Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance
By Sima Guang
Translated By Yiming Yang
Annals of Han Book 21 Scroll 29 (continued)
The 1st year of Emperor Yuan’s Jingning Era (33 B.C. continued)
The Chanyu rejoiced greatly and submitted a letter, saying: “I am willing to guard the frontier from Shanggu to Dunhuang and transmit this charge to my descendants without end. I beg that the border defenses and garrisons be withdrawn, so that the people of the Son of Heaven may have rest.”
The Emperor referred the matter to his ministers for deliberation, and all deemed it advantageous. Only the Court Attendant Hou Ying, well versed in frontier affairs, spoke in opposition.
The Emperor asked for an explanation. Hou Ying replied:
“Since the time of the Zhou and Qin, the Xiongnu have been violent and aggressive, constantly raiding the frontiers. Since the rise of the Han, we have suffered especially from their incursions. I have heard that the northern frontier stretches east to Liaodong and west beyond the Yin Mountains, extending for more than a thousand li, rich in grass, forests, and game. In former times, Modu Chanyu used this land as his hunting ground, fashioning bows and arrows there and launching his raids.
“In the reign of Emperor Wu, when armies were dispatched on campaign, this territory was recovered and the Xiongnu were driven beyond the desert. Fortified barriers were erected, beacon towers and subterranean passes were established, outer walls were constructed, and garrisons were stationed to defend them. Only then did the borderlands attain a measure of peace.
“North of the desert, the land is flat and barren, with little grass or timber and vast stretches of sand; when the Xiongnu come to raid, they have nowhere to conceal themselves. South of the barriers lie deep mountains and ravines, difficult to traverse. The elders of the frontier say: ‘Since the Xiongnu lost the Yin Mountains, they have never crossed them without weeping.’ If now the garrisons are withdrawn and the defenses abandoned, it would be to hand the eastern and northern tribes a single, immense advantage. This is the first reason it must not be done.
“Now, under Your Majesty’s virtuous rule, Heaven shelters the Xiongnu, and they enjoy preservation and peace, bowing their heads in submission. Yet the nature of these tribes is such that when pressed they are humble and compliant, but when strong they grow arrogant and rebellious—such is Heaven’s design. Previously, the outer walls were already dismantled and the watchtowers reduced, leaving only what was needed to observe and signal. The ancients, even in times of peace, never forgot the possibility of danger; such defenses must not again be abolished. This is the second reason.”
“Since antiquity, the Central State has established passes and bridges in order to restrain the feudal lords, thereby cutting off any thought of ambition among the people. The construction of frontier barriers and the stationing of garrisons were not undertaken solely because of the Xiongnu, but also on account of the various dependent states and surrendered peoples who had once belonged to them—lest they recall former ties and flee back. This is the fourth reason.
“Recently, the Western Qiang have dwelt near the frontier posts and come into contact with the Han populace. Officials and commoners, driven by greed, have encroached upon them, seizing their livestock and taking their wives and children. For this they harbored resentment and rose in rebellion. Now, if the mounted frontier posts are abolished, arrogance and contempt will arise, disputes will multiply—this is the fifth reason.
“In former times, many soldiers went to war and never returned; their sons and grandsons were left in poverty. If one day they should flee, they would surely seek refuge among their kin among the Xiongnu—this is the sixth reason.
“Moreover, the bondservants and slaves of the border people live in hardship. Many long to flee, saying, ‘We hear that life among the Xiongnu is easy; only the strict watch and guard restrain us.’ Even now, some slip away beyond the frontier—this is the seventh reason.
“Furthermore, bandits and violent men, when pressed by the law, often flee northward beyond the borders, beyond our ability to pursue or restrain them—this is the eighth reason.
“Since the establishment of the frontier defenses, more than a hundred years have passed. Not all were built of rammed earth alone: some relied upon mountain cliffs, stone and timber, river valleys, and water-gates, which were gradually leveled and joined together. Soldiers and laborers toiled to construct and repair them; the hardship and expense accumulated through generations are beyond reckoning. I fear that those who now deliberate have not examined the matter from beginning to end, and wish to abolish at once all corvée service and garrison duties. Yet within ten years—or within a hundred—should circumstances change, and should the barriers collapse and the watch-posts and subterranean passes disappear, new garrisons would again have to be raised and the works rebuilt. The accumulated labor of generations cannot be restored in a single day. This is the ninth reason.
“If the garrisons are withdrawn and the watch-posts reduced, the Chanyu, relying upon his own frontier defenses, will surely feel deep gratitude toward Han and will make incessant requests. Should we then displease him even slightly, the consequences would be beyond all calculation. To open a breach for the tribes and diminish the strength of the Central State—this is the tenth reason.
“Withdrawing garrisons is not the long-term strategy by which lasting peace is preserved and the hundred tribes are held in awe.”
After hearing this, the Emperor issued a decree: “Let there be no further discussion of dismountling the frontier defenses.”
He then dispatched Xu Jia, General of Chariots and Cavalry, to convey this message to Huhanye Chanyu, saying:
“The Chanyu has written, requesting that the northern frontier officials and garrisons be withdrawn, pledging that his descendants will guard the border for generations to come. The Chanyu’s admiration for propriety and his concern for the welfare of the people reveal a far-sighted intention, which We greatly commend.
“The Central Realm, however, maintains barriers and defenses in all four directions—not solely to guard against external threats, but also to restrain disorder within. Clear laws and firm institutions are the means by which order is preserved. We fully understand and appreciate the Chanyu’s intent and harbor no suspicion. Yet, lest the Chanyu be perplexed by the continued maintenance of these defenses, we have therefore dispatched Xu Jia to explain the matter in person.”
Huhanye Chanyu replied:
“I did not comprehend this far-reaching design. I am deeply grateful that the Son of Heaven has sent a high minister to instruct me. I receive this with reverence and gratitude.”
Reflection by Rio Grande 