Zhao Chongguo, courtesy name Wengsun, from Shanggui in Longxi commandery, later residing near Jincheng. He started out as a cavalry soldier, coming from a prominent family in the Six Commanderies, renowned for his horsemanship and archery skills, and was selected to join the Imperial Guard. He was known for his calm bravery and strategic acumen, a keen student of military strategy, well-versed in the affairs of the Western Regions' diverse peoples.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Zhao Chongguo was temporarily appointed as a military officer and went to fight the Xiongnu with the General of the Second Army. They were surrounded by the Xiongnu army, and the Han army went without food for several days, suffering many casualties. Zhao Chongguo led over a hundred brave warriors and fought their way out of the encirclement and into the heart of the enemy lines. Seeing the situation, the General of the Second Army quickly led his troops to follow, finally breaking the siege. Zhao Chongguo was wounded in over twenty places; after the General reported the situation, the Emperor ordered Zhao Chongguo to be summoned. Emperor Wu personally inspected his injuries, sighed repeatedly, and immediately appointed him as a Zhonglang, later promoting him to be the Chief of Staff to the Cavalry General.
During the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han, the Di people in Wudu rebelled, and Zhao Chongguo was appointed as the Grand General and Military Governor, leading troops to suppress the rebellion and quickly pacifying the uprising. He was then promoted to Zhonglang General, stationed in Shanggu, and later became the Commander of the Shuiheng. His victory over the Xiongnu, culminating in the capture of the Western Qi King, earned him a promotion to Rear General, a post he held concurrently with his command of the Shuiheng.
He discussed with General Huo Guang and determined the successor to the throne, supporting Emperor Xuan of Han, and was therefore made Marquis of Yingping. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, Zhao Chongguo was appointed Pulei General. He went on another expedition against the Xiongnu, killed hundreds of enemies, and returned to become the Rear General and Minister of the Imperial Household. Later, the Xiongnu mobilized over one hundred thousand cavalry, raided the border to the south, and were about to invade Fuxi Lushan. A man named Ti Chutang surrendered to the Han dynasty and informed the court of this news. The court then sent Zhao Chongguo to lead forty thousand cavalry stationed in nine border counties. When the Xiongnu Chanyu heard about this, he was scared and quickly withdrew his troops.
At that time, Palace Attendant Yiqu Anguo was ordered to inspect the Qiang tribal area. Some leaders of the Xianling Qiang tribe said they wanted to cross the Huang River to the north and find a place for grazing where no one cultivated. Anguo reported this to the court. As a result, Chongguo accused Anguo of negligence.
Later, the Qiang people bulldozed their way across the Huangshui River, and the local officials could not stop them at all. In the third year of Yuankang, the Xianling Qiang and other Qiang tribal leaders, more than two hundred people, buried the hatchet and formed a powerful alliance. When the emperor heard about this, he asked Chongguo what to do. Chongguo said, "The Qiang are easy to control because there are leaders among the various tribes within them, who often fight each other, and their strength is not unified. Thirty years ago, the Western Qiang, having united after settling their internal disputes, attacked Lingju, challenging the Han for five or six years before being subdued. By the fifth year of Zhenghe, the leader of the Xianling Qiang, Feng Jian, was still colluding with the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu even sent people to the Xuezhi, telling other Qiang tribes, 'A Han general, along with over 100,000 men, defected to the Xiongnu. You have suffered with the Han Dynasty; Zhangye and Jiuquan originally belonged to us. The land is fertile; let's conquer it together!' Clearly, the Xiongnu have been trying to get the Qiang on their side for a while now. Recently, the Xiongnu have suffered losses in the west, and hearing that the Wuhuan are coming to defend the border, they are afraid of another war breaking out in the east, so they have sent envoys multiple times to countries like Yuli and Wuxu, sending their children and sable fur, hoping to prevent them from joining forces with the Han Dynasty. But it didn't work. I suspect they've sent envoys through the back channels, right into Xianling Qiang territory. This isn't over. If they unite, we'll be in deep trouble. We need to get ready *now*."
A month later, the leader of the Qiang tribe, Lang He, sent envoys to the Xiongnu to borrow troops, intending to attack Shanyu, Shanhe, and Dunhuang, cutting off the Han's main roads. Zhong Guo analyzed, "Lang He belongs to the Lesser Yuezhi, to the southwest. He cannot come up with this idea on his own. It must be that the Xiongnu envoys have already arrived in the Qiang area, and the Xianling, Han, and Kai tribes have buried the hatchet and allied. Come autumn, with their horses fattened up, they will definitely revolt. We need to send envoys to the border ASAP. Get the army ready. Tell the officials to keep a close eye on the Qiang. If we stop them from making peace, we'll expose their plot." So the court sent Yiqu Anguo to inspect the Qiang tribe and weed out the troublemakers. After Anguo arrived, he arrested more than thirty of the most cunning troublemakers and sent troops to attack their tribes, beheading over a thousand of them. This terrified the surrendered Qiang, including their leader, Yang Yu. Without support, they raided smaller tribes, broke the rules, attacked cities, and killed officials. Anguo stationed 3,000 cavalry at Haowei to defend against the Qiang, but they were ambushed, suffering heavy losses of men and materiel. Anguo had no choice but to withdraw his troops and return to Lingju to report to the court. This year was the first year of Shenjue in the spring. At that time, Zhao Chongguo was over seventy years old. The emperor valued him greatly and sent the Grand Secretary Bing Ji to ask him who could serve as a general. Zhao Chongguo replied, "The older guys are all gone." The emperor sent someone to ask him, "General, how many troops do you think are needed to deal with the Qiang tribe and the Xiongnu?" Zhao Chongguo said, "You can't really say how many troops you'll need until you see the situation firsthand. I want to first arrive at Jincheng and then formulate a battle plan. However, these small tribes like the Qiang and the Xiongnu have crossed the Emperor and angered Heaven itself – they're done for. I hope Your Majesty entrusts this matter to me and does not worry about it." The emperor smiled and said, "Alright."
