Wei Qing
Struck the Xiongnu seven times, recovered Hetao, and crushed the Chanyu's main force at the Battle of Mobei.
Life
Once a Mounted Servant
Wei Qing began as a mounted slave in the household of Princess Pingyang. When his elder sister Wei Zifu entered the palace and won favor, Emperor Wu of Han took him into service. On his first campaign in 129 BCE he struck straight at Longcheng, the Han army's first victory against the Xiongnu.
Seven Strikes on the Xiongnu
In 127 BCE he marched out from Yunzhong and recovered the Henan region south of the Yellow River (today's Hetao), where the Han established Shuofang Commandery. In 124 BCE he made a night raid on the Worthy King of the Right, taking many captives, and was appointed Grand General. At the Battle of Mobei in 119 BCE he ringed his camp with armored Wugang wagons and used a strong wind to encircle the Chanyu, who broke out with only a few hundred horsemen.
Modesty and a Peaceful End
Wei Qing was modest and amiable, kept no private retainers and was deferential to the emperor, so although he was the highest of all officials he died a natural death. Across seven strikes on the Xiongnu, together with his nephew Huo Qubing, he reversed the passive position the Han had been in against the Xiongnu since the dynasty's early years.
Legacy
Wei Qing was the chief commander of the Han dynasty's wars against the Xiongnu; the recapture of Hetao and the Battle of Mobei decisively weakened the Xiongnu. His tomb was built in the shape of Mount Lu (the Yin Mountains) and lies as a satellite burial beside Emperor Wu's Maoling mausoleum.
Major works & achievements
- Recovered the Henan region south of the Yellow River
- Crushed the Chanyu's main force at the Battle of Mobei
Did you know? His three sons were made marquises while still in swaddling clothes; he tried hard to decline the honors, but in vain.
Key dates
- 129 BCEFirst campaign; struck straight at Longcheng
- 127 BCERecovered the Henan region; established Shuofang Commandery
- 124 BCENight raid on the Worthy King of the Right; made Grand General
- 123 BCETwice marched out from Dingxiang
- 119 BCEEncircled the chanyu at the Battle of Mobei
- 106 BCEDied; buried beside the Maoling Mausoleum