Wu Han, also known as Ziyen, was a native of Wanyuan County in Nanyang. His family was poor, and he served as a minor official in the county. In the final years of Wang Mang's rule, he fled to Yuyang after one of his guests got into trouble with the law. With neither money nor food, he earned a living trading horses, traveling back and forth between Yandi and Jidi, and getting acquainted with the local heroes wherever he went.
After Emperor Gengshi ascended the throne, he sent the envoy Han Hong to Hebei to recruit talents. Someone told Han Hong, "Wu Ziyen is a talented person; you should discuss important matters with him." Han Hong then summoned Wu Han for a meeting, was very impressed by him, and immediately appointed him as the county magistrate of Anle.
Just as Wang Lang was rebelling, the north was thrown into chaos. Wu Han had always heard that Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was a formidable figure, so he wanted to throw in his lot with him. He urged Prefect Peng Chong, "The cavalry from Yuyang and Shanggu counties are renowned elite troops! Why don't you gather the elite soldiers of the two counties and follow Liu Gong to attack Handan? This is a golden opportunity to make a name for ourselves!" Peng Chong saw the logic in his words, but his subordinates were all eager to side with Wang Lang. Feeling powerless, Wu Han resigned and stayed in a pavilion just outside the city, pondering how to persuade everyone to join him, but he couldn't think of a good plan right away.
At this time, he saw someone who looked like a scholar on the side of the road, so Wu Han asked someone to call him over, prepared food for him, and asked what news he had heard recently. The man told Wu Han that wherever Liu Xiu went, the counties would pledge their allegiance to him; those in Handan who supported Wang Lang were not truly loyal to the Liu clan. Wu Han was over the moon to hear this! He immediately forged a decree from Emperor Guangwu, wrote a letter to Yuyang, sent the scholar with the letter to meet Peng Chong, and had the people in the county inform Peng Chong of what they had heard, then Wu Han entered the city. Upon hearing the news, Peng Chong sent Wu Han with troops, along with the generals from Shanggu, and they went south, killing all of Wang Lang's generals along the way.
After joining Emperor Guangwu in Guang'a, Wu Han was appointed as a deputy general. After capturing Handan, he was further appointed as the Marquis of Jiance.
Wu Han was an honest and kind man, not particularly skilled in speaking, and could not clearly express his ideas at critical moments. Deng Yu and other generals recognized his abilities and recommended him several times. Finally, Emperor Guangwu summoned him, placing trust in him and promoting him, and granted him a mansion, allowing him to live near the imperial palace.
Emperor Guangwu intended to send troops to Youzhou, so he called Deng Yu at night and asked him who would be suitable for the task. Deng Yu said, "I have talked privately with Wu Han; this man is brave, ruthless, and has a keen strategic mind—few other generals can hold a candle to him." Therefore, Emperor Guangwu immediately appointed Wu Han as the Grand General, bestowed upon him the command token, and commanded elite cavalry from ten counties as they marched northward.
Miao, the Governor of Youzhou, heard that Wu Han was coming, so he secretly gathered his troops and ordered the counties not to respond to the call-up. Wu Han then led twenty cavalry to Wuzhong. Miao thought Wu Han was unprepared, so he led his troops out to meet him. However, Wu Han swiftly launched an attack, captured Miao, killed him, and took command of his forces. The northern states were thrown into panic, and cities and towns surrendered one after another. Wu Han then gathered all his troops and headed south to meet Emperor Guangwu at Qingyang.
When the other generals saw Wu Han return with a formidable army and impressive presence, they wondered aloud, "Will he really be willing to share his troops with anyone?" When Wu Han arrived at Emperor Guangwu's camp and reported his troops, the other generals all clamored for Wu Han's troops. Emperor Guangwu smiled and said, "Before, you were worried that Wu Han wouldn't share his troops with you. Now, why do you all want his troops?" The generals all felt ashamed and lowered their heads.
Initially, the Emperor of the Xin Dynasty sent the Minister of Personnel, Xie Gong, along with six generals to attack Wang Lang, but they failed. Later, Emperor Guangwu arrived and together they pacified Handan. However, as Xie Gong, the deputy general, did not report the spoils of war, Emperor Guangwu was wary of him. Even though they were in Handan, Emperor Guangwu divided the city, assigning each group to their own area, but he still frequently comforted Xie Gong. Xie Gong worked diligently, and Emperor Guangwu often praised him, saying, "Minister Xie is truly a good official!" Therefore, Xie Gong felt no self-doubt.
Later, Xie Gong led tens of thousands of soldiers back to Ye City to garrison. At this time, Emperor Guangwu headed south to attack Qingdu and told Xie Gong, "I will go after the enemy, and I will definitely be able to defeat them. The troops in Shanyang will surely be scared and flee. If you use your forces to attack these scattered enemies, you will surely annihilate them." Xie Gong said, "Okay!" As a result, Qingdu was defeated, and the enemy indeed fled north to Longlu Mountain. Xie Gong appointed General Liu Qing and Wei County Prefect Chen Kang to defend Ye City, and led other generals to pursue the enemy. However, they encountered desperate enemies who fought back fiercely; the enemy's resistance was fierce, and Xie Gong suffered a crushing defeat, resulting in the loss of several thousand men.