Zhao Chongguo arrived at Jincheng with over ten thousand cavalry, getting ready to cross the river. Afraid of getting ambushed by the enemy, he used the cover of darkness to send three lieutenants to lead the soldiers across the river quietly. After crossing, they immediately set up camp. By daybreak, all the troops had crossed the river. At that time, a few hundred enemy soldiers harassed the army. Zhao Chongguo said, "Our troops and horses are beat after that march; we can't chase them. Those guys are crack cavalry – tough to handle – and I think it's a trap. In a fight, you gotta aim for total victory, not some little win." He then ordered the troops not to attack the enemy, only sending cavalry to scout around, and the enemy was gone. During the night, the army marched to Luodu. Zhao Chongguo gathered all the military officers and said, "The Qiang and Xiongnu are spent. If a few thousand enemy troops were guarding Dusiwangxi, we wouldn't even stand a chance." Zhao Chongguo always attached importance to long-distance reconnaissance, always ready for a fight on the march, and always built strong camps when we stopped. He was super careful, looked after his men, and always planned his battles. He continued to fight until he reached the Western Prefecture, rewarding the soldiers every day, and the soldiers were willing to serve under him. Zhao Chongguo stood firm despite repeated enemy challenges. Later, a captured prisoner revealed that the leaders of the Qiang tribe blamed each other, saying, "I told you not to rebel! Now the Emperor's sent General Zhao – the guy's eighty or ninety, but he's a killer. He wants a showdown. Think we can win that?" Zhao Chongguo's son, Zhao Yang, one of the Emperor's top generals, led the Qimen Jifei, Yulin Orphans, and Huyue cavalry as support troops to Lingju. The enemy blocked the road, and Zhao Yang immediately reported it. The Emperor sent eight lieutenants, his best cavalry, and the Jincheng prefect to hunt down the enemy in the mountains and clear the blocked road and crossings.
At first, Han and Kai sent their servant Dioku to report to the officer that the Xianling Qiang were planning to rebel. Sure enough, a few days later, the Xianling Qiang did rebel. As a result, Dioku had many family members on the side of the Xianling Qiang, so the officer detained Dioku as a hostage.
However, Zhang Chongguo felt that Dioku was innocent, so he released him and asked him to tell the leaders of the Qiang tribes: "The army's gonna punish the guilty. You guys need to pick a side – or you'll all pay the price. The emperor has already told all the Qiang people that whoever catches and kills the lawbreakers among them will be exempt from punishment. Big shots get 40,000 coins, medium ones 15,000, and so on. Even killing a regular guy gets you 3,000, plus you get to keep all their stuff!"
Zhang Chongguo had a plan, wanting to use this method of both prestige and severity to persuade Han and Kai, these rebels and robbers, to surrender and dismantle their conspiracy. If they still didn’t obey, he’d wipe them out.
At that time, the court had already gathered prisoners from the three auxiliary regions and the Rites, as well as top-tier soldiers from Sanhe, Yingchuan, Pei, Huaiyang, and Runan, cavalry from Jincheng, Longxi, Tianshui, Anding, Beidi, and Shang, along with Qiang tribe cavalry, and the troops stationed in Wuwei, Zhangye, and Jiuquan, totaling sixty thousand troops. The Prefect of Jiuquan, Xin Wuxian, reported: "Our troops in the county are stationed in the south preparing for a southern campaign, while the north is empty. This situation cannot be sustained for long. If we wait until autumn and winter to send out troops, the Qiang people will have disappeared long ago. Now the Qiang come to plunder every day; this place is cold and harsh, and our horses cannot withstand the winter. Currently, the cavalry stationed in Wuwei, Zhangye, and Jiuquan exceed ten thousand, many horses are skin and bones. We should increase horse feed, have thirty days' rations ready by July 10th, and split our forces to attack simultaneously from Zhangye and Jiuquan, destroying Han and Kai's forces at the Xianshui River. The Qiang rely on livestock for their livelihood, and now their livestock are scattered. If we send out troops, even if we cannot completely destroy them, we can still seize their livestock and families, then withdraw and hit them again in the winter with the main army; they won't stand a chance."
