Preface
In the Qin Dynasty, there was a military general who not only survived Qin Shi Huang and Han Gaozu, but eventually became the emperor, and actually ruled for 81 years. All this happens, people can't help but sigh at its incredible legendary life.
So, what kind of person can stand tall in the troubled times, and finally ascend the throne as emperor, unify Lingnan, and bring peace and prosperity to this land? Let us walk into this magnificent history together to explore that legendary figure.
1. Generals of the Qin Army
In 240 BC, an ordinary boy was born in Zhengding, Hebei, and he was Zhao Tuo. Since he was a child, Zhao Tuo has shown extraordinary physique and strength, which has made him famous in the village. When he was a teenager, Zhao Tuo developed a strong interest in military affairs, so he resolutely joined the Qin army and started his legendary life.
In the Qin army, Zhao Tuo, with his excellent combat skills and brave style, quickly attracted the attention of his superiors. He is not only agile, but also good at commanding his subordinates, and has made many achievements. In 219 BC, when Qin Shi Huang ordered the pacification of the land of Baiyue, Zhao Tuo was selected as a deputy general and accompanied Tu Sui to the south.
However, Tu Sui's brutality provoked strong resistance from the locals, and the situation reached a stalemate for a while. Qin Shi Huang had to remove Tu Sui and send Ren Huan and Zhao Tuo instead. The two worked together seamlessly, and it took four years to finally pacify Baiyue.
In this battle, Zhao Tuo's military talent was fully displayed. He is not only good at command and dispatch, but also good at adapting measures to local conditions and adopting flexible and changeable tactics. At the same time, he also paid attention to the pacification of the local people, and resolved the contradictions with the policy of "peace with Han Yue", which won the trust of the local people.
Such a performance naturally attracted the attention of the Qin Dynasty. In 219 BC, Zhao Tuo was appointed commander of Longchuan County, responsible for the management of this important military location. As a magistrate, Zhao Tuo was also conscientious, first building city walls and reclaiming fields, so that Longchuan began to take shape.
More importantly, he continued to implement the policy of "harmony with Han and Yue", persuaded soldiers to marry and have children in this area, and wrote a letter requesting that the residents of the Central Plains be repatriated to settle here, so as to promote the integration of Central Plains and Lingnan cultures. Under Zhao Tuo's wise leadership, Longchuan soon became a good place to live and work in peace and contentment.
Such a performance has also laid a solid foundation for Zhao Tuo's rise in the future. Later, when the Qin Dynasty fell and the Central Plains fell into chaos, Zhao Tuo naturally became the master of this land.
2. Establish the country and claim to be king
In 203 BC, Zhao Tuo officially declared the founding of the country and established himself as the king of Nanyue, with the capital in Panyu. As a new generation of monarchs, Zhao Tuo was not arrogant, but continued to implement the policy of "harmony with Han and Yue" to make the Lingnan region stable and orderly.
The key to this policy is that Zhao Tuo is well aware of the advantages of the Central Plains culture, so he does not reject the spread of the Central Plains culture, but takes the initiative to encourage it. He not only persuaded the soldiers to marry and have children here, but also wrote a letter requesting that the residents of the Central Plains be repatriated to settle here.
In this way, Zhao Tuo successfully promoted the integration of the Central Plains and Lingnan cultures, so that the contradictions between the two places were effectively resolved. At the same time, he also vigorously developed agricultural production, dug water conservancy, built cities, and sought welfare for the people.
Under the wise leadership of Zhao Tuo, the Nanyue Kingdom soon became strong and became an opponent that the Central Plains vassal states had to guard against at that time. In 196 BC, Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Western Han Dynasty, sent a doctor Lu Jia to Nanyue, hoping that Zhao Tuo would return to the Han Dynasty.
After some persuasion, Zhao Tuo finally accepted the seal of the "King of Nanyue" given by the Han Dynasty, and the Nanyue Kingdom officially became a vassal state of the Western Han Dynasty. This decision undoubtedly reflected Zhao Tuo's foresight, and he understood that maintaining good relations with the Central Dynasty was the key to the long-term development of the Nanyue Kingdom under the circumstances.
