Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 17 The Han Dynasty: The Banquet of the Hongmen (5)
【Translation】

The Eastern Route Army led by the former general Li Guang and the right general Zhao Shiqi lost their way in the desert because they had no guides, so they fell behind the general Wei Qing and did not have time to participate in the battle with Shan Yu.It wasn't until Wei Qing led his troops back to the camp that they ran into Li Guang and Zhao Shiqi's troops who were lost when they passed through the southern part of the desert.Wei Qing sent Chief Shi to question the specific situation of the two getting lost, and ordered Li Guang to go to the general to wait for his instructions.Li Guang said: "All the lieutenants are not guilty. I lost my way. I will go to the general's shogunate alone to wait for punishment." After that, he said to his subordinates: "I have been fighting since I was young. Now there have been more than 70 battles with the Xiongnu, big and small, and now I finally have the opportunity to confront the leader of the Xiongnu, Shan Yu, but the general transferred our troops from the front to the east. I lost my way, isn’t all this God’s will? Besides, I’m over 60 years old, how can I face those petty officials again?” So he drew his sword and killed himself.Li Guang was a clean and honest man all his life. As soon as he received a reward, he would immediately distribute it to his subordinates.His arms are as long and flexible as those of a gibbon, and he is especially good at archery. If he expects to miss the target, he will not shoot the arrow.He led the army and found water sources in desperate situations. If the soldiers hadn't all drank, Li Guang wouldn't have been in the water; if the soldiers hadn't all eaten the food, Li Guang wouldn't have eaten.The soldiers were therefore happy to be his subordinates.After Li Guang committed suicide, the whole army wept bitterly.When the people heard the news of his death, those who knew him and those who did not, no matter old or young, did not shed tears for him, and the right general Zhao Shiqi was handed over to the shogunate for trial, and his crime deserved death. Later, he redeemed himself and became a commoner.

[Comment and Analysis]

During the period of Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Jing, the Xiongnu harassed the border from time to time.In order to resist the Huns, famous generals who fought against the Huns emerged in the Han Dynasty.Among them, Parachutist Li Guang is an outstanding one.Li Guang devoted most of his life to fighting the Huns.He has experienced more than 70 battles, big and small, and because of his bravery and skill in fighting, he has become a terrible enemy in the hearts of the Huns.But he was unlucky all his life. Although he made a lot of credits, he was never able to be a marquis. In the end, he was unwilling to face the interrogation of the small officials and killed himself.This is a typical tragic character. Li Guang regards this as God's will, which may have something to do with his overly straightforward character.

[Original text]

The second year of Jianyuan, Emperor Shizong Xiaowu of the Han Dynasty

Go up to the bully, go back, and live with the elder sister, Princess Pingyang, and Wei Zifu, the eulogist.The son-in-law, the mother-in-law, and the wife are also the children of Princess Pingyang; because the Lord sent the son-in-law into the palace, his favor is growing day by day.When Empress Chen heard about it, she became angry, and the number of dead was counted; she became more and more angry.

The son-in-law had the same mother and younger brother Wei Qing, and his father Zheng Ji, who was originally a Pingyang County official, served the Hou family, had an affair with Wei Wei and gave birth to Qing, and assumed the surname Wei.Qingchang is a riding slave of the Hou family.Princess Dachang held the prisoner Qing and wanted to kill him; her friend Qilang Gongsun Ao and the strong man usurped it.According to the above news, Qing was called to be the Jianzhang supervisor and servant, and he was rewarded with thousands of gold in a few days.Then take Zifu as his wife, and Qing as Taizhong doctor.

【Translation】

In the second year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (139 BC).Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty went to Bashang to hold an exorcism ceremony. On the way back to the palace, he stopped by to visit his sister, Princess Pingyang, and fell in love with Wei Zifu, the singing girl in Princess Pingyang's mansion.Wei Zifu's mother, Wei Wei, was originally the slave of Princess Pingyang; Princess Pingyang then sent Wei Zifu to the harem, and Wei Zifu was increasingly favored by Emperor Wu.When Empress Chen knew about it, she was very angry and tried to die and live several times. Therefore, Emperor Wu became more and more angry with Empress Chen.

Wei Zifu and Wei Qing are half-brothers and sisters. Wei Qing's father, Zheng Ji, was originally a magistrate in Pingyang County. .Later, when Wei Qing grew up, he worked as a riding slave in Pingyanghou's house.The eldest princess Liu Xing imprisoned Wei Qing and planned to kill him; thanks to Wei Qing's friend Qilang Gongsun Ao and the warriors snatched him back from the princess.When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty heard the news, he summoned Wei Qing, appointed him as the supervisor of Jianzhang Palace, and bestowed him with the rank of servant. The reward to Wei Qing was as high as a thousand gold within a few days.Not long after, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty made Wei Zifu his wife and made Wei Qing a doctor of the imperial court.

