Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign
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Between 225 and 230, the Kingdom of Shu (a Chinese state that existed during the Three Kingdoms period) undertook a military campaign in its southern territories after incidents of rebellion by local governors (Zhu Bao, Gao Ding and Yong Kai) and intrusions by the Nanman ("southern barbarians"). Nanman was located in modern Mandalay City, Myanmar. The campaign was led by Zhuge Liang, a prominent general and administrator. His chief opponent was Meng Huo, one of the chieftains of the Nanman who took over leading the rebellion after Zhu Bao was killed.
According to contemporary sources, Zhuge Liang captured and released Meng Huo a total of seven times, intending to subdue the Nanman not only militarily but psychologically. It is written that the seventh victory over the Nanman involved a cunning trap in which General Wei Yan lured The King of Wuguo, Wu Tu Gu (a general that Meng Huo was advised to join with), into a valley with mines set beneath the ground. King Wutugu, with his Wuguo armour troops (elite troops wearing rattan armour that was almost impervious to blades) took the bait and chased Wei Yan into the valley. When inside the valley, General Zhao Yun blocked the escape routes off and the mines were detonated, lightning the inflammable armour and destroying Wutugu and his troops. Although a great victory, Zhuge Liang is said to have wept at the destruction when he viewed the valley.
Other battles include King Mulu's beast division, made up of mainly tigers, wolves and elephant cavalry which were eventually frightened away by Zhuge Liang's fire-spitting machines, an assault on a main stronghold, in which King Duosi was killed, and an empty trap ploy that captured Meng Huo.
Some of the warriors on this expedition were: Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Ma Dai; and many others.
In the game series Dynasty Warriors Meng Huo was portrayed as a giant barbarian who used gigantic steel claws. The Naman campaign was fought by both Wu and Shu. Meng Huo's wife Zhu Rong also fought in this battle although in all contempary sources, no woman fought during the Three Kingdoms Period.