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Battle of Runan
Runan in Dynasty Warriors 8
Date 200 ~ 201
Location Runan, Yu Province (modern day Zhumadian, Henan)
Result Cao Cao victorious
Forces
Cao Cao's Forces Liu Bei's Forces
Commanders
Cao Cao Liu Bei

The Battle of Runan (汝南の戦い, rōmaji: Jonan no Tatakai) is a series of southern conflicts that takes place during Guandu. The area itself acts as the original roots for the Yuan family, but the battle is a part of Yuan Shao and Sun Ce's gamble to take Xuchang away from Cao Cao. While their advance movements proved successful, Liu Bei and his forces are ultimately driven back towards Runan. The games seek to reenact Liu Bei's moment of defeat.

Role in Games[]

Dynasty Warriors[]

Ru Nan is a fictional battleground in Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends, where the Yellow Turbans and Nanman forces face off against each other. The Yellow Turbans defend the center castle, while the Nanman forces attack Lu Bu and Cao Cao. In Dynasty Warriors 4, Liu Bei is attacked by Cao Cao, and his escape is aided by Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Liu Pi. The main objective is to keep Liu Bei alive until reinforcements arrive, with the choice to strike Cao Cao down or escape. A treasure trove near Cao Cao's camp is guarded by Kenshin Uesugi.

In Dynasty Warriors 8, Runan is a hypothetical stage for Wu's Story Mode, where players must defeat Wu forces to attack Sima Yi within a castle. The stage is filled with wind generators and pyrocannons, and players must overcome traps and the combined might of Zhang Chunhua and Wang Yuanji. In Wei's scenario, all allied generals are separated and attacked by Wu strategists. Zhou Yu arrives with officers from Xinye, and the objective changes to defeat him instead.

In the expansion of the Others story, sorcerers Zhang Jiao and Zuo Ci cooperate to save Liu Bei's surrounded army from Wei forces. They isolate many generals and defeat Yellow Turban reinforcements. In Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends expansion, Runan reappears in name while using the map of Ruuxukou. In Wu's story, Yuan Shu and the Sun family attack Runan during Cao Cao's absence. The battle begins with the allied army taking the central area, but Guo Jia is defeated.

Kessen[]

In Kessen II, Liu Bei is shifted to his own forces, aiming to take the capital away from Cao Cao. The battle is centered on two bridged areas and a mountain range, creating a dramatic wedge between the western and eastern forces. Strategies for the battle include either Zhang Fei or Zhao Yun as diversions in the west, with Zhao Yun's path likely being safer. Cao Cao decides to have Xiahou Yuan take his place in the north, leading the march at Ru Nan. Yu Jin's plan may fail, and Zhang Fei's stunting in the west creates an opening for the Wei army in the east.

Historical Information[]

The conflict around Runan has its roots stem from the Yellow Turban Rebellion. The Yellow Turbans of the area, Liu Pi, He Yi, Gong Du and others had rioted against the government powers. Building their influence within the territory, they sought to conspire with Yuan Shu and Sun Ce. The Runan Commandery remained largely in their control and was never completely pacified.

During the early months of the year 200, Cao Cao sought to make the area his own and led his forces to subjugate the lot. Liu Pi and company supposedly evaded capture and rebelled against Cao Cao in the southern provinces during the Battle of Guandu. Yuan Shao decided to throw in his lot with the rebels, ordering Liu Bei to support their revolt. Together they took several provinces and devastated the territory surrounding Xuchang. Cao Cao was weary of their progress and feared their rapid success. Cao Ren claimed there was merit in patience and bid his lord to continue his current status in the north. He and his cavalrymen then privately repelled Liu Bei and the southern rebels. A majority of the Yellow Turbans participating in the revolt either disappear from history or were said to have been killed in action.

Cao Ren's advance gradually had the conquered provinces back within Cao Cao's influence. However, Yuan Shao still wanted to take Runan and ordered Liu Bei to attack the area again. Liu Bei collaborated with Gong Du in their bid to retake the south and were armed with several thousands of troops. This time, it was Cai Yong who attempted to protect Cao Cao's lands. However, Cai Yong was overwhelmed and was killed in battle. Cai Yong's death led to Liu Bei advancing through a different path southward in Yuzhou. According to Record of the Three Kingdoms, several residents within Runan graciously accepted the offer to surrender to Yuan Shao.

While the forces were locked in a stalemate within the area, Xun Yu's plan of ravaging Yuan Shao's supply line ultimately rendered Yuan Shao's progress invalid. As Yuan Shao's forces suffered defeat, Liu Bei led his own army from Runan to oppose Cao Cao. His forces were swiftly beaten, which led to Liu Bei parting ways with the Yuan family and seeking refuge with Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms[]

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Runan was the site of several battles. The first battle involved Cao Cao's forces against Yellow Turbans led by He Yi and Huang Shao. Huang Shao was captured, and He Yi fled but was captured by Xu Zhu. Li Tong was put in command of Runan, while Liu Pi and Gong Du led an uprising. Guan Yu dealt with them, and they feigned defeat. Liu Bei attempted to take Xuchang, but Cao Cao managed to stall their advance. Runan fell, and Liu Bei's army fled, eventually joining Liu Biao and settling in Jingzhou.

Gallery[]

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