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Zhao Chongguo was born in Shanggui, Longxi in the fourth year of Jianyuan. In his early years, he served as a knight. Later, as a good family boy from the six counties who was good at riding and shooting, he was appointed as a Yulin Guard.

In the fourth year of Yuanshou, Emperor Wu of Han won the third victory in his expedition against the Huns.

The Han court carried out a large-scale immigration program, so Zhao Chongguo also moved his family to Lingju County in Jincheng County.

In the second year of Tianhan, Zhao Chongguo served as the acting Sima and followed General Li Guangli to attack the Huns.

Later, the Han army was surrounded by the Xiongnu army. The army was out of food for several days and suffered many casualties.

Later Zhao Chongguo and more than a hundred warriors broke through the siege, and Li Guangli led his soldiers to follow closely behind, thus escaping danger.

In this battle, Zhao Chongguo suffered more than twenty wounds all over his body, and Li Guangli reported the matter to Emperor Wu.

Emperor Wu ordered Zhao Chongguo to come to the palace and inquired about his injuries. Soon after, Zhao Chongguo was appointed as Zhonglang. Later, he was transferred to be the chief secretary of the General of Chariots and Cavalry.

"During the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han, the Di people in Wudu County rebelled. Zhao Chongguo, as the general and commander of the guards, led his troops to attack and quell the rebellion."

"Because of his meritorious service in pacifying the rebellion, he was promoted to General of the Central Army. Soon after, he led his troops to garrison Shanggu County. After returning, he was appointed Commandant of the Water Conservancy Bureau."

"He was then sent to attack the Xiongnu, and on the way he successfully captured the Xiongnu's King Xiqi."

"He was later promoted to the rank of Rear General for his meritorious service, and concurrently served as the Commandant of Water Resources."

"During the time when Zhao Chongguo was the commander of the Water Conservancy Commission, he was often summoned by the court to participate in military decision-making due to the invasion of the Xiongnu and Wuhuan in the north."

"In the third year of Yuanfeng, the Xiongnu first reached the tomb of the Chanyu because of the Wuhuan."

"This caused resentment among the Xiongnu, who then decided to launch an attack on the Wuhuan with 20,000 troops."

"General Huo Guang thought this was a great opportunity to attack the Xiongnu, but he had no definite decision, so he sought Zhao Chongguo's opinion."

"Zhao Chongguo bluntly said that it was beneficial for the Han Dynasty for the barbarians to attack each other, and if we sent troops to stop them, it would only cause trouble."

"Then Huo Guang asked General Fan Mingyou for his opinion, and Fan Mingyou suggested that they could attack."

"So Huo Guang appointed Fan Mingyou as the General Du Liao and ordered him to lead 20,000 cavalrymen to Liaodong."

"Upon hearing the news, the Xiongnu withdrew their troops, and Fan Mingyou turned to attack the Wuhuan, gaining considerable gains. However, the Han dynasty also suffered the resentment of both the Xiongnu and the Wuhuan."

"In the first year of Yuanping, Zhao Chongguo participated in the campaign by the powerful official Huo Guang and others to depose the emperor."

"He successfully deposed Liu He, the King of Changyi, and enthroned Liu Xun, the grandson of the Crown Prince Liu Ju, as Emperor Xuan of Han."

"After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Zhao Chongguo was conferred the title of Marquis of Yingping."

"In the second year of the Benshi reign, Emperor Xuan appointed Zhao Chongguo as General Pulei, commanding more than 30,000 cavalrymen to attack the Xiongnu from Jiuquan County."

"Zhao Chongguo originally planned to join forces with other troops to attack the Xiongnu at Puleze. The Xiongnu learned in advance that the Han army was coming and immediately withdrew from Puleze. However, Zhao Chongguo still made some gains because he arrived in time."

"After that, Zhao Chongguo saw that the Xiongnu had fled far away, so in order to avoid unnecessary exhaustion, Zhao Chongguo decided to withdraw his troops in advance."

"After the war, Zhao Chongguo was blamed for withdrawing his troops too early, but he was soon promoted to the rank of rear general and concurrently served as the Shaofu and other positions."

"In the second year of the Yuankang reign, the Xiongnu sent troops to attack the Western Han Dynasty's farming soldiers in Cheshi."

"After hearing this, Emperor Xuan discussed with Zhao Chongguo and others and prepared to send troops to counterattack."

"After that, under the persuasion of Prime Minister Wei Xiang, he did not send troops."

"Soon after, the Xiongnu led more than 100,000 cavalrymen to the border."

"Tichu Qutang, a Xiongnu who surrendered to the Han Dynasty, revealed the Xiongnu's plan, so the Han court sent Zhao Chongguo to lead 40,000 cavalry to garrison nine counties including Wuyuan and Shuofang on the border."

