The numbers can be quite an eye-opener especially when you take into consideration the duration of a campaign itself which consists of many battles to destroy and capture enemy cities and formations, fortifications, strongholds, passes, strategic battlegrounds, periods of stalemate etc. What this mean is that Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei's average invasion interval rate of 16.6 and 17.6 months respectively is much shorter! (Example: Boyue's 5th attack at Jun 258 and 6th attack at Dec 258 therefore an interval of 6 months between attacks but the actual battle took 2 months. So the actual period of rest, recuperation, continous training of troops and the gathering and stockpiling of supplies, horses and weapons is only 4 months)
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Summary of Zhuge Liang's northern expeditions:
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Summary of Jiang Wei's northern expeditions:
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Over a period of 6 years and 11 months, he launched five invasions against Wei before dying at his fifth campaign. Average interval rate of invasion is 16.6 months. |
Launched 9 invasions against Wei over a period of 13 years and 3 months before Shu was invaded and conquered by Wei. On average Jiang Wei commanded an attack against Wei every 17.6 months. |
The following points below are some interesting facts which i discovered in the process of doing the Rtk chronology page.
- Stripped of his military power, Sima Yi put up with Cao Shuang's absolute hold of power for eight years one month (Dec 240 to Jan 249). Incredible forebearance!
- Jiang Wei studied Zhuge Liang's tactics/strategies for a period of fifteen years as well as building up war materials and men at the same time before he finally felt prepared to launch his northern campaign against Wei.
- Close to four years have passed since the death of Liu Bei did Zhuge Liang finally commence his offensive against Wei in the hope of fulfilling the late emperor's wish of restoring the Han Dynasty.
- Cao Pi's reign as the Emperor of Wei only lasted about six years and four months (Jan 220 to May 226).
- From proclaimation to his death, Cao Cao held the title of the King of Wei for about three years and eight months (May 216 to Jan 220).
- It was only a short span of about five months from Liu Bei's coronation as the King of Hanzhong to his sworn brother Guan Yu's execution. Zhang Fei's death was merely a short three months after Liu Bei's coronation as the Emperor of Shu Han.
- Lu Meng, the east Wu general Guan Yu was wary of died about one month after Guan Yu.
- Not to be outdone, Sun Quan assumes the title of the King of Wu four months after Liu Bei proclaimed himself the Emperor of Shu Han.
- During his six year and five month reign, Cao Pi ordered only two invasions.(both against Wu)
- Cao Rui's reign lasted twelve years and eight months (May 226 to Jan 239).
- Zhuge Jin passed away about six years and six months after his younger brother Zhuge Liang.
- Cao Fang's reign lasted for about fifteen years and eight months (Jan 239 to Sep 254).
- Zhuge Liang(died 234AD)'s arch nemesis Sima Yi(died 251AD) outlived him by seventeen years!
- Sima Zhao died about three years and six months after his father Sima Yi.
- Sun Liang's reign lasted for about six years and five months (Apr 252 to Sep 258).