Battle between warlords Yuan Shao and Cao Cao (200)
| Battle of Yan Ford |
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| Part of the Guandu campaign |
| Date | Between May and August, 200 CE |
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| Location | |
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| Result |
Cao Cao victory |
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|
| Belligerents |
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|
Yuan Shao |
Cao Cao |
| Commanders and leaders |
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Yuan Shao
Wen Chou †
Liu Bei |
Cao Cao |
| Strength |
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|
5,000-6,000 cavalry |
<600 cavalry |
The Battle of Yan Ford took place along the southern banks of the Yellow River in the late Eastern Han dynasty. The battle was closely preceded by the Battle of Boma, and was part of a series of engagements leading to the decisive confrontation between the rival warlords Yuan Shao and Cao Cao at the Battle of Guandu in 200. Following the death of one of Yuan Shao's elite generals, Yan Liang, in the previous battle, the death of another famed general Wen Chou in this battle greatly demoralised Yuan's army, which was heading towards Guandu.