"When the Xiongnu Chanyu saw that the Han army was fully prepared, he knew that the attack was hopeless, so he led his troops to retreat."

"During the reign of Emperor Xuan, Guanglu Dafu Yiqu Anguo was ordered to inspect the various Qiang tribes. The Xianling Qiang chiefs hoped to cross the river to the north bank of the Huangshui River to graze their livestock at a specific time."

"Yiqu Anguo reported this to Emperor Xuan, but was impeached by Zhao Chongguo for being disrespectful."

"After that, the Qiang people invaded the interior, and the county officials were unable to stop them."

"In the third year of Yuankang, Xianling and more than 200 Qiang chiefs resolved their feud and signed an alliance after exchanging hostages."

"The Qiang people's alliance shocked the Han court and the people, and Emperor Xuan of Han urgently summoned Zhao Chongguo to the palace for advice."

"Zhao Chongguo believed that the Qiang were easy to control because each tribe had its own leader and often attacked each other, making it impossible to unite."

Li Shimin: Moreover, more than ten years ago, when the Western Qiang people rebelled, they first resolved their hatred and then signed an alliance to fight against the Han Dynasty.

After analyzing the specific situation of the Qiang people, Zhao Chongguo proposed the need to pay attention to potential crises and prevent the situation from spreading.

A few months later, the Western Qiang borrowed troops from the Xiongnu and sent troops to Dunhuang and other places, and Zhao Chongguo proposed it again.

It is impossible for a small tribe like Langhe to make such a plan on its own, and it is suspected that the Xiongnu envoys have already reached the Qiang tribe, and the Xianling, Hankai and other tribes have put aside their hatred and signed an alliance.

When the time is ripe, chaos will surely break out.

Zhao Chongguo proposed to replace the garrison Yiqu Anguo.

At the same time, he proposed to send Xin Wuxian, a famous official of the Western Han Dynasty, to the Western Qiang to divide the Western Qiang internally and quickly build defensive facilities in preparation for war.

However, the plan was not adopted by Emperor Xuan of Han. Later, Yiqu Anguo was sent as an envoy to Western Qiang again. After arriving, he killed more than 30 Qiang leaders for the crime of rebellion and disobedience.

He also ordered his soldiers to kill more than a thousand Qiang people, which directly led to the deterioration of relations between Han and Qiang.

In the first year of Shenque, the Western Qiang invaded the Western Han Dynasty and killed local officials. The defending army, Yiqu Anguo, sent troops to suppress the rebellion but failed and was defeated.

Emperor Xuan of Han urgently summoned Zhao Chongguo to ask who could be a general, and Zhao Chongguo recommended himself.

Emperor Xuan of Han was worried about Zhao Chongguo because he was old.

So they asked how many troops were needed to conquer the country. Zhao Chongguo said that seeing is believing. In April of the same year, Zhao Chongguo led his troops to the west.

On the one hand, Zhao Chongguo led light cavalry to the bank of the Yellow River first to survey the terrain on the front line. When the troops arrived, they were ready to cross the river.

However, they were afraid of being intercepted by the Qiang people, so they sent troops to cross the river first and then set up camp after crossing the river.

By daybreak, Zhao Chongguo's army had been deployed, and a large number of troops crossed the river.

At that time, a small group of Qiang cavalry attacked, and Zhao Chongguo suggested that the troops needed to rest after crossing the river.

These cavalrymen only need to be eliminated. In order to prevent this from being a strategy to lure troops, they should not be pursued.

He also proposed a method that combined vigilance with rest and recuperation, adopted a defensive strategy, and remained unmoved in the face of small groups of Western Qiang troops.

The Western Qiang army attacked the enemy many times but failed, the morale of the army gradually weakened, and internal strife gradually arose.

Afterwards, the leaders of the Western Qiang turned to attack the Han army's grain routes, so Zhao Ang, the son of Zhao Chongguo, changed the way of transporting grain from land to water.

At the same time, Zhao Chongguo adopted a steady and cautious tactic to gradually advance. After Zhao Chongguo entered Huangzhong, he adopted a strategy of attacking the heart of the people as the main force and using military force as the auxiliary force.

For example, Zhao Chongguo told the leaders of the various tribes in Western Qiang that the Han army would only kill the guilty and not the innocent.

If a guilty person helps to catch a criminal, he can not only get a reward but also be reunited with his family.

On the other hand, Emperor Xuan had already mobilized 60,000 troops to prepare for an attack on the Western Qiang, and Xin Wuxian submitted a memorial proposing a strategy of waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out.

First, capture the families of some tribes of the Western Qiang people, and after autumn and winter, the Western Qiang will naturally disintegrate.

Afterwards, Emperor Xuan gave the memorial to Zhao Chongguo and asked him to discuss it with the captains and soldiers who were familiar with the situation of the Qiang people.

