Chapter 446
The Fall of Tibet
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Zhao Yu did not simply believe Li Yanxian's words, but also consulted with many ministers and generals who had strategic vision and were familiar with the Tibetan region, such as Cai Jing, Li Gang, and Yue Fei.
As a result, most of these ministers and generals approved of the strategy proposed by Li Yanxian.
These people are simply questioning the necessity of recovering Tibet.
The problem remains the same: the Tibetan region is extremely poor, and it has significant internal tribal and clan issues. Even after conquering it, troops still need to be stationed there.
After careful consideration, Zhao Yu decided not to leave this problem for his descendants. Therefore, he allocated 100,000 troops to Li Gang and Li Yanxian, appointed Li Gang as the Pacification Commissioner of Tibet and Li Yanxian as the Commander-in-Chief, to recover Tibet.
Autumn of the twenty-third year of Hongwu (1386).
Li Gang and Li Yanxian led 100,000 elite Song troops in three separate expeditions to recapture Tibet.
The northern route was led by Li Yanxian, who personally commanded 40,000 infantry and cavalry, forming the main force of the central army. Starting from Xining, they advanced westward along the Huangshui River, passed the Riyue Mountain, and headed straight for Lhasa, the heartland of the Tubo Kingdom.
Taking advantage of the old Qinghai-Tibet Highway, this route passes through many Tibetan tribes that have submitted to the Song Dynasty, allowing for local resupply and deterring rebellious forces in the Huangshui River basin.
Li Yanxian ordered his men to carry one hundred Li Lin cannons and other powerful weapons. When they encountered a fortified city, they would bombard it with the Li Lin cannons. When they encountered a tribe, they would first send envoys to persuade them to surrender. Only those who refused to surrender would be dealt with by force.
The southern route, led by Wu Lin, consisted of 30,000 troops by land and water. Starting from Yizhou, they marched south along the Jinsha River and Yalong River, reaching the Mangkang and Chaya tribes in southeastern Tibet.
This route is fraught with danger and peril. Wu Lin ordered his soldiers to cut down trees to make boats and clear roads through the mountains. He also contacted the Qiang tribes who were oppressed by the Tibetan nobles, promising them tax reductions upon their submission. With their guidance, he tried to persuade the tribes along the way to surrender, and ideally, he could find a way to capture the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan.
If they cannot take it, they will launch a feigned attack on the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions to put pressure on the Tibetan region and to contain some of the Tibetan forces.
The western route, led by Wang Yan, advanced eastward from Khotan, crossed the Kunlun Pass, and headed directly towards the former territory of Xiangxiong in western Tibet.
This route is mainly composed of cavalry, with the main objective of raiding and destroying the pastures and herds of cattle and sheep of the various Tibetan tribes, thus cutting off their source of livelihood.
By this time, Tibet was no longer as prosperous as it had been under Songtsen Gampo. The various tribes governed themselves, nobles vied for power and profit, and the common people had long suffered under oppressive rule.
Li Gang, as the Pacification Commissioner, was stationed in Qinghai and issued three decrees, aiming to win hearts and minds before seizing territory.
First, treat the tribes that submit well, pardon those who surrender, generously reward the tribal leaders and nobles, and ensure that no harm is done to their territory.
Second, hold a public trial for the stubborn and unyielding, and distribute their land to the common people.
Third, if the Song Dynasty conquers Tibet, it will build railways and highways, open up trade, construct irrigation canals, teach the people to grow barley and wheat, and reduce or exempt taxes for three years.
Soon, the three Song armies swept through the Tibetan tribes with lightning speed, and the smoke signals rose straight up to the snow-capped peaks.
On the northern route, Li Yanxian's army marched out of Xining and westward along the Qingtang Ancient Road. When the Tibetan soldiers guarding the Riyue Mountain Pass saw the Song army's banners obscuring the sun and the hundred Li Lin cannons arrayed in front of them, they were routed before they could even engage in battle.
When the army reached the upper reaches of the Huangshui River, the descendants of the Qusiluo who had submitted to the Song Dynasty led their tribe to surrender with cattle, sheep and provisions. Li Yanxian, in accordance with the imperial decree, generously rewarded their leader and allowed him to continue to lead his people, while only selecting able-bodied men to be incorporated into the auxiliary army as guides.
Upon reaching the edge of the Qaidam Basin, they encountered fierce resistance from the Tubo Supi tribe, who built a stone city and defended it from a strategic position.
Li Yanxian ordered a fierce attack, using Li Lin cannons to bombard the city walls day and night. In just one day, a corner of the stone city collapsed.
The chieftain of the Supi tribe still wanted to resist stubbornly, but he was bound by his subordinates and the people and handed over to the Song army.
—The people of the tribe had long been unable to bear the oppressive taxes imposed by the nobles, and upon hearing the order to distribute land and reduce taxes after the Song army entered the city, their hearts were already turned away.
After Li Yanxian entered the city, the officials of the Ministry of Justice of the Song Dynasty, in accordance with the order, conducted a public trial of the chieftain of the Supi tribe and all his relatives and nobles, except for those who had rendered meritorious service.