[Original text]

In the fifth year of Yuanshuo, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu Youxian kings invaded Shuofang several times.The emperor ordered the chariot general Qing to ride [-] horses out of Gaoque, Weiwei Su Jian as the guerrilla general, Zuo Neishi Li Ju as the strong crossbow general, the imperial servant Sun He as the cavalry general, and Li Cai as the light chariot general. The generals who belonged to the chariots and riders all went out of Shuofang; the generals of Dali Xi and Zhang Cigong, the Marquis of the Shore, all went out of Youbeiping; more than a hundred thousand people attacked the Xiongnu.King You Xian thought that the Han soldiers were far away and could not come, so he drank and got drunk.Wei Qing and other soldiers went out for six or seven hundred miles, and at night they came to surround the right virtuous king.King Youxian was frightened and fled at night. He rode hundreds of gallops alone with Zhuang and went northward.There are more than ten people from Youxian who have benefited the king, more than [-] men and women, and tens of millions of livestock, so they lead the troops back.

As far as Sai, the envoy of the Son of Heaven held the seal of the general, that is, the army worshiped Wei Qing as the general, and all the generals belonged to Yan.In summer, April, Yiwei, Fuyi sealed [-] households in Qing, and Feng Qing's three sons, husband and wife, Buyi, and Deng were all marquises.Qing Gu Xie said: "I am fortunate to be able to deal with crimes. Thanks to your majesty's spirit, the great victory of the army is the result of the hard work of the school lieutenants. Fortunately, your majesty has benefited from the feudal minister Qing; the minister Qingzi is in his infancy, and he has not worked hard. The above-mentioned places The title of Marquis is not intended to persuade the soldiers to fight vigorously." The emperor said: "I have not forgotten the merits of the school captains." He was named Gongsun Ao, the captain of the guard army, as the marquis of the cavalry, and the captain Han said He is Marquis of Long, Gongsun He is Marquis of Nanyi, Li Cai is Marquis of Le'an, Xiaowei Li Shuo is Marquis of Shezhi, Zhao Buyu is Marquis of Suicheng, Gongsun Rongnu is Marquis of Congping, Li Ju, Li Xi and Xiaowei Dou Ruyi All are given to the Marquis of Guannei.

【Translation】

The fifth year of Yuanshuo, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (122 BC).The Youxian King of the Huns repeatedly led his troops to invade Shuofang County.Emperor Wu of the Han ordered Wei Qing, the general of chariots and cavalry, to lead 10,000 cavalry out of the fortress from Gaoque. General Che, they were all under the command of General Cheqi, and they led the troops out of the fortress from Shuofang together; they ordered Dali Xi and Zhang Cigong, the Marquis of the Shore, to go out from Youbeiping together, mobilizing a total of 5000+ people to attack the Xiongnu together.King Youxian of the Huns always thought that the Han army was far away from him, and it would be impossible to reach him in a while, so he got drunk and took no precautions.Wei Qing and other generals led the army out of the frontier for six or seven hundred miles, arrived overnight, and surrounded King Youxian's camp in groups.King Youxian was greatly surprised, and fled at night, only leading hundreds of strong cavalry to break out of the encirclement of the Han army and flee northward.In this battle, the Han army captured more than ten generals from various ministries under King Youxian, more than [-] men and women from the Huns, and nearly one million livestock.This great victory allowed the Han army to return to the court soon.

As soon as Wei Qing led the army back to the frontier fortress, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent envoys to come with the seal of the general, so he worshiped Wei Qing as the general in the army, and all the generals were under the command of Wei Qing.In summer, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, Wei Qing was granted the title of Shiyi with [-] households, and his three sons, Wei Fu, Wei Buyi, and Wei Deng, were all enfeoffed as marquises.Wei Qing resolutely resigned and said: "It is my honor to be able to serve in the army, and it is entirely dependent on your majesty, your god. Now I have achieved great success, and it is also the credit of the hard work of the school lieutenants. Now I am very fortunate to have received the food that your majesty sealed. Besides, my sons are still in their infancy and have no merit, yet His Majesty wants to entrust the land to the three of them as lords. This is not my original intention to serve in the army and encourage the soldiers to fight the enemy with all their strength." Han Emperor Wu said: "It's not that I have forgotten the merits of the school captains." So he named Gongsun Ao, the captain of the guard army, as the Marquis of Heqi, and the captain of the army, Han Shuo, as the Marquis of Long, Gongsun He as the Marquis of Nanyi, and Li Cai as Le. Anhou, Xiaowei Li Shuo was named Shezhihou, Zhao Buyu was named Suichenghou, Gongsun Rongnu was named Congpinghou, Li Ju, Li Xi and Xiaowei Dou Ruyi were all named Guanneihou.

