Battle of Kunyang

Battle of Kunyang
Part of the Lulin Rebellion

Location of Battle of Kunyang and major uprisings in Xin dynasty
DateJune to July 23 AD
Location
Result Decisive Lulin victory
Belligerents
Xin dynasty Lulin
Commanders and leaders
Wang Yi
Wang Xun 
Liu Xiu
Wang Feng
Wang Chang
Strength
430,000 (According to Book of Han)
50000~60000 (According to Dongguan Hanji (東觀漢記))
30000 (According to Lunheng)
~10,000
Casualties and losses
Heavy Minimal

The Battle of Kunyang (Chinese: 昆陽之戰) was fought during June and July in 23 AD,[1] between the Lulin and Xin dynasty forces. The Lulin forces were led by Liu Xiu, who later became Emperor Guangwu of Han, while the far more numerous Xin were led by Wang Yi and Wang Xun (王尋). Wang Xun was killed during a foolhardy attack on Liu's force with a small contingent of his force, and the Lulin forces disrupted the remainder of the Xin army, forcing Wang Yi to retreat. This was the decisive battle that led to the fall of the Xin dynasty.

  1. ^ Liu Xiu's biography in Book of the Later Han recorded a maneuver by Liu Xiu during the battle which took place on the ji'mao day of the 6th month of the 1st year of the Geng'shi era, which corresponds to 7 Jul 23 in the Julian calendar. ([更始元年]六月己卯,光武遂与营部俱进,自将步骑千馀,前去大军四五里而陈。) Houhanshu, vol.01, part 1