Zhuanjun Cave

Zhuanjun Cave

Zhuanjun Cave is a Major National Historical and Cultural Site.

Zhuanjun Cave

Zhuanjun

Cave) is a site listed in the sixth batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.

In early 2002, near the ruins of Ye City in Hebei Province, archaeological experts recently excavated the southern and northern city gates of Ye City that date back more than 1,700 years to the Cao Wei and Sixteen Kingdoms periods. At the same time, they discovered the legendary “Zhuanjun Cave” of Cao Cao. According to reports, the excavated city gate ruins are located 30 kilometers southwest of Linzhang County, approximately 1 kilometer from the famous existing “Three Terraces” of the Cao Wei period — the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, Golden Phoenix Terrace, and Ice Well Terrace. The city gate ruin stretches over 50 meters from north to south, is over 3 meters wide, and about 4 meters high, featuring an arched ceiling. On both sides of the gate passage, evenly spaced board holes from the construction period can be found, measuring 90 cm between eyes and 70 cm between rows. At the gate entrance, there are gate pivot stones placed symmetrically on both sides where the gate would turn. Beneath the gate, there is a closed drainage channel running from north to south. The gate includes a secret passageway that goes from above ground, underground, and back again, which may be the legendary “Zhuanjun Cave” from the historical tale of “Cao Cao’s troops that couldn’t be counted.”

Legend has it that after the “Zhuanjun Cave” was built, Cao Cao held a grand military parade in Ye City and invited Guan Yu, the sworn brother of Liu Bei who was then detained in his army, to attend the inspection. When the parade began, the strength and splendor of Cao Cao’s troops were on full display — soldiers and horses were majestic, swords and spears gleamed in the sunlight, creating a most impressive sight. Especially notable was Cao Cao’s extraordinary military deployment, with troops moving back and forth, forming endless and unpredictable formations. Although Guan Yu was in Cao Cao’s camp at the time, it was only out of necessity — his heart remained with the Han dynasty, and he was merely biding his time in the lion’s den. He was eager to uncover the true strength of Cao Cao’s forces and assess their numbers, so as to prepare for future attacks against Cao Cao. But no matter how he tried, he simply could not figure out the exact number of soldiers. Later, he came up with a plan: when Cao Cao wasn’t paying attention, he used his sword to cut off a small section of a white horse’s tail. After observing for a while, he noticed the horse had returned, which led him to realize that Cao Cao had actually built hidden passages under the city. As the saying goes, “All is fair in war,” and Guan Yu secretly admired Cao Cao’s cunning intelligence.