Han conquest of Nanyue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Han conquest of Nanyue |
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| Part of the southward expansion of the Han dynasty | |||||||
 Map showing the expansion of the Han dynasty in the 2nd century BC |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Han dynasty | Nanyue | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Lu Bode Yang Pu |
Zhao Jiande Lü Jia |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 100,000 | Unknown | ||||||
The Han conquest of Nanyue was a big war between the powerful Han Empire and the Nanyue kingdom. Nanyue was located in what is now Guangdong, Guangxi, and Northern Vietnam. In 111 BC, the Han Empire, led by Emperor Wu, sent its army to conquer Nanyue. They won, and Nanyue became part of the Han Empire.
Contents
Why the Han Empire Fought Nanyue
Nanyue's Beginnings
After the Qin dynasty fell apart, a military officer named Zhao Tuo created his own kingdom called Nanyue. This happened in southern China. Zhao Tuo was originally from northern China. At first, the Han Empire didn't see Nanyue as a threat.
In 196 BC, the first Han emperor, Emperor Gaozu, sent a diplomat named Lu Jia to Nanyue. His job was to officially recognize Zhao Tuo as a local ruler.
Growing Tensions
However, things weren't always smooth between Han and Nanyue. Zhao Tuo was upset when the Han Empress, Empress Lü, stopped trade of metal goods and female animals to Nanyue.
In 183 BC, Zhao Tuo declared himself the "Martial Emperor of the Southern Yue." This meant he thought he was equal to the Han emperor. Two years later, Nanyue even attacked the Changsha Kingdom, which was part of the Han Empire.
In 180 BC, Lu Jia went back to Nanyue for more talks. He managed to convince Zhao Tuo to drop his emperor title. Zhao Tuo agreed to show respect to the Han emperor as a less powerful ruler.
A Call for Help and New Problems
In 135 BC, King Zhao Mo of Nanyue asked the Han court for help. His kingdom was being attacked by forces from Minyue. The Han Empire quickly sent help. Because of this, Zhao Mo agreed to send his son, Prince Zhao Yingqi, to live in the Han palace in Chang'an.
Even though Nanyue didn't always pay regular tribute to the Han court, the Han Empire was busy with other things. They didn't push the issue too hard at first.
The Final Spark
In 113 BC, the Queen Dowager of Nanyue suggested that Nanyue should officially join the Han Empire. She was Han Chinese herself and was married to Zhao Yingqi. However, many Nanyue officials were against this idea.
Lü Jia was a key Nanyue official who strongly opposed the Queen Dowager's plan. In 112 BC, the group against the Queen Dowager took violent action. They executed her. This act was a direct challenge to the Han Empire. It led to the Han Empire sending a huge naval force to Nanyue.
The War Begins
The Han Empire sent six armies to Nanyue. Some traveled by sea, others went directly south, and some came from Sichuan along the Xi River. In 111 BC, two Han generals, Lu Bode and Yang Pu, marched towards Panyu (which is now Guangzhou).
This strong attack led to Nanyue surrendering to the Han Empire later that same year.
What Happened After the Conquest
After Nanyue was conquered in 111 BC, the Han Empire took control of the land. They created nine new areas called commanderies to manage the former Nanyue territories.
The Han government then continued to expand its control even further southwest. After this victory, the Han Empire also slowly increased its trade with different countries in Southeast Asia and around the Indian Ocean.
See also
- Qin campaign against the Yue tribes
