卫将军骠骑列传 — Shiji

Wei Qing, the Grand General, was a native of Pingyang. His father, Zheng Ji, served as an official in the household of the Marquis of Pingyang. While there, he had an affair with a concubine of the Marquis named Wei'ao, and she gave birth to Qing. Qing had an older brother, Wei Changzi, and a sister, Wei Zifu. When Zifu gained the emperor's favor in the household of the Princess of Pingyang, the siblings adopted the surname Wei. Qing's courtesy name was Zhongqing; his brother changed his style name to Changjun. Their mother was known as Wei'ao. Her eldest daughter was Wei Ru, followed by Shao'er, then Wei Zifu. Later, Zifu's younger brothers Bu and Guang also took the surname Wei.

As a young man, Qing worked in his father's household and was sent to tend sheep. The sons of his father's other wives treated him like a slave and did not count him among the brothers. Once, when Qing accompanied someone to Ganling, a convict with an iron collar looked at him and said, "You are a noble man. You will rise to the rank of Marquis." Qing laughed and replied, "I am merely someone's slave—avoiding beatings and scolding is enough for me. How could I ever become a Marquis?"

When Qing grew strong, he served as a horseman in the household of the Marquis and accompanied the Princess of Pingyang. In the spring of the second year of Jianyuan, his sister Zifu entered the palace and gained the emperor's favor. The Empress was the daughter of the Princess of Chenyi; she had no sons and was jealous. When the Princess of Chenyi heard that Zifu was pregnant, her jealousy intensified. She sent men to arrest Qing. At that time, Qing was serving in the Jianzhang office and was not yet well known. The Princess of Chenyi imprisoned him and planned to have him killed. His friend, the cavalry officer Gongsun Ao, along with some brave men, went to rescue him. Thanks to this, Qing survived.

The emperor heard of the incident and summoned Qing, appointing him as official of the Jianzhang guard and palace attendant. When Zifu's brothers and sisters gained status, gifts and rewards arrived in amounts totaling over a thousand gold pieces within days. Wei Ru married the Grand Coachman Gongsun He. Shao'er had previously been intimate with Chen Zhang; the emperor summoned Zhang and honored him. Gongsun Ao also rose in prominence. Zifu became a Consort, and Qing became a Grand Physician.

In the fifth year of Yuanguang, Qing served as General of Cavalry and chariots, leading an attack against the Xiongnu from Shanggu. The Grand Coachman Gongsun He served as General of Light Chariots from Yunzhong. The Grand Physician Gongsun Ao was General of Cavalry from Dai commandery. The Chamberlain of the Guards Li Guang was General of Valiant Cavalry from Yanmen. Each commander led ten thousand cavalry. Qing reached Longcheng, where his forces killed and captured several hundred enemy soldiers. General of Cavalry Ao lost seven thousand horsemen. The Chamberlain of the Guards Li Guang was captured by the enemy but escaped. Both were sentenced to death but redeemed themselves by becoming commoners. He achieved nothing.

In the first year of Yuanshuo, in spring, the Empress Wei gave birth to a son, who was declared Crown Prince. That autumn, Qing, as General of Cavalry and Chariots, led thirty thousand cavalry from Yanmen to attack the Xiongnu, killing and capturing several thousand.

The following year, the Xiongnu invaded and killed the Governor of Liaoxi, and carried off over two thousand people from Wuyang, defeating General Han's forces. The emperor ordered General Li Xi to attack from Dai, and commanded General of Cavalry and Chariots Qing to march from Yunzhong westward to Gaoque. They swept across the region south of the Yellow River, advancing as far as Longxi, capturing several thousand enemy soldiers and hundreds of thousands of livestock, driving out the White Sheep and Loufan kings. The region south of the Yellow River was then established as Shuofang commandery. Qing was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping with three thousand eight hundred households. His subordinate, the Colonel Su Jian, was granted merit and made Marquis of Pingling with eleven hundred households. He was ordered to build the city of Shuofang. Colonel Zhang Cigon was also rewarded for his service and made Marquis of Niantou.

