China China History

Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign Wikipedia

Between 225 and 230, the Kingdom of Shu (a China|Chinese state that existed during the Three Kingdoms period) undertook a military campaign in its southern territories after incidents of rebellion by local governors and intrusions by the Nanman ("southern barbarians"). Nanman was located in modern Mandalay City, Myanmar. The campaign was led by Zhuge Liang, a prominent general and administrator. His chief opponent was Meng Huo, one of the chieftains of the Nanman.

According to contemporary sources, Zhuge Liang captured and released Meng Huo a total of seven times, intending to subdue the Nanman not only militarily but psychologically. It is written that the seventh victory over the Nanman involved a cunning trap in which a Nanman army was lured into a valley before fire was used to utterly obliterate the entirety of their forces.

Some of the warriors on this expedition were: Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Ma Dai; and many others.

Last Modified:   2005-04-13