Battle of Fancheng (241)

The Battle of Fancheng in 241 AD, also known as the Third Battle of Shouchun, was a significant military engagement during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was part of a larger campaign launched by the state of Wu against the state of Wei, aiming to expand Wu's territory north of the Yangtze River.

The battle itself involved an attack by Wu forces, led by Zhu Ran, on the strategically important city of Fancheng (樊城), a Wei stronghold. Fancheng's defense was commanded by Niu Jin, though Wei forces were ultimately supported and reinforced by others, notably Sima Yi.

While Wu forces initially achieved some tactical successes, including inflicting casualties and damaging the city's defenses, they ultimately failed to capture Fancheng. Wei reinforcements, coupled with Niu Jin's determined defense, proved too strong. The Wu forces were eventually forced to withdraw after suffering significant losses.

The Battle of Fancheng (241) is considered a Wei victory. It demonstrated Wei's continued military strength and its ability to repel major incursions from Wu. While Wu continued to launch campaigns against Wei in subsequent years, the failure at Fancheng represented a setback for their northern expansionist ambitions during this period. The battle is noteworthy for the strategic decisions of both sides, the resilience of the defenders, and its contribution to the overall dynamic of the Three Kingdoms conflict.