However, the peaceful situation did not last long. After the death of Han Gaozu, Empress Lü came to power and adopted a blockade policy against South Vietnam, which led to the interruption of trade between the two places. Zhao Tuo held a grudge against this, so in 112 BC, he announced his independence from the Han Dynasty, restored the title of "Emperor Wu of Nanyue", and regained his independence.
Empress Lü was furious and sent troops south many times to conquer, but they were all repelled by Zhao Tuo's army. Zhao Tuo in turn sent troops to attack Changsha, a vassal state of the Han Dynasty, and expanded the territory of South Vietnam. For a time, Zhao Tuo's reputation was greatly enhanced, and many countries attached themselves to South Vietnam.
This kind of rebellion against the central authorities undoubtedly embodies Zhao Tuo's strong national consciousness and independent spirit. As a local government, it is admirable that South Vietnam was able to stand still under the suppression of the Central Dynasty.
3. Twice betrayed
It was not until Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty Liu Heng succeeded to the throne that this passive situation was reversed. Liu Heng not only repaired the tomb of Zhao Tuo's ancestors, but also expressed his sincerity many times, and finally moved Zhao Tuo. In 137 BC, Zhao Tuo returned to the Western Han Dynasty, but in Nanyue, he still retained the honorific title of "Emperor Wu".
This decision once again reflects Zhao Tuo's foresight. As a local government, South Vietnam had to maintain good relations with the Central Dynasty if it was to survive and develop in the long run. And it is with this wisdom that Zhao Tuo can stand tall in the turbulent era.
At the same time, Zhao Tuo's practice also reflected the complex relationship between the local government and the central dynasty. On the one hand, they need the support and protection of the central government, and on the other hand, they are unwilling to completely submit to the central government. This delicate balance is the epitome of historical development.
It is not easy for Zhao Tuo to be able to establish a country and become a king in such an environment. He not only had to deal with the pressure of the Central Plains, but also had to deal with the relationship with the local people. It was with the wisdom of the policy of "harmony with Han Yue" that Zhao Tuo was able to finally stabilize South Vietnam and make it a strong and prosperous country.
In this process, Zhao Tuo's military talent was also fully displayed. He is not only good at command and dispatch, but also good at adapting measures to local conditions and adopting flexible and changeable tactics. All of this laid the foundation for his future success.
It is worth mentioning that Zhao Tuo's national consciousness and independent spirit in the two betrayals are also admirable. This kind of rebellion against the central government reflects Zhao Tuo's strong national consciousness. He understood that South Vietnam could only truly grow and develop if it remained independent. This kind of foresight is truly admirable.
Fourth, a hundred years of people
Zhao Tuo has experienced ups and downs in his life, but in the end, with his wisdom and courage, he has achieved immortal achievements. He reigned for 81 years, a rarity among ancient emperors. Until he was 100 years old, Zhao Tuo was still in good spirits and handled state affairs with ease.
Such longevity is undoubtedly closely related to Zhao Tuo's lifestyle and concept of governance. As the leader of a local government, Zhao Tuo knows that only by safeguarding the interests of the people can he gain their support and support.
In 137 B.C., the founding father died at the age of 100, and his life can be described as magnificent. In order to commemorate the "ancestor of Lingnan", later generations built Zhao Tuo Park in his hometown of Zhengding, Hebei. Today, it is a famous tourist attraction in the area, attracting countless tourists to pay tribute to the hero's exploits.
Zhao Tuo's legendary life witnessed how an ordinary soldier finally achieved the cause of the emperor. His story not only shows his personal wisdom and courage, but also shows the pure heart of a generation of heroes for their family and country. It is with this sincerity that Zhao Tuo can stand tall in the turbulent times and become a hero in the eyes of the Lingnan people.
epilogue
Zhao Tuo's life also reflects the process of how a local government survives and develops in the cracks of the central dynasty. The rise and fall of the South Vietnamese Kingdom is the epitome of this history. It is not easy for Zhao Tuo to be able to establish a country and become a king in such an environment.
And his final choice to re-submit to the central government was also based on a deliberate trade-off, which is really admirable.
In short, Zhao Tuo's legendary life can be called an excellent footnote to history. His wisdom, courage and loyalty will forever be engraved on the hot land of Lingnan and become the eternal sincere teachings of future generations.