The emperor declared: "The Xiongnu defy the principles of heaven and disorder human morality, cruelly oppressing the elderly while devoting themselves to theft and deception against the barbarians, plotting and wielding weapons, repeatedly causing harm to our borders. Hence we have raised armies and dispatched generals to punish their crimes. As the Book of Songs says: 'Punish the Xiongnu as far as Taiyuan,' and 'Chariots rattle as we go, we build walls in the north.' Now General of Cavalry and Chariots Qing has crossed the Western River to Gaoque, captured two thousand three hundred enemy heads, and seized all their chariots, supplies, and livestock. He has been enfeoffed as a Marquis, and has westward secured the region south of the Yellow River, following the old fortifications along the Yu River, blocking the Zi Ridge, bridging the Northern River, defeating the Puni and breaking the Fuli, slaying light infantry and capturing over three thousand and seventy-one of their listening scouts. He has taken prisoners and captured their wretched ones, driven off over a million horses, cattle, and sheep, and returned with full armor and weapons. I hereby grant him an additional three thousand households."

The following year, the Xiongnu invaded and killed the Governor of Dai and the Commandant You, and carried off over a thousand people from Yanmen. The next year, the Xiongnu launched major raids into Dai, Dingxiang, and Shangjun, killing and capturing several thousand people.

The Xiongnu Right Prince was encamped with Wei Qing's forces. Confident that Han troops could not reach them, he drank himself drunk. Han forces arrived by night and surrounded the Right Prince. Alarmed, he fled under cover of darkness with his beloved concubine and several hundred elite horsemen, breaking through the encirclement and escaping northward. The Han Colonel of Light Cavalry Guo Cheng led pursuit for several hundred li but failed to overtake him. They did capture over ten thousand people, including the Right Prince's subordinate princes, more than fifteen thousand men and women, and tens of millions of livestock, then returned with their army.

Upon reaching the frontier, the emperor sent an envoy bearing the seal of the Grand General, appointing General of Cavalry and Chariots Qing as Grand General on the spot. All other generals placed their troops under his command. The Grand General established his title and returned.

The emperor declared: "The Grand General Qing personally led his soldiers, achieved a great victory, and captured over ten Xiongnu princes. I hereby grant him an additional six thousand households." He also enfeoffed Qing's son Kang as Marquis of Yichun, his son Buyi as Marquis of Yinan, and his son Deng as Marquis of Faqian.

The emperor replied: "I have not forgotten the merits of the various colonels. I am now firmly resolving this matter." He then issued an edict to the Censor-in-chief: "The Defender of the Armies Gongsun Ao has thrice accompanied the Grand General on campaigns against the Xiongnu, consistently protecting the armies and supporting the colonels in capturing princes. He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Heji with fifteen hundred households. The Commandant Han Yue accompanied the Grand General from Yuhun to the Xiongnu Right Prince's court, where he personally fought and captured a prince. He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Longxi with thirteen hundred households. General of Cavalry Gongsun He captured a prince alongside the Grand General. He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanliao with thirteen hundred households. General of Light Chariots Li Cai twice accompanied the Grand General and captured princes. He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Le'an with sixteen hundred households. Colonel Li Shuo, Colonel Zhao Buyu, and Colonel Gongsun Rongnu each thrice accompanied the Grand General and captured princes. Shuo is enfeoffed as Marquis of Shezi with thirteen hundred households; Buyu is enfeoffed as Marquis of Suicheng with thirteen hundred households; Rongnu is enfeoffed as Marquis of Congping with thirteen hundred households. Generals Li Ju, Li Xi, and Colonel Dou Ruyi have merit. They are granted the title of Marquis of Guanneihou, each with three hundred households."

That autumn, the Xiongnu invaded Dai and killed the Commandant Zhu Ying. The following spring, the Grand General Qing marched from Dingxiang. The Marquis of Heji Ao was Rear General, the Grand Coachman He was Left General, the Marquis of Xi Zhao Xin was Front General, the Chamberlain of the Guards Su Jian was Right General, the Director of Imperial Gardens Li Guang was Rear General, and the Governor of the Right Division Li Ju was General of Strong Crossbows—all subordinate to the Grand General. They killed several thousand enemy soldiers and returned. After more than a month, they again marched from Dingxiang to attack the Xiongnu, killing and capturing over ten thousand.

