Cao Cao's invasion of Xu Province

Cao Cao's invasion of Xu Province
Part of the wars at the end of the Han dynasty
A Ming dynasty illustration of Cao Cao (right, on horseback) departing to attack Xu Province.
Date 193–194 CE Location Jiangsu, China Result Inconclusive, Cao Cao retreat
Belligerents
Cao Cao	Tao Qian Tian Kai
Commanders and leaders
Cao Cao Cao Ren	Tao Qian Liu Bei Cao Bao
Strength
	More than 5,000
Casualties and losses
	Over 100,000 civilians

Cao Cao's invasion of Xu Province was a punitive invasion launched by the warlord Cao Cao against Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province, in the late Eastern Han dynasty. The casus belli for the invasion was the murder of Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, in Xu Province. Although Tao Qian's culpability was questionable, Cao Cao nonetheless held him responsible. The invasion took place in two separate waves in 193 and 194, during each of which Cao Cao captured a number of towns and engaged in collective punishment of the civilian populace.