Lessons from the battle of Guandu

The battle of Guandu took place in 200 AD between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao seemingly had the upper hand in number, provisions, and a large cavalry force. Cao Cao's had a smaller force of around 40.000 compared to Yuan Shao's 100k+.

Opening acts

Cao Cao knew that this would be a tough battle and picked his fights carefully. Skirmishes started early and Cao Cao managed to use distraction tactics and ambushes isolating and defeating early on 2 of Yuan Shao's generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou. These were important losses for the Yuan forces as these 2 were strong and capable generals. The result was an early and important morale loss for the Yuan troops, especially considering that these skirmishes were minor ones.

Still, the battle raged as Yuan Shao's troops moved against Cao Cao's with the 2 sides getting into a stalemate. Yuan Shao had a habit of not listening to his generals or strategists who had pointed out moves that could have ended the conflict with a victory for the Yuan army.

Troubles and hope for the Cao army

Cao Cao had another serious problem on his hands. Supplies were running low and considering the still much larger enemy, the battle would seem lost. Here come Yuan Shao's bad habits in play. With a large supply depot for his army lightly guarded his advisors asked him to reinforce it, because if such a large supply depot would get attacked the much larger force would face the problem of hunger as well. The advisor of Yuan Shao, Xu You dissatisfied with the leadership defected to Cao Cao making him aware of the large supply depot and the lack of extra guards.

Fatal strike on Wuchao

Allegedly Cao Cao led a 5000-strong troop dressed as Yuan Shao's forces posing as reinforcements. When news reached Yuan Shao's camp that Wuchao was under attack, Zhang He urged Yuan Shao to send reinforcements to save the supplies, upon which the fate of the campaign hung. Guo Tu advocated a different course of action: attack Cao Cao's base at Guandu with the hope that Cao Cao will abandon his raid on Wuchao. Yuan Shao used Guo Tu's advice, sending Zhang He and Gao Lan to lead the main army to attack Cao Cao's main camp at Guandu while only sending a small cavalry unit to reinforce Wuchao.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the battle was the destruction of the Wuchao supply depot and a failed attack on Cao Cao's main camp put a nail in the coffin of the Yuan army. After the success of the supply depot raid and the surrender of the forces attacking the main camp Cao Cao's troops mounted an offensive that destroyed the Yuan army and led to the fall of the Yuan family as well.

Lessons

Having numerical superiority and more provisions doesn't mean one can be victorious. Yuan Shao failed to listen to his advisors and generals throughout the campaign which could have led to an earlier victory for him. Bad leadership skills got advisors and generals to defect or surrender to the enemy while giving valuable info ( in the case of Xu You). Early morale loss from the death of 2 of his top generals, a stalemate, and the burn of the Wuchao supply depot proved too much and the army collapsed.

On the other hand, we have the Cao army, a smaller force with exceptional leadership, training, and morale. With the use of distraction and ambush tactics, Cao Cao managed to give his troop an early morale boost by taking out 2 of the best enemy generals. Even with his provision problems, rebellions in his territories, and the smaller force problem he managed to personally lead the 5k-strong troop, succeed, and even mount a counterattack taking advantage of his force's momentum and the enemy's force collapse.

A great lesson in #strategy, #tactics, and leadership. All the Cao Cao army officers and troops performed amazingly seizing momentum, making bold moves, and capitalizing on every mistake of the much larger Yuan forces.