Ban Chao, courtesy name Zhongsheng, was from Pingling in Fufeng. His father, Xu Lingbiao, was a prominent figure. He had great ambitions but was not very detail-oriented. However, he was filial and cautious towards his family, always working diligently at home without feeling tired or ashamed. He was eloquent and well-read. In the fifth year of the Yongping era, his brother Ban Gu was summoned by the court to serve as a court official, and Ban Chao followed his mother to Luoyang. Their family was poor, so Ban Chao often copied documents for the government to make a living.
After a long time, he grew tired and one day he put down his pen and sighed, saying, "If a man does not have great ambitions, he might as well follow in the footsteps of Fu Jiezi and Zhang Qian, make achievements on the frontier, be ennobled and appointed, rather than just writing and copying documents here." People nearby laughed at him. Ban Chao said, "What do you young guys know about a man's ambitions!" Later, he went to have his fortune told, and the fortune teller said, "Although you are now just a commoner, a scholar, in the future you will be ennobled and appointed thousands of miles away." Ban Chao asked him on what basis, and the fortune teller pointed at him and said, "Look at you, with your broad chin and sturdy neck, like an eagle soaring, preying on wild beasts; this is the appearance of a nobleman of thousands of miles!"
After a long time, Emperor Ming of Han asked Ban Gu, "Where is your younger brother?" Ban Gu replied, "He is copying books for the government to earn money to support our elderly mother." The Emperor then appointed Ban Chao as a clerk in the Lantai. Later, Ban Chao was dismissed from his position for some minor offense.
In the sixteenth year of Yongping, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Dou Gu, led troops to fight against the Xiongnu and appointed Ban Chao as an acting Sima, ordering him to lead troops to attack Yiwu. In a battle at Pulei Sea, many Xiongnu were killed and Ban Chao returned victorious. Dou Gu recognized Ban Chao's talents and sent him, along with the attendant Guo Xun, as envoys to the Western Regions.
Ban Chao arrived at Shanshan. At first, King Guang of Shanshan was very respectful towards him, but later he suddenly grew distant. Ban Chao said to his subordinates, "Have you noticed that King Guang's attitude towards us has changed? It must be because the Xiongnu envoys from the north have arrived. He is hesitant and unsure of what to do. A wise person can see the signs before things happen, especially when it's so obvious now!"
So, Ban Chao called the official in charge of receiving the Xiongnu envoys and asked him in a deceptive manner, "How many days have the Xiongnu envoys been here? Where are they now?" The official turned pale with fear and quickly revealed the truth. Ban Chao then imprisoned the official, gathered all thirty-six of his men, and shared drinks with them. As they became intoxicated, Ban Chao incited them, saying, "We are in this remote place, aspiring to achieve great things and bring glory to our ancestors. The Xiongnu envoys have only been here for a few days, and King Guang's attitude towards us has changed. If King Guang hands us over to the Xiongnu, we'll end up as wolf food! What are we going to do?" Everyone said, "We are in a dangerous situation now, and our lives are in the hands of Sima (Ban Chao)!"
Ban Chao said, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger's cubs? The only option now is to torch the Xiongnu camp tonight, so they won't know how many of us there are, which will surely frighten them. This way, we can annihilate them all. Once we wipe out the Xiongnu, King Guang will be terrified, and our achievements will be recognized!" Everyone said, "We should run this by our superior (Guo Xun)." Ban Chao angrily said, "Success or failure hinges on today! The assistant is just a typical bureaucrat who sticks to the rules. Tell him, he will surely be afraid and leak the information. In the end, he’ll end up with a bad reputation. He’s no real man!" Everyone agreed.
That evening, Ban Chao led his men to charge at the Xiongnu camp. With a strong wind at their backs, Ban Chao had ten men hide behind the Xiongnu tents with drums, agreeing that when they saw a fire, they would all beat the drums and shout together. The rest of the men held weapons and crossbows, waiting in ambush at the entrance of the tents. Ban Chao set fire in the direction of the wind, shouting and charging through the camp. The Xiongnu were thrown into a panic; Ban Chao personally killed three of them, and his soldiers slaughtered over thirty Xiongnu envoys and their attendants, while the remaining one hundred plus were all burned to death.
The next day, Ban Chao returned to report to Guo Xun, who was shocked, his face turning pale. Ban Chao understood his concern, raised his hand, and said, "Although you did not participate, how could Ban Chao act on his own?" Guo Xun then smiled with relief. Ban Chao then summoned King Guang of Shanshan, showed him the heads of the Xiongnu envoys, and the whole kingdom was terrified. Ban Chao explained things to them and calmed their fears, and finally, King Guang of Shanshan even offered his son as a hostage. After returning to the court, Ban Chao reported to Dou Gu, who was thrilled. He thoroughly detailed Ban Chao's achievements in his report to his superiors and requested to send another envoy to the Western Regions. The Emperor commended Ban Chao's bravery and sent an edict to Dou Gu stating, "Why not send someone like Ban Chao instead of appointing a new official? Now, appoint Ban Chao as the Military Marshal and let him continue his commendable work!" Ban Chao set out for the Western Regions once again, and Dou Gu wanted to bolster his forces. Ban Chao said, "I'm happy to take my original thirty men; that's plenty. If anything unexpected comes up, having more men will just be a liability."
It is said that at that time, King Guangde of Yutian had just defeated Shache, displaying his might in the south, and the Xiongnu sent envoys to monitor him. Ban Chao headed west and arrived at Yutian first. Guangde's attitude towards Ban Chao was especially dismissive, and the people of Yutian had a strong belief in wizards. The wizard said, "The gods are angry; why should we side with the Han Dynasty? The Han Dynasty envoy has a good horse; hurry and bring it to me as a sacrifice!" Guangde sent envoys to ask Ban Chao for a horse. Ban Chao was aware of this, appeared to agree, but let the wizard come and take the horse himself. After a while, the wizard came, and Ban Chao immediately decapitated him, presented it to Guangde, and graciously declined. Guangde had already heard about Ban Chao killing the Xiongnu envoy in Shanshan and was terrified, prompting him to swiftly execute the Xiongnu envoy and surrender to Ban Chao. Ban Chao lavishly rewarded Guangde and his people, and subsequently calmed the populace.
