Lucheng is a city near the grain fields of Longxi that becomes a vital Shu position during Kong Ming’s campaign against Wei. Its capture gives the Shu army access to a substantial harvest, while its defenses help Kong Ming defeat attempts by Sima Yi and Guo Huai to dislodge him.

Position and Strategic Value

Kong Ming takes Lucheng while seeking grain for his army. He then moves toward Longshang, near the grain fields, where he finds Sima Yi already positioned. By drawing Wei troops away through a stratagem involving decoy carriages, Kong Ming secures the fields for Shu: thirty thousand men reap the harvest, supplying the army with grain. Lucheng’s proximity to that resource makes control of the city part of a wider contest over supply and access to the passes.

Defense and Battle

While the harvest is being gathered, Sima Yi and Guo Huai plan to attack Kong Ming at Lucheng. Kong Ming anticipates their move. An ambush and a vigorous defense of the city walls trap the Wei army between two Shu forces and inflict a heavy defeat.

Sima Yi then tries to cut off the Shu supply chain and wait for the army to consume its grain and be forced into battle. Kong Ming instead attacks the weary Wei troops before they can establish a camp. The defeat drives them from the passes and secures the supply route, strengthening the strategic position built around Lucheng.

Retreat and Continuing Role

News that Wu envoys have proposed a truce with Wei raises the possibility that Wu might attack Shu. Kong Ming orders a measured withdrawal toward Shu territory while retaining Lucheng as a base. Although Wei commanders, including Zhang He, urge pursuit, Sima Yi suspects a trap; under pressure, he ultimately permits an advance that ends in an ambush and Zhang He’s death. Lucheng thus remains the anchor of Kong Ming’s position during a withdrawal that is still shaped by the threat of renewed fighting.