The emperor distributed the report presented by Huo Guang to all the ministers, ordering all officials and soldiers below the rank of officer who were involved in affairs related to the Qiang tribe to carefully discuss Huo Guang's suggestions. Huo Guang and the chief secretary Dong Tong analyzed together: "Wu Xian wants to easily lead ten thousand cavalry, split into two groups departing from Zhangye, traveling back and forth for thousands of miles. Even if each horse carries thirty days' worth of grain, which amounts to approximately 600 pounds of rice and 1,200 pounds of wheat, plus the soldiers' clothing and weapons, it would be difficult to sustain a long pursuit! Even if the soldiers rush to catch up, the Qiang will definitely observe the advance and retreat of our army, slowly lure us deeper, then hide in good grazing lands or retreat into remote mountainous regions. If we pursue deeper, the Qiang will occupy strategic positions, block our retreat, cut off our supply route, and then we will be in a dangerous situation, mocked by barbarians—an error that will be difficult to rectify for centuries! Wu Xian's plan to seize livestock and plunder families is unrealistic. Furthermore, Wuwei County and Jiuquan are on the northern border, where there are good grazing lands. I am worried that the Xiongnu and Qiang are secretly colluding, preparing for a major invasion. If they block Zhangye and Jiuquan, cutting off the connection to the Western Regions, the local garrison will not be easily mobilized. The Xianbei Qiang have already rebelled, and other Qiang tribes are also joining in the looting. Therefore, foolishly, I believe that we should temporarily let Han and Kai go, cover up their sins, do not publicize them, first attack the Xianbei Qiang to intimidate them, make them repent and reform, then pardon their crimes, and finally send capable officials who understand Qiang customs to pacify them, to keep the army safe, win the war, and protect the border." After reading the report, the emperor also distributed it to the ministers.
Court officials argued that the Xianbei Qiang were too strong, bolstered by the Han and Kai tribes, making a direct assault impossible without first defeating them.
The emperor appointed Xu Yanshou, Marquis of Lecheng, as the General of the Strong Crossbows, and at the same time appointed Wu Xian, Governor of Jiuquan, as the General Who Breaks the Qiang. He also wrote him a letter praising Huo Guang's memorial. The emperor then wrote a letter to Huo Guang, saying:
The emperor asked the General, "Is it tough out there?" The General thought about it and planned to wait until the first month to fight the Qiang. By then, the Qiang people would have harvested their wheat and left their homes, and with an elite force of ten thousand men, they were prepared to raid Jiuquan and Dunhuang. The border forces are few, the common people are busy protecting themselves, and there is no way to farm. East of Zhangye, there is only a little food and forage. Transporting it is exhausting for the common people. General, you lead ten thousand troops. If you do not seize resources this autumn to feed your animals, by winter, the enemy will have food and will be hiding in the mountains. Your men will get frostbite. What benefit will there be? Don't you realize how much this is costing the country? Do you think it's good to rely on time to wear down the enemy? That's not exactly the plan, is it?
The court has ordered General Wu Xian, the General Who Breaks the Qiang, to lead six thousand one hundred troops, the Prefect of Dunhuang to lead two thousand troops, and Commander Fu Chang of Changshui, along with Feng Shi, Governor of Jiuquan, to lead four thousand troops from the Yuezhi, totaling about twelve thousand troops. They have been provided with thirty days of rations and are planned to attack the Qiang on the twenty-second day of the seventh month, attacking from Jilian Mountain, north of the Xianshui River, which is eight hundred miles from Jiuquan and about twelve hundred miles from your location. General, quickly lead your troops along the most convenient route, heading west. Although you may not directly meet, if the enemy hears about troops coming from the east and north, it'll split their forces. That'll weaken them, and even if we don't wipe them out, they'll fall apart. The court has already ordered General [Name], along with Hu Yue, Ji Fei, archers, and two infantry commanders, to reinforce your troops.
Now the five planets are in conjunction in the east, which is a good omen for our country. The outsiders will be defeated. Venus shines brightly, indicating that conducting operations deep in enemy territory will go smoothly. Cowards will pay the price. General, you must prepare quickly, seize this opportunity, eliminate these lawless ones, and you will surely achieve complete victory. Do not hesitate anymore!
After receiving this appointment, Chongguo felt that as a general leading troops outside, he must weigh the risks and rewards, act prudently, and protect the country. So he submitted a letter of protest and explained the pros and cons of using troops, saying:
I heard that the Cavalry Prefect An Guo was fortunate enough to receive a personal letter from Your Majesty, selecting suitable Qiang people to communicate with Han and Kai, telling them that the army is coming soon and that the Han Dynasty will not kill them, in order to undermine their conspiracy. This favor is too great; we as subjects cannot compare. I privately admire Your Majesty's wise strategy and benevolence, so I sent people to open the royal warehouse and publicize the Emperor's generosity, and Han and Kai's group already know Your Majesty's decree.
Now, Yang Yu of the Xianling Qiang with four thousand cavalry, and Jian with five thousand cavalry, are lurking in the stone mountains and forests, waiting for an opportunity to strike, while there is no movement from the Han Qiang side. Now we should first deal with the Xianling Qiang, and then deal with the Han Qiang. Ignoring them will only create more problems, a situation that will surely displease Your Majesty.
I heard that in military strategy, it is said that "it is better to defend the surplus than to attack the deficiency," and also that "those skilled in warfare can lure the enemy to their side, rather than being led by the enemy." Now the Qiang want to attack Dunhuang and Jiuquan. We should strengthen our army, train our soldiers, and wait for them to attack, using the strategy of letting them tire themselves out while we sit back and let them come to us. Only in this way can we achieve victory. I am worried that the troops in these two counties are too few to defend. If we send troops to attack actively, we would be abandoning the strategy of luring the enemy deep and falling into a trap set by them. I think this is inappropriate.
The Xianling Qiang rebels want to betray the Han Dynasty, so they have allied with Han and Kai to resolve their hatred. However, they are actually very afraid of the arrival of the Han army and fear that Han and Kai will betray them. I believe their strategy must be to support Han and Kai first to consolidate their alliance. If we attack the Qiang and Xianling Qiang now, they will definitely support each other. The Qiang are flush with horses and grain. If we attack them, we may not be able to hurt them; instead, the Xianling Qiang will do the Qiang a favor, strengthening their alliance and enlarging their forces.
