During the period of the Three Kingdoms, the Central Plains was divided and wars were raging, which can be described as a chaotic scene of wolf smoke. In the midst of this turmoil, one cannot help but wonder: what are the nomads of the north doing? Why didn't they take the opportunity to invade the Central Plains, plunder wealth and grab land? As a tough nomadic people, they have always been known for their good warfare and archery, and they should be invincible in their prosperity. However, this does not seem to be the case, and in these turbulent times of opportunity, their figure has been dimmed. So, what exactly are these northern nomads doing? Why didn't they take advantage of the chaos to hunt? What is the reason why they are so low-key and forbearant at this critical period in history? What kind of reasons and mysteries are hidden behind this? Leave endless space for future generations to doubt and think.
The current situation and activities of the northern peoples during the Northern and Southern Dynasties
During the Three Kingdoms period, the northern land was vast and vast, and the grasslands stretched for thousands of miles, inhabited by some nomadic people. Among them, the most famous are the three major ethnic groups of Xiongnu, Xianbei and Karasuma.
The Xiongnu used to dominate the north and were invincible, which once made the Han Dynasty worried. However, since the heavy defeat during the period of Emperor Wu, its strength has gradually declined. By the time of the Three Kingdoms, the Xiongnu had been displaced, leaving the original grassland territory, and they were divided, leaving only a few small tribes scattered throughout the Central Plains.
In contrast, Karasuma and Xianbei are becoming more and more powerful. The Karasuma people live in the Yellow River Valley, are good at riding and shooting, and have extraordinary combat power. As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty, they were so powerful that they once drove the Xiongnu out of their ancestral homeland. During the Three Kingdoms period, Karasuma iron cavalry rampaged through the northern frontier, sometimes invaded the Central Plains in the south, plundered the counties, and was majestic and terrifying.
Although the other Xianbei ethnic group is sparsely populated, as a descendant of Donghu, its courage and fighting skills should not be underestimated. They often form cliques and live in the northern border of the Central Plains, occasionally harassing the border and plundering the people.
In addition to these three ethnic groups, there are other smaller ethnic groups in the north, such as the Bohai Sea and the Khitan, who are also chivalrous and wandering around. Although their strength is weak, they often collude with each other, and the Central Plains Dynasty wantonly disturbs, making the northern frontier always treacherous and full of killers.
There are several main reasons why the northern nomads did not invade the Central Plains
If you think about it carefully, it is not difficult to uncover the mystery of why these northern nomads failed to take the opportunity to invade the Central Plains in the troubled times of the Three Kingdoms. The reasons are complex, but they are not without traces.
First and foremost is the lack of economic strength. Although these nomads were brave and warlike, their way of life has always been nomadic, raising herds, fishing and hunting. Due to the lack of fixed settlements and agricultural production bases, it was difficult for them to have the same financial and material resources as the Central Plains Dynasty. A long war of conquest required huge military expenditures, and the northern peoples were stretched thin and could not support a long journey.
Secondly, there are also differences among the northern tribes. Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu have been in a slump and scattered, making it difficult to concentrate their forces. Although Karasuma was in the northern frontier, it was also divided internally, and there were many kings. Xianbei scattered all over the country, killing each other, and the undercurrent was surging. With all kinds of internal friction, they have no time to look outside, and it is difficult for them to have the strength to invade the Central Plains in the south.
In addition, the rising power of some new northern nomadic peoples has become an important reason for their large-scale southward expansion. If they leave the hinterland of the grassland and easily expedition to the Central Plains, it will inevitably cause other hostile nations to take the opportunity to seize the territory, and the future will be unpredictable. Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, we can only wait and see.
It can be seen that the northern tribes were in great difficulties at that time, and their foundations were unstable, so it was really difficult to have a share of the war in the Central Plains. In order to retreat to the second, he had no choice but to wander around the region and maintain a delicate temporary peace relationship with the Central Plains Dynasty in order to protect himself first.
The interaction of some nomads with the Central Plains Dynasty
Although the northern tribes did not invade the Central Plains on a large scale during the turmoil of the Three Kingdoms, they were not completely cut off from the Central Plains Dynasty. In fact, the two sides still maintain some subtle contacts and exchanges.
Some nomadic tribes even submitted directly to the Central Plains court and were accepted as subjects. When Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, a tribe of the Southern Xiongnu was attached to Cao Cao. Its leader Hu Chuquan wrote to ask for a meeting, and Cao Cao not only left them, but also ordered the Youxian King, who was born in the Southern Xiongnu, to return to his native prison country. In this way, this Xiongnu tribe completely let go of the mustard that was hostile to the Central Plains court.
