Preface
Hangu Pass, an important strategic point in China since ancient times, once blocked countless attacks by the Six Kingdoms for the Qin State, and was an indispensable barrier. However, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was in power, he wanted to destroy this pass, which caused countless questions and controversies.
So, why was such an important pass destroyed? What kind of story is hidden behind this move of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty? Let us explore the truth of this historical period buried by time.
First, the reform of the military structure, the status of Hangu Pass gradually lost
In the pre-Qin period, when chariots were dominant, Hangu Pass was a choke point connecting Guanzhong and the Central Plains, and its importance was self-evident. This pass is located at the top of the Qinling Mountains, with narrow twists and turns, green forests, and difficult for carriages and horses. Any army that tries to pass through it will suffer heavy losses. Just as Uncle Jian told his son back then: "Death is the only time, and the rest of the bones are reaped." "
This kind of precipitous terrain was the nemesis of the chariot troops in the pre-Qin period. At that time, most chariots were wooden two-wheeled and single-wheeled, with a body width of up to 3 meters, which required four horses to pull it. In a narrow valley like the Cuihan Ancient Road, they simply can't gallop across the country.
It can only be difficult to move slowly from the relatively flat place of the valley floor, which becomes an excellent target for enemy attacks. However, with the passage of time, the structure of the army has also undergone drastic changes. Infantry and cavalry began to replace chariots as the main force of the army.
Their marches were more agile and were no longer limited by the terrain of Hangu Pass. It's okay to take a detour elsewhere. The two battles during the Anshi Rebellion vividly illustrate this change. In 756, the Tang general Ge Shuhan confronted the rebels in Lingbao Xiyuan, and was trapped in a narrow road, with nothing to do.
The rebels took the opportunity to cross the ridge from Nanshan and flanked the officers and troops in front and rear, winning a complete victory. A year later, Guo Ziyi and the rebels fought again in Xindian, the rebels occupied the high ground, and the Hui cavalry attacked the rear of the official army from Nanshan, and the rebels were defeated.
These two battles fully show that in the era of infantry cavalry, Hangu Pass is no longer an insurmountable natural danger, and its strategic position is gradually declining. What was once a dangerous barrier has now become an obstacle that can be bypassed. The change of the military pattern doomed the fate of Hangu Pass.
2. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty expanded the central power and moved Hangu to the east
As a wise monarch, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was well aware of the importance of centralizing power. In order to strengthen the central government, he took a series of measures, including expanding the scope of power in the Gyeonggi region, centered on Changan.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the central government continued to tighten its control over the localities. Politically, the "Sino-Korean system" was set up, the power of the prime minister was weakened, and the system of "assassinating history" was implemented; economically, the currency was unified, the coinage power was transferred to the central government, and the monopoly of salt and iron was implemented; and culturally, "the hundred schools of thought were overthrown and Confucianism was respected alone." All these measures reflected Emperor Wu of Han's determination to centralize power.
The eastward migration of Hangu Pass is a microcosm of this process. In the third year of Yuan Ding (114 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered the Hangu Guandong to be moved to Xin'an County, and established Hongnong County here, which was under the jurisdiction of Chang'an. This decision to abandon the old and seek the new made Chang'an's jurisdiction extend from the original Guanzhong area to the suburbs of Luoyang.
There are different explanations in the history books for the reasons for this decision. Ying Shao and others believed that it was the Lou Boat General Yang Fu who asked Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to move Hangu Pass out of selfishness. However, some scholars have questioned this statement, arguing that Yang Fu did not make any great achievements at that time, which is not enough to make such a significant request.
In any case, the eastward migration of Hangu Pass was undoubtedly an important manifestation of Emperor Wu of Han's strengthening of centralized power. It marked the eastward expansion of the central power, bringing a larger area under its direct jurisdiction. Behind this decision was Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's persistent pursuit of a unified dynasty.
Third, the setting of Xinhan Valley Pass has lost the name of natural insurance
With the eastward movement of Hangu Pass, a new pass was born. It is located between two mounds in Xin'an County, and the terrain is flat and no longer dangerous. What's more, it has lost its role in the screen guard.
From Luoyang, there are two routes to Xi'an. The north road passes through today's Xin'an and Mianchi, and goes directly to Hanguguan; The South Road detours to Yiyang and runs west along Luoshui. No matter which way you go, you will eventually have to meet at Hangu Pass before you can continue westward.
However, the setting of Xinhangu Pass broke this pattern. The army from the Kwantung region can completely bypass the Shinhanya Pass and go straight to Huanglong. It is no longer a gate in the true sense of the word, but more of a symbolic existence.
This change also reflects the transformation of the military pattern. In the era of chariots, Hangu Pass was important because it was the only way to connect Guanzhong with the Central Plains. But with the rise of the infantry cavalry, the army's range of operations was greatly expanded, and it was no longer limited to the established path.
The setting of Shin-Hanya Pass could not stop the attack from the Kanto region, and its military value was much less than before. What's more, the geographical location of Shinhanya Pass has greatly weakened its defensive capabilities.
The previous Hangu Pass was located on the top of the Qinling Mountains, which was extremely steep and difficult for carriages and horses. The Xinhangu Pass is located between two mounds, the terrain is flat, and there is no trace of the majesty and majesty of the year. It is set up more out of political considerations than military needs.
Fourth, the decline of Xinhan Guguan and the rise of Tongguan
Sure enough, it rarely played a significant role in the series of wars that followed the establishment of Shinhanya Pass. At the end of the Western Han Dynasty, the Green Forest Army marched west to Chang'an, and Wang Mang's army chose to defend itself in Huayin instead of Xinhan Guguan.
When the first emperor was changing, the Red Mei Army was marching eastward, and he was also deployed in Hongnong instead of Hangu Pass. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Dong Zhuo retired to Chang'an, and even deployed heavy troops in Huangchi, Huayin, Anyi and other places, turning a blind eye to Xinhangu Pass.
The circumstances of these battles fully illustrate that Shinhanya Pass has lost its original status. It is no longer the last barrier to guard the pass, but rather an obstacle that can be bypassed. The focus of military operations has gradually shifted to other regions.
The decline of Xinhanguguan left room for the rise of Tongguan. This emerging pass soon replaced Shin-Hanya Pass as the last line of defense in the guards.
The geographical location of Tongguan is more dangerous than that of Xinhan Valley Pass. It is located on the shore of the Yellow River, with cliffs on both sides, making it difficult for cars and horses to travel. It used to be the only way to go west during the Qin and Han dynasties, and any army that tried to pass through it would suffer heavy losses.
It was with this natural geographical advantage that Tongguan played an important role in the later wars. During the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang army fought fiercely with the rebels here, and finally won the victory. Since then, Tongguan has become the last barrier to defend the pass, and has played a key role in previous wars.
In contrast, the position of Shinhan Guguan is becoming increasingly weak. It is no longer the focus of military operations, but rather an obstacle that can be bypassed. This change indicates that the status of Hangu Pass in China's military history is gradually declining.
epilogue
The eastward relocation of Hangu Pass was by no means achieved overnight. Behind it was a profound change in the military landscape and the efforts of the unified dynasty to strengthen the centralization of power.
This former natural hazard eventually lost its original status due to the changes of the times, but its historical significance is forever engraved in the long river of Chinese civilization.
From the chariot era to the infantry cavalry era, from the pre-Qin period to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the fate of Hangu Pass has changed, reflecting a microcosm of Chinese military history. Its rise and fall has witnessed the rise and fall of an era. Its eastward move marked the determination of the central power to expand eastward.