtuous, many among the masses soon joined him. Among them was an eccentric man named Peng Yang, he quickly became friends with Pang Tong. With Pang Tong's and Fa Zheng's support, Peng Yang joined Liu Bei's staff. He revealed himself to be a highly talented military instructor and became even more favoured by Liu Bei.
Next year in 212, Liu Bei sent a letter to Liu Zhang where he told him that he needed more troops to divert Cao Cao's attention away from the east and support Guan Yu against Yue Jin in Jing Province; he also mentioned that Zhang Lu was only looking to preserve his state and wouldn't engage in aggressive actions. Therefore, he requested another 10,000 soldiers and additional provisions to aid in the defense of Jing Province. Liu Zhang gave him 40% of the troops and half of the others he asked for. When he saw that Liu Zhang didn't fulfill his demands, Liu Bei rallied his men and asked them how Liu Zhang could expect them to risk their lives for him when he accumulated wealth while being picky about the distribution of their reward.
When Zhang Song heard that there were discussion about Liu Bei leaving to defend Jing province, he pressed Liu Bei and Fa Zheng to stay in Yi province. Soon, Zhang Su, Zhang Song's brother, discovered his brother's secret communications with Liu Bei, feared that he would become a victim if he failed, and reported the issue to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was furious and stunned when he heard that Zhang Song had been helping Liu Bei to plot against him; he executed Zhang Song and ordered his military officers guarding the passes to Chengdu to keep secret his knowledge of Liu Bei's intentions.
When Wei officials heard about the starting conflict between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang, there were discussions about who would overcome the other. Zhao Jian believed that Liu Bei didn't have the talent to accomplish such a task, highlighting his past failures as well as Yi province's natural defences making it easy to defend and difficult to conquer. However Fu Gan argued that: "Liu Bei is benevolent and tolerant and his men are willing to give their lives in his service. Zhuge Liang is a perspicacious administrator who quickly grasps the changing situations. He is honorable, talented in planning and work as his chancellor. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu are brave and also possess righteousness. Both of them are known as warriors who are a match for ten thousand men and are his commanders. These three men are heroes. Knowing of Liu Bei's awareness along with those three heroes assisting him. How he could not succeed?"
Early Success (January or February 213–April or May 213)
Liu Bei learned about what happened to Zhang Song from secret informers. Fa Zheng and Meng Da were already with his army and choose to defect to Liu Bei's side before Yang Huai and Gao Pei, Liu Zhang's subordinates guarding Baishui Pass, knew about Liu Bei's true intentions. Now, Liu Bei had no choice but to conquer Yi Province. Pang Tong outlined three plans for Liu Bei to choose from: The first was to advance swiftly to seize Chengdu, the capital of Yi Province, from Liu Zhang. The second was to take command of Liu Zhang's armies in the north and then move to capture Chengdu. The third one was to return to Baidicheng to await further action.Liu Bei chose the second option. He lured Yang Huai and Gao Pei into a trap and executed them under the pretense of behaving disrespectfully towards him. Wei Yan, who had just begun to serve under Liu Bei, was appointed as a bodyguard in his retinue; he made numerous achievements in several battles. When they learned of Liu Bei's attack, Zheng Du remarked that Liu Bei's army was isolated and consisted of only 10 000 soldiers, hence he suggested to Liu Zhang a scorched earth policy by forcing the civilians of Baxi and Zitong commanderies to relocate elsewhere and destroy all the supply depots in the commanderies. Zheng Du reasoned that Liu Bei's army was low on supplies and composed of new recruits who may not be loyal to him. Following this strategy along with a solid defence into the fortress while refusing any engagement in open battles would force Liu Bei to retreat and allow Liu Zhang to launch a counterattack. Liu Bei felt greatly disturbed when he learned about the plan, but Fa Zheng reassured him that Liu Zhang would never follow this plan. Fa Zheng he was proven right as Liu Zhang told his subordinates: "I have heard of fighting the enemy to save the people; not of disrupting the people to avoid the enemy." Furthermore, he removed Zheng Du from office.
Finally, Liu Bei had Huang Zhong and Zhuo Ying lead his soldiers against Liu Zhang. During this campaign, Huang Zhong would show great martial skills and was always the first to break the ennemy's formations. When Liu Bei entered the different passes; he took the commanders as hostage along with their family, wives and children. Then, he took command of their troops. Liu Bei led his army along with Huang Zhong and Zhuo Ying to attack Fu County and occupied the city.
Following those success, Liu Bei organized a banquet where he expressed his great joy having conquered all the passes. He said to Pang Tong that today is an auspicious day. However Pang Tong answered that celebrating warfare isn't what a benevolent man should do. Liu Bei was angry at his response and told him that he should leave. Liu Bei came to regret his actions and asked for Pang Tong to rejoin him. Pang Tong then drank and eat as before, when Liu Bei asked him who was in the wrong previously, he answered both of them. Liu Bei greatly laughed and feasted as before.
Thereafter, Liu Zhang sent Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian and Wu Yi along with other officers to oppose him at Fu County. However all of them were defeated by Liu Bei and had to retreat to Mianzhu. Despite being the most trusted vassal of Liu Zhang, Wu Yi soon changed allegiance. Liu Zhang sent Li Yan and Fei Guan to help Mianzhu, but they surrendered to Liu Bei as well. With each victory, Liu Bei's army became stronger therefore he could dispatch commanders to pacify the other commanderies. Finally, Fei Shi, the Prefect of Mianzhu led the defenders to surrender. After Liu Bei conquered Mianzhu, he left Ma Su in charge as his Prefect.
While Liu Bei led his army deeper into Yi province, Huo Jun was left in charge of the defence of Jiameng pass; a strategic point between Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu's territories. Zhang Lu wanted to use this opportunity to conquer Jiameng and sent Yang Bo to deceive Huo Jun into opening the gate, but Huo Jun saw through this and told him that although they could take his head, they could never have never the fortress. Yang Bo could only withdraw his troops. After this, Liu Zhang's generals Fu Jin, Xiang Cun and others led an army of more than 10 000 soldiers to attack his position. Even though he only commanded just a few hundred men, Huo Jun mounted a stalwart defence and resisted their assault. After a siege that lasted one year, discipline within Liu Zhang's army was low. Huo Jun used this opportunity and selected his best soldiers to lead a sortie; he inflicted them a heavy defeat beheading Xiang Cun during the battle.