Battle of Changban
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The Battle of Changban (Template:Zh-cp) in 208 was an event which occurred at Changban (near the modern-day city of Yichang in Hubei Province) during the Three Kingdoms period in China. It was a battle between Liu Bei, who later founded the Kingdom of Shu and Cao Cao, the de facto ruler of northern China. Liu Bei lost the battle and was pursued by Cao Cao. Liu Bei had been leading around the civilians who journeyed with him, and many of them were lost in this battle. Also, Liu Bei's wife was caught up in enemy lines, with his only son Liu Shan. No one would dare brave the enemy lines save Zhao Yun. Being recognized only by Liu Bei and his brothers, Zhao greatly frightened the whole of Cao Cao's forces. Supposedly he killed 50 generals, countless soldiers, and inspired great fear in Cao Cao. He managed to get to Liu's wife, who then killed herself, and placed the young Liu in between his breast armor, so as to keep him from harm. Zhao Yun then raced back to his side, still fighting, with a child in his bosom. Cao Cao definitely wanted him captured with the hopes of turning him to his side, and so ordered pursuit. They followed him all the way to the bridge. Cao Cao's troops were stopped briefly when Zhang Fei broke the bridge of Chang Ban and made his famous yell "I am Zhang Fei. Who wants to fight me to death?!" (Template:Zh-cp), and Liu Bei was then able to escape.
In the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the battle was romanticized into a showcase for the power and bravery of Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun.
Many legends have been added to the story of the battle. According to some Zhang's yell broke the bridge, according to others his yell frightened Cao Cao's general to death.
After the battle, Liu Bei formed an alliance with Sun Quan, ruler of Wu. This led to the Battle of Chi Bi shortly after in the same year.