If the Qiang unite, with more than 20,000 elite soldiers, plus coercing some smaller tribes, their forces will continue to grow. Those who are hesitant will find it difficult to leave. In this way, the enemy's forces will increase, and it will take several times more effort to eliminate them. This could plague the country for years, even decades, instead of just two or three.
The Emperor's been really good to me, granting high titles to both my son and me. I'm a high-ranking official now, a marquis even! Nearly seventy-six, and still serving. I'll leave a good name behind, no regrets. However, I know a lot about border warfare, and I think we should first take out the Xianling Qiang people. Then the Han and Kai tribes'll just give up. If we eliminate the Xianling Qiang and the Han and Kai tribes still don't surrender, then we should attack in the first month. That's the best timing and the most effective strategy. I don’t see any benefit in attacking now, so Your Majesty should think about this carefully.
I sent my proposal on June Wushen, and the Emperor approved it by July Jiayin.
I led my troops to the Xianling Qiang's base. They'd been there so long, they'd gotten careless. When they saw our army approaching, they abandoned their supplies and tried to escape across the Huang River. But the road was narrow, so I had my army advance slowly, pushing them along. Some questioned why we were moving so slowly when pursuing the enemy. I replied, "These guys are desperate. Don't push 'em too hard. Go slow, and they'll run. Push 'em too hard, and they'll fight to the death." All the generals agreed. As a result, lots of them drowned, and we took out over five hundred, plus a hundred thousand head of livestock and over four thousand carts.
The army arrived in the Han lands, and I ordered the soldiers not to burn their villages or trample their fields and pastures. When the Qiang people heard about this, they happily said, "The Han Dynasty really doesn't want to attack us!" The Qiang leader, Miwang, sent someone to request, "We want to go home." I reported this to the emperor, but before receiving a reply, Miwang returned on his own. I fed and watered him, then sent him back to tell his people. My junior officers opposed this, saying, "Those Qiang are rebels! We can't just let him go!" I said, "You're just worried about covering your own backs, not the empire!" Before I could finish, the Emperor's order came: do as Miwang asked. Later, the Qiang surrendered without a fight.
In the autumn, the old general Chong Guo fell ill, and the emperor wrote to him, "I hear you've been poorly – bad legs, dodgy tummy and all that. You're old, and your illness is severe. I'd be gutted if anything happened to you! Now I order General Po Qiang to go to your camp as your deputy. Make the most of this good weather, keep the troops' spirits up, and hit the Xianling Qiang in December. If you are seriously ill, stay put and don't move, only send General Po Qiang and General Qiang Nu to go." By then, loads of Qiang people had surrendered.
Chong Guo knew his time was short and wanted to request the withdrawal of the cavalry, to farm, rest up, and wait for the Qiang to crumble. Before he could finish writing the memorial, he received the emperor's order to send troops. Colonel Yang was very afraid and sent someone to persuade Chong Guo, saying, "If we lose a battle, and you're killed, it could cause chaos. Just stay put. Even if we win the battle, you are still sick, why bother? If the Emperor gets mad and sends a censor, you're done for – forget about saving the empire."
Chongguo sighed and said, "Are you serious? If we had listened to me in the first place, would the Qiang people be so arrogant today? I suggested attacking the Qiang people first and recommended Xin Wuxian; the Prime Minister and the Imperial Censor recommended Yiqu Anguo, but both ended up letting the Qiang people escape. The price of grain in the Jincheng and Huangzhong areas is as high as eight qian per dou (a very high price). I told Geng Zhongcheng to purchase two million dou of grain, and the Qiang people would not dare to act recklessly. Geng Zhongcheng only agreed to purchase one million dou and only received four hundred thousand dou. Yiqu Anguo went on two missions and spent nearly half of the money. Because these two things were not handled properly, the Qiang people dared to rebel. A little mistake can snowball into a huge problem; everyone understands this principle. Now the army is delayed, and other ethnic minorities are also restless; they may join forces to rebel. Even wise men will find it difficult to control the situation. Are we only worried about the Qiang people?! I'd rather die than back down and not give the emperor my honest opinion!"
Therefore, Chongguo submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard that the use of troops is to show good governance and wipe out the trouble, so the use of troops against foreign enemies must be cautious in order to keep the country safe and the people happy. My troops need a massive amount of supplies each month: 199,630 dou of grain, 1,693 dou of salt, and 252,860 stones of fodder. The longer the war drags on, the heavier the corvee becomes. I am also worried that other ethnic minorities will take advantage of the situation, collude with each other, and cause trouble for the emperor. This isn't a sure thing. Furthermore, the Qiang people are easy to defeat with strategies but difficult to completely eliminate with force, so I believe it is not advantageous to go to war now.
From Jidu in Linqiang to Haowei, the old fields and official fields of the Qiang people, which have not been cultivated by the people, amount to at least two thousand acres (about 800 hectares), with a bunch of run-down post offices along the way."
