Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign, also known as the War of Pacification in Nanzhong, was a military campaign which took place in 225 during the early Three Kingdoms period (220–280) of China. It was led by Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor of the state of Shu Han, against opposing forces in the Nanzhong region (covering parts of present-day Yunnan, Guizhou and southern Sichuan). The campaign was a response to rebellions started by local governors in the Nanzhong region and intrusions by the Nanman (literally: "southern barbarians").
Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign | |||||||
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Part of the wars of the Three Kingdoms period | |||||||
Wooden diorama in Huaxilou, Bozhou, Anhui depicting Zhuge Liang's campaign against the Nanman | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Shu Han |
Shu rebels, Nanman | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Zhuge Liang Ma Zhong Li Hui |
Yong Kai † Zhu Bao Gao Ding Meng Huo |
Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign | |||||||
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Traditional Chinese | |||||||
Simplified Chinese | 诸葛 | ||||||
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War of Pacification in Nanzhong | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | |||||||
Simplified Chinese | |||||||
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Background
editIn October 222,[1] Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu, lost the Battle of Xiaoting against Shu's ally-turned-rival state Wu. He died in Baidicheng (in present-day Fengjie County, Chengdu) in June 223.[2]
Yong Kai's rebellion
editYong Kai (雍闓), a descendant of Yong Chi (雍齒) and an official active in the Nanzhong region, heard about Liu Bei's death and started a rebellion against Shu rule. He killed Zheng Ang (
Under urging from Shi Xie and the Wu general Bu Zhi, Yong Kai agreed to pledge allegiance to Wu and he sent Zhang Yi as a captive to the Wu emperor Sun Quan to express his sincerity. In return, Sun Quan appointed him as the Administrator of Yongchang Commandery (
Rebellions by Gao Ding and Zhu Bao
editAround 223, as Shu was still mourning Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor and regent of Shu, decided to focus on domestic policy to promote stability and accumulate resources before using military force to quell the uprisings in the Nanzhong region. At the same time, he also sent Deng Zhi and Chen Zhen as diplomats to Wu to meet Sun Quan and convince him to make peace with Shu and rebuild the Shu–Wu alliance against their rival state, Wei.[2]
In the meantime, Gao Ding (
Around the same time, Zhuge Liang also sent an official, Qi Xing (頎行), to conduct an investigation in Zangke Commandery (牂柯
Involvement of Meng Huo and the Nanman
editAfter failing to capture Yongchang Commandery from Lü Kai and Wang Kang, Yong Kai turned to the Nanman tribes for help but they were unwilling to listen to him. Yong Kai then sought help from Meng Huo, a local leader with much influence and popularity among the Nanman. Meng Huo lied to the Nanman that Shu's government had made unreasonable demands from them and successfully incited them to rebel against Shu's rule.[2]
Pacifying Nanzhong
editIn the spring of 225, after Shu rebuilt its alliance with Wu against their rival state Wei, Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor of Shu, personally led Shu imperial forces south to pacify the Nanzhong region and quell the rebellions. Wang Lian, Zhuge Liang's chief clerk, attempted to dissuade him from participating in the campaign, but Zhuge Liang insisted because he was worried that the Shu generals might not be competent enough to deal with the rebels on their own.[5]
Ma Su, a close aide of Zhuge Liang, suggested that they focus on psychological warfare (i.e. winning the hearts of the people in Nanzhong) rather than conventional warfare, so as to prevent rebellions from breaking out again. Zhuge Liang readily accepted Ma Su's advice.[6]
The Shu emperor Liu Shan awarded Zhuge Liang a ceremonial axe and held a grand ceremony to see him off on the campaign: attendants bearing parasols made of feathers walked in front of and behind him, an entourage of 60 huben imperial guards escorted him, while drums rolled and trumpets blared in the background.[7]
The Shu army travelled along a water route from Anshang County (
Zhuge Liang then ordered Ma Zhong to lead troops southeast from Bodao County (僰道
Zhuge Liang knew that Meng Huo was popular and respected among the locals in the Nanzhong region, so he wanted to let him live. After Meng Huo was captured, Zhuge Liang showed him around the Shu camp and asked him what he thought. Meng Huo replied: "Before this, I knew nothing about your army, which was why I lost. Now that you have shown me around your camp, I know the conditions of your army and will be able to defeat you easily." Zhuge Liang laughed, released him and allowed him to return for another battle. The same cycle repeated for a total of seven times. On the seventh time, Meng Huo surrendered and told Zhuge Liang: "Sir, you have shown me Heaven's might. The people of the south will never rebel again." Zhuge Liang then led his forces towards Dian Lake in triumph.[11][12]