There were also some nomadic peoples who were not officially subordinate to the Central Plains Dynasty, but who maintained good relations with them in mutual trade. The two sides traveled freely, buying and selling rare and exotic objects, forming a prosperous economic and trade route. The northern ethnic groups can obtain silk fabrics and other materials from the Central Plains, and the Central Plains can also take the opportunity to purchase northern goods such as fur fur, gems and jade. Because of this, the two have their own interests and are difficult to deal with each other easily.
Of course, small-scale raids and clashes have occurred from time to time. For example, Karasuma harassed the boundaries of Guanzhong County and Xianbei tribes attacked the borders, which really caused the Central Plains Dynasty a headache. However, after being temporarily eliminated by the army sent by the Central Plains Imperial Court, the two sides soon returned to a state of peaceful exchanges.
It can be seen that the relationship between the northern nomads and the Central Plains regime is not actually the same as water and fire, but there is some room for temporary reconciliation and truce, which is undoubtedly a major reason why it is difficult for them to take advantage of the turmoil in the Three Kingdoms.
The self-preservation strategy adopted by nomads in turbulent times
Throughout the period of turmoil in the Three Kingdoms, although the northern tribes did not invade the south on a large scale, they were by no means blindly passive. On the contrary, for the sake of their own survival and development, they have taken some positive countermeasures.
It may be wisest to avoid head-on confrontation and wait and see for a while. Although the Karasuma people balanced the Central Plains court in northern Xinjiang, they did not act recklessly. They are more inclined to suppress their sharpness for the time being and wait for the time to come. Only occasionally showed one or two arrogance when dealing with small armies on the border of the Central Plains, and he would never easily provoke a decisive battle.
Some of the weaker nomadic tribes sought opportunities to form alliances with other races in order to grow their power. Such is the case with the remnants of the Huns who were linked to the Black Mountain thieves mentioned above. They worked together and roamed the northern border of the Central Plains, sometimes harassing the people, sometimes rebelling, until they were pacified by Cao Cao. It's just that such alliances are often temporary and fragile, and it is difficult to truly integrate into an indestructible force.
Some wise national leaders realized that this turbulent period was the right time to put things in order. That's why they're focusing on internal restructuring and physical fitness in order to capture greater opportunities in the future. One of them was the Karasuma Khan Helian Bobo, who gathered his scattered people together to strengthen military training and unite in an effort to lay a solid foundation for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains.
In short, although these northern nomads have different actions, they are all seeking their own path of national development without exception, in order to get a piece of the future historical torrent. It is precisely because of this foresight that they are cautious and step-by-step, and that they do not get caught in the fire.
The influence of the northern nomads during the Three Kingdoms period and their later development
Although the northern nomads did not set off a large-scale wave of southern invasion during the turmoil of the Three Kingdoms, their existence and activities also caused a certain degree of hidden dangers and threats to the Central Plains Dynasty at that time.
The most aggressive at the time were the Karasuma people. Although this iron cavalry did not go to war in full swing, it often harassed the border and sacked the county seat. Its Khan Helian Bobo is even more conquest everywhere, and the soldiers are mighty. In the early years of the Western Jin Dynasty, they once smashed Hebei and Shandong and captured several important towns, and the Central Plains government and opposition were shocked. Although it was finally pacified by Emperor Wu of Jin, it brought great disasters and trauma to the local people.
Other small nomadic tribes, although limited in warfare, tend to wander from place to place, plundering people's wealth and causing untold harm. They either gang up to commit crimes, or they go along with the peasant rebels, and they do everything. As a result, the northern frontier during the Three Kingdoms period was always changing, with constant scuffles, and the government and the opposition were restless.
Although these nomads were unable to cause decisive damage for the time being, they laid the foundation for the future regime change in the North and South Koreas. The power they have accumulated will eventually show their fangs on the subsequent stage of history. As the so-called "freezing three feet is not a day's cold", this kind of wolf smoke that has been trapped in the north for a long time has long cast the shadow of its threat to the Central Plains.
However, it is worth mentioning that during the Three Kingdoms period, the northern peoples and the Central Plains civilization also had some sporadic exchanges and mutual learning. As mentioned earlier, some nomadic tribes had established vassalage or trade relations with the Central Plains Dynasty. This will surely allow them to accept and experience the Central Plains civilization, and lay the foundation for future integration.
Sure enough, as time went on, these nomads gradually left the steppe and entered the hinterland of the Central Plains, opening a new chapter in history. They are no longer simple nomads, but have gradually accepted the culture of the Central Plains and become an important part of the Chinese nation, injecting new blood into this ancient land.