The strategic position of the street pavilion
Jieting, located in Longyou, played an extremely key role and occupied a position that could not be ignored in the military confrontation between Shu Han and Cao Wei. This area is not only a hub of north-south transportation, but also an important point of military strategy. The peculiarity of its location lies in the fact that it can serve as both a base for advance and a barrier for defense, making it a battleground for any army that tries to enter Shuzhong or intends to move north.
Zhuge Liang, as the military leader of Shu Han, had a deep understanding of the importance of street pavilions. In his Northern Expedition plan, Jieting was a key chess piece, and its control was directly related to the success or failure of the entire Northern Expedition. Therefore, at the beginning of the operation, Zhuge Liang placed special emphasis on the control of this area, hoping to provide a stable starting point and retreat for the Shu army through a solid defense.
Ma Tan's wrong decision
Ma Yan, as a general under Zhuge Liang, was entrusted with the important task of guarding the street pavilion. However, Ma Tan made a major mistake in his strategic choices. Instead of taking advantage of the complex terrain around Jieting, such as the natural defense line with high mountains and deep waters, he chose to set up defenses on relatively open plains, a decision that seriously weakened the advantage of the Shu army in taking advantage of the terrain for defense. In military tactics, the use of terrain is a very crucial link, especially in the face of the disadvantage of troops and materials, the advantage of geographical advantage can make up for the lack of strength to a large extent. Ma Tan's decision-making mistake directly led to a major loophole in the Shu army's defensive layout in Jieting, which laid a hidden danger for the subsequent battle.
Sima Yi's precise response
Sima Yi, on the other side, has rich military experience and keen battlefield insight. When he noticed Ma Tan's mistake in the formation, he quickly formulated a countermeasure. By flexibly using his forces and adopting the tactics of roundabout encirclement, he effectively divided the front of the Shu army and gradually weakened the resistance of the Shu army. Sima Yi's series of operations not only showed his excellent command ability, but also made full use of the opponent's mistakes and firmly grasped the initiative in his own hands. In military confrontation, an accurate grasp of the enemy's weaknesses and a quick and effective response can often become the key to changing the tide of war.
Ma Tan's battlefield mistakes
When Ma Tan realized that the situation was unfavorable, he had missed the best opportunity to take effective countermeasures. Due to the lack of effective command and the low morale of the troops, the defense of the Shu army at Jieting quickly collapsed. The loss of Jieting dealt a huge blow to the Northern Expedition of Shu Han, not only losing an important strategic stronghold, but also exposing the rear of the Shu army to the attack of the other party and being in an extremely disadvantageous strategic position. In military operations, a commander's decision-making and command ability has a crucial impact on the outcome of the battle. Ma Tan's mistake at this critical moment directly led to the failure of the entire Northern Expedition.
Zhuge Liang's reflection
Zhuge Liang, as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition, although he had superb military strategy, made mistakes in the selection and trust of personnel, especially the excessive trust in Ma Yan, which became one of the important reasons for the failure of the Northern Expedition.
After the defeat of the street pavilion, Zhuge Liang undoubtedly carried out a deep reflection. Historically, a leader's decision-making and personnel arrangement have had a decisive impact on the success or failure of the entire operation. Zhuge Liang's experience was not only a major test of his personal military career, but also an important enlightenment for future generations in military command and talent selection.