The soldiers I previously sent to the mountains to cut down trees have cut down over sixty thousand, of varying sizes, all piled up by the water's edge. I plan to withdraw the cavalry and leave behind those who were conscripted as punishment, as well as the infantry from Huaiyang and Runan, and the soldiers who secretly followed the court historian, totaling eleven thousand eight hundred and eleven, requiring twenty-seven thousand three hundred and sixty-three shi of grain and three hundred and eight shi of salt. They will be stationed separately at important passes. Once the thaw allows for the resumption of transport, we will repair rural pavilions, dredge canals, and repair the seventy bridges west of Huangxi, so that we can reach Xianshui. Each soldier will receive twenty mu of land for farming. When the grass grows in April, we will mobilize a thousand strong cavalry from the commanderies and a thousand Hu cavalry from our client states, along with two thousand horses, to serve as a mobile reserve for agricultural work. They will be supplemented to Jincheng County to increase the livestock there and save a lot of money. The grain from the Grand Minister of Agriculture will feed ten thousand men for a year. I have already reported on the distribution of land and the list of equipment, awaiting Your Majesty's decision.
The report states: "The Emperor asked the General of the Rear, saying that he intends to dismiss ten thousand cavalry and leave them to farm. When will the Qiang be exterminated according to the General's plan, and when will the army be able to win battles? Which plan is more convenient, report back." The Emperor inquired about the timing of the Qiang's defeat and the army's victory, requesting a comparison of the two plans.
Chongguo wrote to the Emperor, saying: I have heard that an emperor's war aims for total victory, thus valuing strategy over battle. Winning a hundred battles isn't the best way to do it; therefore, one should first make sure we can't be beaten and wait for the enemy's vulnerabilities to emerge. The Qiang may not do things our way, but they also seek to avoid danger, pursue benefits, cherish their loved ones, and fear death—this is the same for everyone. The Qiang have lost their good land. They're worried. They want to move their families far away to escape, which is breaking up families and making people restless. At this moment, our wise emperor should order the withdrawal of troops to cultivate the land, making the most of the situation and using the land to our advantage, while we wait for the enemy to reveal weaknesses. Although we may not be able to immediately eliminate them, we should see results within a few months. The Qiang people have already begun to disintegrate, with over 17,000 surrendering and more than 70 groups leaving after being advised to do so. This will break them. I've also written up twelve reasons why farming is better than fighting.
First, we will leave nine infantry battalions with over ten thousand soldiers stationed at the border, which can defend the border and obtain food through farming, achieving two goals at once. Secondly, by strategically weakening the Qiang, preventing their return to richer lands and forcing their dispersal, we undermine their unity. Farmers can work the land undisturbed, ensuring that agriculture thrives. Farming will provide a year's worth of food for the army with just one month's harvest, and by eliminating cavalry, we can save a significant amount of military expenses. In spring, we'll reduce troop numbers. We'll ship supplies down the Yellow River to Linqiong, a show of force to intimidate the Qiang and maintain our military readiness. During the farming off-season, we can use the wood to repair relay stations and bolster Jingcheng's defenses. Attacking is a gamble; letting them freeze and starve in the mountains is a sure thing. This approach also avoids casualties from long-distance raids. Our domestic military strength will remain intact, and foreign enemies will not find opportunities. We needn't worry about upsetting Da Kai and Xiao Kai in Henan and causing further trouble. Improving the roads and bridges between Huangzhong and Xianshui will secure our control of the West, spreading our influence far and wide without firing a shot. Saving money and reducing the burden on the people will prevent future problems. In short, there are twelve benefits to farming, but sending troops will lose twelve advantages. Given my age and limited abilities, I'll follow the Emperor's orders and the advice of my fellow officials.
The Emperor's reply was: "I have heard about the twelve benefits of屯田 (agricultural settlements) that you mentioned. Although the Qiang people have not been completely eradicated, the military action should show results within a few months. You say 'a few months' – this winter, or later? General, have you considered that when the Qiang people hear that we are going to war, they may temporarily stop, then muster their troops and attack the people in the military farms and the troops stationed on the roads, even slaughtering civilians? How should we respond to this? Before, Da Kai and Xiao Kai said: 'We told the Han army where to find the Xianling, but they haven't attacked. They've just sat there. Are they planning to join forces with the Xianling against us in five years?' They have been very worried. If we do not go to war now, in case of any change, what if the Xianling tribe and their allies unite? General, please reconsider carefully and report again." I reported again, saying: ...
I have heard that in warfare, strategy is fundamental, so only those who calculate more can defeat those who calculate less. Currently, there are still seven to eight thousand elite soldiers of the Xianling Qiang tribe left. They have lost their land and become homeless wanderers, cold and hungry, far from their lands. Han, Kai, and Mo Xu frequently plundered the livestock and possessions of these weak civilians, and more and more were betraying the court, all because they heard that the emperor has given clear orders to capture and kill them, with heavy rewards. I believe we'll see results within months, with a complete solution by next spring. So, I believe military action will yield results within a few months.
I observed that from Dunhuang to Liaodong, there are more than 11,500 li in total along the northern border. Along the way, thousands of soldiers are stationed at strategic passes and roadways. Even if the Qiang people attack in groups, they cannot break through. Now we leave 10,000 infantry to cultivate the land. The flat terrain is easily defensible. High mountains provide excellent observation points. The troops are positioned to support each other, build trenches, fortify camps, cut wood, and provide mutual assistance at any time. Well-equipped with weapons and crossbows, the soldiers are ready for any situation. Beacon towers can transmit messages in a timely manner. In case of emergency, everyone can concentrate their strength and let the enemy wear themselves out; this is the best strategy for using troops. I believe this strategy will both save on military costs and strengthen our defenses. Although the cavalry has been withdrawn, the Qiang people will see that we have left 10,000 soldiers to work the land and will surely think it is a trap set by us. They'll crumble and submit to the court in short order. From now until March, the Qiang people's horses will become weak. They will not dare to leave their wives and children in other tribes and come from afar to turn to banditry. And when they see that the soldiers farming are elite troops, totaling 10,000, they will not dare to return home burdened with supplies. That's my assessment – this will cripple them without a fight. This is a winning strategy, guaranteeing victory without a fight.
