南越列传

The King of Nanyue, Wei Tuo, was a native of Zhending, of the Zhao clan. When the Qin had unified the realm, they conquered and pacified the Yang-Yue territories, establishing the commanderies of Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang. They sent convict exiles to settle there among the Yue, where the two populations mingled for thirteen years. Tuo was appointed by the Qin as the magistrate of Longchuan in the Nanhai commandery.

The King of Nanyue, Wei Tuo, was a native of Zhending, of the Zhao clan. When the Qin had unified the realm, they conquered and pacified the Yang-Yue territories, establishing the commanderies of Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang. They sent convict exiles to settle there among the Yue, where the two populations mingled for thirteen years. Tuo was appointed by the Qin as the magistrate of Longchuan in the Nanhai commandery.

The King of Nanyue, Wei Tuo, was a native of Zhending, of the Zhao clan. When the Qin had unified the realm, they conquered and pacified the Yang-Yue territories, establishing the commanderies of Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang. They sent convict exiles to settle there among the Yue, where the two populations mingled for thirteen years. Tuo was appointed by the Qin as the magistrate of Longchuan in the Nanhai commandery.

Toward the end of the Second Emperor's reign, the military governor of Nanhai, Ren Xiao, fell ill and was near death. He summoned the magistrate Zhao Tuo and said: "I have heard that Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile → and others have risen in rebellion. The Qin rule has become tyrannical, and the realm suffers under it. Xiang YuXiang YuHere's the translation of "The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World" into English: **The Warrior Who Almost Ruled the World**The most feared warrior in Chinese history — brilliant in battle, catastrophic in politics — whose stubborn nobility cost him an empire.View profile →, Liu Ji, Chen ShengChen ShengHere is the English translation of the title: **"The Peasant Who Dared to Be King"**A conscripted soldier who ignited the revolution that toppled the Qin Empire — then became its first victim.View profile →, Wu GuangWu GuangChen Sheng's co-rebelHe rose up with Chen Sheng at Daze Township and was killed by his own officer — the first martyr of the anti-Qin rebellion, whose death was more honorable than that of his comrade.View profile →, and others in various provinces and commanderies are each raising armies and gathering forces, clawing for control of the realm. Central China is in chaos, and no one knows where things will settle. Heroes are breaking away from Qin and setting up their own domains. Nanhai is remote and remote; I fear that bandit armies may invade and seize territory here. I intend to raise troops and cut off the new roads, preparing our own defenses while awaiting developments among the lords. Unfortunately, my illness is severe.

"Panyu is backed by dangerous mountains and hemmed in by the Southern Sea, stretching several thousand li east and west. Within it are many Chinese who have come to live among the locals, and these people could provide support. Panyu could serve as the seat of a regional ruler—one who might establish an independent kingdom. Among the officials of this commandery, there is none worth consulting on this matter, which is why I am telling you."

"Panyu is backed by dangerous mountains and hemmed in by the Southern Sea, stretching several thousand li east and west. Within it are many Chinese who have come to live among the locals, and these people could provide support. Panyu could serve as the seat of a regional ruler—one who might establish an independent kingdom. Among the officials of this commandery, there is none worth consulting on this matter, which is why I am telling you."

"Panyu is backed by dangerous mountains and hemmed in by the Southern Sea, stretching several thousand li east and west. Within it are many Chinese who have come to live among the locals, and these people could provide support. Panyu could serve as the seat of a regional ruler—one who might establish an independent kingdom. Among the officials of this commandery, there is none worth consulting on this matter, which is why I am telling you."

Ren Xiao immediately presented Tuo with official credentials, placing him in charge of the military affairs of Nanhai. Upon Ren Xiao's death, Tuo issued a proclamation to the passes at Hengpu, Yangshan, and Huangxi: "Bandit armies are approaching! Urgently block all roads and assemble your forces for defense!"

Gradually, using legal pretexts, he executed the Qin-appointed officials and replaced them with his own partisans as acting governors. When the Qin dynasty collapsed, Tuo attacked and annexed the commanderies of Guilin and Xiang, proclaiming himself King of Nanyue.

Emperor Gaozu had by now pacified the realm, but the empire was exhausted from the struggles. He therefore chose not to punish Tuo. In the eleventh year of his reign, he sent Lu Jia to invest Tuo as King of Nanyue, presenting him with a tally and establishing diplomatic relations. The aim was to unite the Hundred Yue peoples and prevent them from becoming a threat to the southern borders, which now bordered the kingdom of Changsha.

Emperor Gaozu had by now pacified the realm, but the empire was exhausted from the struggles. He therefore chose not to punish Tuo. In the eleventh year of his reign, he sent Lu Jia to invest Tuo as King of Nanyue, presenting him with a tally and establishing diplomatic relations. The aim was to unite the Hundred Yue peoples and prevent them from becoming a threat to the southern borders, which now bordered the kingdom of Changsha.

