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Revision as of 06:24, 13 June 2024 by Generalissima (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Zhou Chongguo (137 – 52 BCE) was a prominent Chinese military commander and official during the Western Han dynasty.
Early life and career
In 137 BCE, Zhou Chongguo was born in the Shanggui prefecture of the Longxi Commandery, located along the periphery of the Western Han in present-day Gansu. He was born into a "well-respected family" (Chinese: 良家; pinyin: liángjiā) originating in the northwestern commanderies, suggesting material qualifications for officialdom and a lack of involvement with crime, magic, or merchant trades.
Little is known about his early life or military experience prior to 104. Posthumous histories report that he was ambitious as a youth and sought to become a general. At a young age, he studied military science and the Four Barbarians. With the "Six Commanderies" having a regional tradition of cavalry service, Zhou likely began service as a cavalryman in a local defense unit.
Military service
In 104, an elite cavalry unit titled the Feathered Forest (羽林; yǔlín) was created in the capital of Chang'an, one of five units placed under the administration of the Minister of the Imperial Household and tasked with protecting the Emperor. The members of the unit, dubbed the "Gentlemen of the Feathered Forest" (羽林郎; yǔlínláng), were mainly recruited from the northwest, with a particular emphasis on the descendants of men who died in military service. The soldiers of the Feathered Forest, like those in other Imperial Household units, were often appointed to higher military and civil positions following a period of service. Zhao joined the unit at some point between its formation and 99 BCE.
In 99 BCE, Zhao joined a force of 30,000 cavalry in Li Guangli's campaign against the Xiongnu, receiving the rank of acting major. The army was forced to retreat, and suffered heavy casualties. Trapped by the encroaching Xiongnu forces after several days of combat.
Notes
References
- Dreyer 2008, pp. 670.
- ^ Dreyer 2008, pp. 671–672.
Bibliography
- Dreyer, Edward L. (July 2008). de Crespigny, Rafe (ed.). "Zhao Chongguo: A Professional Soldier of China's Former Han Dynasty". The Journal of Military History. 72 (3): 665–725. doi:10.1353/jmh.0.0028.
- Olberding, Garret P. S. (2012). Dubious Facts: The Evidence of Early Chinese Historiography. SUNY Press. doi:10.1515/9781438443911. ISBN 9781438443911.
- Pankenier, David W. (July 2000). "Popular Astrology and Border Affairs in Early China: An Archaeological Confirmation" (PDF). Sino-Platonic Papers. 104. ISSN 2157-9679.
- Tang, Lin (May 2023). "Research on Yang Xiong from a Calligraphic Perspective". Contemporary Social Sciences. 8 (3). Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences. doi:10.19873/j.cnki.2096-0212.2023.03.007.