Battle of Xiapi

The Battle of Xia Pi (下邳の戦い) refers to the series of battles located at Xia Pi. It originally was a prosperous and economically sound position during the Han Dynasty. However, Xia Pi became a competitive spot for power during the twilight years of the period. The most famous battle at the area is the siege between Lu Bu and Cao Cao, after the former had forced Liu Bei away from the area. Liu Bei fled to Cao Cao and they lead a campaign against Lu Bu.

Liu Bei would later betray his alliance with Cao Cao by declaring independence back at Xuzhou. His forces were defeated and Guan Yu joined Cao Cao's army. Romance of the Three Kingdoms dramatizes his return to Liu Bei by stating that he left Xuchang and traveled through five passes.

Dynasty Warriors
In the Dynasty Warriors series, Xia Pi represents as the downfall of Lu Bu's forces as well as serving as the battle in which Zhang Liao transfers over to serve Cao Cao. In some games, a cutscene shows Xiahou Dun being shot with an arrow in the eye, serving the explanation as to why he wears an eye patch.

In Dynasty Warriors 4, the battle is led by Xiahou Dun who is reinforced by the forces of Shu. The battle revolves around the siege of the massive castle in which Lu Bu waits. In the battle, players also have the opportunity to prevent Yuan Shu from reinforcing Lu Bu by blocking his entrance point. If Diao Chan is defeated during the battle, Lu Bu becomes enraged and is harder to defeat.

Xiahou Dun's Legend Mode in the Xtreme Legends expansion allows players to let him personally seek revenge for the arrow shot to his eye. Starting the stage with decreased health, he hunts for Cao Xing throughout the castle. Guan Yu's Legend Mode in the same game details the general's defense of Xia Pi after his brothers retreat from Cao Cao's forces. Wanting to protect Liu Bei's wives, he orders an iron defense while he places the ladies in a carriage. He has to simultaneously defend against invaders while he guides the carriage to safety.

The battle in Dynasty Warriors 5 is much similar to that in the previous game. Xiahou Dun again leads the attack and is supported by Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The main plot for the forces opposing Lu Bu is to destroy a flood gate, flooding Lu Bu's castle, and forcing his forces out. However, if playing as Lu Bu's forces the flood starts prior to the battle, setting him at a great disadvantage.

In Dynasty Warriors 6 the battle slightly differs from that of previous games. Lu Bu invades Xia Pi during the time in which Liu Bei ruled, in an attempt to create a home for himself. Yuan Shu arrives with reinforcements for Lu Bu once again, but if defeated, immediately flees, angering Lu Bu.

Warriors Orochi
Xia Pi takes place as the Samurai Warriors second Gaiden stage in Warriors Orochi. Lu Xun, alone, is surrounded by the Orochi forces, so Nobunaga dispatches a small force to rescue him.

The sequel has the area serve as the battleground for Sima Yi, Mitsunari, and Masamune's Dream mode stage. The three are still a part of Orochi's army and face Hideyoshi, who is leading a resistance force against them.

Historical Information
While Liu Bei was on a campaign to defeat Yuan Shu, Lu Bu had attacked the city of Xia Pi, successfully taking it. Liu Bei was forced to return and serve Lu Bu. After, Yuan Shu dispatched Ji Ling and 30,000 troops to attack Liu Bei. This gave Yuan Shu no choice but to ally with Lu Bu in order to resist Liu Bei. Lu Bu's generals advised him to work with Yuan Shu to kill Liu Bei, but if Liu Bei was actually killed, a mass call would be made from governors around northern China, and Lu Bu would be surrounded. Lu Bu went with his own legion of troops to meet Liu Bei, and hearing that Lu Bu came personally, Ji Ling halted and attempted no offensive.

Lu Bu invited both Liu Bei and Ji Ling to a feast, to which both came. Lu Bu made a bet - If he could shoot an arrow through the branch of a halberd head. If he shot the target successfully, both generals had to withdraw their armies. However, if he missed, then they could continue and fight. The two armies withdrew.

After Lu Bu had attacked and seized Xia Pi castle, Liu Bei requested help from Cao Cao. As Lu Bu was a major threat on Cao Cao, he sent an envoy to Liu Bei to suggest a joint attack. However, Lu Bu found out of the plot and sent Gao Shun to attack Liu Bei. Xiahou Dun was also sent with an army to help Liu Bei. However, after Xiahou Dun was shot in the eye, he and his army had to retreat and Liu Bei was defeated.

Cao Cao allowed the heavy winter snow to lower the enemy's morale. Lu Bu sent a messenger to Yuan Shu to request for assistance, but Guan Yu and Zhang Fei opposed them in their path so reinforcements from Yuan Shu was not possible. Lu Bu planned to surrender to Cao Cao, but Chen Gong stopped him. Though Lu Bu trusted his generals, his solders started to rebel. Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng tied up and kidnapped Chen Gong and forced his troops to surrender to Cao Cao. Lu Bu surrendered after the attack from his enemies intensified. He was executed by being strangled.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the summer of 196, Lu Bu had taken Xia Pi from Liu Bei. Around the year 198, Xia Pi is attacked by the allied forces. During the siege, flooding, disease and various other calamities befall the defenders and Lu Bu's army begin to lose faith in their leader. Three months into the assault, Lu Bu is captured while sleeping and the castle is raided.

Lu Bu offered to provide his services to Cao Cao but the bid is denied and Lu Bu is executed. The city is later burned to the ground and destroyed.

During the invasion Xiahou Dun was hit in the eye with an arrow. According to legend, he pulled out the arrow and the eye came along. He then ate the eye.