Emperor Guangwu took advantage of Xie Gong's absence and sent Han soldiers and Cen Peng to launch a surprise attack on Ye City. The Han soldiers first sent a persuasive speaker to convince Chen Kang, "I've heard that wise people don’t stick around in dangerous places hoping for luck, moderately intelligent people use danger to achieve success, and foolish people are content with danger and bring about their own destruction. The arrival of danger and destruction lies in one's own choices, which must be carefully considered! The capital is in chaos now, and the world is in turmoil; you know this. King Xiao has a strong army, and all of Hebei has surrendered to him; you have seen this. Xie Gong has betrayed King Xiao and lost the people's support; you know this too. You are now guarding this lonely city, waiting for inevitable destruction; there’s no honor in this, and no glory to be gained. It is better to open the city gates and welcome our army, turning disaster into opportunity, avoid a foolish defeat, and achieve the success of the wise; this is the best course of action!" Chen Kang found this reasoning convincing. So Chen Kang detained Liu Qing and Xie Gong's family members, opened the city gates, and welcomed the Han soldiers.
When Xie Gong returned to Ye City from Longlu Mountain, he was unaware that Chen Kang had already rebelled. He easily entered the city with a few hundred cavalry soldiers. The Han army's ambush soldiers immediately captured him and executed him on the spot, and his entire retinue surrendered. Xie Gong, whose courtesy name was Zi Zhang, was from Nanyang. At first, his wife was aware that Emperor Guangwu was displeased with him and often warned Xie Gong, saying, "You have a bad relationship with Liu Xiu, but you trust his flattering words and do not make adequate preparations. Ultimately, you'll pay the price!" Xie Gong did not listen, so he ended up with a tragic fate.
Legend has it that Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu, marched north to battle and eliminated a large number of rebels. At that time, he had a fierce general under his command named Cen Peng, who commanded five thousand cavalry in fierce charges, always the first to charge, routing the enemy. Once Hebei was pacified, Liu Xiu and his generals jointly petitioned to have Liu Xiu proclaimed emperor. After becoming emperor, Liu Xiu appointed Cen Peng as Grand Marshal and also made him the Marquis of Wuyang; the rewards were truly substantial!
In the spring of the second year of Jianwu, Cen Peng followed the Grand Commander Wang Liang, General Zhu You of Jianyi, General Du Mao, Jia Fu of the Imperial Guard, General Jian Xin of Yanghua, General Wang Ba, as well as the cavalry captain Liu Long, Ma Wu, Yin Shi, and other generals, together defeating the rebel army in Tan Xiang on the Zhang River east of Ye City, capturing over a hundred thousand surrendering troops. The Emperor sent an envoy to deliver the imperial decree, officially appointing Cen Peng as the Marquis of Guangping, with his fiefdom including the four counties of Guangping, Chizhang, Quzhou, and Guangnian.
After that, Cen Peng led everyone to attack the rebel forces led by Li Boqing on the western mountain of Ye City, as well as the rebel forces in Henan Xiuwu, destroying their camps. The Emperor even visited the soldiers to offer his support! Then, the Emperor sent Cen Peng with troops to Nanyang, attacking the cities of Wan, Nieyang, Li, Rang, and Xinye, all of which he successfully captured. Cen Peng continued southward, engaged in battle with Qin Feng on the Huangyou River and emerged victorious. Together with General Feng Yi, they defeated the rebel forces led by Zhang Wen at Wulou in Changcheng, and captured the two rebel strongholds in Xin'an, Tongma and Wufan, all of which were defeated.
In the spring of the second year, I led General Geng Yan of Jianwei and General Gai Yan of Huya to fight against the Qingdu Army in the west of Zhi, and defeated them, causing the entire army to surrender. Then, I led General Du Mao of Biaoqi and General Chen Jun of Qiangnu, besieging Su Mao in Guangle. Consequently, Zhou Jian, a subordinate of Liu Yong, managed to rally over ten thousand men to rescue Guangle. Our Han cavalry went to meet them in battle, but we were unable to gain any advantage. I was thrown off my horse and injured my knee, so I had to return to camp. Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Jian and his men rushed into the city.
The generals under my command were anxious, saying, "The enemy is right in front of us, but you are lying wounded in the camp in this state. Everyone is afraid!" Upon hearing this, I immediately got angry, endured the pain and stood up, slaughtered cattle to treat the soldiers, and then loudly announced, "The enemy may be numerous, but they are all a bunch of rabble, bandits and rogues, with no loyalty whatsoever! Today is a great opportunity for us to be promoted and appointed as generals, so everyone give it your all!" These words stirred up the soldiers, each of them pumped up like they’d been given a shot of adrenaline. The next day, Zhou Jian and Du Mao led their troops to attack us. I handpicked four elite units, along with Huang Tou, Wu He, and over three thousand cavalry from the Wuhuan tribe. With a single command, we charged into battle! Zhou Jian's army was defeated and scattered, fleeing directly back to the city. I pressed the attack, stormed the city, and completely defeated them, while Du Mao and Zhou Jian fled in fear. I left Du Mao, Chen Jun, and others to hold Guangle, while I took my troops to support Gai Yan, besieging Suiyang, where Liu Yong was holed up. In the end, we took down Liu Yong, and both Guangle and Suiyang fell to us.