Aftermath
editAfter pacifying the four commanderies of Yizhou (
Before completely withdrawing all Shu soldiers from the Nanzhong region, Zhuge Liang told Meng Huo and the other local leaders that he only required them to pay tribute to the Shu government in the form of gold, silver, oxen, warhorses, etc. He appointed locals such as Li Hui (from Jianning Commandery) and Lü Kai (from Yongchang Commandery) as commandery administrators. These commandery administrators were different from their predecessors in the sense that they only served as representatives of the Shu government in the region; the locals were governed by their respective local leaders and tribal chiefs.[15]
More than ten thousand families of the Qiang (羌) tribes along with other strong foreigners from Nanzhong clans were relocated deeper into the Shu region and reorganized into five divisions. Since no enemy could resist them, they were nicknamed the "Flying Army" (
Since many among the foreigners didn't want to serve under them or enrich these great clans. The local prefects puts forward the policy to commerce with them gold and silk. Also, encourage trading to persuade those people to develop themselves as family division with many among them securing important hereditary positions. This policy motivates the tribal people to gather rare resources and progressively brought them under the control of the Han government until they became Han subjects.[17]
After his campaign, Zhuge Liang recruited many talented individuals among the foreign leaders such as Cuan Xi (爨習) of Jianning Commandery, Meng Yan (
Many resources were taken from Nanzhong such as gold, silver, cinnabar and lacquer while plow oxen and war horses were used to support the army and the State. Moreover, the commanders often recruited soldiers among the local people.[19]
The people in Nanzhong never rebelled against Shu rule again for as long as Zhuge Liang was still alive.[20] Historical books show that there were occasional revolts in this area. However, the rebellion in the region was quelled at the local government level appointed by Zhuge Liang, unlike before.[21] In addition, Zhuge Liang's expedition was generally successful, given the record that local influential people who were cooperative with Shu Han stabilized the area and provided Shu Han with abundant supplies and manpower.[22]
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
editAlthough historical records mentioned that Zhuge Liang captured and released Meng Huo a total of seven times throughout the campaign, no details were provided. The 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the events before and during the Three Kingdoms period, spends a total of about four-and-a-half chapters (87 to 91) fleshing out the details of each of the seven battles. It includes numerous fictional characters associated with Meng Huo, such as Lady Zhurong (Meng Huo's wife), Meng You (Meng Huo's brother) and other Nanman chieftains such as King Mulu and King Duosi. Apart from this, in the novel, the Shu generals Zhao Yun, Wei Yan and Ma Dai actively participate in the campaign, even though historically there is no mention about their involvement.
- First battle: Zhao Yun leads his troops to attack Meng Huo and defeats his army. Wei Yan captures Meng Huo and brings him before Zhuge Liang. When Meng Huo complains that he was captured through trickery, Zhuge Liang releases him and allows him to return for another battle.
- Second battle: Meng Huo builds a series of fortifications across a river and taunts the Shu forces to attack him. Ma Dai cuts off his supply route and kills Jinhuan Sanjie, Meng Huo's subordinate who was protecting the river fortifications. Ahuinan and Dongtuna, two of Meng Huo's subordinates, betray their master, capture him and hand him over as a prisoner to Zhuge Liang. Like before, Meng Huo complains that he did not had a chance to fight the enemy fair and square. Zhuge Liang then shows him around the Shu camp before releasing him.
- Third battle: Meng Huo's younger brother Meng You pretends to surrender to Zhuge Liang and promises to lure Meng Huo into a trap. However, Zhuge Liang knows it is a ploy so he also pretends to play along, captures both of them in the trap, and releases them again.
- Fourth battle: When Meng Huo hears that the Shu army is planning to retreat, he gathers all his troops and attacks the Shu camp. He falls into the pit traps in the camp and ends up being captured again. Zhuge Liang releases him once more.
- Fifth battle: Meng Huo, having learnt his lesson from his previous defeats, adopts a more defensive stance. He lures the Shu forces into the poisonous marshes around the caves of his ally, King Duosi. However, Zhuge Liang manages to avoid the dangers of the marshes with the help of Meng Jie, Meng Huo's elder brother who does not participate in Meng Huo's rebellion against Shu. The Shu forces then defeat and kill King Duosi and capture Meng Huo again. Like before, Zhuge Liang releases Meng Huo again.