Zhao Chongguo and his chief secretary Dong Tongnian wrote a letter to the emperor advising him that the Xiongnu would join forces with the Qiang people to invade.

At that time, the main transportation routes between the Western Regions and the Han Dynasty would be blocked, so the military forces in the border areas would inevitably need to be mobilized.

At the same time, Zhao Chongguo pointed out that some tribes were forced to rise up in rebellion.

He suggested that King Xuan of Han severely punish the mastermind and forgive the coerced followers, and proposed a policy of division by appeasement as the main method and military force as the auxiliary method. Emperor Xuan sent his letter to his ministers for discussion, but they did not accept Zhao Chongguo's proposal.

Emperor Xuan then appointed Xu Yanshou, Marquis of Lecheng, as General of Strong Crossbows and Xin Wuxian as General of Defeat the Qiang, and sent an imperial edict to approve their plans.

At the same time, he sent a letter to Zhao Chongguo, accusing him of being reluctant to use military force and telling him that the court had acted according to Xin Wuxian's plan and ordered him to lead troops to disrupt the enemy.

"On June 28th of the first year of the Divine Lord era, Zhao Chongguo once again submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating the pros and cons of the strategic deployment, hoping that Emperor Xuan of Han would revoke his decision."

"After receiving the memorial, Emperor Xuan of Han felt guilty and rescinded his order."

"In July of the same year, Zhao Chongguo took advantage of the Western Qiang's lack of vigilance to launch an attack, leaving the Qiang army unable to defend themselves."

"The Qiang people were greatly frightened, and they abandoned their baggage and food and fled."

"Then Zhao Chongguo ordered his troops to move slowly to drive the Qiang away to prevent their counterattack, and the Western Qiang army was defeated."

"After the war, Zhao Chongguo immediately led his army to the Qiang nomadic area and adopted a differentiation system."

"Identify the tribes in Western Qiang that are willing to surrender and promise to reward them."

"At the same time, Zhao Chongguo ordered that residences should not be burned down or agriculture and animal husbandry should not be damaged."

"Soon after, the Western Qiang army was divided, and the remnants of the Western Qiang gradually retreated to the west of Qinghai Road."

"When the Qiang people of Han heard about Zhao Chongguo's deeds, they sent their leader to express their willingness to return the land."

"Zhao Chongguo reported the matter to Emperor Xuan of Han and discussed it with his generals, but many of his officers said that he should not be allowed to return."

"But Zhao Chongguo still returned the leader of the Han tribe, saying that it was for his own safety, not for loyalty to the country."

"Not long after, the Han Dynasty responded and ordered the leader of the Han tribe to atone for his crime. The Han tribe surrendered with their army."

"After the victory report from Huangzhong reached the capital, Zhao Chongguo happened to be suffering from stomach and leg diseases."

"Emperor Xuan of Han issued a summons to Zhao Chongguo, asking him to concentrate on recuperating from his illness, and ordered Xin Wuxian to serve as the General of Defeat the Qiang to wipe out the remaining Qiang troops."

"But Zhao Chongguo still wrote to Emperor Xuan of Han, suggesting that political differentiation had been effective."

"There is no need to waste manpower and resources on killing and conquering. We can focus on appeasement and put forward the policy of farming in the memorial."

"At that time, tens of thousands of Qiang people surrendered, and Zhao Chongguo expected that they would collapse on their own."

"The intention was to disband the cavalry, let the soldiers cultivate the land, and wait for the enemy to disintegrate on its own."

"But before the memorial was submitted, Zhao Chongguo received the imperial edict ordering him to advance."

"His son Zhao Ang was greatly frightened when he heard this, and sent someone to advise Zhao Chongguo that he could keep his position as general even if he was defeated."

"But if it doesn't meet the emperor's wishes, then you might not be able to save your life, and you won't be able to ensure the stability of the country."

"Zhao Chongguo suggested that if they had listened to his advice earlier, there would not have been a serious outbreak of Qiang troubles."

"Because he believed that the wise monarch was worthy of his honest and frank advice, Zhao Chongguo proposed the military farming policy in his memorial."

"Zhao Chongguo pointed out in his memorial that the army was a tool to publicize the emperor's kindness and to eliminate disasters."

"If the military is used properly abroad, auspicious signs will appear at home. We must treat it with caution."

"There are still a lot of uncultivated Qiang people's old fields and public fields in Huangzhong area. Carrying out the military farming can save expenses and accumulate strength."

"In this way, the Qiang people will collapse without a fight."

"He also pointed out that there are twelve benefits to farming, and that sending troops too early would lose these benefits."

"However, Zhao Chongguo's proposal was criticized by the ministers. Soon, under Zhao Chongguo's insistence, the ministers gradually changed their views."

"Emperor Xuan also asked how to deal with the Qiang's attack. Zhao Chongguo replied that some Qiang people had already started to rebel and could be eliminated by next year."