In the second year, I was accompanied by Chen Jun and former General Wang Liang, defeated the bandits in Linping, chased them all the way to Jishan in Dongjun, and completely eliminated them. Afterwards, I went north to quell the rebellions of Changzhi in Qinghe and Wuli in Pingyuan. At that time, the five prominent families in Ge County conspired to oust the county magistrate, seized control of the city, and rebelled. My generals were eager to attack Ge County immediately, but I halted them and said, "The rebellion in Ge County is entirely due to the magistrate's misdeeds. Whoever dares to march out without authorization, I will kill him!" I promptly wrote to the prefecture requesting the arrest of the magistrate and dispatched people to pacify the residents of Ge County. Upon hearing this, the five families were elated and surrendered without hesitation. My generals were all impressed, exclaiming, "To subdue the enemy without fighting is no small feat!"
In winter, Liu Xiu led Generals Geng Yan and Wang Chang to attack Fuping and captured the two bandits, Suo and Er, on the plains. In the spring of the following year, the bandits launched a nighttime assault on Liu Xiu's camp with over 50,000 men. The camp was in disarray, but Liu Xiu remained calmly in bed, only settling down after a time. He swiftly dispatched elite troops from the camp to counterattack and decisively routed the enemy. He then pursued the remaining foes, all the way to Wuyan, and subsequently attacked Bohai, bringing them under control. Later, he proceeded to subdue Dong Xian, besieged Qucheng, and in the spring of the following year, captured Qucheng and executed Dong Xian. All these events are documented in "The Biography of Liu Yong." After thoroughly pacifying the eastern region, Liu Xiu triumphantly returned to the capital with his army.
At this point, Kui Xiao rebelled. In the summer, Liu Xiu sent troops to station in the western region of Chang'an. Eight years later, Liu Xiu set out from the east and arrived at Longshan, surrounding Kui Xiao's stronghold in the western city. The emperor issued a decree to Liu Xiu, stating, "The soldiers from various counties are merely wasting food. If anyone escapes, it will affect morale; they should all be recalled." However, Liu Xiu and his troops were resolute in capturing Kui Xiao, so they did not listen to the emperor and continued to attack fiercely. As a result, the food supply dwindled, the soldiers were exhausted and in distress, and many people fled. When Gongsun Shu's reinforcements arrived, Liu Xiu was forced to retreat.
In the spring of the eleventh year, Liu Xiu led the Grand General of the Southern Campaign, Cen Peng, and others to attack Gongsun Shu. Cen Peng broke through Jingmen and marched straight to Jiangguan. Liu Xiu stayed in Yiling, constructed light boats, and led soldiers from Nanyang while recruiting an additional 30,000 men to advance upstream. Cen Peng was killed by an assassin, and Liu Xiu took over his army. In the spring of the twelfth year, Liu Xiu fought against Gongsun Shu's generals Wei Party and Gongsun Yong at Yufu Ferry, achieving a decisive victory, and then besieged Wuyang. Gongsun Shu sent his son-in-law Shi Xing with five thousand men to rescue. Liu Xiu fought against Shi Xing, utterly annihilated his forces, and then entered the Jianwei area. The cities in that region were all heavily fortified. Liu Xiu continued to attack Guangdu and captured it. Then he dispatched light cavalry to destroy the bridges in Chengdu, and the smaller cities east of Wuyang capitulated.
The emperor warned Liu Han, saying, "There are more than 100,000 troops in Chengdu, do not underestimate them. Just hold your ground at Guangdu and wait for them to attack; don't confront them directly. If they do not dare to come, take the initiative to attack and force them, and wait until they are exhausted before striking." Liu Han, seizing the opportunity, pursued the enemy, personally leading over 20,000 infantry and cavalry to approach Chengdu, camping about ten miles away from the city walls, constructing a pontoon bridge on the north bank, and having General Liu Shang led over 10,000 troops to camp on the south bank, with the two armies positioned about twenty miles apart. The emperor was taken aback by this and reprimanded Liu Han, saying, "I have given you so many orders before; how can you be so disorganized in your command on the battlefield? You’ve underestimated the enemy and advanced recklessly, and you also divided your forces with Liu Shang stationed separately. If the situation becomes urgent, there won't be enough time for mutual support. If the enemy pursues you and strikes Liu Shang with their main forces, if Liu Shang is defeated, you're done for. Even without any other complications, you should hurry back to Guangdu with your troops!" Before the imperial decree reached him, the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Shu, dispatched his generals Xie Feng and Yuan Ji to lead more than 100,000 troops, divided into more than twenty camps to launch a joint attack on Liu Han. He also dispatched another force of over 10,000 troops to assault Liu Shang and cut off his chance to provide support.
Liu Han and his army fought all day, were defeated, retreated to their camp, and were surrounded by Xie Feng. Liu Han then gathered his generals and soldiers to encourage them, saying, "We have overcome many difficulties and dangers, traveled thousands of miles, and achieved considerable victories along the way, advanced deep into enemy territory, and reached the enemy's city. Now both Liu Han and Liu Shang are surrounded, unable to provide mutual support, and the consequences are unimaginable. I intend to stealthily lead our troops to rendezvous with Liu Shang in Jiangnan, combine our forces to resist the enemy. If we unite and fight bravely, we can achieve a great victory; if not, failure is right around the corner. Success or failure hinges on this moment!" All the generals and soldiers responded, "We will obey!" So they rewarded the soldiers and fed the war horses, stayed indoors for three days, then raised many flags, set off fireworks continuously, and quietly marched the troops to rendezvous with Liu Shang in Jiangnan. Xie Feng and his men were unaware; the next day, they divided their troops to intercept the north, while Xie Feng led his troops to attack the south. Liu Han concentrated his forces for battle, from morning till night, ultimately securing a significant victory, killing Xie Feng and Yuan Ji, and capturing over five thousand enemy soldiers. Liu Han then withdrew his troops back to Guangdu, leaving Liu Shang to continue resisting Liu Shu. He reported the situation to the court and felt deep remorse. The emperor replied, "You made the right call by returning to Guangdu; Liu Shu won't dare to defeat Liu Shang before turning his attention to you. If he attacks Liu Shang first, you can depart from Guangdu, march with the full army and cavalry, and arrive just in time to defeat him in his moment of crisis." From then on, Liu Han and Liu Shu fought between Guangdu and Chengdu, engaging in eight battles, winning all of them, with the final army stationed outside Chengdu. Liu Shu personally led tens of thousands of troops out of the city for a decisive battle, while Liu Han sent his guards Gao Wu and Tang Han to lead tens of thousands of elite soldiers to meet them. Liu Shu was defeated and fled; Gao Wu caught up with him and assassinated him; this incident is documented in the "Biography of Liu Shu." The following day, Chengdu surrendered, and Liu Shu's head was sent to Luoyang.