The result is self-evident.
Heads rolled and blood flowed like rivers.
Officials from the Ministry of Revenue seized over a million strings of gold, silver, jewelry, and silk in this one location alone.
And this does not even include the livestock such as cattle, sheep, camels, mules, and donkeys owned by the chieftain and all his relatives and nobles.
Subsequently, the Song Dynasty fulfilled its promise, distributing all the land of the Supi chieftain, his relatives, and all the nobles to their people. It also posted notices to reassure the people, and the court funded the recruitment of local laborers to work with craftsmen and laborers from the Central Plains to build roads and railways, so that merchants could travel freely.
At the same time, the Song Dynasty's propaganda department, in conjunction with the Song Dynasty's four major intelligence agencies, launched a large-scale propaganda campaign in the Tubo region.
The common people in the Tibetan region, especially the serfs, were excited when they heard about this. They welcomed the arrival of the Song Dynasty and many even volunteered to serve as guides or to deliver intelligence to the Song army.
Seeing this, the clever tribal chiefs, upon hearing the news, led their tribes to submit, some without even mentioning any conditions.
Those stubborn tribal chiefs were either overthrown by their people or wiped out by the Song army.
The army's westward advance was much smoother than expected.
On the southern route, Wu Lin led an army of 30,000 men by land and water from Yizhou, heading south along the Jinsha River. The route was characterized by high mountains, deep valleys, and rugged plank roads.
Wu Lin ordered laborers and soldiers to cut down trees to make rafts, so that they could cross rivers and carve through mountains. He also sent spies to contact the Qiang tribes who were oppressed by the Tibetan nobles.
The Qiang people had long suffered from the levies imposed by the Tubo nobles. When they heard that the Song army promised to reduce their taxes for three years and that as long as they surrendered, they would not be interfered with in their internal affairs, they all led their troops to join them.
When the army reached Mangkang, the Tibetan Mangyu tribe sent heavily armored cavalry to guard the Lancang River crossing. Wu Lin ordered Li Lin to set up an ambush in the mountains and forests on both banks.
When the Tibetan cavalry were halfway across the river, Li Lin fired all the cannons at once, and the exploding shells exploded in large areas.
Taking advantage of the chaos and confusion caused by the bombardment of the Tibetan cavalry, the Song cavalry charged forward while firing, and routed the Tibetan cavalry in one fell swoop.
The Qiang guide led the Song army's elite troops to take a detour through the back mountain path, cutting off their retreat.
The Tibetan cavalry were attacked from both sides and suffered a crushing defeat.
The Song army pursued and attacked for more than ten miles, killing thousands of Tibetan soldiers in a single battle.
Wu Lin seized the opportunity to take over Mangkang, and then held a public trial to distribute the land to the chieftain, his relatives, and nobles, thus appeasing the people.
Subsequently, Wu Lin led his troops northward, directly threatening the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions.
The Tibetan garrison in the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions had built fortified towers along the mountains, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack. Following his pre-battle plan, Wu Lin ordered his main army to feign an attack, bombarding the towers daily with artillery to create the appearance of a strong assault. In reality, he sent troops to harass surrounding tribes, tying down the main Tibetan force and preventing it from reinforcing Lhasa. Simultaneously, Wu Lin sent envoys to persuade the chieftains of the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions to surrender. He explained that the Qinghai-Tibetan Empire, Western Xia, Liao, Jin, Goryeo, Japan, various steppe tribes, and numerous small kingdoms and tribes in the Western Regions had all been wiped out by the Song Dynasty. He argued that the small Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions could not possibly withstand the Song's mighty army, and demanded unconditional surrender. He promised substantial rewards, even bestowing high-ranking positions and generous salaries upon the chieftains and military governors, with rewards for everyone else. However, if the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions resisted stubbornly, they would be exterminated on the day the stronghold was breached, leaving no one alive.
What infuriated Wu Lin was that the chieftains and their people of the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan were all short-sighted. Not only did they openly kill the envoy Wu Lin sent, but they also clamored: "The Jinchuan tribes have lived on this land for thousands of years, cultivating the land and raising livestock, forming their own nation. What business is it of your Great Song borders? You have invaded the west, seizing land and abducting people; you are truly the most notorious thieves in the world! How can we allow you to succeed?! Our Jinchuan land is characterized by towering peaks and fortified fortresses reaching the clouds; one man can hold the pass against ten thousand. Moreover, we are united in our efforts to resist foreign enemies and will never suffer humiliation. How can we not be victorious? You have traveled far across the shifting sands, your provisions are running out, your troops are exhausted and weary; what is the difference between this and throwing eggs against rocks…"
To be honest, the chieftains of the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan have controlled the land, population, taxes, and judicial power within their territories for generations. The Song Dynasty's attempt to strip them of their privileges directly threatens the foundation of their families' rule. Surrender means the complete loss of their power and wealth; at the very least, they can no longer be "local emperors." How could they possibly accept that?