As for those scattered small groups of bandits, this is a problem that won't go away easily. I have heard that you don't always have to win a fight; you shouldn't engage lightly. Attacking doesn't always mean you have to conquer; don't waste your troops unnecessarily. If troops are really sent out, even if the Qiang people cannot be completely eliminated, as long as they dare not act as bandits again, then sending troops is worth it. Now we have abandoned the strategy of being sure of victory and are taking risks; in the end, this will leave the country vulnerable and significantly weaken the nation. This is not the correct way to deal with the barbarians. Moreover, once the army is out, it cannot be easily withdrawn, and the Huangzhong area cannot be left empty; this would mean conscription would have to restart. We also have to watch out for the Xiongnu and Wuhuan. The long-term transportation is costly and has consumed our country's reserves to deal with a remote area; I think this is not appropriate. The Colonel is well-respected locally, and we can leverage that to send generous gifts, appease the various Qiang tribes, and have him read the Emperor's decree to them, so they all submit to the court. Although they had previously said, "they will not rebel within five years," they're unlikely to rebel again, so there is no need to send troops for this reason. I have repeatedly pondered privately, going out on imperial orders, leading troops on a distant expedition, consuming the elite troops of the emperor, and leaving our equipment scattered across the mountains and fields. Even if no military achievements are made, it is just to avoid blame, but it leaves future troubles. This is disloyal, and it is of no benefit to the state. I am fortunate to be able to lead elite troops to punish the unjust, but I have not been able to completely eliminate them for a long time. I deserve to be punished. Your Majesty is kind and generous, unwilling to blame me, allowing me to carefully consider countermeasures many times. I am a fool, but I have done my best. I risk my life to speak my mind, knowing I could face execution. I beg Your Majesty to consider this carefully.
Every time Chongguo submitted a report, the emperor would take it to discuss with the other ministers. At first, only about a third of his ideas got the green light, then it went up to about half, and eventually, it was up to eight out of ten. The emperor once sent a message asking those who had opposed Chongguo, and they all had to eat their words. Prime Minister Wei Xiang said, "I'm no military strategist, but Chongguo has been right every time he has made battle plans. I have complete faith in his plans." The emperor's reply to Chongguo was, "I have asked General Hou about the memorial on how to defeat the Qiang tribes, and now I have adopted your strategies. Your plans are excellent. Let me know how many troops are staying to guard the farms and how many are being sent home. General, keep an eye on supplies, be careful, and look after yourself!"
Because the generals Poyang and Qiangnuo had repeatedly suggested attacking, and considering that Chongguo's farms were spread out and easy targets for the Qiang, the emperor also accepted their advice and ordered the two generals and Colonel Ang to lead troops into battle. After Qiangnuo led the troops, over 4,000 surrendered, and they killed over 2,000 enemies; Colonel Ang also killed more than 2,000 and captured others, while Chongguo's side captured over 5,000. The emperor called the troops back, leaving only Chongguo to tend the fields.
In May of the following year, Chongguo reported, "The Qiang tribe originally had a force of fifty thousand, but we have killed seven thousand six hundred enemies, captured thirty-one thousand two hundred, and between deaths in battle, disease, and starvation, the Qiang lost over 40,000 men. It is estimated that the remaining escapees, along with those who fled with Jianggong and Huangdi, will not exceed four thousand. Qiang leaders including Mi Wang have admitted their complete defeat and asked to pull out." The emperor approved his memorial. Chongguo's army returned victorious.
His friend Haoxing came to meet him and said, "Everyone thinks that General Poqiang and General Qiangnu went to battle, killed many enemies, and captured many surrendering soldiers, which is why the Qiang tribes were defeated. However, some wise individuals believe that the Qiang tribes were already desperate, and even if they hadn't gone to battle, they would have surrendered on their own. General, you should credit the success to the two generals who went to battle; that's beyond me. This way, your strategy won't be seen as a mistake." Chongguo said, "I'm already old, and my title is quite high. How could I deceive a wise monarch for short-term glory? War affects the safety of the country and should serve as a lesson for future generations. If I, an old minister, don't explain the consequences of war to the Emperor while I'm still alive, who will speak for me after I die?" In the end, he insisted on his opinion. The Emperor agreed with him, dismissed Xin Wuxian from his position as the Jiuquan Prefect, and reappointed Chongguo as the Rear General and Guard Officer.
In the autumn, the leaders of the Qiang tribe—Ruoling, Lilu, Qiezong, Erku, and several other major figures, including Youfei, Yangyu, and their brothers Ze, Yangdiao, Lianger, and Miwang—surrendered to the Han Dynasty with nearly four thousand people. The Emperor of the Han Dynasty appointed Ruoling and his brother Ze as "Kings who command the troops," Lilu and Qiezong as Marquises, Erku as a Lord, Yangdiao as the "Commanding Marquis," Lianger as a Lord, and Miwang as the "Lord of Offerings." To settle the surrendered Qiang, the court established the Jincheng protectorate.
