Cao Cao, in preparation for a campaign far to the north of the imperial heartland, has put Dong Zhao in charge of digging two canals, the Pinglu Trench ("Pacify-the-Caitiffs Trench") and the Quanzhou Trench, from the autumn of 206 to spring of 207 so he can use these waterways to ship supplies to the north.

While these works are under way, some generals try to dissuade Cao Cao from campaigning so far to the north in case of an attack from the south, fearing that Liu Bei would certainly persuade Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province, to raid Xu City, Cao’s capital.

However, Cao Cao's strategist Guo Jia urges a swift attack, opining that the Wuhuan, being so far away from the Chinese heartland, are deluded by a false sense of security and can be defeated and destroyed in a quick attack.

Otherwise, the Yuan brothers and the Wuhuan would cause trouble, and the newly settled northern provinces would be lost.

Further, Liu Biao would then not be persuaded by Liu Bei, who he does not trust in any case, to launch an attack on Xu City.

Cao Cao agrees with Guo Jia's analysis, and in the summer of 207, Cao personally marches his army to Yijing (present-day Yi County, Hebei) and makes the city his base camp for the campaign.

From here, …

…Cao advances to Wuzhong (present-day Ji County, Tianjin), where the local leader Tian Chou submits to him.

The base of Wuhuan power is located at Liucheng ( in present-day Xingcheng, Liaoning), and the obvious line of attack from Wuzhong is through the plains along the coastline of the Bohai Sea.

The monsoon season sets in, however, in the seventh lunar month, and the heavy rains flood the low-lying areas and drench the roads in mud, making the terrain impassible.

The Wuhuan also anticipate such an attack route and hold the river crossings, and for some time Cao Cao's army cannot advance.

Cao Cao turns for advice to Tian Chou, who is familiar with the area and has had run-ins with the Wuhuan before.

Tian Chou advises Cao Cao of a disused road that leads to the abandoned Former Han frontier lands, whence the army could march through undefended territory and attack the Wuhuan where they least expected it.

Cao Cao, most pleased, accepts the plan and leads his army back (presumably to Wuzhong).

He has his men erect signs on the roads by the water, stating "It is the middle of summer, and the road is impassable. We are waiting for autumn or winter to resume the advance."

Enemy scouts see the sign and apparently believe that Cao Cao had really retreated.

As Tian Chou had predicted, the Wuhuan are convinced that any force that cannot advance through the plains has to turn back.

Cao Cao takes Guo Jia’s suggestion that "swiftness is the key in war" and that he should leave the baggage behind and make a forced march with light troops to take the enemy by surprise, since carrying too much baggage bogs the army down and alerts the enemy of the army's presence.

With Tian Chou leading the way, Cao Cao leads a light force to embark on what has been called one of his most remarkable military adventures of his career.

They climb the hills of Xuwu (west of present-day Zunhua, Hebei), …

…exit the Chinese frontiers through Lulong Pass (present-day Xifeng Pass) into the upper valley of the Luan River, and march through difficult terrain for over five hundred li.

Turning east at Pinggang (near present-day Pingquan County, Hebei), the expedition force crosses the grazing fields of the Xianbei and reenters the mountain ranges that serve as the Later Han Dynasty's borders.

Cao Cao's men have by now flanked Tadun's defensive positions and are advancing on a line to the sea that will divide the enemy territory in two.

Tadun and his allies, as Cao Cao's army reaches the valley of Daling River by autumn in the eighth lunar month, realize what is happening, hastily withdraw from their prepared positions, and gather to face Cao Cao to the north.

With tens of thousands of men gathered, Tadun, along with Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, and the two Wuhuan chanyu Louban and Wuyan, meet Cao Cao's army at White Wolf Mountain (near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning).

The encounter is sudden for both parties.

Faced with superior numbers and the baggage left in the rear, Cao Cao's lightly armored men become afraid.

The Wuhuan, on the other hand, are evidently unprepared for battle as they are not in proper formations, nor do they attempt to take the initiative by harassing Cao Cao's march.

Undaunted, Cao Cao climbs a slope to observe the enemy's formations.

He sees that the Wuhuan are in disorder, and immediately unleashes his soldiers to exploit this weakness.

With general Zhang Liao leading the offensive, the light force swiftly defeats the Wuhuan cavalry, and Cao Chun's brigade captures Tadun.

Within a short time, Tadun and many of his men are killed and the battle is over.

Over two hundred thousand Chinese settlers and Wuhuan tribesmen surrender to Cao Cao.

In a single engagement, Cao Cao has broken the back of Wuhuan resistance.

…

The Yuan brothers and the surviving Wuhuan leaders, Supuyan, Louban, Wuyan and others, flee east with a few thousand horses to Liaodong (eastern Liaoning), where the warlord Gongsun Kang enjoys some degree of independence from the Han Dynasty imperial court due to Liaodong's distance from the capital and the chaotic state in China.

In the ninth lunar month, Cao Cao continues his march into Liucheng, and here he halts, making no intention to attack Liaodong despite the urgings of his subordinates.

He later explains that applying pressure to Liaodong may have bound Yuan Shang and Gongsun Kang against him, but if he left them to their own devices, they would quarrel among themselves.

A few days after Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi arrive in Liaodong, Gongsun Kang arranges to see them.

