The Battle of Rangcheng (or Anzhong) in 198 AD stands not merely as a military engagement between Cao Cao and Zhang Xiu, but as a profound case study in strategy, psychology, and leadership.
Fought just one year after the Battle of Wancheng (197 AD)—where Cao Cao lost his heir, his loyal general, and nearly his life—this second campaign tested his resilience, adaptability, and ability to learn from past mistakes.
Drawing from Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) and Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this article explores the strategic depth of the Anzhong campaign and extracts timeless lessons about war, leadership, and human nature—lessons that remain relevant far beyond the battlefields of ancient China.
Historical Context
In January 197 AD, Cao Cao launched his first campaign against Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu, stationed at Wancheng, surrendered without a fight. But Cao Cao’s arrogant seizure of Zhang Ji’s widow provoked a surprise night attack—the Battle of Wancheng (also known as the Battle of Yushui). The result was a catastrophic defeat:
- Cao Ang, his heir, killed.
- Dian Wei, his bodyguard, died defending the retreat.
- Cao Anmin, his nephew, perished.
- Cao Cao himself barely escaped.
This personal and strategic humiliation set the stage for the 198 AD campaign.
In March 198 AD, Cao Cao returned, this time targeting Zhang Xiu’s stronghold at Rangcheng. Though often called the Battle of Rangcheng, the decisive fighting occurred near Anzhong, a strategic pass—making “Battle of Anzhong” a more accurate designation.
The Warning Ignored
Before the campaign began, Xun You, one of Cao Cao’s most insightful advisors, issued a clear warning:
“Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao rely on each other for strength, but it is an unstable alliance. Zhang Xiu’s army depends on Liu Biao for supplies, and Liu Biao cannot sustain him indefinitely. Over time, they will drift apart. The best strategy is to wait—apply gentle pressure and offer incentives to lure Zhang Xiu away. But if you attack Zhang Xiu now, Liu Biao will surely come to his aid. Then you will face both armies united—a dangerous prospect.”
Cao Cao ignored the advice, driven by personal vengeance and overconfidence.
As Xun You predicted, when Cao Cao besieged Rangcheng, Liu Biao sent reinforcements. The Cao army found itself in a precarious position, facing a two-front threat.
Encircled at Anzhong
By May 198 AD, the situation had worsened:
Liu Biao’s forces, rather than marching directly to Rangcheng, occupied the high ground between Rangcheng and Anzhong, cutting off Cao Cao’s retreat to Xuchang.
A deserter from Yuan Shao’s camp brought alarming news: Tian Feng had urged Yuan Shao to attack Xuchang, capture Emperor Xian, and seize the mantle of legitimacy.
Cao Cao was now in a classic strategic trap:
- Zhang Xiu behind him in Rangcheng.
- Liu Biao blocking his retreat at Anzhong.
- Yuan Shao threatening his capital in the north.
He had no choice but to retreat.
Confidence in Desperation
As Cao Cao withdrew slowly, Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao pursued, believing victory was at hand.
At this moment of crisis, Cao Cao wrote to Xun Yu, his chief administrator:
“The enemy pursues me. Though I march only a few li per day, I have calculated it: by the time I reach Anzhong, I will crush Zhang Xiu.”
Xun Yu and others were baffled. How could Cao Cao be so confident when surrounded and outnumbered?
When later asked, Cao Cao explained:
“They have blocked our path home. They have placed us on desperate ground. When men have no escape, they will fight with the strength of the truly alive.”
This reflects a core principle from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War:
“Place your army in desperate straits, and it will survive.”
Deception and the Ambush at Anzhong
Upon reaching Anzhong, Cao Cao was fully encircled—Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao’s forces attacked from both front and rear.
But Cao Cao had prepared a masterstroke:
- He secretly ordered troops to dig a tunnel at night.
- He moved his baggage and supplies through the tunnel, making it appear as though the army was fleeing.
- He set up concealed elite troops—his “strategic reserve”—in ambush positions.
The next morning, the enemy saw the empty camps and believed Cao Cao was in full retreat. They committed their entire force to the pursuit.
At that moment, Cao Cao sprang the trap:
- The hidden “strategic reserve” emerged.
- Infantry and cavalry launched a coordinated pincer attack.
- The overconfident enemy was routed.
The result: a decisive victory against a superior combined force.
Lessons from the Battle
The Battle of Anzhong offers enduring wisdom for leaders, strategists, and decision-makers:
Heed the counsel of wise advisors
Cao Cao’s initial refusal to listen to Xun You nearly led to disaster. Overconfidence and personal emotion cloud judgment. True leadership means valuing strategic foresight over ego.
Turn weakness into strength
Cao Cao transformed a seemingly hopeless situation—being surrounded and cut off—into a psychological weapon. By placing his men on “desperate ground”, he unleashed their full fighting spirit.
Deception is a force multiplier
The feigned retreat, tunnel escape, and hidden ambush exemplify Sun Tzu’s principle: “All warfare is based on deception.” Cao Cao used psychological manipulation to make the enemy overcommit.
Timing and patience win wars
Xun You’s original advice—wait, let the alliance weaken, then act—was the superior long-term strategy. Cao Cao’s impulsive revenge cost him dearly, but his tactical patience at Anzhong saved him.
Leadership is confidence in crisis
Cao Cao’s letter to Xun Yu was not just a report—it was psychological warfare. His unwavering confidence, even in retreat, inspired his troops and reassured his allies.
The Mirror of History
The Battle of Anzhong is more than a tale of military cunning—it is a mirror held up to human nature. It shows how pride leads to peril, how desperation can ignite courage, and how true victory comes not from strength alone, but from wisdom, adaptability, and the ability to inspire.
As Sun Tzu wrote:
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
But when fighting is inevitable, the next best art is to turn the enemy’s strength into their weakness—exactly what Cao Cao achieved at Anzhong.
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