The Battle of Ruxu, also known as the Battle of Ruxukou, was fought between the warlordsCao Cao and Sun Quan in 213 during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. The battle consisted of multiple attacks led by Cao Cao, but all were eventually lifted after efforts by Sun Quan's forces.
Background
Before 213, Cao Cao was undergoing war with Ma Chao and Sun Quan following his defeat during the Battle of Red Cliffs. One of the movements that Cao Cao wanted to make in his war against Sun Quan was to intimidate Sun Quan by stationing one of his officers, Xie Qi, at Wancheng and spread his forces to Qichun County in order to agitate Sun Quan. In order to stop Cao Cao's harassment, Sun Quan sent his general Lü Meng to demand Xie Qi to surrender at once. However, Xie Qi refused, therefore Lü Meng then was forced to respond in means of an attack. Xie Qi went down easily and retreated. Two of Xie Qi's subordinates, Sun Zicai and Song Hao, quickly surrendered to Lü Meng, fishing up morale. Cao Cao then began to mobilise troops to attack Ruxu and captured Gongsun Yang, an officer under Sun Quan. Sun Quan, in response, ordered Lü Meng to follow his personal lead of his forces to stop Cao Cao's advance towards Ruxu.
The battle
Lü Meng came up with a defence plan against Cao Cao's attack consisting of warships readied at a quickly established dock, to be used to backfire Cao Cao's advance after a flood that was supposed to occur not long into the battle. Sun Guan, who died in battle at Ruxu in either 213 or 217, was perhaps fatally injured in his attack onto Sun Quan's line of defence by Xu Sheng. Sun Guan died not long after his rescue at Cao Cao's camp. Lü Meng's prediction quickly was proven correct, Sun Quan then started to send out his warships onto Cao Cao's army, but a few of their ships were blown off course, but not much. Having realised the experience of Sun's army, Cao Cao eventually decided to withdraw. In a momentum burst, a few other generals of Sun Quan joined Lü Meng in a following assault onto Wancheng and Lujiang.
Aftermath
, following this withdrawal, stationed his troops at Hefei, where in 215 he played a major role in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford.
Order of battle
Cao Cao's forces
Cao Cao, in command.
*Sun Guan?, perhaps attacked the front lines and was fatally injured by Xu Sheng. He died immediately after his attack in Cao Cao's main camp.
*Zhu Guang, administrator of Wancheng, captured by Gan Ning afterwards.
Sun Quan's forces
Sun Quan, in command.
*Lü Meng, aided Sun Quan in the commanding of their forces. Came up with the plan to use the docks to their advantage.
**Ling Tong, helped Lü Meng with Gan Ning to take Wancheng and Lujiang.
**Gan Ning, helped Lü Meng with Ling Tong to take Wancheng and Lujiang.
*Zhou Tai, helped protect Sun Quan's defence lines.