Next, the King of Kucha was propped up by the Xiongnu, leveraging Xiongnu power to control the northern route, capture Shule, kill the King of Shule, and install a Kucha as the new King of Shule. In the spring of the following year, Ban Chao arrived at Shule via a small road. The city where the King resided was still ninety miles off, so Ban Chao sent an official named Tian Lu to negotiate the King's surrender. Ban Chao told Tian Lu, "The King is not originally from Shule, so the people of Shule will not listen to him. If he does not surrender, you must capture him!" When Tian Lu arrived, the King realized he was outnumbered and vulnerable, and had no intention of surrendering. Seeing his moment of weakness, Tian Lu rushed in and captured the King. The King's aides were taken by surprise and scattered. Tian Lu rushed back to inform Ban Chao, who immediately went over, gathered the officials and generals of Shule, explained how the King of Kucha had been tyrannical, and then installed Zhong, the nephew of the former King of Shule, as the new King. The people of Shule were thrilled. Zhong and his ministers were eager to kill the King, but Ban Chao did not agree. He let the King go to set an example and assert his authority. From then on, Shule and Kucha became sworn enemies.
After eighteen years, the Emperor died. Yanqi capitalized on the turmoil in the Central Plains to attack and occupy the Protector Chen Mu. Geng Gong was holding the fort alone at the time, with no reinforcements in sight, while Kucha and Gumo launched successive attacks on Shule. Geng Gong held the city of Pantuo, coordinating with his deputy, Chen Zhong, with a paltry number of men, and managed to hold out for over a year.
When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, he heard that Chen Mugang had died in battle. Concerned that Geng Gong would be left to fend for himself, he issued a decree for him to return to the court. When Geng Gong was about to leave, the entire city of Shule was gripped by panic, shrouded in gloom. The Commandant of Shule, Li Yan, said, "The envoy of the Han Dynasty is about to leave; we will definitely be wiped out by Kucha once more! I can't bear to see the Han envoy leave!" After speaking, he took his own life. When Geng Gong reached Tianshan, from nobles to common folk, everyone cried out, "We treat the Han envoy as if he were our own parents; you really can't leave!" Everyone held onto Geng Gong's horse's legs, refusing to let him go. Geng Gong feared that if he stayed in Tianshan, he might not be able to return east, but he also wanted to fulfill his wish, so he returned to Shule.
After Geng Gong left, the two cities of Shule surrendered to Kucha once more and colluded with the Chief of Wutou in a joint rebellion. Geng Gong captured and killed the rebels, defeated Wutou, and killed more than six hundred people, bringing peace back to Shule.
In the third year of Jianchu, Geng Gong led an army of ten thousand men from Shule, Kangju, Tianshan, and Jumi to attack the stone city of Gumo, won the battle, and beheaded more than seven hundred enemies. Geng Gong sought to capitalize on this victory to subdue other nations, so he wrote to the court to request reinforcements, saying:
I realize that Your Majesty wishes to open the Western Regions, so you are attacking the Xiongnu in the north and sending envoys to the west. Shanshan and Yutian have already pledged their allegiance. Now the nations of Jumi, Shache, Shule, Yuezhi, Wusun, and Kangju are also willing to submit to us and are eager to collaborate in eliminating Kucha and opening the route to the Western Regions. If we take down Kucha, only one percent of the nations in the Western Regions will remain unyielding. Although I am just a low-ranking official, I truly aspire to serve on the frontier like Gan Ying and to dedicate myself to the country like Zhang Qian. Wei Jiang was able to make various ethnic groups live in harmony, so why can't I, as a representative of the Great Han Dynasty, achieve the same? Previously, it was said that taking down the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions is equivalent to cutting off the right arm of the Xiongnu. Now, all the nations in the Western Regions, from the lands where the sun sets, have willingly submitted, constantly paying tribute, except for Yanqi and Kucha. I previously led a contingent of thirty-six to the Western Regions and experienced many hardships. I have been stationed alone in Shule for five years now, and I have a better understanding of the situation of the various ethnic groups in the Western Regions. When I asked them about the size of their cities, they all replied, "Depending on the Han Dynasty is as crucial as depending on the heavens." If we adopt this approach, we can breach the Congling Mountains, and once the Congling Mountains are open, we can attack Kucha. We should now appoint Bai Ba, the prince of Kucha, as its king, send him back with several hundred cavalrymen, and let him join other countries in the war. Within one or two years, Kucha can be taken down. Utilizing one group of barbarians to combat another is a sound strategy. I see that the lands of Shache and Shule are fertile, boasting abundant water and grass, much better than Dunhuang and Shanshan. We do not need to transport grain from the inland when fighting, as we can achieve self-sufficiency in food. Moreover, the kings of Gumo and Wensu were originally planted by Kucha; they belong to different ethnicities and harbor mutual animosity, so there will definitely be betrayal and surrender. If these two nations capitulate, Kucha will inevitably collapse. I respectfully request Your Majesty to approve my memorial and heed my suggestions. Even if there is a one in ten thousand chance of failure, I would have no regrets, even in death. I am but a humble servant, relying on the heavens for protection, and I hope to live to see the Western Regions pacified, so that Your Majesty can celebrate and inform my ancestors of my accomplishments and share this good news with the people.
After the memorial was submitted, the emperor knew that this matter could succeed, so he planned to dispatch troops. Xu Gan, a man from Pingling, had a good relationship with Ban Chao and also submitted a request to help him. Five years later, Xu Gan was appointed as an acting Sima and led more than a thousand elite soldiers to support Ban Chao.
First, Shache felt that the Han army would not come, so they surrendered to Kucha, and as a result, the Shule Captain Fan Chen also defected. Just then, Xu Gan arrived, and Ban Chao and Xu Gan together defeated Fan Chen, achieving a great victory, beheading over a thousand enemies and capturing many prisoners.