In the second year of January, Liu Han led his troops downstream by boat. Upon reaching Wancheng, the court ordered him to return home to pay respects to his ancestors and granted him 20,000 hu (units) of grain.
In the fifteenth year, Emperor Guangwu of Han, along with General Yang Wu and General Ma Wu, launched a campaign against the Xiongnu, relocating over 60,000 people from Yanmen, Daijun, and Shanggu east of Juyong Pass and Changshan Pass.
In the eighteenth year, the governor of Shu Commandery, Shi Xin, rebelled in Chengdu, declaring himself General and attacking Governor Zhang Mu. Zhang Mu escaped over the city wall to Guangdu, and Shi Xin sent out proclamations calling for reinforcements from neighboring counties. Yang Wei from Dangqu and Xu Rong from Quren, among others, all raised troops in response, each with several thousand men. Having previously served as a guard for Cen Peng, Shi Xin was well-versed in military affairs, so the Emperor sent General Liu Shang and Grand Master Zang Gong with over 10,000 men to suppress him. The army gathered forces from Guanghan, Ba, and Shu counties, laying siege to Chengdu. After more than 100 days, Chengdu finally fell, and Shi Xin and others were killed. The army then floated downstream on wooden rafts to Ba County, where Yang Wei, Xu Rong, and their followers scattered in fear. The army executed over 200 of their leaders and relocated hundreds of their supporters to Nanjun and Changsha to ensure control before returning.
This person Wu Han was born with superhuman strength. Every time he went to battle, the Emperor felt uneasy, always restlessly shifting his feet. Most other generals, when they saw the battle was going poorly, were often terrified and flustered, losing their usual composure. But Wu Han always remained calm and collected, organizing weapons and boosting morale. One time the Emperor sent someone to observe the Grand Marshal Wu Han, and they reported back that he was preparing siege equipment. The Emperor sighed, "Wu Gong truly commands respect; he’s practically like a state unto himself!" Every time he went to war, he would receive the imperial edict in the morning and set off in the evening, with no time to prepare. That's why he was always able to hold important positions and finish his life renowned for his accomplishments. In court, he was always cautious and meticulous, which showed in his demeanor. Once when Wu Han went to war, his wife purchased land and properties while he was away. When Wu Han returned, he chided her, saying, "I am out fighting, and we don't have enough soldiers; why did you buy so much land?" So he distributed the land to his brothers and extended family. After twenty years, Wu Han fell seriously ill. The Emperor personally came to visit him and asked what he wanted to say. Wu Han replied, "I am a fool and have nothing of significance to say; I only hope Your Majesty will be cautious and not kill indiscriminately." After Wu Han's death, the Emperor issued a decree mourning his loss, posthumously granting him the title of Loyal Marquis, and sending the five divisions of the Northern Army, along with light chariots and elite soldiers, to escort his funeral, with the same specifications as the Grand General Huo Guang.
Ai Hou Wu Han's son was killed by the household slaves. Twenty-eight years later, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty divided Wu Han's fiefdom into three marquisates: Wu Han's son Wu Dan was titled Marquis of Luyang, continuing his father's legacy by serving at the imperial ancestral temple; Wu Dan's younger brother Wu Xu was titled Marquis of Zhuyang; Wu Han's younger brother Wu Guo was titled Marquis of Xincai. After Wu Dan died without a son, his marquisate was dissolved. In the eighth year of Jianchu, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty elevated Wu Xu to Marquis of Pingchun to continue serving the imperial ancestral temple. After Wu Xu's death, his son Wu Sheng succeeded him in the title. Earlier, Wu Han's older brother Wu Wei served as a general and died in battle, and his son Wu Tong was titled Marquis of Anyang. Because of Wu Han's great contributions, the emperor also bestowed the title of Marquis of Baoqin on Wu Han's brother Wu Xi. In this way, the Wu family held a total of five marquisates.
Initially, the Commandant of Yuyang, Yan Xuan, welcomed Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu alongside Wu Han at Guang'a, and Emperor Guangwu appointed him as Deputy General and titled him Marquis of Jianxin. Comments in the book note: Wu Han had held senior official positions since the Jianwu period, and he was favored and loved by the emperor, likely due to his straightforward and capable demeanor. Confucius said, "Firmness, simplicity, and reticence are close to benevolence," which likely encapsulates Wu Han's approach to life. Previously, Chen Ping, with exceptional intelligence, faced skepticism due to his surplus of intelligence, while Zhou Bo, with simplicity and loyalty, was more easily trusted. If benevolence and righteousness are not enough to coexist, then intelligent individuals may face skepticism due to their surplus of intelligence, whereas straightforward individuals might gain trust more easily because of their simplicity.
