Clash of Legends: The Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs is among the most famous conflicts in Chinese history. This battle marked the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period and would be immortalized in one of China’s four great classical novels, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
In our series, “The Battle of Red Cliffs (Part One)“, we introduce major players and cover the military preparations leading up to this battle. In “The Battle of Red Cliffs (Part Two)“, we follow the story of the allied forces of Liu Bei and Sun Quan to see how they used their superior strategy and tactics to defeat Cao Cao’s massive army.
Let’s explore the Battle of Red Cliffs, one of the novel’s most epic and climactic moments. This battle has recently been adapted into a massively successful movie, titled “Red Cliff”, which we highly recommend! Not only does this particular arc contain some of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ most iconic characters, it’s also easily the most famous part of the story, making it a must-know.
Key Characters
Cao Cao (曹操)
Cao Cao, representing the ancient state of Wei, is a military and political genius who plays a pivotal role in the power struggles of the Three Kingdoms era. He is portrayed as a charismatic and calculating leader, driven by ambition and a desire for a unified China under his rule. Cao Cao’s strategic acumen is often highlighted in the novel, and he is known for his ability to outmaneuver his opponents both on and off the battlefield.
Having united all of Northern China as a warlord, Cao Cao’s military might threatens even the emperor, who makes him Counselor-in-Chief. With his new promotion, Cao Cao begins to invade the South in an attempt to unify China. For this particular battle, Cao Cao serves as the primary antagonist, commanding an army of over 200,000. The stage is set for him to dominate all of China, and he will stop at nothing to achieve this goal.
Sun Quan (孙权)
Sun Quan is depicted as a capable and strategic leader. After his brother Sun Ce’s death, he assumed control over the state of Eastern Wu and continued the family’s legacy. Sun Quan was known for his diplomatic skills, often forming alliances and maintaining good relations with other warlords to ensure the stability and growth of his kingdom.
Prior to the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan debated surrendering to Cao Cao, but was convinced to join Liu Bei by Liu Bei’s strategist Zhuge Liang.
Zhou Yu (周瑜)
Zhou Yu, known for his strategic brilliance and charisma, is a key figure in the Three Kingdoms narrative. Serving as the chief military strategist for Sun Quan, Zhou Yu plays a pivotal role in shaping the kingdom’s destiny.
While hesitant to join forces with Liu Bei, in part due to the threatening intellect of his advisor Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu plays a key role in laying the foundation for the battle strategy that underpins the iconic Battle of Red Cliffs.
Liu Bei (刘备)
Liu Bei is portrayed as a noble and benevolent leader, known for his humility, compassion, and sense of justice. Descended from the imperial Liu clan and eventual founder of the state of Shu Han, Liu Bei initially starts as a modest and compassionate figure, earning the respect and loyalty of those around him.
Despite Liu Bei’s constant presence throughout the story, his role in the Battle of Red Ciffs begins when his superior, Liu Biao, and his son surrender to Cao Cao. Instead of surrendering with them, Liu Bei chooses to oppose Cao Cao, leading the men under his command as they retreat to safety. His commitment to the principles of benevolence and righteousness sets him apart in the turbulent times of the Three Kingdoms era.
Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮)
Zhuge Liang is a brilliant strategist and statesman, often depicted as a paragon of wisdom and intellect. He serves as the chief advisor to Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang is renowned for his strategic insights, diplomatic skills, and profound knowledge of military tactics.
Zhuge Liang’s brilliance and cunning is on full display during the Battle of Red Cliffs, as his almost supernatural intellect is the driving force behind the strategy of Liu Bei and Sun Quan.
Setting the Stage
With Cao Cao’s massive army looming in the North and his superior Liu Biao having surrendered, Liu Bei and his general Guan Yu lead the forces under their command in a retreat.
Facing defeat against Cao Cao’s cavalry, Liu Bei turns to his advisor, Zhuge Liang, for a solution. To strengthen their position, Zhuge Liang seeks an alliance with the powerful Sun Quan. However, to prove his worth, he must complete an impossible task set by Sun Quan’s general, Zhou Yu—produce 100,000 arrows in just three days.
Against all odds, Zhuge Liang devises a cunning plan, using nothing but fog, straw ships, and his unparalleled intellect. The result is a legendary feat that not only secures the alliance but also leaves his rivals in awe. This clever tactic is immortalized in the Chinese idiom “草船借箭 (cǎo chuán jiè jiàn),” a testament to the power of turning an opponent’s strength to your advantage.
After passing this test, the newly formed alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan began scheming to destroy Cao Cao’s massive navy, which lay waiting on the Yangtze river. Despite their combined forces now numbering 50,000 troops, they’re still outnumbered four to one. How will they overcome Cao Cao’s overwhelming military might?
Whose triumph will reshape history?
Will the Sun-Liu alliance defeat Cao Cao? How will Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu work together to even the odds? Read The Romance of the Three Kingdoms Series on Du Chinese to see what happens!
