Jiang Wei, a prominent strategist of the Three Kingdoms era, is often remembered for his remarkable feats on the battlefield. However, few realize that his most notable encounter with Zhao Yun only occurred once.
Zhao Yun – The Unmatched Strategist
Everyone knows Zhao Yun for his extraordinary martial prowess, as depicted in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. From the moment he emerged on the battlefield, he displayed an undeniable aura of confidence and charisma. During the Battle of Changban, he single-handedly scattered the forces of Cao Cao, creating panic among the enemy ranks. No one in Cao Cao’s army could stand firm against Zhao Yun, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
Ultimately, wherever Zhao Yun appeared, Cao Cao’s forces would quickly find themselves in a dire situation. This battle illuminated Zhao Yun’s formidable strength to everyone. A mere foot soldier could challenge a renowned general, leaving many astonished!
Continuing his legacy, in the Southern Campaign, Zhao Yun once again left everyone in awe. During a surprise attack on Liu Bei, he managed to catch Liu Bei off guard. In a moment of crisis, Zhao Yun appeared, blocking Liu Bei’s escape route. Not only did he prevent Liu Bei’s retreat, but he also forced him to “risk it all in battle.”
Even after the arrival of Wu Yan and Li Dian to assist him, the outcome of the battle remained unchanged. After that, Zhao Yun also executed a decisive strategy against Cao Ren, leaving countless enemies in his wake.
During the Battle of Changban, Zhao Yun’s name rang out as a testament to his heroism. He successfully navigated the enemy’s defenses, managing to rescue Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan, from peril. This act of bravery earned him the admiration of heroes and established his name as a revered figure in history.
In the Han River battle, Zhao Yun decisively defeated Cao Cao’s forces, causing both Xu Huang and Zhang Liao to hesitate to engage in combat. Even when Cao Cao personally commanded his forces to attack, Zhao Yun boldly declared that “he would not retreat from battle.” This declaration left Liu Bei, who had long been associated with Zhao Yun, in awe: “Zhang Ban has proven to be a formidable warrior!”
It can be said that Zhao Yun’s saga is one of resilience. He rarely faced defeat or disgrace on the battlefield, which is why many admired him. However, every hero has their moments of vulnerability. By the end of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Yun faced a dire challenge, suffering from a defeat that left him feeling ashamed…
The Strategist Only Appeared Once in the Novel and Was Defeated by Zhao Yun
In fact, the strategist only appears once in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and is recognized as Jiang Wei. During the first Northern Expedition led by Zhuge Liang, he was forced to face Zhao Yun’s forces in the mountains of Pingming, where he was at a disadvantage against the troops of the Shu Kingdom.
Despite his advanced age, Zhao Yun continued to fight valiantly. The troops of the Wei Kingdom were not his true adversaries, and it was Zhao Yun who caused chaos among their ranks, leaving them terrified. The commander of the Wei Kingdom, Cao Cao, lamented: “I cannot forget the heroism of Zhuge Liang in the past; how can we manage now? The situation is dire!”
As the commander of the Wei Kingdom struggled with his strategy, Jiang Wei appeared and decided to take a bold approach. He boldly declared: “I believe Zhao Yun is just a skilled warrior without strategy, so there’s no need to be overly cautious. Tomorrow, I will lead my troops to flank them on both sides; I will march into battle even if Zhao Yun is present.”
Ultimately, Jiang Wei, noticing the pressure from Zhao Yun, had to concede: “We cannot underestimate him!”
Of course, under the imminent threat of Jiang Wei, Zhao Yun stood firm, preparing to engage him and had to assert: “I will not yield lightly; I will die here!” This declaration from Zhao Yun showed that he had firmly committed himself to the battlefield. If not for the intervention of others, Zhao Yun would have likely become a mere foot soldier of Jiang Wei. Fortunately, fate did not dictate his demise. With Zhuge Liang’s support, Zhao Yun managed to escape the encirclement.
In conclusion, Zhao Yun’s heroic saga is a testament to his extraordinary capabilities as a warrior. Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to emerge victorious, earning his place in the annals of history.
