Battle of Canhe Slope - The Battle

The Battle

When Later Yan forces reached Canhe Slope (in modern Baoding as well), the army became enveloped in darkness, probably due to the storm. The Buddhist monk Zhitanmeng (支曇猛) warned Murong Bao that Northern Wei forces must be approaching, but Murong Bao, believing that he was pulling away from Northern Wei forces, gave no heed. Only also at the urging of Murong De did Murong Bao send Murong Lin, with 30,000 soldiers, to branch out and serve as rear guard. Murong Lin, however, did not believe Zhitanmeng, and therefore had his soldiers hunt without paying heed to Northern Wei advances. Tuoba Gui arrived west of Canhe Slope at dusk on December 7, with Later Yan forces east of Canhe Slope and not realizing Northern Wei forces had arrived. Tuoba Gui kept his army in full silence and, in the night, set up positions on the hills around the Later Yan encampment. On December 8, at sunrise, Northern Wei forces launched their attack, surprising Later Yan forces. In panic, Later Yan soldiers died by the thousands by trampling each other or drowning by jumping into a nearby river. Their flight was also cut off by Tuoba Gui's cousin Tuoba Zun (拓拔遵) the Duke of Lüeyang. 40,000 to 50,000 Later Yan soldiers, in panic, surrendered. Only several thousands escaped, including Murong Bao and other key generals with him. Murong Shao was killed in the battle, and among Later Yan officials who were captured were Murong Chui's son Murong Wonu (慕容倭奴) the Prince of Luyang and nephew Murong Daocheng (慕容道成) the Prince of Guilin.

Tuoba Gui kept a number of talented Later Yan officials whom he captured—Jia Run (賈閏), Jia Run's cousin Jia Yi (賈彞), and Chao Chong (晁崇) -- on his staff. He was initially intending to release the Later Yan captives to gain a good reputation among the Later Yan people. His general and brother-in-law Kepin Jian (可頻建), however, suggested that releasing the Later Yan soldiers would merely allow Later Yan to relaunch their attack later. Therefore, the captives were all slaughtered.