Reflection by Rio Grande

Tag: Xianling

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 204): A Miscalculation of Split Hair May Cause A Divergence of Thousand Mile

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 18 Scroll 26 (continued)

    Yellow River Source–The Habitat of Qiang People

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Shen’jue Era (61 B.C. continued)

    When the Emperor received Zhao Chongguo’s memorial, he ordered it circulated among his advisers. The courtiers unanimously objected:

    “The Xianling are powerful—they have reckoned on aids from the Han and Jian tribes. If we do not first subdue the Han and Jian tribes, we cannot strike at the Xianling tribe.”

    The Emperor then appointed the Privy Counselor Xu Yanshou as General of Strong Crossbows, and made Xin Wuxian, Prefect of Jiuquan, General of Smashing Qiang, issuing edicts commending Xin Wuxian‘s strategy.

    In a letter of rebuke to Zhao Chongguo, the Emperor decreed:

    “Transportation is unsettled, and the people are burdened. The general commands more than ten thousand men. If we do not seize the autumn waters and grass while they are plentiful, once winter arrives the enemy will have stored fodder, hidden in the mountains, and fortified themselves; while our soldiers will suffer cold, their hands and feet cracked with frost—what benefit lies in delay? General Zhao considers not the expenditure of the Central Realm, seeking to win by prolonging the campaign—which general wouldn’t be glad if it worked out? Now it is commanded that General Xin Wuxian and others lead their forces to attack the Han Qiang in July. General Zhao must join them in advancing without hesitation.”

    Zhao Chongguo submitted a memorial, stating:

    “Your Majesty previously bestowed a gracious decree, instructing that an envoy be sent to the Han tribe, intending to deploy great forces to display imperial strength yet spare the Han Qiang, allowing them to give up their rebellious thoughts. Therefore I dispatched Diaoku, a prominent leader of the Jian tribe, to deliver the imperial command to Han and Jian Qiang. All followers of the Han tribe are now aware of this clear decree. Presently, the Xianling Qiang, led by Yang Yu, block the mountains and forests, awaiting the chance to strike. The Han tribe has committed no offense, yet we now abandon the Xianling and strike at the Han tribe—leting the guilty alone, punishing the innocent, and harming two tribes in order to restrain one that causes trouble. This is not what Your Majesty originally intended.

    “I have heard it said in the art of war: ‘If strength is insufficient for attack, then there is surplus for defense.’ And also: ‘The skilled general achieves victory by seizing initiative, not by reacting to the enemy.’ Now the Han Qiang might desire to raid Dunhuang and Jiuquan. We should keep our troops and horses well-ordered, drill our soldiers, and await their approach. Sitting firm until the enemy arrives, then striking with ease to wear them down—this is the way to victory. I fear that the troops in these two commanderies are few and cannot hold the defense, yet we intend to send them out to attack, abandoning the strategy of maneuvering the enemy and instead submitting to be maneuvered by the enemy. In my humble judgment, this is unwise.

    “The Xianling tribe have long harbored intent to betray us, thus they reconciled with the Han and Jian Qiang and settled their grievances. Yet they cannot help but fear that the Han and Jian Qiang may turn against them when the great Han army arrives. Therefore, I believe they will rush to aid the Han and Jian Qiang to secure the alliance. If we strike the Han and Jian Qiang first, Xianling will surely reinforce them. Their horses are fat, their provisions ample—I fear that our assault will do them no harm, but instead give Xianling the chance to lend favor to the Han and Jian Qiang, cementing their unity. Once united, they will field more than twenty thousand elite warriors, pressing upon the smaller tribes; those who cling to them will not easily break away. Thus their power will grow, and it will cost us tenfold effort to break them later. Our borders may suffer for decades, not merely two or three years.

    “In my view, if we first eliminate Xianling, then the Han and Jian Qiang will be subdued without further campaign. If we destroy Xianling first and the Han and Jian Qiang still refuse to submit, striking them in January of the coming year will be timely and advantageous. Advancing now will bring no benefit.”

    On June 28, Zhao Chongguo’s memorial reached the throne. On July 5, in autumn, an imperial edict was issued adopting his proposal.

    Zhao Chongguo then marched his forces to the Xianling encampment. The enemy had been stationed there for a long time and had grown lax in discipline. When they saw the great Han army approaching, they abandoned their heavy carts and attempted to flee across the Huang River. The pass was narrow and difficult. Zhao Chongguo advanced deliberately, pressing them forward. 

    Some officers urged him, “Pursue them swiftly while profit is within reach.” 

    But Zhao Chongguo said, “These are desperate men—they cannot be driven. If we delay, they will flee of their own accord; if we press too hard, they will turn back and fight like cornered beasts.” 

    The commanders all agreed, “Well spoken.” 

