When was Zhuge Liang's Six Northern Expeditions?

Zhuge Liang pacified the barbarians and prepared to send troops to the northern expedition. He prayed for the mountain six times, the first time was the most successful, but veteran Zhao Yun died at the end of the first prayer.

After Zhuge Liang recovered Wu and pacified South China, he prepared for the Northern Expedition of Cao Wei.

In the spring of the 6th year of Jian Xing in Shu Han Dynasty (AD 228), the first Northern Expedition made Zhao Yun and others suspect soldiers, pretending to attack from Gu Jie (now south of Meixian County, Shaanxi Province) to attract Wei Jun. I led the main attack on Qishan (now Qishan Fort in Xihe County, Gansu Province), and three counties in Longyou, Tianshui, Nan 'an and Anding successively rebelled against Wei and surrendered to Shu, and also subdued Jiang Wei, causing the Guanzhong earthquake. However, Ma Su violated Zhuge Liang's deployment, was defeated by Zhang He, and lost the street pavilion. Zhao Yun and other troops were also unfavorable, so Zhuge Liang had to return to Hanzhong. Soon, Tianshui, Nan 'an and Anding counties rebelled and attached Wei.

The second Northern Expedition was in the same winter. Zhuge Liang took advantage of Lu Xun's defeat of Cao Xiuzhi in Shi Ting, left for the customs, surrounded Chencang (now southwest of Baoji, Shaanxi) and attacked for more than 20 days. Wei had to return to Hanzhong when reinforcements arrived.

The third Northern Expedition was in the seventh year of Jianxing. Liang attacked Wudu (now Chengxian County, Gansu Province) and Wenxian County, Gansu Province (now northwest of Gansu Province), defeated Wei reinforcements, occupied these two counties, stayed behind, and led his troops back to the Li Dynasty. The following year, Wei Jun attacked Hanzhong, Zhuge Liang strengthened his defense and sent reinforcements. Due to the continuous heavy rain, roads such as Ziwu Valley and Gu Jie were blocked, and Wei Jun retreated.

The fourth Northern Expedition was in Jianxing for nine years. The Shu army surrounded Qishan, and Sima Yi, commander-in-chief of Wei Jun, met him. Zhuge Liang is ready for a decisive battle. Sima yi knew that the Shu army had a long way to go and there was not much food, so he stuck to it and refused to go out. Zhuge Liang tried to lure the enemy by withdrawing troops, but Sima Yi was very cautious in pursuit. As soon as the Shu army stopped, he camped and lit a fire. At this time, Li Yan falsely proclaimed the imperial edict and said that he would withdraw his troops. The Shu army had run out of food and grass, so Zhuge Liang had to dispatch troops and ambush and kill the famous Wei Zhang He on his way home.

The fifth northern expedition was in the spring of the twelfth year. Zhuge Liang led a hundred thousand troops out of Xiegukou, arrived in Yan County, and camped in Wuzhangyuan on the south bank of Weishui River. Sima Yi also set up a camp to stop him from fighting the Shu army. Knowing that the Shu army has a long way to go and it is difficult to transport food and grass, I want to drag the Shu army down. Zhuge Liang is also preparing to divide his troops in Weishui and make plans for long-term operations. Zhuge Liang had reached an agreement with Sun Quan to attack Wei at the same time before the invasion. In May, Wu Jun attacked Wei with 100,000 troops, but they were defeated and retreated to Jiangdong. The Shu army had to deal with Wei Jun unilaterally. In August, Zhuge Liang broke down from overwork, and his illness became more and more serious, and he died soon.

After his death, Jiang Wei and others obeyed his will, secretly refused to send out obituaries, and the whole army retreated into the inclined valley.

Zhuge Liang made five northern expeditions, but actually sent troops to Qishan only twice; Another time, Wei Jun attacked Hanzhong, not Zhuge Liang. In a word, later generations said it was "six out of Qishan".