The Right General Su Jian, together with the Front General Zhao Xin, led more than three thousand cavalry. They encountered the Chanyu's forces alone and fought for over a day. The Han soldiers were exhausted but dared not waver in their loyalty. Zhao Xin, who had originally been a Xiongnu noble, was later made Marquis of Xi. Seeing the dire situation, the Xiongnu seduced him, and he led his remaining eight hundred or so horsemen to surrender to the Chanyu. The Right General Su Jian lost his entire army. He alone escaped and returned to the Grand General.

The Grand General asked his chief judge Zheng Hong, his Chief Clerk An, and the Gentleman of the Palace Secretary Zhou Ba how to handle Jian's case. Zhou Ba said: "Since the Grand General took command, no deputy general has ever been executed. Now that Jian has abandoned his army, executing him would display the General's authority." Zheng Hong and An replied: "Not so. The Art of War states: 'A small force that stands firm will be captured by a larger one.' Jian faced the Chanyu's tens of thousands with only a few thousand men. He fought desperately for over a day until his soldiers were exhausted, yet he harbored no thought of defection. He returned of his own accord. If we execute him upon his return, we show future soldiers that there is no hope of mercy. He should not be executed."

The Grand General said: "I am fortunate to have received the emperor's personal trust while serving in the ranks. I need not worry about lacking authority. Yet Zhou Ba's suggestion that I display my authority through executions—I find this most inappropriate. Though my position allows me to execute generals, given my honored standing, I dare not exercise such authority independently outside the capital. I will send him to the emperor for judgment. Let the emperor decide. This demonstrates that a subject does not presume to exercise authority alone. Is this not appropriate?" The officers all agreed. They then imprisoned Su Jian and sent him to the imperial court.

That same year, the Grand General's nephew Huo Qubing was eighteen years old. He had gained the emperor's favor as a palace attendant. Skilled at archery and horsemanship, he twice accompanied the Grand General on campaigns. The emperor gave him orders and assigned him brave warriors as a Colonel of Swift and Valiant Cavalry. Leading eight hundred elite horsemen far ahead of the main army, he charged hundreds of li to seize advantage. He killed and captured far more than his own numbers.

The emperor declared: "Colonel of Swift and Valiant Cavalry Huo Qubing has killed and captured two thousand and twenty-eight Xiongnu, including the Chancellor and the Chamberlain, and cut down the son of the Chanyu's grandfather, the Marquis of Jiruochan, capturing alive the Chanyu's uncle Luo Gu Bi. He has repeatedly ranked first in achievements. He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Huangguan with sixteen hundred households." The Governor of Shanggu, Hao Xian, had four times accompanied the Grand General, killing and capturing over two thousand Xiongnu. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhongli with eleven hundred households.

That year, two generals—Su Jian and Zhao Xin—lost their armies. The Marquis of Xi was lost, and military merit was insufficient, so the Grand General received no additional enfeoffment. When the Right General Su Jian arrived, the emperor did not execute him but pardoned his crime, allowing him to redeem himself as a commoner.

Zhang Qian followed the Grand General. He had once traveled to Daye and spent a long time in Xiongnu lands. His knowledge of the terrain and water sources enabled the army to march without hunger or thirst. For his service as a guide to distant lands, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Bowang.

That summer, the General of the Swift Cavalry and the Marquis of Heji Ao both marched from Beidi by different routes. The Marquis of Bowang Zhang Qian and the Director of Imperial Gardens Li Guang both marched from Yubeiping by different routes—all to attack the Xiongnu. The Director of Imperial Gardens led four thousand cavalry forward. The Marquis of Bowang led ten thousand cavalry behind him. The Xiongnu Left Prince commanded several tens of thousands of horsemen and surrounded the Director of Imperial Gardens. The Director fought for two days. More than half his men were killed, but he had also killed and captured more than his losses. When the Marquis of Bowang arrived, the Xiongnu withdrew. The Marquis of Bowang was charged with delayed marching, sentenced to death, but redeemed himself as a commoner.

