How a daring night raid by one hundred men forced a massive army to retreat
In 217, the warlord Cao Cao launched a massive naval campaign against Sun Quan at Ruxu. Despite bringing overwhelming force and preparing for a protracted conflict, Cao Cao’s momentum was shattered by a single, audacious night attack. This unexpected maneuver turned the tide, forcing the demoralized invaders to abandon their campaign entirely.
The Battle of Ruxu in 217 was a pivotal confrontation during the late Eastern Han dynasty. It followed a failed attempt by Sun Quan to seize the Hefei fortress two years prior, an effort thwarted by both a sudden plague and the fierce defense led by Zhang Liao. Seeking to capitalize on this, Cao Cao spent the intervening years preparing a massive counterattack, eventually leading his navy to Ruxu to settle the score.
Cao Cao utilized the Hefei fortress as a primary base, mobilizing significant reinforcements, including the Qingzhou Corps under Zang Ba and Sun Guan, and later ordering Xiahou Dun to bring twenty-six armies from Juchao to the front. In anticipation, Sun Quan’s second-in-command, Lü Meng, fortified the Ruxu position while ensuring clear retreat routes. When the fighting began, the initial clashes were intense, resulting in the death of Sun Guan and a temporary pause in Cao Cao’s offensive.
Recognizing that the conflict was not progressing as planned, Cao Cao established a series of camps across the river, signaling his intent for a long-term war. However, the stalemate was broken by a bold strike from Gan Ning. Under the cover of darkness, Gan Ning led a small unit of one hundred men directly into Cao Cao’s main camp. The surprise raid caused widespread chaos and destruction, leaving the attackers unscathed. This psychological blow demoralized Cao Cao’s forces, ultimately leading to their withdrawal and the failure of the campaign.
The historical significance of this engagement is preserved in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou and analyzed by modern scholars like Rafe de Crespigny. While the event is often studied for its tactical lessons, it has also entered popular culture, appearing as a playable stage in the video game Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends, where players can recreate the decisive night raid.
Source: Battle of Ruxu (217)
