定陶之战 (195 CE) / Dingtao Battle (Late Han)
定陶之战 (195 CE) / Dingtao Battle (Late Han) enters the wiki through Hanji 987 as the battlefield payoff after 荀彧 persuades 曹操 to secure 兖州 before pursuing 徐州. 吕布 and 陈宫 advance from Dongming with more than ten thousand troops while most of Cao Cao’s soldiers are out harvesting wheat, leaving fewer than one thousand in camp.
Cao Cao uses the local terrain to offset the force gap. The episode describes a western dike and southern forest near his camp; Cao Cao hides part of the force behind the dike, places a smaller visible group outside, and sends light troops forward to engage Lü Bu. When the fighting fixes Lü Bu’s attention, the hidden soldiers attack and Cao’s infantry and cavalry press together.
The result is a rout rather than a prolonged siege. Lü Bu withdraws at night, Cao Cao pursues, captures 定陶, and then splits forces to settle surrounding counties. The page therefore treats the battle as a compact case of 战场信息控制 and 根本根据地优先: the earlier strategic choice to defend the base creates the conditions for an ambush victory that restores that base.
Connections
- 曹操 and 吕布 - opposing commanders in the battle.
- 陈宫 - Lü Bu-side adviser named in the advancing force.
- 兖州 and 定陶 - province and place that make the battle strategically important.
- 荀彧 - adviser whose base-first recommendation precedes the battle.
- 战场信息控制, 战争成本与速决纪律, and 根本根据地优先 - concepts extended by the source.