Battle of Chengdu

Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province
Part of the wars at the end of the Han dynasty
Date 212 – 214 Location Yi Province (present-day Sichuan and Chongqing), China Result Liu Bei victory
Belligerents
Liu Bei	Liu Zhang
Commanders and leaders
Liu Bei	Liu Zhang
Strength
at least 30,000 elite soldiers, later reinforced by Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang	30,000+

Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province
Traditional Chinese	劉備爭奪益州之戰
Simplified Chinese	刘备争夺益州之战
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Líu Bèi Zhēngduó Yìzhōu Zhī Zhàn

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Líu Bèi Zhēngduó Yìzhōu Zhī Zhàn

Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from the provincial governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between 212 and 214 in the late Eastern Han dynasty. It concluded with victory for Liu Bei and his successful takeover of the province from Liu Zhang. Yi Province would serve as the foundation of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan invited Liu Bei to take Yi Province with him, but the latter strongly rebutted the former, saying: "if you're going to conquer the land of Shu, I will loosen my hair and become a hermit in the deep hills. Earth under Heaven can hear my promise, and I'll live up to my words!" Believing Liu Bei, Sun Quan aborted his plan; however, Liu Bei was actually trying to take Yi Province for himself and negotiated Yiling County and Nan Commandery from Sun Quan. In 211, Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province, heard that Cao Cao was planning to attack Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery. As Hanzhong Commandery was a strategic location and the "gateway" into Yi Province, Liu Zhang sent Fa Zheng to form an alliance with Liu Bei after Zhang Song convinced him to do so. Liu Bei then led his men to Yi Province under the pretence of helping Liu Zhang conquer Hanzhong Commandery.

Liu Bei led an expedition force into Yi Province after leaving behind Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun to guard Jing Province. Liu Zhang received Liu Bei warmly at Fu County (涪縣; in present-day Fuling District, Chongqing) and provided him with more troops under his command as well as abundant provisions and equipment. Liu Bei headed to Jiameng Pass (southwest of present-day Guangyuan, Sichuan) at the border between Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu's territories. Instead of engaging Zhang Lu, Liu Bei halted his advance and focused on building up connections and gaining influence around the area in preparation for his takeover of Yi Province.

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Wikipedia