Gai Yan, courtesy name Juqing, was from Yaoyang in Yuyang. He stood eight feet tall and could draw a three-hundred-cattie bow. People in the border regions valued strength and bravery, and Gai Yan became famous for his imposing presence. He successively served as a subordinate official in the county and a secretary in the state, excelling at his duties wherever he served. When Peng Chong was the governor, he appointed Gai Yan as the camp captain and later appointed him as the army's protector.
When Wang Lang rose in rebellion, Gai Yan and Wu Han discussed defecting to Emperor Guangwu. After arriving in Guang'a, Gai Yan was appointed as a general and granted the title Marquis of Jianguo, following Emperor Guangwu in pacifying Hebei. After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, he appointed Gai Yan as the General of the Tiger's Teeth.
In the year 26 AD, Liu Xiu further ennobled me with the title Marquis of Anping. Then he sent me south to attack Aocang, followed by attacks on Suanzao and Fengqiu, all of which we successfully captured! That summer, I led the Prefect of the Cavalry Ma Wu, the Prefect of the Cavalry Liu Long, the Guard Prefect Ma Cheng, and the General Wang Ba to march south to subdue Liu Yong. We first captured Xiangyi, then took over Maxiang, and finally besieged Liu Yong in Suiyang. After several months of siege, we harvested the wild wheat outside the city, then under the cover of darkness, we climbed the city walls with ladders and stormed the city. Liu Yong, terrified, fled through the east gate with his troops, and I closely pursued and decisively defeated him. Liu Yong fled to Qiaoxian, and I continued my pursuit, capturing Xue County and killing their Taihou of Lu County. Pengcheng, Fuyang, Zhuqiu, and Xiaoxian all surrendered to me. I also defeated and killed the Taihou of Pei County.
Liu Yong's subordinates Su Mao, Jiao Qiang, and Zhou Jian brought more than thirty thousand troops to rescue Liu Yong and launched an attack on us together. We fought a battle on the west side of Pei County and defeated them decisively. Liu Yong's army was completely thrown into chaos, with most either fleeing, drowning, or being killed. Liu Yong abandoned the city and escaped to Huling, while Su Mao fled to Guangle. I then subdued Pei, Chu, and Linhuai counties, restored the Gaosu Temple, and appointed thrift officials, sacrificial priests, and musicians.
The following year, in 27 AD, the people of Suiyang City revolted again and welcomed Liu Yong's return. I led my soldiers to besiege Suiyang for one hundred days and gathered all the food supplies outside the city. With no food left, Liu Yong attempted to break out, but I intercepted him and captured all his supplies. In the end, Liu Yong was ultimately killed, and his brother Liu Fang surrendered along with the city.
In the spring of the fourth year of the era, Geng Yan led troops to attack Su Mao and Zhou Jian in Qixian, then engaged in battle with Dong Xian at Liuxia, both achieving victories. Later, Geng Yan led General Pingdi Pang Meng to attack the western defenses and captured them. They then pursued and defeated Zhou Jian and Su Mao in Pengcheng, where they fled to Dong Xian. Dong Xian's general Be Xiu surrendered and offered Lanling City. Dong Xian heard about this and laid siege to Be Xiu in Tan County. Geng Yan and Pang Meng were in Chudi at the time and requested to rescue Be Xiu. The Emperor ordered, "You can directly attack Tan County, then Lanling City will naturally be relieved." Geng Yan and his men believed Be Xiu's position was critical, so they went to rescue Lanling first. Dong Xian pretended to retreat, and Geng Yan and his men pursued, taking the chance to attack Lanling City and break the siege. The next day, Dong Xian led a large army to besiege Lanling again, which frightened Geng Yan and his men, who quickly broke out and headed towards Tan County. The Emperor reproached him, saying, "The original plan was to attack Tan County first to catch the enemy off guard. Now that you have retreated in panic, the enemy's strategy has succeeded. Can the siege still be lifted?" When Geng Yan arrived at Tan County, he failed to capture it, while Dong Xian captured Lanling and killed Be Xiu. Geng Yan and his men engaged with Dong Xian's other forces between Pengcheng, Tan County, and Pixian, fighting several times a day and gaining some victories. The Emperor felt that Geng Yan was underestimating the enemy and acting recklessly, warning him in multiple letters. Later, Pang Meng rebelled, killed the Prefect of Chu Commandery, attacked and defeated Geng Yan's forces, forcing Geng Yan to escape, cross the Sishui River, and destroy boats and bridges in a desperate attempt to flee. The Emperor personally led an expedition to the east, gathering at Taoxiang with Geng Yan, Grand Marshal Wu Han, General Han Zhong Wang Chang, former General Wang Liang, Captive General Ma Wu, and Subdue the Enemy General Wang Ba, among others, to subdue Pang Meng, then together subdue Dong Xian of Changlu, successfully bringing them all under control.