Yuan Shang plots to kill Gongsun Kang and take his territory for the Yuans, but Gongsun Kang strikes first, killing the brothers and sending their heads to Cao Cao.

The Wuhuan leaders who follow the Yuans are not spared either and all are decapitated.

Cao Cao returns after this victory to the North China Plain following a particularly difficult withdrawal from Liucheng, where the coldness of early winter, shortage of food, and drought all take their toil on Cao Cao's men.

He then rewards and compliments those councilors who had advised against the Wuhuan campaign earlier, acknowledging that the venture had been dangerous and risky and he had been blessed by fortune.

Indeed, Liu Bei had tried to persuade Liu Biao to attack while Cao Cao was away in the north, although, as Guo Jia had predicted, Liu Biao did not take the opportunity and later regretted this decision.

The widow of Japan’s Emperor Chuai rules as Empress Jingo following her hiusband's death in 209.

The legend of Jingū's invasion of the Korean peninsula is based on the traditional Japanese interpretation of the Kwanggeto Stele found in Manchuria, which proclaimed Goguryeo's dominion over Manchuria and the northern part of Korea.

Closer examination has revealed that this traditional interpretation was based on conjecture, since several critical letters of the text are missing, and in context would correlate more with Goguryeo's immediate southern neighbors, Silla and Baekje.

Baekje had very close relations with Japan, including exchanges between the two courts, and it was a primary conduit of continental culture to Japan.

East Central Europe (208–219 CE): Late Severan Stability and Frontier Prosperity

Between 208 and 219 CE, East Central Europe—encompassing Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and those portions of Germany and Austria lying east of 10°E and north of a line stretching from roughly 48.2°N at 10°E southeastward to the Austro-Slovenian border near 46.7°N, 15.4°E—experienced sustained frontier stability, economic prosperity, and diplomatic continuity. Under the later reign of Emperor Septimius Severus and his successor Caracalla, the region saw significant reinforcement of Roman frontier defenses, prosperous trade relationships, and stable interactions with neighboring Germanic and Sarmatian tribes.

Political and Military Developments

Continuation of Severan Frontier Policies

• Under Emperor Septimius Severus (193–211 CE), Roman frontier defenses along the Danube remained robust, characterized by extensive fortification networks and increased troop deployments in the provinces of Pannonia Superior, Pannonia Inferior, and Noricum.

• His successor, Emperor Caracalla (211–217 CE), maintained this strong defensive stance, ensuring ongoing frontier security and political stability throughout the region.

Peaceful Diplomatic Relations

• Stable diplomatic relations persisted between Roman authorities and major tribal groups—particularly the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Iazyges.

• Agreements established in previous decades remained largely intact, promoting peaceful coexistence and continued cross-border trade and cooperation.

Internal Consolidation of Tribal Groups

• Germanic and Sarmatian tribal confederations north and east of the Roman frontier continued internal consolidation, with stable tribal leadership and clearly delineated territories contributing to enduring regional stability.

Economic and Technological Developments

Economic Prosperity and Expanded Trade

• Economic conditions along the frontier thrived, driven by stable Roman administration and robust trade networks. Frontier towns and tribal communities actively exchanged Roman manufactured goods (ceramics, metalwork, textiles, glassware) for regional resources (amber, iron goods, livestock, agricultural products).

• Monetary transactions flourished due to the reliable circulation of Roman coinage.

Continued Technological Advancements

• Military infrastructure improvements and frontier fortifications continued to stimulate local technological innovations. Enhanced roads, bridges, fortresses, and civilian infrastructure projects improved regional productivity and communication.

Cultural and Artistic Developments

Vibrant Cultural Exchange

• Sustained peaceful conditions fostered vibrant cultural interactions between Roman and tribal communities. Artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and metalwork, exhibited increasingly sophisticated blends of Roman technical excellence and Germanic artistic traditions.

Artistic Production and Synthesis

• Local artisans, benefiting from prosperous economic conditions, produced refined artistic objects, demonstrating a continued synthesis of Roman styles and traditional tribal motifs.

Settlement and Urban Development

Reinforcement and Prosperity of Frontier Towns

• Major Roman frontier settlements, notably Carnuntum, Vindobona, and Aquincum, continued to prosper and expand. These towns strengthened fortifications, enhanced administrative structures, and grew commercially vibrant, serving as central hubs of trade and governance.

Stable Tribal Settlements

• Germanic and Sarmatian tribal settlements maintained stability, adopting increasingly permanent settlement patterns and fortification practices reflecting peaceful coexistence and stable economic interactions.

Social and Religious Developments

Stable Tribal Leadership and Social Hierarchies

• Tribal societies maintained stable hierarchical structures dominated by warrior elites and tribal chieftains. Stable conditions allowed for the continued strengthening of social cohesion and clear leadership structures.

Continued Religious Practices and Cultural Identity

• Traditional tribal religious practices remained robust, emphasizing rituals supporting peace, prosperity, and community solidarity, while still incorporating subtle Roman influences due to ongoing cultural exchanges.

Long-Term Consequences and Historical Significance

The era 208–219 CE under late Severan rulers marked a period of sustained stability, frontier security, and economic prosperity for East Central Europe. Successful frontier management, strengthened diplomatic ties, and vibrant economic and cultural exchanges significantly influenced regional development, setting essential foundations for long-term stability and shaping the region’s historical trajectory into subsequent eras.