Kong Ming's Repeated Northern Expeditions

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

This flow follows Kong Ming’s effort to restore the Han through repeated campaigns against Wei, and the accumulating costs that make his goal unattainable.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Advance The First Advance from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Mandate Becomes a Campaign A Memorial to Liu Shan Kong Ming argues that the time has come to attack Wei and fulfill Xuande’s charge.

The First Advance from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Mandate Becomes a Campaign A Memorial to Liu Shan Kong Ming argues that the time has come to attack Wei and fulfill Xuande’s charge.

The Mandate Becomes a Campaign A Memorial to Liu Shan Kong Ming argues that the time has come to attack Wei and fulfill Xuande’s charge. He leads a major army north despite the risks. A Strategic Opportunity Wei’s young court and recent transition appear vulnerable. Kong Ming’s invasion gives the Shu state a chance to challenge its stronger rival directly.

Jieting’s Failure Jieting’s Failure from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Fatal Misreading Ma Su’s Command Kong Ming entrusts Ma Su with Jieting but assigns Wang Ping to supervise.

Jieting’s Failure from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Fatal Misreading Ma Su’s Command Kong Ming entrusts Ma Su with Jieting but assigns Wang Ping to supervise.

A Fatal Misreading Ma Su’s Command Kong Ming entrusts Ma Su with Jieting but assigns Wang Ping to supervise. Ma Su ignores advice to hold the road and camps on a hill without water. Retreat and Accountability Sima Yi and Zhang He exploit the position, forcing the Shu army back. Kong Ming executes Ma Su and accepts demotion, showing that responsibility extends to the strategist who made the appointment.

The Empty City The Empty City from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Composure Against Overwhelming Force An Exposed City Kong Ming reaches Xicheng with few defenders while Sima Yi approaches with a much larger force.

The Empty City from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Composure Against Overwhelming Force An Exposed City Kong Ming reaches Xicheng with few defenders while Sima Yi approaches with a much larger force.

Composure Against Overwhelming Force An Exposed City Kong Ming reaches Xicheng with few defenders while Sima Yi approaches with a much larger force. Rather than flee, he opens the gates and sits playing a lute. Suspicion Reverses the Attack Sima Yi suspects a trap and withdraws. The bluff saves the retreating army and becomes one of the clearest examples of psychological warfare in Kong Ming’s campaigns.

Chencang and the Grain Fields

Tactical Victories, Limited Gains An Opponent’s Fortification Kong Ming faces the strongly defended Chencang and cannot take it by repeated assaults. Hao Zhao counters siege towers, rams, and tunnels. A Shift in Strategy Kong Ming later secures Chencang when illness weakens its defense, but the campaign remains dependent on supplies and vulnerable to court decisions beyond the front.

Wuzhang Plains and Death Wuzhang Plains and Death from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Final Northern Campaign Attrition and Immobility Kong Ming confronts Sima Yi, who refuses to fight openly.

Wuzhang Plains and Death from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Final Northern Campaign Attrition and Immobility Kong Ming confronts Sima Yi, who refuses to fight openly.

A Final Northern Campaign Attrition and Immobility Kong Ming confronts Sima Yi, who refuses to fight openly. The prolonged standoff strains the Shu army and Kong Ming’s already failing health. An Unfinished Mandate Kong Ming dies before restoring the Han. His instructions to Jiang Wei and the staged retreat preserve the army, but the campaign’s central purpose remains unfulfilled.

AD 227

During the first Northern Expedition

After the fall of Jieting

AD 229

AD 234