After defeating Fan Chen, Ban Chao wanted to attack Kucha. However, he knew that the Wusun army was quite powerful, and he should leverage their strength. So he submitted a memorial to the court saying, "Wusun is a great country with 100,000 soldiers who can shoot arrows. Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han married a princess to them, and even during the time of Emperor Xiao Xuan, he continued to utilize the strength of Wusun. Now we can send envoys to appease them and join forces to attack Kucha." The emperor accepted his suggestion.
Eight years later, the emperor appointed Ban Chao as the Chief of Military Affairs and gave him an honor guard. Xu Gan was appointed as the Military Sima, and Wei Hou Li Yi was sent to escort the Wusun envoy, rewarding officials ranked below Kunmi with fine silk.
As soon as Li Yi arrived in Yarkand, he encountered Kucha attacking Shule. He was too frightened to move forward and submitted a memorial to the court claiming that success in the Western Regions was impossible. He also maliciously slandered Ban Chao, claiming he was more interested in his wife and child, only caring about enjoying himself in foreign countries without thinking about returning to the court. When Ban Chao heard about this, he sighed and said, "I am not Zeng Can; how could I endure such slander thrice?" Thus, he decided to send his wife away.
The emperor knew that Ban Chao was a loyal minister, so he sternly rebuked Li Yi, saying, "Even if Ban Chao is devoted to his wife and children, there are thousands of soldiers under his command who wish to return home. Can they all share his sentiments?" He then ordered Li Yi to submit to Ban Chao's authority. The emperor also sent a decree to Ban Chao, saying, "If Li Yi is on a mission outside, allow him to remain and assist." Ban Chao sent Li Yi to escort the Uyghur prince back to the capital.
Xu Gan said to Ban Chao, "Li Yi used to slander you and wanted to disrupt the Western Regions' military affairs. Why don't you follow the decree and keep him, sending others to escort the prince?" Ban Chao replied, "Your words are too small-minded! It is precisely because Li Yi slandered me that I sent him back. I have a clear conscience; why should I be concerned about what others say? If I keep him just because I am happy, that is not what a loyal minister should do!"
The following year, Ban Chao sent Jia Sima, Gong, and four others, leading eight hundred soldiers to support Gan Ying. Gan Ying then led the troops from Shule and Yutian to attack Shache. Shache secretly colluded with the Shule King Zhong, bribing him heavily, and Zhong in turn joined forces with Shache to retreat to Wujie City. Gan Ying appointed Cheng Da as the Shule King, gathered all those who had not betrayed him, and attacked Zhong. After half a year of combat, the Kangju dispatched elite troops to aid Shache, and Gan Ying could not capture it. At that time, the Yuezhi had just formed an alliance with Kangju, and relations were good. Gan Ying sent envoys with many silk and cloth to the Yuezhi king to persuade the Kangju king, who subsequently withdrew his troops, captured Zhong, and returned him to his homeland. Wujie City also surrendered to Gan Ying.
Three years later, Zhong advised Kangju's king to borrow troops and take control of the Sunzhong region, secretly conspiring with Kucha, sending envoys to feign surrender to Gan Ying. Gan Ying knew about his plot but agreed on the surface. Zhong was pleased and went to meet Gan Ying with minimal gear. Gan Ying secretly set up troops to ambush, prepared a banquet, played music, and after three rounds of toasts, he ordered Zhong to be captured and beheaded. Then he defeated Zhong's army, killing more than seven hundred people, clearing the southern route. The next year, Gan Ying gathered twenty-five thousand troops from Yutian and other countries to attack Shache again. The king of Kucha sent the Left General to lead fifty thousand troops from Wensu, Gumo, and Yuetou to support Shache. Gan Ying convened the generals and the king of Yutian, saying, "We have fewer troops and cannot defeat them. The best way is to disperse. The Yutian army will go east from here, the Changshi will head west from here, and leave when you hear the drum at night." Gan Ying secretly released the captured prisoners. When the king of Kucha heard this news, he was very happy and led ten thousand cavalry to intercept Gan Ying from the west, while the king of Wensu led eight thousand cavalry to intercept the Yutian army from the east. Gan Ying knew that these two enemies had already mobilized, so he secretly gathered his troops and set off for Shache camp at dawn. The enemy was thrown into chaos and fled in all directions; Gan Ying pursued, killing more than five thousand people and capturing a large number of war horses, livestock, and wealth. Shache was finally breached, and Kucha and other countries dispersed, solidifying Gan Ying's reputation in the Western Regions. Originally, the Wusun tribe had assisted the Han Dynasty in battling Cheshi and had made notable contributions. That year, they presented many treasures, including items like Fu Ba and lions, and also wanted a Han princess. Ban Chao directly refused, greatly offending the Wusun tribe.
In the second year of Yongyuan, the Yuezhi sent their deputy king, Xie, with seventy thousand troops to attack Ban Chao. Ban Chao’s forces were outnumbered, and everyone was terrified. Ban Chao encouraged everyone by saying, "Although the Yuezhi soldiers are many, they have to cross mountains and rivers, coming from thousands of miles away from the Congling. Their logistics will definitely not keep up. There's nothing to be afraid of! If we stock up on food, hold our ground, and wait for them to run out of supplies, they will naturally surrender. They won't last long, at most a few dozen days!" Xie indeed attacked Ban Chao but failed, merely looting the area without gaining anything.
Ban Chao realized his food supplies were running low, so he needed to ask for help from Kucha. He sent hundreds of troops to the east to intercept the Yuezhi's messenger. Sure enough, Xie dispatched cavalry carrying gold, silver, and jewels to bribe Kucha. Ban Chao was well-prepared and ambushed them, killing them all and even severing the messenger's head to show Xie. Xie, frightened, quickly sent envoys to apologize and beg for mercy, hoping to return alive. Ban Chao let them go. This incident terrified the Yuezhi, and from then on, they obediently paid tribute.
The next year, Kucha, Gumo, and Wensu all surrendered to the Han Dynasty. The court appointed Ban Chao as the Protector-General and Xu Gan as the Chief of Staff. They also appointed Bai Ba as the King of Kucha and sent Sima Yaoguang to accompany him there. Ban Chao took residence in the city of Yutian in Kucha, while Xu Gan stationed in Shule. In the Western Regions, only Yanqi, Wusun, and Yuli had yet to submit to the Protectorate, causing unrest, while the rest of the areas had stabilized.