    In their panic, hundreds of the enemy drowned in the river. More than five hundred were slain or surrendered. Over one hundred thousand head of horses, cattle, and sheep, and more than four thousand carts were seized.

    When the army arrived in the territory of the Han tribe, Zhao Chongguo ordered that no villages be burned, nor fields grazed. Hearing this, the Qiang of the Han tribe rejoiced, “The Great Han truly has no intent to attack us!” Their chieftain, Miwang, sent word expressing a wish to return to his former lands.

    Zhao Chongguo reported this to the throne, but received no reply. Soon after, Miwang himself came to surrender. Zhao Chongguo treated him with food and wine, then sent him back to persuade his tribe. The Protector-General and his subordinates objected, saying, “This man is a rebel—how can he be released without authorization?”

    Zhao Chongguo responded, “You merely wish to resolve matters for your own convenience, without regard for what best serves the state!” Before he finished speaking, an imperial edict arrived, pardoning Miwang. In the end, the Han tribe yielded without resistance.

    The Emperor then ordered General of Smashing Qiang, Xin Wuxian, and General of Strong Crossbows, Xu Yanshou, to return to their garrisons and join Zhao Chongguo in advancing against the Xianling in December. By then more than ten thousand Qiang had already surrendered, and Zhao Chongguo judged the enemy to be near collapse. He wished to withdraw the cavalry and establish agricultural militias to await their defeat. Before he could submit this memorial, however, an imperial command arrived ordering him to advance at once.

    Zhao Chongguo’s son, the General of the Household Zhao Ang, grew anxious and sent a staff officer to advise him, saying:

    “If the matter is such that our generals may perish and our army be routed—endangering the state itself—then it is right for the General to remain firm and hold to his position. But what profit is there in disputing over benefit and harm? If, in an instant, your words run contrary to the Emperor’s will, he may send a messenger in silk(an imperial censor) to question you—then how will the General preserve yourself, let alone the realm?”

    Zhao Chongguo replied:

    “That was a disloyal thing to say! If my counsel had not been ignored, how would the Qiang have come to this? Earlier, when someone was to be sent to pacify them, I recommended Xin Wuxian; but the Chancellor and the Imperial Censor proposed Yiqu Anguo instead, which led to disaster in Qiang territory. When grain in Jincheng and Huangzhong cost eight coins per bushel, I advised the Associate Minister of Agriculture, Geng Shouchang: ‘If we purchase three million bushels, the Qiang will not dare move.’ Associate Minister Geng asked to purchase only one million; in the end we acquired but four hundred thousand. During Yiqu Anguo’s second campaign, half was squandered. These two failures emboldened the Qiang to rebel. A miscalculation the width of a hair becomes a divergence of a thousand li.

    “Now the army has tarried too long, and the border tribes begin to stir. Even if wise men should arise, they may not be able to amend the consequences. Should we fear only the Qiang? I stand firm to the last moment of my life, a loyal minister serving a sagacious lord.”

  • Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance(Part 203): Old Horse Knows The Way

    Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance

    By Sima Guang

    Translated By Yiming Yang  

    Annals of Han Book 18 Scroll 26 (continued)

    General Zhao Chongguo

    The 1st year of Emperor Xuan’s Shen’jue Era (61 B.C. continued)

    The Grandee of Merit, Yiqu Anguo, advanced into Qiangzhong. More than thirty influential Xianling leaders were summoned, and those deemed especially cunning and treacherous were executed. Troops were then released to strike the Xianling tribes, taking over a thousand heads. As a result, the surrendered Qiang and those who had submitted to the Han—such as the Qiang Marquis of Guiyi, Yang Yu—grew resentful and distrustful. They began raiding small settlements, rebelling against the frontier, assaulting towns and cities, and killing local officials. Yiqu Anguo, serving as Cavalry Commandant with three thousand horsemen under his command, was ordered to guard against the Qiang. But upon reaching Gaomen, he fell into an ambush, losing many chariots and weapons. He withdrew to Lingju county and reported the matter to the court.

    At that time, Zhao Chongguo was over seventy years of age. Believing him perhaps too old, the Emperor sent Bing Ji to inquire whom he thought capable of leading the army. Zhao Chongguo replied, “There is no one more seasoned for this task than this old officer.”

    The Emperor summoned him and asked, “General, how do you judge the Qiang barbarians? How many troops are required?”

    Zhao Chongguo responded, “To hear a hundred second-hand tales is not equal to seeing once with your own eyes. It is difficult to grasp the situation from afar. I request permission to hurry to Jincheng and devise the strategy in person. The Qiang and Rong, and the lesser tribes among them, are rebellious and shifting—surely near collapse. I ask Your Majesty to entrust this old servant and harbor no doubt.”

    The Emperor laughed, saying, “So be it.” He then mobilized a great army to advance on Jincheng commandery.