[Original text]

Therefore, Qingzun's favor is the same as that of all the officials, and everyone below the public servants respects him with humility, and he only draws on gloom and exaggeration.People may say An said: "Since the Son of Heaven wants the ministers to serve as a general, the general respects you, and you must not fail to worship." Darkness, please ask the country's imperial court for doubts, and it will be added to the usual days when it is dark.Although the general Qing is expensive, sometimes he sits in the toilet and looks at him when he is in the middle.Go up and sit in the military tent, and play things in the past. If you don't go up, you can see the dark, and hide in the tent, so that people can play.It's like this salute.

【Translation】

At that time, Emperor Wu of the Han respected Wei Qing more than any minister in the court, princes, nobles and officials at all levels bowed to Wei Qing, but Ji An was always neither humble nor overbearing to Wei Qing.So someone persuaded Ji An and said: "The emperor intends to let all the ministers live under the general. The general's status is so noble, you must bow down." As a guest of worship, the general will not be honored because of this!" After Wei Qing knew this, he admired Ji An's wisdom more and more, and asked Ji An many times for advice on many difficult and important issues of the country and the court. Much more respect.Although Wei Qing has a high status, sometimes he enters the palace to serve, and Emperor Wu of Han will sit by the bed to meet him; Prime Minister Gong Sunhong will meet with Emperor Wu of Han when he is free, and Emperor Wu of Han sometimes does not wear a hat; Emperor Wu would not come out to meet him without wearing his hat.One day, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty happened to be sitting in the tent where the weapons were displayed. At this time, Ji An came to play something. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty did not wear a hat. He saw Ji An coming from a distance, hurriedly hid in the back tent, and sent someone to tell In words, approve what Ji An has played.It can be seen from this that it is extraordinary that Ji An received the respect and courtesy of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

[Comment and Analysis]

Wei Qing was a rare famous general in ancient times. His brilliant achievements in the war against the Huns were enough to make the great Han feel elated. Even Ma Qian of the Taishi Company felt encouraged and proud in his biography.Although Sima Qian himself did not approve of such a war, he fully affirmed and sincerely admired Wei Qing's military talent.

Wei Qing's nephew
[Original text]

Yuan Shuo six years
At the beginning of the sixth year of Yuanshuo, Emperor Xiaowu of Han Dynasty, Huo Zhongru, an official of Pingyang County, served Pingyang Hou's family, and had an affair with Qing sister Wei Shaoer, and gave birth to Huo Qubing.In the eighteenth year of last illness, he was a servant, good at riding and shooting, and then he was a general to attack the Huns, and he was a captain of Piaoyao.So the emperor said: "Piao Yao Xiaowei Qubing, beheaded more than [-] ranks of captives, won the prime minister and household, beheaded Shanyu's eldest father to borrow Ruohou's birth, and captured Jifu Luogu, and won the championship, and sealed Qubing He was crowned as the Marquis of the Champion. The prefect of Shanggu, Hao Xian, followed the generals four times, captured and beheaded more than [-] captives, and named him Marquis of All Benefits."

In the second year of Yuanshou, Emperor Xiaowu Emperor of the Han Dynasty, Huo Qubing became the general of Piaoqi. He sent Wanqi out of Longxi to attack the Xiongnu. , Zhihunxie Prince, Xiangguo, and Duwei, won more than [-] captives, and received Xiutu King to sacrifice to the Tianjing people.Zhao Yifeng Qubing [-] households.

At that time, the soldiers, horses, and soldiers of the old generals were not as good as Piaoqi, who were often selected by Piaoqi, but they dared to go deep, and often preceded the army with strong cavalry;And the senior generals often stay alone, so the votes are more expensive than the generals.

In autumn, King Hunxie of the Huns descended.At that time, Shanyu Nuhunxie King and Xiutu King lived in the west and killed tens of thousands of captives for the Han Dynasty, and wanted to call them to death.King Hunxie and King Xiutu were afraid and planned to surrender to the Han, and sent envoys to the border to cover up the Han people and ordered them to report to the emperor.At that time, the big luggage moved up the city river, and got the envoy of King Hunxie, who immediately spread the news.