In the autumn of the sixth year, it is said that General Gan Yanshou led an army of seventy thousand from eight countries, including Kucha and Shanshan, along with fourteen hundred officials, soldiers, and merchants, to launch a campaign against the Yanqi Kingdom. When the army reached the border of Yuli, Gan Yanshou sent envoys to Yanqi, Yuli, and Wuxu to deliver a message, saying, "The Protector has come here to pacify your three countries. As long as you are willing to change your ways, send a dignitary to greet us, and we will reward everyone, from nobles to commoners, and leave after completing the matter. We will first grant you five hundred pieces of colorful silk." King Guang of Yanqi then sent his left general, Beijianshi, with cattle and wine to welcome Gan Yanshou. Gan Yanshou questioned Beijianshi, "Even though you serve the Xiongnu, you now hold the power of the country. The Protector has arrived, but the king has not welcomed us in time. This is your responsibility!" Some suggested that Gan Yanshou should simply execute Beijianshi. Gan Yanshou said, "Don't worry about this matter. This man wields more power than the king, and if we kill him before entering his country, it would only raise his suspicions and prompt him to prepare defenses. Then we won't even be able to enter the city gates!" Thus, he rewarded him and allowed him to return.
King Guang of Yanqi personally led his ministers to Wuli to welcome Gan Yanshou, bringing many treasures. In Yanqi, there was a treacherous reed bridge, which King Guang decided to dismantle to prevent the Han army from entering. Gan Yanshou found an alternative route to cross the river. On the last day of July, the army arrived at Yanqi, setting up camp in the desert about twenty miles from the city. King Guang was taken aback by Gan Yanshou's swift arrival and, in his fear, sought to hide all the people in the mountains. Yuan Meng, the Left Marquis of Yanqi who had previously been a hostage in the capital, secretly informed Gan Yanshou of the situation. Gan Yanshou immediately executed the messenger as a warning against any tricks. Gan Yanshou then announced that a grand assembly would be held, promising generous rewards for the kings. King Guang of Yanqi, King Fan of Wuli, and Bei Gejianzhi, along with thirty others, went to Gan Yanshou's camp together. Seventeen officials of Yanqi, fearing for their lives, fled to the sea, and King Wuxu did not show up. After summoning them, Gan Yanshou angrily demanded of King Guang, "Why didn’t King Wuxu come? And why did Fuyu and the others flee?" He then ordered his soldiers to capture King Guang, King Fan, and the others, beheading them in the old city of Chenmu and sending their heads to the capital. Gan Yanshou then commanded his army to plunder, resulting in the deaths of over 5,000 people, the capture of more than 15,000, and the seizure of over 300,000 horses, cattle, and sheep. Subsequently, Gan Yanshou appointed Yuan Meng as the new King of Yanqi. Gan Yanshou remained in Yanqi for six months, working to pacify the people. From that point on, over fifty countries in the Western Regions began to pay tribute and submit to the Han Dynasty.
The following year, the emperor issued a decree: "In the past, the Xiongnu held sway over the Western Regions, frequently raiding the Hexi region. In the later period of the Yongping era, our city gates had to be closed during the day. The previous emperor was deeply sympathetic to the border populace who were oppressed by the Xiongnu, so he dispatched generals who defeated Baishan, Linpu, Lei, and others, and the city-states of the Western Regions were intimidated into submission, thus paving the way for the establishment of the Protectorate. However, King Shun of Yanqi and his son Shunzhong plotted a rebellion, exploiting the treacherous terrain to kill our Protector and many officials and soldiers. The previous emperor, concerned for his people, was reluctant to initiate a large-scale conflict, so he sent the military commander Ban Chao to pacify the areas west of the Tian Shan. Ban Chao remarkably crossed the Congling Mountains, spending twenty-two years there, and no one dared to oppose him. He replaced local rulers and pacified the populace. All of this was accomplished without deploying troops from the Central Plains, without troubling the generals and soldiers, and fostered friendly relations among the various ethnic groups in the Western Regions. Everyone's hearts united, avenging a great wrong, erasing past humiliations, and avenging the fallen soldiers. The Sima Fa states, 'Rewards should not exceed one month, so that people can quickly see the benefits of their good deeds.' Thus, the emperor bestowed the title of Marquis of Dingyuan upon Ban Chao, granting him a fief of one thousand households."
Ban Chao felt that he had been in the border regions for a long time, as he grew older and longed for home. Twelve years later, he wrote to the emperor: "I heard that Jiang Taigong was granted a title in the state of Qi, and only returned to the Zhou Dynasty after five generations. Even a fox, when it dies, will have its head turned toward its hometown, and the horses of Dai always face into the wind. The Zhou Dynasty and the state of Qi are both in the Central Plains, a thousand miles apart, not to mention that I am in a remote border region. How could I not miss my hometown? The customs of the barbarians dictate that they respect the strong and look down on the weak. As I grow older and my health deteriorates, I worry that one day I might suddenly die, and my soul will be abandoned in the wilderness like a wandering spirit. Previously, Su Wu spent nineteen years in the Xiongnu; now I am fortunate to bear the gold and silver bestowed upon me by the emperor to guard the Western Regions. If I die in the Western Regions, I have no regrets, but I fear that future generations will say that this loyal minister died in the Western Regions. I do not dare to hope for a return to Jiuquan County; I only hope to return to Yumen Pass alive. I am old and weak, risking my life by speaking to the emperor, specifically having my son Ban Yong bring tribute to the capital. As long as I am alive, let Ban Yong see his hometown." At the same time, Ban Chao's sister, Zhao, the wife of Cao Shou from the same county, also wrote to the emperor: "I am the sister of Ban Chao, the Marquis of Dingyuan, the Protector General of the Western Regions. He has been fortunate, as he received great rewards for his modest achievements, being appointed as a marquis with a rank of two thousand shi. The emperor's grace toward him is truly overwhelming; someone like me, a commoner, cannot bear it. When my brother first set out on his expedition, he was determined to sacrifice himself for the country, hoping to establish some merit and repay the country. Later, when he encountered the rebellion of Chen Mu, his path was blocked, and he traveled alone in the border regions, explaining the situation to various countries. Every time there was a battle, he would charge at the forefront, sustaining numerous injuries; he showed no fear of death at all. Thanks to the emperor's protection, he has lived until today; it has been thirty years."