In the spring of the sixth year AD, Geng Yan was transferred back to Changan to serve. In the ninth year, Wei Xiao died, and Geng Yan attacked and pacified the troops and settlements in Jiequan, Lueyang, and Qingshui in the west. In the eleventh year, Geng Yan, along with General Lai She, attacked Hechi, but were unable to capture it. Due to illness, he requested to return to the court and was appointed as the Left Fengyi General, while retaining his previous rank. In the thirteenth year, Geng Yan's fiefdom increased to 10,000 households. In the fifteenth year, Geng Yan passed away during his tenure. His son Geng Fu inherited his title. After Geng Fu's death, his son Geng Ce inherited the title. In the thirteenth year of the Yongping era, Geng Ce was executed for conspiring with his uncle Wang Ping to rebel, and his title was revoked. In the seventh year of Yongchu, Empress Dowager Deng posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Luting to Geng Yan's great-grandson Geng Hui. After Geng Hui's death, his son Geng Sui inherited the title. Chen Jun, style name Zizhao, was from Xiyang Xie. When he was young, he served as an official in the county. After Emperor Guangwu established his power, he appointed Liu Jia as the Grand Preceptor General, and Chen Jun became his Chief Clerk. When Emperor Guangwu pacified Hebei, Liu Jia recommended Chen Jun in a letter, and Emperor Guangwu appointed him as Anji Yuan, which was equivalent to a military advisor.
Later, he followed Emperor Guangwu to Qingyang to fight the Bronze Horse bandits, and they fought all the way to Puyang, where he was appointed as the General of Strong Crossbows. In Anji, he fought with five units of soldiers. Chen Jun dismounted and fought hand-to-hand, charging into the enemy lines with unstoppable force, pursuing the enemy for over twenty li, and only returned after killing the enemy leader. Emperor Guangwu watched from afar and sighed, "If all commanders were like him, what is there to worry about?" The five units of soldiers were defeated and retreated to Yuyang, burning, killing, and looting along the way. Chen Jun told Emperor Guangwu, "Light cavalry should be sent ahead of the enemy, allowing the civilians to defend their cities and cutting off their supplies. This way, we can eliminate them without fighting." Emperor Guangwu accepted his suggestion and sent Chen Jun to lead the light cavalry to charge ahead of the enemy. When they saw civilians holding out in their cities, they ordered them to continue holding out; when they saw civilians wandering in the wilderness, they protected them. The enemy, finding nothing of value, scattered and fled. Upon their return, Emperor Guangwu said to Chen Jun, "The defeat of these bandits was all thanks to your strategy, General!" After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Jun as a marquis.
In the spring of the second year of the Jianwu era, Chen Jun attacked the Kuang bandits, captured four counties, and was later granted the title of Marquis of Xinchu. He then launched an attack on Dunqiu, conquering three cities. In the autumn of that year, Grand Marshal Wu Han appointed Chen Jun as the General of Strong Crossbows, instructing him to take on the Jinmen rebels and Baima rebels in Henan, and defeated them both. In the fourth year of Jianwu, Chen Jun fought in Ruyang and Xiang County, and captured Nan Wuyang. At that time, many notable figures gathered in the Taishan region and united with Zhang Bu to oppose the imperial court. Wu Han reported to the emperor, "Apart from Chen Jun, no one can pacify Taishan Commandery." So the emperor appointed Chen Jun as the Administrator of Taishan, granting him powers akin to those of a grand general. When Zhang Bu heard about this, he dispatched troops to confront Chen Jun. The two sides clashed fiercely, with Chen Jun achieving a decisive victory, pursuing the enemy to Jinan, seizing over ninety seals, and systematically capturing the various counties throughout the Taishan region, ultimately restoring order to Taishan. In the fifth year of Jianwu, Chen Jun, together with General Jianwei Geng Yan, defeated Zhang Bu. This event is documented in the "Biography of Geng Yan."
At that time, Langya Commandery was still not fully pacified, so the court appointed Zang Ba as the Prefect of Langya, while his position as General remained unchanged. The common people in Qi had long heard of Zang Ba's reputation, and as soon as he took office, the local bandits voluntarily disbanded. Zang Ba led his troops to attack Dong Xian at Ganyu, then defeated the bandit Sun Yang in Quxian, completely quelled the rebellion there. Eight years later, Zhang Bu rebelled, and Zang Ba hurried back to Langya Commandery to suppress the rebellion, where he killed Zhang Bu. The Emperor highly valued his contributions and issued an edict granting Zang Ba the authority to independently mobilize troops from Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Zang Ba treated the poor and needy people kindly, showing great benevolence. He also strictly restrained army generals, prohibiting them from interfering in local administration, and the common people praised him. Zang Ba repeatedly petitioned the court, seeking to lead troops against Longxi and Shu. The court's reply was: "The eastern regions have just been pacified, all thanks to the Great General. The cunning rebels and bandits along the coast have always posed a significant challenge for the country, so you should focus on pacifying and comforting the people first." Thirteen years later, Zang Ba's fief was expanded, and he was officially granted the title Marquis Zhu'a. The following year, he was summoned to the capital to meet with the Emperor. Twenty-three years later, Zang Ba died. His son Zang Fu inherited his title and was granted the title Marquis Xinchun. After Zang Fu's death, his son Zang Zhuanzhu inherited the title. After Zang Zhuanzhu's death, his son Zang Du inherited the title.