- Sixth battle: Meng Huo's wife Lady Zhurong joins the battle and captures the Shu generals Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni. Ma Dai defeats Lady Zhurong later and captures her. Zhuge Liang releases Lady Zhurong in exchange for Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni. Meng Huo then turns to his ally King Mulu for help. King Mulu has the ability to control wild animals and direct them in battle. However, the Shu army is prepared for this and they use fire-breathing contraptions (referred to as juggernauts in some translations) to scare away the animals. King Mulu is killed in battle and Meng Huo ends up being captured again, but Zhuge Liang releases him once more.
- Seventh battle: Meng Huo turns to another ally, Wutugu, for help. Wutugu's soldiers wear a special type of armour made of rattan which can deflect sharp blades and arrows. Zhuge Liang comes up with a plan for Wei Yan to lure Wutugu and his army into a trap in a valley, where explosives and fire traps have been set. The flammable rattan armour catches fire easily and Wutugu and his army completely perish in the valley. Meng Huo is captured once more. This time, he feels ashamed of himself and decides to surrender to Zhuge Liang and swear allegiance to Shu for the rest of his life.
In popular culture
editA popular legend tells of how Zhuge Liang invented the mantou, a kind of steamed bun, during this campaign. It probably rose from the fact that the name mantou (馒头;
References
edit- ^ Sima (1084), vol. 69.
- ^ a b c d e Sima (1084), vol. 70.
- ^ (
都 護 李 嚴 與 闓書六 紙 ,解 喻利害 ,闓但答 一 紙 曰:「蓋 聞天無 二 日 ,土 無 二王 ,今 天下 鼎立 ,正 朔 有三 ,是 以遠 人 惶惑,不知 所 歸 也。」其桀慢如此。) Sanguozhi vol. 43. - ^ (... 而郡
太守 改易 ,凱與府 丞 蜀 郡 王 伉帥厲吏民 ,閉境拒 闓。闓數移 檄 永昌 ,稱 說 云云 。凱荅檄 曰:「天 降 喪 亂 , ...惟 將軍 察焉。」凱威恩 內著,為 郡中 所信 ,故 能 全 其節。) Sanguozhi vol. 43. - ^ (
時 南方 諸 郡 不 賔,諸 葛 亮 將 自 征 之 ,連 諫以為 「此不毛 之 地 ,疫癘 之 鄉 ,不 宜 以一國 之 望 ,冒險 而行」。亮 慮 諸 將 才 不 及己,意欲 必往,而連言 輒懇至 ,故 停留 者 乆之。) Sanguozhi vol. 41. - ^ (
漢 諸 葛 亮 率 衆 討雍闓,參 軍馬 謖送之 數 十 里 。亮 曰:「雖共謀 之 歷年 ,今 可 更 惠良 規 。」謖曰:「南中 恃其險 遠 ,不服 久 矣;雖今日 破 之 ,明日 復 反 耳 。今 公方 傾國 北 伐 以事強 賊 ,彼 知 官 勢 內虛,其叛亦 速 。若 殄盡遺 類 以除後患 ,旣 非 仁者 之 情 ,且又不可 倉卒 也。夫 用兵 之 道 ,攻 心 為 上 ,攻 城 為 下 ,心 戰 為 上 ,兵 戰 為 下 ,願 公 服 其心而已。」亮 納 其言。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ (
詔 賜 亮 金 鈇鉞一 具 ,曲 蓋 一 ,前後 羽 葆鼓吹 各 一部 ,虎 賁六 十 人 。事 在 亮 集 。) Zhuge Liang Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 35. - ^ (及丞
