李将军列传 — Shiji

General Li Guang was a native of Chengji in Longxi. His ancestor had been Li Xin, a Qin dynasty general who had pursued and captured Yan Taizi Dan. The family had originally resided in Huai-li before relocating to Chengji. Archery was a skill passed down through generations in the Li household.

In the fourteenth year of Emperor Wen's reign, the Xiongnu launched a major invasion through Xiaoguan Pass. Li Guang enlisted as a commoner to fight the nomads, distinguishing himself with exceptional horsemanship and archery, killing and capturing numerous enemies. He was appointed a palace guard (Zhonglang). His cousin Li Cai also served as a palace guard, both holding the rank of Armed Cavalry Attendant with a stipend of eight hundred dan.

Once, when accompanying the emperor on an excursion, Li Guang had performed brilliantly in skirmishes and grappled with wild beasts. Emperor Wen remarked, "What a pity you were born in the wrong era! Had you lived in the time of Emperor Gaozu, a title of ten thousand households would have been nothing!"

After a long time, Emperor Jing passed away and Emperor Wu ascended the throne. Those around him regarded Li Guang as a famous general, so Li Guang, currently Governor of Shangjun, was appointed Commandant of Weiyang Palace, while Cheng Bushi also became Commandant of Changle Palace. Cheng Bushi had previously, like Li Guang, served as a border governor leading troops on garrison duty. When they went out to attack the Hu, Li Guang’s march had no strict formations or ranks; they stopped and camped near good water and pasture, and every man did as he pleased. They did not strike the diaodou (a bronze vessel used as a night-watch gong) to guard themselves, and the headquarters simplified documents and records. Yet they always sent scouts far ahead and never encountered danger. Cheng Bushi, on the other hand, strictly organized units, ranks, and encampments, struck the diaodou, and had officers manage military records until dawn; his army never rested, yet he also never encountered danger.

Cheng Bushi said, 'Li Guang's command is extremely simple and relaxed, yet if the enemy suddenly attacks, there is no way to stop them; but his soldiers are also at ease and happy, all willing to die for him. My army, though constrained and troubled, still the enemy cannot attack us.' At that time, both Li Guang and Cheng Bushi were famous generals on the Han border. However, the Xiongnu feared Li Guang's strategy, and the soldiers mostly preferred to follow Li Guang and resented serving under Cheng Bushi. During the reign of Emperor Jing, Cheng Bushi was appointed Grand Master of the Palace for his many forthright remonstrances. He was honest and strictly adhered to regulations. Later, the Han used Mayi City to lure the Chanyu, sending a large army to lie in ambush in the valleys beside Mayi, with Li Guang serving as Daring Cavalry General under the command of the Army Protector General. The Chanyu realized the plot and withdrew, so the Han forces achieved nothing. Four years later, Li Guang, then Commandant of the Guard, was made a general and marched out through Yanmen to attack the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu army, being numerous, defeated Li Guang's forces and captured him alive. The Chanyu, who had long heard of Li Guang's ability, issued an order: 'If you capture Li Guang, you must deliver him alive.'

The Director of Vassal Affairs Gongsun Hunxie tearfully appealed to the emperor: "Li Guang's talents are unmatched under heaven. Relying on his abilities, he has engaged the enemy repeatedly—I fear for his life." Consequently, Li Guang was transferred to serve as Commandant of Shangjun. He subsequently held posts as commandery governor in Longxi, Beidi, Yanmen, Dai, and Yunzhong, earning a reputation for valor in battle.

When the Xiongnu invaded Shangjun in force, the emperor dispatched a high-ranking eunuch to observe Li Guang's military training. The eunuch rode out with several dozen cavalrymen and encountered three Xiongnu scouts. During the engagement, the scouts fired back, wounding the eunuch and nearly wiping out his escort. The eunuch fled to Li Guang, who said, "Those must be archers who shoot down eagles."

His riders protested: "The enemy is numerous and close—what if they attack?"

Li Guang replied: "They expect us to run, so we'll loosen our saddles to show we intend to stay. This will convince them of their mistake."

He later served as Chancellor of Dai. In the fifth year of Yuanshuo, he became General of Light Chariots and followed the Grand General to attack the Wise King of the Right; his achievements met the required standard, and he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Le'an. In the second year of Yuanshou, he replaced Gongsun Hong as Chancellor. Li Cai's character was below average, and his reputation fell far short of Li Guang's. However, Li Guang never obtained any noble rank or fief, his official position never surpassed the Nine Ministers, while Cai became a marquis and rose to the Three Ducal Ministers. Some of Li Guang's subordinate officers and soldiers even attained marquisates.