"Secondly, although the border is long and the number of soldiers is insufficient, the farming troops can climb high and see far to strengthen the connection between them."

"This will achieve the goal of waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out. When the Qiang see that the Han army is well prepared, they will soon disintegrate on their own."

"Although the small-scale looting by the Qiang people cannot be completely banned, it is worthwhile compared with large-scale military operations."

"Moreover, the Han Dynasty also had to defend against attacks by the Xiongnu and others, and could not supply the northwest border for a long time."

"Finally, I mentioned that the imperial court had previously sent envoys to appease the Qiang tribes, and that the Qiang tribes should not have any more dissenting ideas."

Li Longji: Therefore, Zhao Chongguo submitted the military farming plan three times, proposing that military farming could both save waste internally and prepare for war externally.

He also pointed out that the terrain of Huangzhong was favorable to the Han army, while the Qiang people were in a cold and windy place and could only hold out until next spring at most, by which time the Qiang army would be completely destroyed.

In the end, Emperor Xuan approved Zhao Chongguo's military farming plan.

Zhao Chongguo took the approach of disbanding the cavalry and ordering 10,000 infantrymen to cultivate the land and no longer carry out military operations.

Seeing that the Han army had adopted a long-term and stable strategy, the Qiang people came to surrender one after another.

In May of the following year, Zhao Chongguo returned to Beijing, and his friend Hao Xingci advised him.

The military merit should be divided between General Po Qiang and General Qiang Nu so that you can protect yourself, but Zhao Chongguo told Hao Xingci.

He could not deceive the monarch just because of his temporary official position. If he gave the monarch the impression that he could win easily, the consequences would be endless trouble. So he told Emperor Xuan of Han the truth.

In the end, Emperor Xuan of Han also agreed with Zhao Chongguo's opinion, so he dismissed Xin Wuxian from his post as General Defeats the Qiang, but ordered him to return to his post as the prefect of Jiuquan.

Zhao Chongguo was reinstated as the Rear General and the Imperial Guard, a move that incurred the resentment of Xin Wuxian.

In the autumn, the rebellion of the Western Qiang was completely put down, and the Western Han Dynasty established the Jincheng vassal state specifically to resettle the surrendered Qiang people.

He also set up posts such as Protector of the Qiang to pacify the Qiang people, and Emperor Xuan issued an edict ordering court officials to recommend candidates suitable for the post of Protector of the Qiang.

At that time, Zhao Chongguo was ill, and the four governments jointly recommended Xin Wuxian's younger brother Xin Tang.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Chongguo immediately reported to Emperor Xuan of Han that Xin Tang was an alcoholic and should not be allowed to be in charge of barbarian affairs.

It would be better to use Xin Tang's elder brother Xin Linzhong, who had already accepted the appointment as the Protector of the Qiang.

After Emperor Xuan received Zhao Chongguo's suggestion, he issued an edict to replace Xin Linzhong.

Later, Xin Linzhong resigned due to illness, and the Five Ministries again recommended Xin Tang to take over the position.

As a result, Xin Tang repeatedly offended the Qiang people after being drunk, which once again provoked the Qiang people to rebellion.

When Xin Wuxian was chatting with Zhao Ang, Zhao Ang told him that Zhang Anshi had once angered the emperor.

But General Zhao Ang believed that Zhang Anshi had been loyal and cautious for many years and should be forgiven.

Later, Xin Wuxian was resentful of being dismissed from his position as general and reported Zhao Ang for leaking palace secrets.

Emperor Xuan handed Zhao Ang over to a judge for interrogation on the grounds that Zhao Ang had violated the ban and entered the Sima of Zhao Chongguo's government to station troops. Zhao Ang eventually committed suicide.

After Zhao Ang's death, Zhao Chongguo requested to withdraw from government affairs. Emperor Xuan approved his request and gave him a comfortable carriage, four horses and 60 kilograms of gold, allowing him to return home to retire.

However, when discussing the issue of the Four Barbarians, Emperor Xuan still often sought Zhao Chongguo's opinion.

In the second year of Ganlu, Zhao Chongguo died at the age of eighty-six and was given the posthumous title of Zhuang.

In the third year of Ganlu, Huhanye Chanyu of the Xiongnu came to pay homage to the emperor, and Emperor Xuan proposed to make the Rong and Di people submit to him, hoping to gain the favor of his loyal followers.

Therefore, all the paintings in the Qilin Pavilion of the Weiyang Palace have merits. There are eleven meritorious officials such as the well-known Grand Marshal and General Huo Guang, and Zhao Chongguo ranks fourth.

During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, the Western Qiang were in turmoil. Emperor Cheng commemorated Zhao Chongguo's merits and ordered the Yellow Gate Assistant Minister Yang Xiong to compose a eulogy next to Zhao Chongguo's portrait. (End of this chapter)