So many years have passed, we have been apart, and we hardly recognize each other. Those who went to war with him have also passed away. My older brother is the oldest, now seventy years old, aging and ailing, with white hair, his movements are stiff, and his hearing and eyesight have deteriorated. He relies on a cane to walk. Although he wants to repay the emperor's kindness with all his might, he is old and unable to do so. The barbarians are notoriously fickle, and they prey on the elderly. My brother is on the verge of death, and no one has replaced him for so long. I'm afraid this will give the bad guys a chance to stir up trouble. But those ministers only focus on the here and now, and no one is looking beyond the immediate. If my brother suddenly dies, his lifetime of service to the country will go to waste, and the hard work of loyal ministers will be for nothing, and that would be such a shame! So my brother has made the long journey back to plead his case to the emperor, hoping the emperor will finally meet with him. It's been three long years, and still no response.
I heard that in ancient times, it was stipulated that one could join the army at fifteen and retire at sixty. There were also exceptions for those who were unable to serve due to health reasons. Your Majesty, so filial and beloved by the people, governs the realm. Even the officials of small countries cannot bear to be harsh, let alone someone like Ban Chao who has achieved great feats. Therefore, I humbly risk my life to implore Your Majesty to allow Ban Chao to return, so that he may live a few more years. If he can return alive and see Your Majesty once more, the Western Regions will have no further concerns, and the country will be spared the fatigue of long journeys. Ban Chao will also be able to enjoy the same honorable burial as King Wen, and Your Majesty will show care for his old ministers. As stated in the Book of Songs, "The people need rest to gradually achieve a comfortable life, and blessings must spread throughout the country in order to stabilize the four corners." Ban Chao left me a letter, fearing that we may never see him again. I am truly heartbroken for him; he served the country faithfully in the desert during his prime, only to die alone in the wilderness in his old age. It is truly a sorrowful thing! If Your Majesty does not lend a helping hand and something were to happen to Ban Chao, I hope his family will receive the same grace as Zhao Mu and Wei Ji. I am but a simple person, lacking understanding of profound principles. If I have said anything offensive to Your Majesty, please forgive me.
After submitting the memorial, the Emperor was moved by her words and ordered Ban Chao to return to the court. Ban Chao had been in the Western Regions for thirty-one years. In August of the fourteenth year of his reign, he returned to Luoyang and was appointed Colonel of Archers. Ban Chao already had a chest disease, which worsened after his return to Luoyang. The Emperor sent a eunuch to visit him and gave him medicine. In September of the same year, Ban Chao passed away at the age of seventy-one. The court was deeply saddened, sending envoys to offer condolences and bestowing lavish rewards. His son Ban Xiong inherited his title.
At the beginning, when Ban Chao was summoned back to the court, Ren Shang, the Wujixiaowei, took over his position and became the governor. When Ren Shang took over the work from Ban Chao, he said to Ban Chao, "You have been abroad for more than thirty years, while I, a mere junior, have taken over your position. The responsibility is heavy, and my abilities are limited. Please offer me some guidance." Ban Chao said, "I'm getting old and my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be. You taking over my position will surely achieve great things in the future, something I could never achieve. However, if necessary, I would like to offer a few suggestions. The officials and soldiers outside the Great Wall are not filial and virtuous; they are sent to the frontier for punishment after committing crimes. And those barbarians, like birds and beasts, are difficult to tame and prone to rebellion. You are relatively strict, which is like water that's too clear to catch big fish. It is also not easy to gain the people's hearts in governing the place. You should take a more lenient and straightforward approach, overlook minor mistakes, and focus on the big picture." After Ban Chao left, Ren Shang confided to his close associates, "I expected Ban Chao to have some unique strategies, but he only shared common insights." Several years later, a rebellion eventually broke out in the Western Regions, and Ren Shang was held accountable by the court for his negligence, which confirmed Ban Chao's earlier warning.
Once upon a time, there was a family with three sons. The eldest is called Xiong, who climbed the ranks to become the Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry. During a rebellion by the Qiang people, causing unrest in the Sanfu region, the court sent Xiong to Chang'an to station troops from five camps, also appointing him as the Intendant of Jingzhao. Unfortunately, Xiong died young, and his son inherited his title and married Princess Yincheng from the family of the Marquis of Qinghe. This princess was the aunt of Emperor Shun, with a noble status, but she was haughty and acted recklessly, even mingling with the emperor's favorite courtier and spending her days in debauchery. One day, she even called her son-in-law over and made him hide under the bed! The son-in-law felt humiliated but held his tongue. In the fifth year of Yongjian, he finally snapped and killed the princess. When the emperor caught wind of this, he was livid and had the son-in-law executed, along with all his full siblings.
There was still the youngest son left, named Yong. The youngest son, known by his style name Yiliao, was just as impressive as his father from an early age. In the first year of Yongchu, a rebellion erupted in the Western Regions, and he was appointed as a Military Marshal. Setting out from Dunhuang, following in the footsteps of his late elder brother, they brought back the Protector and soldiers from the Western Regions. After this mission, the position of Protector was dissolved. Communication from the Western Regions ceased, and for over a decade, no officials from the Han Dynasty ventured there.