Zang Gong, courtesy name Junweng, was a native of Jia County in Yingchuan Commandery. When he was young, he served as a township chief and a local law enforcement officer in the county. Later, he joined the military in the Lower Yangtze region with his followers and became a Cavalry Colonel. He followed Emperor Guangwu in battles across the land, and many generals praised his bravery in battle. Emperor Guangwu noted Zang Gong's diligence and his reserved nature, and trusted and valued him greatly. After arriving in Hebei, Emperor Guangwu appointed him as a General of the Vanguard, and together they defeated many rebel forces, charging into battle multiple times and repelling the enemy.
After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, Zang Gong was appointed as a Palace Attendant and Cavalry Commandant. In the second year of Jianwu, Zang Gong was granted the title of Marquis of Cheng'an. The following year, Zang Gong led a cavalry charge alongside General Jizun to capture the rebel leaders Zuo Fang and Wei Yan in Nieyang and Lixian. In the fifth year of Jianwu, Zang Gong led troops to inspect Jiangxia Commandery, achieving victories in places such as Daixiang, Zhongwu, and Zhuli. The Emperor appointed him as the General of Auxiliary Forces. In the seventh year of Jianwu, Zang Gong's title was changed to Marquis Qisi. He subsequently quelled uprisings in Liang and Jiyin Commanderies.
Eleven years ago, I led troops to Zhonglu and set up camp in the Luoyue area. At that time, Gongsun Shu sent Tian Rong, Ren Man, and General Zhen Peng to confront General Zhen Peng in Jingmen. Zhen Peng and his troops faced several setbacks in battle, and the Luoyue people were plotting to defect to Shu Han. Our forces were outnumbered and too weak to control the situation. At that moment, several nearby counties sent hundreds of transport carts. That night, I had the city gate thresholds sawed off to let the convoy come and go until dawn. The Luoyue sentries heard the continuous sound of the vehicles and found that the city gates were broken, and they started spreading the word that the main force of the Han army had arrived. Their leader quickly brought cattle and wine to treat our camp. I arranged a formation, hosted a grand banquet, slaughtered cattle, and served wine to reward and reassure them, and that helped calm the Luoyue people down.
Cen Peng and I, along with others, broke through Jingmen, then went separately to Chuique Mountain, where we opened a path, emerged from Zigui, and arrived at Jiangzhou. Cen Peng captured Bajun County, and I led fifty thousand surrendered troops upstream along the Fu River to Pingqu. Gongsun Shu's general, Yan Cen, assembled a large force at Shenshui. At that time, our army was numerous, but we had little food, and our logistics could not keep pace. Furthermore, the surrendered troops were eager to desert and rebel, while the counties shut their gates again, waiting to see the outcome of the battle. I wanted to withdraw, but I feared they would counterattack. At that moment, the emperor sent envoys with troops to support Cen Peng, bringing seven hundred war horses. I falsely proclaimed an imperial decree to requisition the horses for our own use, and we advanced day and night, raising numerous flags, drumming, and shouting from the mountaintops, with infantry on the right flank and cavalry on the left, using boats to advance, the shouts echoing through the valleys. Cen Peng was caught off guard by the Han army's swift arrival. Upon seeing us on the mountaintop, he was filled with terror. I pursued and routed Yan Cen's army. More than ten thousand enemies were killed or drowned, and the river ran red with their blood. Yan Cen fled back to Chengdu, where all his subordinates surrendered. We captured all their troops, horses, and treasures. From that point on, we pressed our advantage, leading to the surrender of tens of thousands.
When the army reached Pingyang Township, the Shu general Wang Yuan surrendered along with his men. We then took Mianzhu, defeated Fucheng, killed Gongsun Shu's brother, Gongsun Hui, and captured both Fancheng and Pixian. In total, we seized five military flags and over eighteen hundred seals and official stamps. Meanwhile, Grand Marshal Wu Han also pressed his advantage and established a camp outside Chengdu.
Gong Chong, this kid, boasting his large following and flying banners, was quite imposing! He actually rode his horse directly into the Xiaoluo Gate of Chengdu, ran along the Chengdu city wall all the way to Wu Han's camp, and shared a hearty drink with Wu Han. Wu Han was thrilled to see him and said to Gong Chong, "General, you just passed by under the enemy's city, so impressive and commanding, like a bolt of lightning! However, these cornered enemies can be tricky to handle; you’d best take another route back to camp." Gong Chong, however, was undeterred, so he returned the same way, and the bandits were too scared to come near him. Later, he launched an assault on Xianmen, and together with Wu Han, they eliminated Gongsun Shu. The emperor, seeing that Shu had just been subdued, appointed Gong Chong as the Prefect of Guanghan. After three years, his territory was expanded, and he was titled Marquis of Zan. Two years later, the emperor called him back to the capital, made him an official at court, reassigning his title to Marquis, and renamed him Marquis of Langling. Three years later, the emperor promoted him to Grand Master of the Palace.