Li Guang once had a private conversation with Wang Shuo, a master of observing qi. He said: "Since the Han began attacking the Xiongnu, I have never failed to take part. Yet among the officers below the rank of colonel, men of no more than average ability, several tens have been made marquises for their military exploits against the barbarians. I, Li Guang, have never lagged behind, yet I have not won the slightest merit to gain a fief. Why is this? Is my physiognomy simply not meant for a marquisate, or is it my fate?" Wang Shuo said: "General, reflect upon yourself: is there perhaps something you regret?" Li Guang said: "When I was governor of Longxi, the Qiang rebelled. I lured them into surrender, and over eight hundred surrendered. I deceived them and killed them all on the same day. To this day, this alone remains my deepest regret." Wang Shuo said: "No calamity is greater than killing those who have already surrendered. This is the reason you, General, cannot become a marquis."

Some time later, Emperor Jing died, and Emperor Wu took the throne. Advisors recommended Li Guang as a renowned general, and he was appointed Palace Guard Commander of Weiyang, while Cheng Bushi became Palace Guard Commander of Changle. Both had served as frontier commandery governors with military forces, but their methods differed greatly.

Li Guang volunteered, saying: 'My command is that of the Front General, but now the Senior General has diverted me to march via the eastern route. Since I bound my hair and began fighting the Xiongnu, I have only now gotten a chance to face the Chanyu. I beg to be placed in the vanguard and die first at the Chanyu’s hands.' Senior General Wei Qing had also secretly received the emperor's injunction, which held that Li Guang was old and ill-starred, and that he should not be allowed to confront the Chanyu, for fear that he would not obtain the desired result.

At this time, Gongsun Ao had just lost his marquisate and was serving as General of the Center under the Grand General. The Grand General also wanted Ao to join him in confronting the Chanyu, so he transferred Li Guang from his position as General of the Van. When Li Guang learned of this, he firmly declined the assignment to the Grand General. The Grand General did not accept his refusal, and ordered the Chief Clerk to seal a letter and deliver it to Li Guang’s headquarters, saying: ‘Proceed immediately to your division, as directed in the letter.’ Li Guang set off without taking leave of the Grand General, deeply resentful, and joined his troops. He led his soldiers together with the General of the Right, Zhao Yiji, and they took the eastern route. The army had no guides, sometimes lost its way, and fell behind the Grand General.

The Great General engaged the Chanyu in battle. The Chanyu fled, and unable to capture him, the Great General turned back. Heading south across the desert, he met the Front General and the Right General. Li Guang had already seen the Great General and then returned to his own army. The Great General sent a Chief Clerk to deliver dry provisions and wine to Li Guang, and also to ask about how Li Guang and Zhao Shiqi had lost their way. Wei Qing intended to report the army's setbacks in detail to the Son of Heaven. Li Guang made no reply. The Great General then urgently sent the Chief Clerk to demand that Li Guang's staff appear for questioning, so that a report could be made to the court.

Both Li Guang and Cheng Bushi were renowned frontier generals, but the Xiongnu feared Li Guang's tactical prowess, and soldiers preferred serving under him over Cheng Bushi. Cheng Bushi had distinguished himself through repeated petitions during Emperor Jing's reign and was known for his integrity and strict adherence to regulations.

Later, Han attempted to ensnare the Xiongnu chanyu at the fortress of Mayi, with major forces lying in ambush in the adjacent valley. Li Guang was appointed Daredevil Cavalry General, subordinate to the Protector General. The chanyu detected the trap and departed; Han forces achieved nothing.

Four years afterward, Li Guang, then Palace Guard Commander, led an expedition from Yanmen against the Xiongnu. The enemy forces vastly outnumbered him and routed his army, capturing Li Guang alive. The chanyu, who had long heard of Li Guang's reputation, ordered: "Bring Li Guang to me alive."

The Xiongnu horsemen placed the wounded Li Guang between two horses in a net. After traveling some dozen li, Li Guang feigned death. Noticing a young Xiongnu rider with an excellent horse beside him, he seized the moment, leapt onto the youth's mount, pushed him off, grabbed his bow, and galloped south. After covering several dozen li, he rallied what remained of his forces and led them back through the passes.

For several years he lived in retirement. While residing in the southern mountains of Lantian with the grandson of the late Marquis of Yingyin, he went hunting one night with a single companion. On the way back, they stopped for drinks in the countryside. At the Baling garrison, the officer on duty—a drunk—barred Li Guang's entry. When Li Guang's escort identified him as a former general, the officer replied: "Even serving generals may not pass at night—let alone former ones!" He detained Li Guang until morning.

Soon afterward, the Xiongnu killed the Commandant of Liaoxi and defeated General Han. When General Han was reassigned to Youbeiping, the emperor summoned Li Guang to serve as its commandery governor. Li Guang first requested that the Baling officer accompany him, then executed him upon reaching his post.