相 亮 南 征討 闓,旣 發 在 道 ,而闓已 為 高 定 部 曲 所 殺 。) Sanguozhi vol. 43. - ^ (
先 主 薨,高 定 恣 睢於越 嶲,雍闓跋扈 於建寧 ,朱 襃反叛於䍧牱。丞相 亮 南 征 ,先 由 越 嶲,而恢案 道 向 建 寧 。諸 縣 大 相 糾合 ,圍 恢軍於昆明 。時 恢衆少敵 倍 ,又 未 得 亮 聲 息 ,紿謂南 人 曰:「官軍 糧 盡 ,欲 規 退 還 ,吾 中間 乆斥鄉里 ,乃今得 旋,不能 復 北 ,欲 還 與 汝 等 同 計 謀 ,故 以誠相 告 。」南 人 信之 ,故 圍 守 怠 緩 。於是恢出擊 ,大破 之 ,追 犇逐北 ,南 至 槃江,東 接 䍧牱,與 亮 聲 勢 相 連 。) Sanguozhi vol. 43. - ^ (
漢 諸 葛 亮 至 南中 ,所在 戰捷 。亮 由 越 巂入,斬 雍闓及高定 。使 庲降督 益 州 李 恢由益 州 入 ,門下 督 巴 西 馬 忠由 牂柯入 ,擊破 諸 縣 ,復 與 亮 合 。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ (
漢 晉 春秋 曰:亮 至 南中 ,所在 戰捷 。聞孟獲 者 ,為 夷 、漢 所 服 ,募 生 致之。旣得 ,使 觀 於營陣 之 間 ,曰:「此軍何 如?」獲 對 曰:「向 者 不知 虛實 ,故 敗 。今 蒙 賜 觀 看 營陣,若 祇如此,即 定 易 勝 耳 。」亮 笑 ,縱 使 更 戰 ,七 縱 七 禽,而亮猶 遣 獲 。獲 止 不 去 ,曰:「公 ,天 威 也,南 人 不 復 反 矣。」遂 至 滇池。) Han Jin Chunqiu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 35. - ^ (
孟 獲 收 闓餘衆 以拒亮 。獲 素 為 夷 、漢 所 服 ,亮 募 生 致之,旣得 ,使 觀 於營陳 之 間 ,問 曰:「此軍何 如?」獲 曰:「向 者 不知 虛實 ,故 敗 。今 蒙 賜 觀 營陳,若 祇如此,卽 定 易 勝 耳 。」亮 笑 ,縱 使 更 戰 。七縱七禽而亮猶遣獲,獲 止 不 去 ,曰:「公 ,天 威 也,南 人 不 復 反 矣!」亮 遂 至 滇池。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ (
南中 平 ,皆 即 其渠率 而用之 。或 以諫亮 ,亮 曰:「若 留 外人 ,則 當 留 兵 ,兵 留 則 無 所 食 ,一 不易 也;加 夷新 傷 破 ,父兄 死 喪 ,留 外人 而無兵 者 ,必成 禍 患,二 不易 也;又 夷 累 有 廢 殺 之 罪 ,自 嫌 釁重,若 留 外人 ,終 不 相 信 ,三 不易 也;今 吾 欲 使 不 留 兵 ,不運 糧 ,而綱紀 粗 定 ,夷 、漢 粗 安 故 耳 。」) Han Jin Chunqiu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 35. - ^ (
益 州 、永昌 、牂柯、越 巂四 郡 皆 平 ,亮 卽 其渠率 而用之 。或 以諫亮 ,亮 曰:「若 留 外人 ,則 當 留 兵 ,兵 留 則 無 所 食 ,一 不易 也;加 夷新 傷 破 ,父兄 死 喪 ,留 外人 而無兵 者 ,必成 禍 患,二 不易 也;又 ,夷 累 有 廢 殺 之 罪 ,自 嫌 釁重,若 留 外人 ,終 不 相 信 ,三 不易 也。今 吾 欲 使 不 留 兵 ,不運 糧 ,而綱紀 粗 定 ,夷 、漢 粗 安 故 耳 。」) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ (
亮 於是悉收其俊傑 孟 獲 等 以為官 屬 ,出 其金、銀 、丹 、漆 、耕 牛 、戰 馬 以給軍 國之 用 。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ (
移 南中 勁卒、青 羌萬餘 家 於蜀,為 五 部 ,所 當 無 前 ,軍 號 為 飛 軍 。分 其羸弱 配 大 姓 焦 、雍、婁、爨、孟 、量 、毛 、李 為 部 曲 ,置 五部 都 尉 ,號 五 子 。故 南 人 言 四姓 五 子 也。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 4. - ^ (以夷
多 剛 很,不 賓 大 姓 富豪 ;乃勸令 出金 帛,聘策惡 夷 為 家 部 曲 ,得 多 者 奕世襲 官 。於是夷 人 貪 貨物 ,以漸服屬 於漢,成 夷 漢 部 曲 。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 4. - ^ (
亮 收 其俊傑 建 寧 爨習,朱 提 孟 琰及獲 為 官 屬 ,習官至 領 軍 ,琰,輔漢將軍 ,獲 ,御 史 中 丞 。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 4. - ^ (
出 其金、銀 、丹 、漆 ,耕 牛 、戰 馬 ,給 軍國 之 用 ,都 督 常用 重人 。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 4. - ^ (
自 是 終 亮 之 世 ,夷 不 復 反 。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70. - ^ Sanguozhi vol. 43.
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