    In April of summer, Zhao Chongguo was appointed to command the campaign against the Western Qiang.

    In June, a comet appeared in the eastern sky.

    When Zhao Chongguo reached Jincheng, he planned to cross the Yellow River only after ten thousand cavalry had assembled. However, fearing interception by the enemy, he dispatched three detachments bearing torches to cross first under cover of night, ordering them to establish fortifications immediately upon landing. By dawn the crossing was complete, and several dozen to a few hundred enemy horsemen appeared, circling around the army.

    Zhao Chongguo said, “Our men and horses are weary from the journey—we must not pursue lightly. These riders are elite, and difficult to command against. Moreover, this is likely a stratagem to lure us into battle. Our purpose is to crush the enemy; trifling victories are not worth the risk.” He then forbade his troops to give chase.

    He sent equestrian scouts ahead toward Siwang Gulch. When they reported no enemy presence, he led the army through the gulch by night and proceeded to Mount Luodu. Summoning his lieutenants, Zhao Chongguo said, “I am certain the Qiang cannot inflict real harm. Had they stationed even a few thousand to guard Siwang Gulch and bar our passage, how could we have come through so easily?”

    Zhao Chongguo regularly sent scouts far ahead to reconnoiter, prepared for battle even while marching, and fortified his camps whenever he halted. He was cautious in all things, valued the lives of his soldiers, and calculated before committing to combat. From Mount Luodu he advanced westward to the headquarters of the Western Commandant, where he held feasts daily for his troops, whose morale surged and who all longed for action. Though the enemy repeatedly provoked him, Zhao Chongguo remained resolute and would not engage.

    After several prisoners were captured alive, they confessed that the Qiang chieftains chastised one another, saying: “I told you we should not rebel! Now the Emperor has sent General Zhao—eighty or ninety years of age, yet unmatched in the art of war. Even if we wished to fight to the death, would we even have the chance?”

    Earlier, the chieftain of the Han and Jian tribes, Midanger, had sent his younger brother Diaoku to report to the Commandant that the Xianling tribe were preparing to rebel. Several days later, they indeed rose in revolt. Since many of Diaoku’s kinsmen were aligned with the Xianling, the Commandant held him as a hostage. Zhao Chongguo, judging him blameless, released him and sent him back with a message for the Xianling chieftains, declaring: “The imperial army punishes only the guilty, sparing the innocent. The Emperor proclaims to all Qiang people: whoever captures lawbreakers shall be rewarded in proportion to the gravity of their captives’ crimes, with gold bestowed accordingly, and the wives, children, and property of the captured awarded as well.” Zhao Chongguo’s design was to employ imperial authority to win over the Han and Jian tribes and those among the raiders who might submit, thereby unsettling the enemy’s plans, exploiting their fatigue, and then striking once their strength faltered.

    At this time the Emperor had already dispatched sixty thousand troops from the inner commanderies to strengthen the border garrisons. The Prefect of Jiuquan, Xin Wuxian, submitted a memorial stating:

    “The commandery garrisons all sit defensively in the southern mountains, leaving the northern frontier exposed—this cannot sustain. If we wait until autumn or winter to advance, such a plan suits only when the enemy is far away. Now they raid us day and night, and the land is bitterly cold. Han horses cannot endure the winter. It would be better to provision our troops in early July with thirty days’ supplies, divide them into two columns, and attack from Zhangye and Jiuquan, converging upon Han and Jian tribes along the Xianshui River. Even if we cannot exterminate them entirely, we may seize their livestock, take their wives and children, and then withdraw. In winter we may strike again, and when the main force advances thereafter, the enemy will surely be thrown into turmoil.”

    The Emperor forwarded Xin Wuxian’s letter to Zhao Chongguo for feedback. Zhao Chongguo replied:

    “Each horse can carry no more than thirty days of grain—two and a half bushels of rice or eight bushels of wheat—besides clothing and arms. Pursuit would be difficult. The enemy will doubtlessly rely on shifting maneuvers, withdrawing gradually, following water and pasture, scattering into mountains and forests. If we chase deeply, they will seize the heights and sever our supply lines, placing us in extreme peril. We would become a joke to the barbarians, and the humiliation would not be washed away for a thousand years. As for Xin Wuxian’s proposal that we seize their livestock and capture their wives and children, this is more hope than strategy, not something that can be relied upon. The Xianling tribe rose first in rebellion, and the other tribes only followed them in raiding and kidnapping. Therefore, this old officer proposes that we acknowledge the excesses committed by the Han and Jian tribes, conceal their offenses, and refrain from exposing them. We should first suppress the Xianling to inspire fear, after which they will seek to correct themselves. Then we may pardon their crimes, appoint capable officials familiar with their customs, and gently guide them toward reconciliation. This is the only plan that protects the whole army and truly secures the frontier.”