The General of the Swift Cavalry marched from Beidi and then pressed deep into enemy territory. He became separated from the Marquis of Heji, who took a wrong road. The General of the Swift Cavalry crossed Juyan and reached Qilianshan, capturing very many enemy soldiers.

The emperor declared: "The General of the Swift Cavalry crossed Juyan, passed through the Little Yuezhi, attacked Qilianshan, captured the Prince of Qiaotu and two thousand five hundred men of his followers. He killed and captured thirty thousand two hundred enemy soldiers. He took five princes, five princes' mothers, fifty-nine sons and daughters of the Chanyu, sixty-three chancellors, generals, chamberlains, and commandants. Our army lost only about three in ten men. I hereby grant him an additional five thousand households."

Colonels who had followed to the Little Yuezhi were awarded the rank of Left Chief. The Hawk-Attack Commandant Huo Fanu twice accompanied the General of the Swift Cavalry. He killed the Yefu Prince, captured the Jizu Prince, and obtained one prince and his mother, plus forty-one princes below them. He took three thousand three hundred and thirty prisoners, and in the forward assault captured fourteen hundred more. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Congpiao with fifteen hundred households."

The veteran generals and their soldiers, horses, and equipment were all inferior to those of the Flying Cavalry. The Flying Cavalry's forces were always select, and though they dared to venture deep, they marched with the elite cavalry ahead of the main army and were blessed by fortune, never suffering defeat or exhaustion. The veteran generals, by contrast, were perpetually missing opportunities or failing to engage the enemy. As a result, the Flying Cavalry General grew in favor and prestige day by day, becoming the equal of the Grand Marshal.

At this time, Grand Provisioner Li Xi was fortifying positions along the Yellow River. When he received the Hunye King's envoys, he immediately sent urgent dispatches to report the situation to the court. The Emperor, hearing of this, feared the envoys might be a pretext for a sneak attack on the border. He therefore ordered the Flying Cavalry General to lead troops to receive the surrender.

Upon arrival at the capital, the Emperor bestowed rewards totaling several hundred million coins. The Hunye King was enfeoffed with ten thousand households as Marquis of Luoyin. His subordinate kings were also ennobled: Hulini as Marquis of Xiamo, Yingbi as Marquis of Huiqu, Qinli as Marquis of Heqi, and Tongli, Chief of the Great Household, as Marquis of Changle.

Shortly afterward, those who had surrendered were resettled in five frontier commanderies beyond the former border fortifications. They were all established in the region south of the Yellow River, where they maintained their indigenous customs as a subject people.

This was the fourth year of the Yuan Shou era (119 BCE). That spring, the Emperor ordered Grand Marshal Wei Qing and Flying Cavalry General Qu Bing to each command fifty thousand cavalry, with several hundred thousand infantry and transport troops following in their wake. All the bold, battle-hardened men who could venture deep were assigned to the Flying Cavalry.

The Flying Cavalry initially set out through Dingxiang to confront the Chanyu. But when scouts reported that the Chanyu had gone eastward, orders were changed: the Flying Cavalry would march through Daikang, while the Grand Marshal would proceed through Dingxiang. The Chamberlain of the Royal Household was appointed as Vanguard General, the Grand Coachman as Left General, the Keeper of the Seals Zhao Yiji as Right General, and the Marquis of Pingyang Xiang as Rear General—all under the Grand Marshal.

The forces crossed the desert, and the combined cavalry strength reached fifty thousand, matching the Flying Cavalry. They advanced together to engage the Xiongnu Chanyu.

Coincidentally, the Grand Marshal's army had marched over a thousand li beyond the border passes. When he sighted the Chanyu's forces drawn up in battle formation, he ordered the armored supply wagons arranged in a defensive circle, then dispatched five thousand cavalry to charge the Xiongnu.