During the reign of Empress Dowager Gao, however, the relevant officials requested a prohibition on the export of iron goods to Nanyue through the border markets. Tuo declared: "Emperor Gaozu established my kingdom and opened trade with us. Now Empress Dowager Gao listens to slanderous ministers and seeks to separate and alienate the barbarians, cutting off our access to goods. This must surely be a scheme by the King of Changsha, who wishes to rely on the central empire to attack and destroy Nanyue and annex it as his own domain—this is all for his own glory."

During the reign of Empress Dowager Gao, however, the relevant officials requested a prohibition on the export of iron goods to Nanyue through the border markets. Tuo declared: "Emperor Gaozu established my kingdom and opened trade with us. Now Empress Dowager Gao listens to slanderous ministers and seeks to separate and alienate the barbarians, cutting off our access to goods. This must surely be a scheme by the King of Changsha, who wishes to rely on the central empire to attack and destroy Nanyue and annex it as his own domain—this is all for his own glory."

Tuo thereupon assumed the imperial title of Emperor of Nanyue and launched attacks against the border towns of Changsha, pillaging several counties before withdrawing. Empress Dowager Gao dispatched General Longlü Hou Zao to strike back. The summer heat and damp brought a great plague among the soldiers, and they were unable to cross the mountain passes. More than a year later, Empress Dowager Gao died, and the campaign was abandoned.

Tuo thereupon assumed the imperial title of Emperor of Nanyue and launched attacks against the border towns of Changsha, pillaging several counties before withdrawing. Empress Dowager Gao dispatched General Longlü Hou Zao to strike back. The summer heat and damp brought a great plague among the soldiers, and they were unable to cross the mountain passes. More than a year later, Empress Dowager Gao died, and the campaign was abandoned.

Seizing the opportunity presented by military success on the frontier, Tuo then used wealth and gifts to win over and subordinate the Minyue, Xiou, and Loulan peoples, extending his dominion ten thousand li east and west. He rode in a carriage with yellow canopy and left pennant—the imperial regalia—ruling as an emperor equal to the Son of Heaven.

Seizing the opportunity presented by military success on the frontier, Tuo then used wealth and gifts to win over and subordinate the Minyue, Xiou, and Loulan peoples, extending his dominion ten thousand li east and west. He rode in a carriage with yellow canopy and left pennant—the imperial regalia—ruling as an emperor equal to the Son of Heaven.

Seizing the opportunity presented by military success on the frontier, Tuo then used wealth and gifts to win over and subordinate the Minyue, Xiou, and Loulan peoples, extending his dominion ten thousand li east and west. He rode in a carriage with yellow canopy and left pennant—the imperial regalia—ruling as an emperor equal to the Son of Heaven.

Seizing the opportunity presented by military success on the frontier, Tuo then used wealth and gifts to win over and subordinate the Minyue, Xiou, and Loulan peoples, extending his dominion ten thousand li east and west. He rode in a carriage with yellow canopy and left pennant—the imperial regalia—ruling as an emperor equal to the Son of Heaven.

In the autumn of the fifth year of Yuanding, the Commandant of the Palace Guard Lu Bode was appointed General of Subduing the Waves, marching out from Guiyang and descending the Hui River; the Chief Commandant of Nobility Yang Pu was appointed General of Towered Ships, marching out from Yuzhang and descending the Hengpu; two former Marquis of Returned Righteousness from Yue were made General of Spear-ships and General of Lower Li, marching out from Lingling, one column going down the Li River and the other reaching Cangwu; the Marquis of Displaying Righteousness was sent to use convicts from Ba and Shu to mobilize troops from Yelang and descend the Zangke River; they were all to converge at Panyu.

Emperor Wen then commanded Chancellor Chen Ping and others to recommend someone capable of serving as envoy to Nanyue. Chen Ping recommended Lu Jia of Haozhi, who had served under the previous emperor and was familiar with missions to Nanyue. Lu Jia was summoned and appointed Courtier of the Supreme Palace, then dispatched as envoy.

Emperor Wen then commanded Chancellor Chen Ping and others to recommend someone capable of serving as envoy to Nanyue. Chen Ping recommended Lu Jia of Haozhi, who had served under the previous emperor and was familiar with missions to Nanyue. Lu Jia was summoned and appointed Courtier of the Supreme Palace, then dispatched as envoy.

He took the opportunity to reproach Tuo for proclaiming himself emperor without having sent a single messenger to inform the Han court. When Lu Jia arrived in Nanyue, the king was greatly alarmed. He wrote a letter of apology, stating:

"Now I kowtow in apology and beg to serve forever as a vassal, presenting tribute and performing my duties."

He then issued an order throughout his kingdom: "I have heard that two heroes cannot coexist, nor can two wise men live in the same age. The Emperor is a wise Son of Heaven. From this day forward, I abandon the imperial title, the yellow canopy, and the left pennant."

He then issued an order throughout his kingdom: "I have heard that two heroes cannot coexist, nor can two wise men live in the same age. The Emperor is a wise Son of Heaven. From this day forward, I abandon the imperial title, the yellow canopy, and the left pennant."

He then issued an order throughout his kingdom: "I have heard that two heroes cannot coexist, nor can two wise men live in the same age. The Emperor is a wise Son of Heaven. From this day forward, I abandon the imperial title, the yellow canopy, and the left pennant."