At the age of nineteen, the disciples of the sorcerer Weisi, including Shanchen and Fuzhen, began spreading rumors and gathered together, running to the original city of Wucheng, looting officials and civilians, and even calling themselves generals. The emperor then sent Gong Chong with several thousand soldiers from the Northern Army and Liyang Camp to besiege them. However, the bandits had ample supplies, and the officials and soldiers sustained heavy casualties in several unsuccessful assaults. The emperor summoned his ministers and princes to discuss countermeasures, and everyone agreed that rewards should be increased to encourage capture. At that time, Xianzong held the title of Prince of Donghai, and he alone offered a different opinion: "These sorcerers are in collusion and won’t last long. There must be someone among them who wants to escape. If we tighten the perimeter and prevent their escape, they will have no choice but to surrender. We should relax a bit and give them a chance to escape. In this way, a village chief could capture them!" The emperor found his argument reasonable and immediately ordered Gong Chong to lift the siege, giving the thieves a chance to escape. As a result, the thieves scattered and fled, and Shanchen, Fuzhen, and others were soon captured and executed. Gong Chong returned in triumph and was promoted to Gate Captain, later rising to Left Middle General. He went on to suppress the rebellion in Wuxi, fighting all the way to Jiangling and subduing the rebels there as well. Because of his cautious, honest, and simple nature, the emperor often placed great trust in court officials. Later, when the Xiongnu faced famine, plague, and internal strife, the emperor sought his counsel. The official said, "I hope to receive five thousand cavalry to earn distinction." The emperor smiled and said, "A constantly victorious army makes it challenging to assess the enemy's situation. I am currently reflecting on this matter myself."
After twenty-seven years, the official, along with Yang Xuhou and Ma Wu, submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying: "The Xiongnu are inherently greedy and lacking in propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. When they are in dire straits, they bow their heads in submission, but when they are prosperous, they invade and plunder. The border areas suffer greatly from their harm, and the court is concerned they might launch an invasion from the south. Now, the Xiongnu have suffered huge losses in both people and livestock, and droughts and locust plagues have caused the land to become barren. They are weakened by epidemics and famines, and their strength is far inferior to that of a single commandery in China. The chance to eliminate them is in Your Majesty's hands. Fortune won’t always be on our side, and the opportunity might slip away soon. Should we cling to benevolence, righteousness, and morality while abandoning military action? It is now appropriate to order a great general to go to the border, offer generous rewards for recruiting soldiers, and instruct the tribes of Gaoju, Wuheng, Xianbei, and others to attack the Xiongnu from the west, and mobilize the Qiang and Hu tribes of the Hexi Four Commanderies, Tianshui, and Longxi to attack from the east. This way, we could wipe out the Xiongnu in the north in just a few years. I worry that Your Majesty’s kindness and generosity might hold you back from taking military action, and those counselors are hesitant, resulting in missed opportunities to establish a lasting legacy in your enlightened reign."
The Emperor's reply was: "In the 'Huang Shigong Records,' it is said: 'Softness can conquer hardness, weakness can conquer strength.' Softness symbolizes morality, hardness symbolizes aggression, weakness symbolizes compassionate help, and strength symbolizes the buildup of resentment. Therefore, a ruler with virtue makes the people happy in a way that he likes; a ruler without virtue makes himself happy in a way that he likes. A ruler who brings happiness to the people will enjoy lasting joy, while a ruler who seeks only personal happiness will find it fleeting and ultimately face downfall. Sacrificing immediate gains for long-term benefits often leads to futility; conversely, sacrificing long-term benefits for immediate gains can easily achieve short-term goals. In a relaxed regime, loyal subjects abound; in a strained regime, rebellion is common. Therefore, a country that seeks expansion will decline, while a country that focuses on cultivating morality will prosper. Those who are satisfied with what they possess will find peace, while those who envy others will meet their doom. Even the most tyrannical rule, no matter how successful, will eventually collapse. Currently, the country lacks good policies, disasters are ongoing, the people are terrified and uneasy, with their safety in jeopardy, so why venture out to the borders? Confucius remarked: 'I am more concerned about the troubles of the Ji Sun clan than about the land of Zhuanyu.' Moreover, the Northern Di tribes are still powerful, and rumors regarding agriculture and defense often prove to be misleading. If it were truly feasible to rally half the nation's strength against this formidable enemy, it would be an ideal wish; however, if the timing is off, it is wiser to first soothe the populace."
From then on, the generals no longer dared to discuss military actions.
In the first year of Gong Yongping, he passed away and was posthumously honored as the Marquis of Min. His son Xin inherited the title. Xin died, and his son Zhen inherited the title. Zhen died, and his son Song inherited the title. In the fourth year of Yuanchu, Song was separated from his mother, and his title was subsequently revoked. In the first year of Yongning, Empress Dowager Deng reappointed Song's younger brother You as the Marquis of Langling.
In summary, the title was handed down through generations until the nation ceased to exist, yet his younger brother was still bestowed the marquis title.
To talk about the undertaking of the Guangwu Restoration, it's really not easy! However, compared to the time of Qin Dynasty's Xiang Yu, the enemy is far weaker. The common people are eagerly anticipating the revival of the Han Dynasty! Although those regional powers, who style themselves as kings and lords, flaunt their power with thousands of troops, they pale in comparison to the achievements of Emperor Guangwu.
Once Shanxi is pacified, Emperor Guangwu's reputation will shake the world; those rebels will be terrified, and the remaining generals will be demoralized. This is a great opportunity for ambitious souls eager to make their mark! Look at generals like Zang Gong and Ma Wu; they can’t wait to charge north of Yiwu! Emperor Guangwu also seriously studied the "Book of Huangshi," cared for the people, closed the Yumen Pass to turn away tributes from the Western Regions, and received Xiongnu envoys with humility and gifts. His strategic foresight is remarkable! How could he bring himself to harm King Jing just because Pingcheng was under siege?
In conclusion: General Wu Han, brave and formidable, is a true hero! Like a flash of lightning sweeping away the rebels, like a gale sweeping through Bashu and Liangzhou. He fights with the ferocity of a tiger and achieved great feats at Suiyang. Gong Yongping and his son are heroes in their own right!
