Pan Zhang - Wars Against Wei

Wars Against Wei

In Pan Zhang's later years, he was tasked with defending Sun Quan's territories from invasions by the state of Cao Wei (founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi). In 223, Cao Pi sent Zhang He, Xu Huang, Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shang and others to lead armies to attack Nan commandery (南郡; around present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) with the objective of capturing Jiangling (江陵; present-day Jiangling County, Jingzhou, Hubei), which was defended by Zhu Ran. Xiahou Shang sent 30,000 troops to build pontoon bridges for crossing over the Yangtze River to Bailizhou (百里洲), an island stretching over 100 li in the river around that area. Zhuge Jin and Yang Can (楊粲) wanted to lead their men to defend the island but were unable to locate the Wei troops' crossing points. Pan Zhang told them, "The Wei army's morale is very high at the beginning and the tide is low, so we shouldn't fight them yet." They moved to about 50 li upstream, where Pan Zhang ordered his men to collect thousands of bundles of reeds, attach them onto some large rafts, and then set them on fire. The flaming rafts were then allowed to sail downstream and they destroyed the enemy's pontoon bridges. Xiahou Shang sensed that he was in danger of being isolated so he withdrew his forces from the island before his retreat route could be sealed. Pan Zhang then moved to Lukou (陸口) and stationed there. Sun Quan praised Pan Zhang for his efforts and promoted the latter to "General of the Right" (右將軍).

In 227, Pan Zhang followed Sun Quan to a battle against Wei forces at Shiyang (石陽). Pan Zhang was tasked with covering the rear as Sun Quan's men were withdrawing after the battle. However, he lowered his guard that night and could not hold up against the enemy when the latter attacked. Zhu Ran led reinforcements to resist the enemy's advance until Sun Quan's forces at the front had completely retreated before he withdrew.