Battle of Jieqiao

Battle of Jieqiao
Part of the wars at the end of the Han dynasty
DateWinter of 191 or Spring of 192[1]
Location
Jieqiao (near present-day Wei County, Xingtai, Hebei, China)
36°58′51″N 115°16′29″E / 36.98083°N 115.27472°E / 36.98083; 115.27472
Result Marginal victory by Yuan Shao
Belligerents
Yuan Shao Gongsun Zan
Commanders and leaders
Yuan Shao
Qu Yi
Tian Feng
Gongsun Zan
Yan Gang [2]
Strength
Less than Gongsun Zan[3] 30,000 infantry[4], 10,000 cavalry[5]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown but heavy, at least 1,000[6]
Battle of Jieqiao is located in Hebei
Battle of Jieqiao
Location within Hebei
Battle of Jieqiao is located in China
Battle of Jieqiao
Battle of Jieqiao (China)
Battle of Jieqiao
Traditional Chinese界橋之戰
Simplified Chinese界桥之战
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJièqiáo Zhi Zhàn

The Battle of Jieqiao, also known as the Battle of Jie Bridge, was fought between the warlords Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan in late 191 or early 192 in the late Eastern Han dynasty. It was the first significant clash of arms between the rival warlords in the contest for dominion of Ji and Qing provinces in northern China. The site of the battle is generally considered to be a site east of Guangzong County, Julu Commandery (present-day Wei County, Xingtai, Hebei).

  1. ^ The 10th to 12th months of the 2nd year of the Chu'ping era corresponds to 5 Nov 191 to 31 Jan 192 in the Julian calendar. Vol.60 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that the battle took place in early 192 instead. In vol.03 of Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi, Sima Guang dated the battle to the spring (1st to 3rd months) of the 3rd year of the Chu'ping era; Emperor Xian's biography in Houhanshu also dated the battle to the same period. The period corresponds to 1 Feb to 29 Apr 192 in the Julian calendar.
  2. ^ Gongsun Zan's biography in Sanguozhi recorded that Yan Gang was captured alive. (绍军广川,令将麹义先登与瓒战,生禽纲。) Sanguozhi, vol.08. In vol.03 of Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi, Sima Guang noted that in Jiuzhou Chunqiu, Yan Gang's name was recorded as "Liu Gang" (刘纲).
  3. ^ (瓒轻其兵少,...) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.60
  4. ^ (瓒兵三万,...) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.60
  5. ^ Yuan Shao's biography in Book of the Later Han recorded that Gongsun Zan's troops were about 30000, including 10000 cavalry. (瓒兵三万,列为方陈,分突骑万匹....) Houhanshu, vol.74, part 1
  6. ^ (瓒军大败.... 获甲首千馀级。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.60