Battle of the Southern Gobi
124 BCE · Southern Gobi (north of the Yin Mountains, modern Inner Mongolia) · China · Ancient
Wei Qing made a night raid on the Xiongnu Worthy King of the Right, capturing more than ten lesser kings and over 15,000 of his people; the next year Huo Qubing advanced deep with 800 horsemen, killing or capturing over 2,000, and was made Marquis Guanjun
Belligerents
Han
- Commanders
- Wei Qing and Huo Qubing
- Strength
- Over 100,000 Han army cavalry
Xiongnu
- Commanders
- Worthy King of the Right, Yizhixie Chanyu
- Strength
- Xiongnu tribes
Background
After Emperor Wu of Han recovered the Henan region south of the Yellow River, the Xiongnu Worthy King of the Right repeatedly raided Shuofang, and the Han dynasty decided to take the offensive in the Southern Gobi.
Course of the battle
- Night raid on the Worthy King of the RightIn 124 BCE Wei Qing led 30,000 cavalry out through Gaoque and surrounded the tents of the Worthy King of the Right by night; the Worthy King of the Right broke out with only a few hundred horsemen
- Complete victoryThe Han army captured more than ten lesser Xiongnu kings, over 15,000 of their people and hundreds of thousands of livestock, and Wei Qing was appointed Grand General
- Marching out from Dingxiang againIn 123 BCE Wei Qing twice led armies out of Dingxiang to attack the Xiongnu, killing or capturing over 10,000
- Marquis GuanjunThe eighteen-year-old Huo Qubing led 800 light cavalry several hundred li away from the main army, killed or captured over 2,000, and was made Marquis Guanjun
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 124 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Southern Gobi (north of the Yin Mountains, modern Inner Mongolia) |
| Result | Wei Qing made a night raid on the Xiongnu Worthy King of the Right, capturing more than ten lesser kings and over 15,000 of his people; the next year Huo Qubing advanced deep with 800 horsemen, killing or capturing over 2,000, and was made Marquis Guanjun |
| Winner | Han |
| Casualties | Xiongnu lose tens of thousands of men |
| Territorial change | The Han dynasty controlled the Southern Gobi, and the main Xiongnu forces moved north |
Impact
The Battle of the Southern Gobi drove the Xiongnu out of the Southern Gobi and paved the way for the later Hexi Campaign and Battle of Mobei; it was also where Huo Qubing first made his name.
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