In the sixth year of the Yuan era, the governor of Dunhuang, Cao Zong, sent his chief clerk, Suo Ban, with over a thousand troops to garrison in Yiwu. The former kings of Cheshi and Shanshan both surrendered to Suo Ban. Several months later, the Northern Xiongnu Chanyu and the rear forces of Cheshi attacked together, defeated Suo Ban, and even chased after the former king of Cheshi, occupying the northern passes. King Shanshan was in a panic and urgently sought help from Cao Zong. Cao Zong seized the opportunity to request the court to send five thousand troops to fight the Xiongnu, avenge Suo Ban, and reclaim the Western Regions. At this time, Empress Dowager Deng called Lao San Yong to the court for a meeting. Many ministers previously believed that the Yumen Pass should be shut and we should abandon the Western Regions. Yong, however, spoke up:
During the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he was worried that the Xiongnu had grown too powerful and had allied with a number of minority tribes, constantly harassing the border. So he opened up the passage to the Western Regions, wanting to defeat the Xiongnu one by one. People at that time thought this was a clever move, cutting off the Xiongnu's lifeline and crippling its power. Unfortunately, Wang Mang later usurped the throne of the Han Dynasty, recklessly plundering the populace, angering those minority tribes, and causing them to rebel one by one. Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty was busy stabilizing the domestic situation and didn't have time for the Western Regions, so the Xiongnu grew even bolder, bullying us along with other countries.
During the reign of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu again attacked Dunhuang and the Hexi Corridor, with the city gates locked during the day. Emperor Ming diligently studied the strategies of his predecessors and sent elite troops to the Western Regions, finally driving away the Xiongnu and restoring peace along the border. By the time of the Yongyuan era, the countries of the Western Regions had all pledged allegiance to the Great Han. But later, the Qiang people stirred up trouble, the Western Regions severed ties with us again, and the Northern Xiongnu began to intimidate those Western nations, forcing them to pay taxes, increasing tax rates, and strictly enforcing payment deadlines. The countries of Shanshan and Cheshi were all harboring resentment and wanting to pledge loyalty to the Great Han, but the routes were blocked.
In the past, the Western Regions always rebelled, mainly because of our poor management, which ultimately harmed them. Now Cao Zong seeks revenge against the Xiongnu, but he does not study past military campaigns, nor does he consider the actual situation at that time. Attempting to win battles on the border is likely to end in failure, and if we lose a battle, it will be a big problem. Furthermore, the national treasury is not yet replenished, and the military does not have enough support. This amounts to showing weakness before distant barbarians and appearing weak and powerless domestically. I think we should not consent to this.
In the past, there were three hundred soldiers stationed in Dunhuang County. This arrangement should be reinstated, and a Deputy Protector of the Western Regions should be appointed to be stationed in Dunhuang, just like during the Yongyuan period. It is also necessary to send a Western Regions Chief Historian with five hundred soldiers to station in Loulan, which is strategically positioned along the vital route between Yanqi and Kucha. This will deter Shanshan and Yutian, counter the Xiongnu, and is conveniently located near Dunhuang. This arrangement is appropriate.
The Minister asked Ban Yong, "What advantages does appointing a Deputy Protector bring at this time? Also, what are the pros and cons of stationing troops in Loulan?"
Ban Yong replied, "Back in the later years of the Yongping period, we only began trading with the Western Regions. Initially, we stationed a Colonel at Guo Huang, and later established a Deputy Protector in Cheshi. This not only controlled the Western barbarians but also prevented Han from disturbing them. Therefore, the Western foreign tribes all submitted, and the Xiongnu feared our might. Now King An Gui of Shanshan has returned to the court. He is a grandson of a Han person, and if the Xiongnu gain power, An Gui will surely die. Even though these foreign tribes may seem like wild animals, they also know how to avoid danger. If we station troops in Loulan, we can win their loyalty. I believe this is beneficial."
Chang Le, the Commander of the Guards, Xian, the Chief of Court, Qi Mu Can, and Cui Ju, the Colonel of the Inspectorate, all opposed, saying: "The court previously abandoned the Western Regions because they were of no benefit to the Central Plains, and the costs were difficult to bear. Now that the Che Shi has already submitted to the Xiongnu, and Shan Shan cannot guarantee reliability, if they were to become unreliable, can General Ban guarantee that the Xiongnu in the north won't threaten the borders?"
Ban Yong replied: "Now, the court is appointing governors in various regions to suppress the cunning bandits in the counties. If the governors can ensure that the bandits do not cause unrest, I would be willing to guarantee, just like them, that the Xiongnu won't threaten the borders. Now, engaging in trade with the Western Regions, the power of the Xiongnu will inevitably weaken; when the power of the Xiongnu weakens, the threat diminishes. This is like reclaiming their wealth for the state, helping them reconnect what has been severed! Now, establishing a Colonel to pacify the Western Regions and appointing a Chief Clerk to win over the various states is essential; if we abandon this and do not establish it, the Western Regions will cut off contact with us. Once contact is severed, they will submit to the Xiongnu in the north, and the border counties will be endangered; I fear we will see the gates of the Hexi Corridor closed during the day again. Now, if we fail to widely distribute the court's favor, but are stingy with military funding, how can this be a long-term strategy for border stability?"
The Grand Commandant felt this was a difficult situation and said to Mao Zhen: "If we send a Colonel over now, the countries in the Western Regions will continuously send envoys to demand goods, endlessly. If we give them what they want, the national finances will suffer; if we do not give, we will lose their goodwill. If one day the Xiongnu pressure them, then we could find ourselves in serious trouble."
Yong disagreed with this statement, saying, "Now, suppose the Western Regions submit to the Xiongnu, and the Xiongnu treat them with both kindness and harshness, and the Western Regions do not come to plunder us, then it's all good. But if the situation is not like this, with the Western Regions having such abundant tax revenue and military strength, they may unite to harass the borders, which would only serve to bolster the enemy and increase their strength. Sending a Colonel to go over there is to promote the majesty of the court, show kindness and virtue, let the various countries of the Western Regions pledge allegiance to the Han, and make the Xiongnu not dare to act rashly, so there is no need to worry about the country's financial burden. Furthermore, the people in the Western Regions have no other demands; they come to pay tribute simply to receive some food. If we refuse them now, they may very well turn to the Xiongnu, and the Xiongnu and the Western Regions may join forces to attack Bingzhou and Liangzhou, resulting in losses far exceeding a billion. So sending a Colonel over there is the best solution."
Therefore, Yong's suggestion was adopted, and three hundred soldiers were stationed in Guohuang Prefecture, and a Deputy Colonel was appointed in Dunhuang. While this allowed for some control over the Western Regions, troops were still not deployed throughout the area. Later on, the Xiongnu indeed invaded and plundered together with the Cheshi people multiple times, causing great losses in the Hexi region.