【Translation】

The first year of Yuanshuo, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (123 BC)
At first, Huo Zhongru, an official of Pingyang County, worked in Pingyang Marquis Cao Shou's house, had an affair with Wei Qing's sister Wei Shao, and gave birth to Huo Qubing.Huo Qubing became a servant when he was young, and he was good at horseback riding and archery.When he followed the general Wei Qing to attack the Huns for the second time, Huo Qubing was already Captain Piaoyao. At that time, he led 2000 light cavalry warriors, and after throwing the army hundreds of miles away, he began to look for opportunities. The number exceeded the loss of the Han army.Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han said: "Piao Yao Xiaowei Huo Qubing killed more than 2000 captives of the Huns, captured the Xiangguo and the householder of the Huns alive, killed the Xiongnu Shanyu's grandfather's borrower Hou Luan, and captured Shanyu's uncle alive Aunt Luan Tiluo, who won the first place in the whole army in battle, now makes Huo Qubing the champion. Shanggu Taishou Hao Xian followed the general four times, and he killed and captured more than [-] Hun soldiers. Now Hao Xian is named as the public Lihou."

The second year of Yuanshou, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (121 BC).Huo Qubing was appointed General Piaoqi. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered him to lead 1000 cavalry to attack the Xiongnu from Longxi to the north. King Lan beheaded King Luhou, and captured King Hunxie’s prince, Xiangguo, and captain alive. He beheaded and captured more than 900 Hun soldiers, and also captured the gold that King Xiutu used to sacrifice to heaven. people.Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty issued an edict to add two thousand households to Huo Qubing Shiyi.

At that time, the soldiers, horses, and weapons commanded by all the veteran generals in the Han army were inferior to Huo Qubing. The soldiers, horses, and weapons commanded by Huo Qubing were usually carefully selected, but he did dare to go deep into the enemy. The cavalry marched ahead of the host; his troops seemed to be so favored by heaven that they were never in a desperate situation.However, the veterans are often unable to match up with them because they are late and behind.Due to this, Huo Qubing's status became more and more prestigious, almost on par with the great general Wei Qing.

In autumn, King Hunxie of the Huns surrendered to the Han Dynasty.At that time, King Hunxie and King Xiutu of the Xiongnu lived in the western region, and tens of thousands of people were captured and killed by the Han army. Shan Yu was very angry about this, so he planned to summon them to the royal court to execute them.King Hunxie and King Xiutu were very frightened when they heard the news. They planned to surrender to the Han Dynasty together. They first sent people to the border to intercept the local Han people passing by and asked them to report to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.At that time, Da Lixi was building a city by the Yellow River. When he saw the messenger of King Hunxie, he immediately sent a chariot to report to the court.

[Original text]

When the emperor heard about it, he was afraid that he would attack the border by feigning surrender, so he ordered General Piaoqi to meet him with his troops.King Xiutu regretted it, and King Hunxie killed him and all of them.Piaoqi crossed the river and faced the kings of Hunxie.Hunxie King Pi will see the Han army, and many who do not want to surrender will flee.Piaoqi then galloped in, got to meet King Hunxie, beheaded 8000 people who were about to die, and then sent King Hunxie alone to ride to the place where he was going, and took all of them across the river.More than [-] descendants, known as [-].Since he arrived in Chang'an, the emperor rewarded tens of thousands of people; he made Hunxie Wang Wanhu the Marquis of Luoyin, and his benevolent king Hu Duni and four others were all Liehou.There are thousands of seven hundred households who benefit from sealing tickets.

In the fourth year of Yuanshou, General Piaoqi's cavalry was as heavy as the general's army, but there were no generals. He learned that Li Gan and others were the senior colonels. , won three people including Tuntou King and Han Wang, 83 people including General, Xiangguo, Danghu, and Duwei, who were granted the title of Wolf to live in Xushan, Zen in Guyan, climbed to Hanhai, and won 440 grades.The Son of Heaven granted [-] households Yifeng Piaoqi General; he also conferred the titles of Lieutenant Marquis including Lu Bode, the prefect of Youbeiping, and two other Yifeng Piaohou Ponu; Military officials and soldiers became officials and received many rewards.However, the generals were not entitled to be enfeoffed, and none of the military officials were enfeoffed as marquises.

Naiyi set up the position of Grand Sima, and both the Grand General and the Piaoqi General were the Grand Sima.Since then, General Qing Ri has retreated and the fare has become increasingly expensive.Most of the old generals and corporals went to work on tickets and rides, and often won official titles, but Ren An refused.

(End of this chapter)