Yuan Sho wrote:I hear it all and see it so much then I laugh at how funny it is. The battle of Chi Bi was all of Wu's work and resources due to the fact that the soldiers knew how to fight on the water. Although my own knowledge comes from the novel, I do know this much. Overall, Zhou Yu with Lu Su and Cheng Pu led the armies of the South Land against Cao Cao and won with clever use of the generals and soldiers. More importantly, Zhou Yu deserves the most credict because he knew that Cao Cao had many disadvantages against him.
The novel may not provide 100% truth, but I know Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang did not even get involve in the war. Then, after Cao Cao managed to get away from the Red Cliffs, he was still being harassed by Wu forces and Liu Bei's army. So who does all the work? Why none other than Wu because Zhuge Liang did not want them to surrender so easily and have two enemies coming at them. (Of course, this is what I believe)
Once again with more pride, Wu was the central kingdom at Chi Bi while Liu Bei and his army sat back till all the heat was off of them. No more, no less. Way to go Wu and to the Commanders: Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Cheng Pu.
Well that is why we have historical sources. In SGZ it says that Liu Bei particiapted in the battle of Chi Bi so no matter how much pride you may have in Wu being the only one who fought it simply isn't true. There were two main battles during Chi Bi. There was the battle of Chi Bi which was a land battle where Cao Cao sent an army south of the river that the combined forces of Liu Bei and Zhou Yu defeated. Then there was the burning of the ships at Wu Lin which most bios say that Wu was the main fighter. However it is implied in some bios that Liu Bei played a role in this attack as well however it is never actually said, besides in Cao Cao's bio.
So sorry to break it to you but Liu Bei did play a part in the battle of Chi Bi.
Here is from Zhou Yu's bio
"Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang as an envoy to Sun Quan. Following that, Sun Quan dispatched Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu and other Wu generals to meet Liu Bei in order to consolidate their forces against Cao Cao’s army. The army of the Sun-Liu alliance engaged Cao Cao’s army at Chi Bi. During then, Cao Cao’s army was already having problems with many soldiers falling sick. As such, during the initial engagement, Cao Cao’s army was promptly defeated and retreated back to the northern shore of the river Yang Tze."
This was before the fire attack.
Now if you wanted to keep this in the relm of the novel i am sorry, however this is how it happened historically.
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