In the summer of the second year of Yanguang, the court once again appointed Yong as the Grand Historian of the Western Regions, leading five hundred soldiers stationed in Liuzhong. In the first month of the second year, Yong arrived in Loulan, persuading the Shanshan people to align with the Han Dynasty, and the court specially rewarded them with many things, referring to the original text of the "Three Sui." The King of Kucha, Baiying, was somewhat hesitant and did not dare to surrender. Yong moved Baiying with kindness and faith, leading Baiying to surrender with the people of Gumo and Wensu. Yong pursued the victory, leading over ten thousand troops to the former royal court of Cheshi, defeating the Xiongnu King Yili in the Yihugu, capturing more than five thousand people, and finally reestablishing the frontier region. Afterwards, Yong returned to Liuzhong to resume agricultural development.
In the autumn of the fourth year, Yong led six thousand cavalry from Dunhuang, Zhangye, and Jiuquan, as well as soldiers from Shanshan, Shule, and the front of the Cheshi, to attack the rear forces of the Xiongnu and secured a resounding victory. Over eight thousand captives were taken, along with more than fifty thousand horses and livestock. The generals and envoys of the Xiongnu were captured and beheaded at Soban to avenge the Han Dynasty, and their heads were sent to the capital. In the first year of the Yongjian era, the court appointed the late king's son Jatenu as the king of the rear forces. Yong also sent other generals to kill the King of Dongqiemai and appointed his relative as the king, thus pacifying all six countries of Cheshi.
In that winter, Ban Yong led his troops to attack the Xiongnu King Huyan, who fled, and his more than twenty thousand men surrendered. Ban Yong also captured the cousin of the Chanyu, and he had Jatenu kill him on the spot to stabilize the Cheshi region and widen the rifts within the Xiongnu. The Northern Chanyu personally led more than ten thousand cavalry to attack from the rear, but Ban Yong sent the false Sima Cao Si to rescue them at Jinqie Valley. When the Northern Chanyu realized the situation was turning against him, he withdrew his troops. Ban Yong pursued and killed the nobleman Gudu Hou of the Xiongnu. As a result, King Huyan was forced to relocate to the Kuyu River. From then on, there were no more Xiongnu in the Cheshi region, the cities and towns were secured, and only King Yuanmeng of Yutian remained unyielded.
Two years later, Ban Yong requested permission from the court to attack Yuan Meng. The court sent Zhang Lang, the Prefect of Dunhuang, with three thousand troops from the four counties of Hexi to support Ban Yong. Ban Yong also gathered troops from other countries, totaling over 40,000 troops, and divided them into two cavalry units to attack Yanqi. Ban Yong took the southern route, while Zhang Lang took the northern route, agreeing to arrive at Yanqi together at a set time. However, Zhang Lang, eager to atone for his past mistakes, arrived early at Jueligu Pass, where he sent a commander with troops to engage in battle, capturing over two thousand people. Yuan Meng, the king of Yanqi, fearing for his life, quickly dispatched messengers to surrender. Zhang Lang entered Yanqi directly to accept the surrender and then returned. However, Yuan Meng refused to surrender and only sent his son to Chang'an to present tribute. As a result, Zhang Lang narrowly escaped disaster. Ban Yong, arriving late, was captured and imprisoned but was later released, and he passed away at home.
Liang Qin, whose courtesy name was Bowei, was a native of Yiji in Beidi. His father Liang Feng had served as a provincial governor. In the first year of Yongyuan, General Charioteer Dou Xian went on a campaign against the Xiongnu and appointed Liang Feng as the army's marshal, tasking him with delivering gold and silver treasures to meet the Northern Chanyu and proclaim the might and grace of the Han Dynasty. As a result, over ten thousand Xiongnu surrendered. Later, Liang Feng fell afoul of Dou Xian and was punished by having his head shaved and being sent to Wuwei for hard labor, where the Prefect of Wuwei was ordered to execute him. After the downfall of the Dou clan, Emperor He learned that Liang Feng had been wrongfully accused by Dou Xian, so he summoned Liang Feng's son, Liang Qin, to the court and appointed him as a court official.
Ban Chao, this person is bold, particularly fond of making achievements, and very ambitious. At first, he served as a Colonel under General Deng Hong, and later on, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Colonel of the Western Regions in the first year of the Yanping era. When Ban Chao arrived in Hexi, he encountered rebellions in various countries of the Western Regions, attacking the Prefect Ren Shang in Shule. Ren Shang quickly petitioned the court for help, and the court ordered Ban Chao to quickly lead five thousand cavalry from the four counties of Hexi to provide support. By the time Ban Chao arrived, everything was already settled on Ren Shang's side. Just then, the court summoned Ren Shang back to the capital and appointed Cavalry Commander Duan Xi as the Prefect, and Western Regions Historian Zhao Bo as the Cavalry Commander. Duan Xi and Zhao Bo were stationed in Tegin City. Ban Chao felt that Tegin City was too small to defend, so he used a strategy to deceive the King of Kucha, Bai Ba, into agreeing to defend the city together. Ignoring the advice of his subordinates, Bai Ba agreed. As soon as Ban Chao entered, he sent troops to meet Duan Xi and Zhao Bo, totaling eight to nine thousand soldiers. Consequently, the officials and citizens of Kucha revolted, joining forces with tens of thousands of troops from Wensu and Gumo to besiege the city. Ban Chao and his troops fought fiercely and secured a resounding victory! After several months of continuous battles, the enemies fled, and Ban Chao pursued them, beheading over ten thousand people, capturing thousands, and seizing tens of thousands of camels and livestock, finally pacifying Kucha. However, communication with the court was severed, and the documents could not be delivered. Over a year passed, and the court grew anxious as ministers debated the distance of the Western Regions, feeling that they were too far away, prone to frequent rebellions, and required a huge expenditure for officials and troops to be stationed there. In the first year of Yongchu, the court decided to abolish the Prefectural Office and sent Cavalry Commander Wang Hong with troops from Guanzhong to meet Ban Chao, Duan Xi, Zhao Bo, and the officials and soldiers stationed in Yiwu and Liu Zhong.