Later, the court wanted to select a military commander who could lead the Qiang people. At that time, the famous general Chong Guo fell ill, and the court's four ministries (equivalent to departments of the central government) recommended Tang, the younger brother of Xin Wuxian. Upon hearing this, Chong Guo immediately got up from his sickbed and said, "Tang loves his drink a little too much and is not suitable for managing the Qiang people. It would be better to have his brother, Xin Wuxian, take on this role." At that time, Tang had already accepted the appointment, so the court had to order Xin Wuxian to take over. However, Xin Wuxian was later given the boot due to illness, and the four ministries recommended Tang again. As a result, Tang got drunk again and again, pissed off the Qiang, and they rebelled. Chong Guo's prediction came true.
Initially, the Qiang-breaking general Xin Wuxian was drinking and chatting with a high-ranking officer, Yang, in the army. Yang said, "General Cheqi Zhang Anshi once offended the emperor. The emperor wanted to kill him, but my general believed that Zhang Anshi had served Emperor Xiaowu faithfully for decades and should be spared. Zhang Anshi was able to save his life because of this." Later, Chong Guo was let go due to military matters, and Xin Wuxian found himself out of a job too. Feeling very angry, he ratted Yang out to the court for leaking palace secrets. Yang was barred from court for this matter, which also implicated Chong Guo's top military guy, Sima, for the disorderly deployment of troops, resulting in his conviction and subsequent suicide.
Chongguo requested retirement, and the court rewarded him with a carriage, horses, and sixty pounds of gold, allowing him to return home to retire. However, whenever the court encountered major events related to the "four barbarians" (referring to ethnic minorities), they would invite Chongguo to participate in military meetings and seek his opinion. Chongguo lived to be eighty-six years old and died in the second year of Ganlu, posthumously titled "Zhuanghou." His title passed down to his grandson Qin, who married Princess Jingwu. After the princess died without a son, Qin's concubine Xi faked a pregnancy and palmed off someone else's child as her own. After Qin's death, his son Cen inherited the marquis title, while Xi became the Matriarch. Cen's parents, who resented Xi for demanding money from them, informed the court about the deception. Cen was stripped of his title, ending the marquisate. During the Yuanshi period, the court posthumously conferred the title of Yingping Marquis to Chongguo's great-grandson Ji to honor Chongguo's achievements.
Initially, Chongguo was on par with Huo Guang in terms of contributions and even participated in the painting project at the Weiyang Palace. During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, there were disturbances in the Western Qiang region. The emperor remembered General Zhang Chongguo and summoned the Yellow Gate Attendant Yang Xiong to praise Chongguo's portrait, saying:
"Zhang Chongguo, brilliant and wise, was our foremost warrior. The Xianling have grown arrogant, invading the western borders of Han. By the emperor's decree, the tiger general, the rear general, led our six divisions, to combat and to awe. When they reached their territory, they were instructed with power and virtue. Those who guarded and boasted of their achievements were deemed unyielding. Rally the troops, to the Qiang in the wilderness. The Son of Heaven commands us, to follow to Xianyang. Yingping upheld his integrity, repeatedly submitting memorial chapters, assessing the enemy and achieving victory, with strategies and might beyond compare. Subsequently conquering the Western Rong, they returned to the capital, the barbarians became submissive, none dared to be insolent. In ancient times, King Xuan of Zhou had Fang and Hu, poets sang their praises, listed in the "Odes." In the flourishing Han, Chongguo, a warrior strong and steadfast, carried on the tradition."
Basically, the Emperor was saying, "Zhang Chongguo, you are a real hero. The Xiqiang Xianling tribe is thuggish and aggressive, invading the western border of the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty has appointed you as the top general, commanding six armies to go and subdue them. Upon reaching the territory of Xiqiang, you tried talking sense into them and appealed to their emotions. The city guards were all puffed up, boasting about how unbeatable they were, but you told them they were all talk. So you requested to lead the army to attack the Qiang people in Handi, and the Emperor sent you off from Xianyang. You set up camp and held your ground, sending back regular reports of success, and your strategy and bravery were second to none. In the end, you defeated the Xiqiang and marched back to the capital in triumph, and the Guifang tribe surrendered, with no one daring to breathe a word against you. Just like those legendary generals, Fangshu and Huchen, celebrated in the Book of Songs during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, you, Zhang Chongguo, are carrying the torch for those great generals!"
After Zhang Chongguo became the Rear General, he was moved to live in Duling. Seven years after Xin Guan returned from fighting the Qiang, he became the General who conquered the Qiang, campaigning against the Wusun all the way to Dunhuang, but later died of illness before he could finish the campaign. His son, Xin Qingji, later held a high official position.
Xin Qingji, style name Zizhen, became a Right Colonel at a young age due to his father's accomplishments. He served under Lord Changhui, overseeing agricultural operations in Wusun Chigu City, and fought battles alongside Lord She, breaking through enemy positions and repelling the enemy. Changhui reported his achievements, which led to his appointment as a low-level official, and he was later promoted to Colonel, leading troops stationed in Yanqi. Upon his return, he became a court official, still relatively unknown at the time. In the early years of the Yuan Emperor's reign, he was appointed as the Chief Historian of the Golden Domain, and due to his outstanding performance, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Household and Cavalry Commander. Many in the court valued him highly, leading to further promotions to Colonel and eventually becoming the Governor of Zhangye, where his reputation continued to grow.
