Cao Pi's invasions of Eastern Wu

Cao Pi's invasions of Eastern Wu
Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms period
A map showing the invasions (not drawn to scale)
Date September 222–225 Location Numerous location along the Yangtze River, Ruxu, Dongkou, and Jiangling Result Stalemate, Cao Pi fails to capture land below the Yangtze River and retreats
Belligerents
Cao Wei	Eastern Wu
Commanders and leaders
Cao Pi Cao Ren Wang Shuang Cao Zhen Xin Pi Xu Huang Zhang He Xiahou Shang Cao Xiu Zang Ba Zhang Liao	Sun Quan Lü Fan Zhu Ran He Qi
Strength
100,000+	5000+

Cao Pi
Cao Ren

Cao Zhen

Cao Xiu

During the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, Cao Pi, the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei, invaded the rival state of Eastern Wu thrice during his reign between 222 and 225. The casus belli for the attack was the Wu leader Sun Quan's refusal to send his son Sun Deng as a hostage to the Wei court, under which Wu was a nominal vassal at the time. The invasions were separated into two parts. The first attack occurred in the years 222–224 before Cao Pi ordered total retreat. The second and last part was fought in 225.

After the Shu Han emperor Liu Bei was defeated by Sun Quan's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting, Sun benefited from his submission to Cao Pi, who would help him in the conflict against Liu Bei. However, on both sides, this was never a popular concept, especially in the ranks of Sun Quan, who had defeated Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs 14 years ago. To make matters worse, Sun Quan and his officers were uneasy about Sun's titles and ranks (such as King of Wu) because they were seen as a vassal state to Wei. It was even considered within Sun Quan's forces that the alliance with Wei was futile, because the defeat they caused Liu Bei at Xiaoting was so critical that it meant that their alliance with Wei was no longer necessary for survival. Sun Quan also appeared as if he was planning to maintain this alliance not much longer than was necessary.

In time, Cao Pi's plan to keep Sun Quan and Shu's relations sour backfired as Sun Quan and Liu Bei rekindled their alliance. In an attempt to improve his own relations with the Sun clan, he demanded Sun Deng (Sun Quan's eldest son) to be sent to the Wei capital Luoyang as a hostage. However, Sun Quan declined this request, and later apologized to Cao Pi, stating his son was still very young and vulnerable in his health to be away from his home and family. Cao Pi did not bring up or press the matter. However soon Cao Pi demanded Sun Deng as hostage again. This was also declined.

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