In the spring of the second year of the Yongchu era, Ban Chao and his men returned to Dunhuang. At that time, many Qiang tribes had rebelled once more, and the court dispatched a large number of troops to the west, issuing an edict ordering Ban Chao to remain as support for the various army units. When Ban Chao arrived at Zhangye, tens of thousands of Qiang attacked at Tinghou, killing many officials and civilians. Ban Chao led his troops to fight, achieving a decisive victory and pursuing the Qiang to Zhaowu, where they scattered and fled, with only about a third managing to escape. When he reached Guzang, over three hundred Qiang tribal leaders surrendered, and Ban Chao pacified them, sending them back to their hometowns, and peace was restored in the four counties of Hexi.
The Emperor ordered Pang Tong to defend Jincheng, but when he learned that the Qiang rebellion was advancing toward the Sangu region, even nearing the imperial mausoleum! Upon hearing this, Pang Tong immediately led his troops to fight, fighting fierce battles against the Qiang in the Wugong and Meiyang Pass areas. During the battle, Pang Tong himself was injured, but he disregarded his injury and kept fighting, forcing the Qiang to flee in disarray. He not only rescued all the people captured by the Qiang but also seized a large number of war horses, livestock, and wealth, leading to the complete disbandment of the Qiang. The court was very pleased and sent messengers multiple times to convey condolences and encouragement, entrusting him with military command in the west and allowing him to command the various army units.
In the winter of the third year, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu and the Wuhuan chieftain rebelled in unison. The court appointed the Grand Minister of Agriculture He Xi as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Middle General Pang Xiong as the Vice General, leading troops into battle, including soldiers from the Yulin Five Schools and over twenty thousand from ten border counties. At the same time, the Governor of Liaodong, Geng Kui, led the Xianbei troops to attack together. The Emperor also appointed Pang Tong as the General for Crossing Liaodong. Pang Xiong and Geng Kui attacked the Xiongnu Oqan Rizhuang King and secured a decisive victory. The Chanyu personally led his troops to surround the Middle General Geng Zhong in Meiji, mounting continuous assaults for several months, with the assault becoming increasingly fierce. Geng Zhong had no option but to send someone to request assistance from the court.
In the first month of the second year, Pang Tong rushed to the aid with over 8,000 troops, arrived at the former capital of the vassal state, and engaged in battle against the Xiongnu's left general and the Wuhuan leader. He defeated them, killing over 3,000 of their soldiers, captured many of their women and children, and seized a large amount of wealth. The Chanyu personally led around 7,000 to 8,000 cavalry to attack Pang Tong, surrounding him. Pang Tong, wearing armor, rushed out to fight them; wherever he went into battle, he faced defeat, and the Xiongnu were forced to retreat to Huzhe. In March, He Xi's army arrived at Wuyuan Manbai, but he fell gravely ill and was unable to continue. He then dispatched Pang Xiong, Pang Tong, and Geng Zhong to command an army of 16,000 infantry and cavalry to attack Huzhe. They pressed on, instilling fear in the Xiongnu, and the Xiongnu's left commander, Rizhuang Wang, quickly sent envoys to surrender. Pang Tong established a formation to receive their surrender. The Chanyu took off his hat, barefoot, hands tied, bowed to surrender, and sent hostages. At that time, He Xi passed away while in the army, and Pang Tong succeeded He Xi as the Duliao General, while Pang Xiong was appointed Grand Court Secretary. Hailing from Bajun, Pang Xiong was known for his bravery and strategic mind, making him a renowned general.
Next year, Anding, Beidi, and Shangjun were all raided by the Qiang people, leading to skyrocketing food prices. The common people were struggling to survive and unable to resolve the issue themselves. The court ordered Deng Zhong to lead troops to escort the three county magistrates and relocate them, along with officials and civilians, to the Fufeng area. Deng Zhong immediately sent Yugu Tunu, the nephew of the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, to lead troops to support them. After they returned, Deng Zhong rewarded Yugu Tunu with the seal of the Qiang chieftain for his assistance in escorting their families, but he was punished by the court for overstepping his authority and was imprisoned. The following year, the scholar Ma Rong submitted a defense for Deng Zhong and the Protector of the Qiang, Pang Can, and the court pardoned them. This incident is recorded in the 'Biography of Pang Can'.
During this time, the Qiang people rebelled and launched attacks on the Sannin region, and bandits were rampant throughout Guanzhong. The court promoted Deng Zhong to Yerezheng and sent him to suppress the rebellion. Deng Zhong fell ill and died upon arriving in Huxian.
He Xi, styled Mengsun, was from Chen Guo. He was ambitious from a young age. During the Yongyuan era, he became a Yerezheng. Standing at eight feet five inches tall, he had a commanding presence. He served the emperor in the palace, his booming voice resonated throughout the palace. The emperor took a liking to him and promoted him to Imperial Censor-in-Chief, and later as the Minister of Finance. Upon his death in the army, he requested a simple burial. He had three sons: He Lin, He Jin, and He Fu. He Lin and He Jin were both talented and made their mark in officialdom. He Fu was gifted but unfortunately passed away young. He Lin's son, He Heng, rose to become a Shangshu, recognized for his integrity. He was imprisoned for his role in the impeachment of Li Ying and others, but was later reinstated and chose to retire at home.
The book says: In times of national peace, civil governance flourishes, while those with military talents have few opportunities to realize their ambitions. Thus, during the Han Dynasty, many individuals bravely fought against enemies and battled to the death on the frontiers, eager to achieve success and make a name for themselves. There are countless examples of this. For instance, Ji Ruo and Geng Bing quelled the Xiongnu rebellion, while Ban Chao and Deng Zhi made great achievements in the Western Regions, ultimately establishing their reputations, enjoying noble titles, being recorded in history, and having their merits remembered by future generations. They were all ambitious heroes of their time.
Praise for General Dingyuan: he was passionate and inspiring, achieving great military successes in the Western Regions. He once traversed the area between Congling and Xueshan, just a step away from Longsha. Deng Zhi also fought bravely against enemies, his valor likened to that of someone carrying a mountain and holding up a cauldron.