When Emperor Cheng of Han ascended the throne, Qingji was appointed as the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, later rising to the position of Left Supervisor of the Army, and eventually reaching the high position of Commandant of the Guards. Initially, Qingji's father Wuxian had a strained relationship with Zhao Chongguo. Eventually, Zhao Chongguo killed members of the Xin family, prompting Qingji's son to retaliate by killing members of the Zhao family. This cycle of revenge resulted in Qingji being demoted to the position of Governor of Jiuquan. Over a year later, Grand General Wang Feng recommended Qingji to the Emperor, highlighting his numerous achievements on the border and his trustworthiness. His integrity, courage, and military prowess earned him widespread respect and made him a key figure in the government. Qingji was then recalled to the court, reinstated as the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Commandant of the Guards. After a few years, he got demoted for a minor slip-up, but was later recalled to the court once again to serve as the Grand Master of Splendid Merit.
At that time, a series of ominous signs occurred in succession. The Prime Minister, He Wu, sent a letter to the Emperor, saying, "In the state of Yu, there was a truly exceptional advisor in the palace, which allowed Duke Xian of Jin to sleep soundly; when Wei Qing was in power, the King of Huainan dared not plot anything. Therefore, wise ministers can fend off enemies and solve problems. It's far better than national ruin. The *Sima Fa* says: 'Even if the world is peaceful, forgetting about war will bring danger.' If generals do not prepare in advance, they will be unable to respond to emergencies; if soldiers do not train diligently in peacetime, it will be difficult to rely on them to risk their lives. Therefore, the late Emperor established the positions of generals, allowing close relatives of the imperial family to manage internal affairs and letting loyal officials from outside the imperial family guard the borders, so that plots won't take root, and the country can be stable. This is truly a wise strategy for centuries to come! Guanglu Xun Qingji was known for his integrity, even-tempered demeanor, kindness, and thorough consideration of issues. When he was in the border regions before, he defeated the enemy many times, capturing a large number of prisoners, and the peoples of the West had all heard of his reputation. Now, with the occurrence of successive ominous signs and no one able to respond, combined with the long period of inactivity for the military, it is very dangerous. The *Spring and Autumn Annals* say that preparations should be made before a major disaster strikes. Qingji came from a prominent family background, held important positions, and could nip problems in the bud." Later, Qingji was appointed as the Right General and took on other official positions such as Cavalry Commander and Censor. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Left General. Qingji lived a simple life, being frugal in his expenses, but he had a special fondness for beautiful horses, earning him the nickname "Bright" for his keen eye for fine steeds, which was his only luxury. As a renowned general, he lived through a peaceful and prosperous era, with both the Xiongnu and Western Regions submitting to his reputation. He died a natural death in old age. His eldest son, Qingtong, became the Protector of the Qiang, his second son, Qingzun, became the Commandant of Hangu Pass, and his youngest son, Qingmao, became the Commandant of Shuiheng, later serving as a Prefect. They were all talented military commanders. Among Qingji's relatives, there were over ten individuals who held high official positions equivalent to over 2,000 stones (a traditional unit of measurement for official rank in ancient China).
So, it was during Wang Mang's reign in the early Western Han—he heard that Qing Ji was the son of the famous general Xin Wuxian, and that all three of his sons were outstanding. Wang Mang wanted to establish good relations with the Xin family. At that time, Wang Mang was busy consolidating his power and favoring the newcomers Zhen Feng and Zhen Han, who held great power in the court. Xin Mao, the Shuiheng commander, felt that he was the son of a famous general, and with his brothers all serving as officials, he looked down on Zhen Feng and Zhen Han as nouveau riche. At that time, Emperor Ping of Han was still young, and the Wei family had been expelled from the capital. The eldest son of the Qiang Protector, Xin Tong, had a good relationship with Emperor Ping's uncle, Wei Zibo. They were both tough guys with many followers and had close ties. Later, during the incident involving Lu Kuan, Wang Mang seized the opportunity to exterminate the Wei family. Zhen Feng and Zhen Han exaggerated things to Wang Mang, claiming that the Xins and Wei Zibo were conspiring against him and did not respect him. Therefore, Chen Chong, the inspector, accused Xin Xing and other relatives of the Xin family in Longxi of bullying people and running roughshod over the provinces. Wang Mang used this to his advantage and had Xin Tong and his son, Xin Zun, Xin Mao and his brothers, as well as the Governor of Nanjun, Xin Bo, all killed, leading to the decline of the Xin family. Qing Ji, a general from Didao, had served in Changling before settling in Chang'an.
This book explains that from the Qin Dynasty to the Han Dynasty, Shandong produced many civil officials, while Shanxi produced many military generals. The famous generals of the Qin Dynasty, Bai Qi from Meixian and Wang Jian from Pinyang; during the Han Dynasty, there were Wang Wei and Gan Yanshou from Yique, Gongsun He and Fu Jiezi from Yique, Li Guang and Li Cai from Chengji, Su Jian and Su Wu from Duling, Shang Gong Jie and Zhao Chongguo from Shanggui, Lian Bao from Xiangwu, and Xin Wuxian and Qing Ji from Dida, all famous for their bravery and fighting prowess. Su Wu and Xin Wuxian both left behind good reputations; these are just a few of the more well-known figures, with countless others. Why is this so? Because areas like Tianshui, Longxi, Anding, and Beidi border Shanxi and are close to the Qiang and Hu tribes. The local kids grew up around war, admiring bravery and becoming skilled in horsemanship and archery. Therefore, the "Qin Feng" (a Qin Dynasty poem) says: "The king raises an army, prepares weapons, let's all go to war together!" This warrior spirit's been around forever. Even today, you hear it in the passionate folk songs; this heroic spirit still remains.