Moreover, from a military perspective, the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions are characterized by high mountains and deep valleys, with numerous watchtowers. This rugged terrain makes them easy to defend and difficult to attack. The locals are familiar with mountain warfare and can rely on the watchtowers to resist the Song Dynasty's army for a long time, giving them the confidence that "they can protect themselves by relying on the natural defenses."
Furthermore, from an ethnic perspective, the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan are Tibetan-populated areas, and their religious beliefs and social customs differ significantly from those of the Central Plains Han areas. Their chieftains and other vested interests often use the pretext of "defending ethnic traditions" to unite their followers, portraying the conquests of the Central Plains dynasties as "foreign oppression," which further strengthens their will to resist.
In short, both the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan were determined to oppose the Song Dynasty.
Wu Lin longed to personally conquer the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions, cut off the heads of these chieftains, and present them to Zhao Yu.
However, among the generals of the Song Dynasty, Wu Lin was absolutely among the best in terms of obedience.
In the historical Battle of Shanjiawan, Wu Lin used a "layered formation" to decisively defeat 50,000 Jin troops, forcing the remnants to retreat into Lajia City. Just as he was leading his army in a fierce assault on Lajia City and was about to breach the city and annihilate the enemy, the Southern Song court, seeking peace with the Jin Dynasty, urgently ordered Wu Lin to withdraw his troops. Wu Lin had no choice but to obey the order, halting the attack and leading his army in retreat, ultimately missing a golden opportunity to annihilate the Jin army.
In the Battle of Deshun Army, when the Jin ruler Wanyan Liang invaded the south, Wu Lin, despite being ill, led the army in a counterattack. He not only recovered Dasanguan Pass but also personally led the army to conquer Deshun Army. Afterward, he recovered several prefectures, including Lan and Hui. Just as he was stabilizing the newly recovered territories and resisting the Jin army's counterattack, the appeasement faction of the Southern Song court, worried that the army was vulnerable to a surprise attack due to its distance from the river pass, issued an edict through Shi Hao ordering Wu Lin to withdraw. Although unwilling, Wu Lin obeyed the edict and withdrew his troops. As a result, the Song army was pursued by the Jin army during the retreat, and of the more than 30,000 elite troops, less than 7,000 survived. The thirteen prefectures and three armies that had been previously recovered were also lost.
It can be said that, in terms of obedience, there were very few famous generals during the Song Dynasty who were better than Wu Lin.
It was precisely for this reason that Zhao Yu sent Wu Lin to fight against the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan, so as not to send someone else and achieve the same results as the Qing Dynasty.
After that, although Wu Lin was unwilling, he always followed the strategy set by the court, launching feigned attacks on the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan, with the main message being: I may not attack you, but I will definitely not let you have peace.
Meanwhile, Wang Yan, leading the Song cavalry on the western route, advanced eastward from Khotan, crossed the Kunlun Pass, and went straight into the former territory of Xiangxiong.
This place is the core of the pastures of the various Tibetan tribes, with cattle and sheep roaming the land, but there are no strong cities or important towns to defend.
Wang Yan was well-versed in the art of raiding. He ordered his cavalry to break up into dozens of smaller units, which would lie in wait by day and move out at night to raid the herds and granaries of the Tibetan nobles. Once they seized the herds and granaries, they would send people to transport them to the rear while setting up ambushes. As long as the Tibetans dared to try to take back the herds and granaries, they would be ambushed by Wang Yan.
Using this tactic, Wang Yan won a series of victories, eliminating tens of thousands of Tibetan troops.
It is worth mentioning that when the Tibetan herdsmen saw that the Song army only took the property of nobles and did not harm the common people, and even distributed grain to relieve the starving people, many of them took the initiative to lead the way and tell the nobles where their pastures were located.
Within a month, the Tibetan nobles in the former territory of Xiangxiong lost hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep, their grain was looted, and their tribes lost their livelihoods.
The noble tribes wanted to join forces to fight back, but due to their past power struggles, mutual suspicion, and inconsistent orders, they were unable to send troops.
Later, the various Tibetan tribes finally achieved unity and prepared to send troops.
Wang Yan decisively amassed a large force to launch a surprise attack on the largest tribal alliance, defeating it in one battle and capturing its leader alive. He then issued a proclamation to all tribes, stating that those who did not surrender would have their herds destroyed, while those who surrendered would retain their cattle and sheep, pay only a small tax, and that those who rendered meritorious service would be richly rewarded by the court.
Within ten days, all the tribes in the former territory of Xiangxiong submitted to them.
At this point, Li Gang wrote letters to the Guge Kingdom in the Ali region, the Phagmodrupa forces in the Tsang region, and the Qiang and Tibetan tribes in western Qinghai that had not submitted to the Song Dynasty, urging them to surrender.
On the surface, the Tubo Pacification Commission issued a very stern proclamation:
It is said that the ways of Heaven are ever-changing, but virtue is its guide; the imperial order is orderly, but benevolence is its ultimate principle. The Great Song Dynasty, in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will, swept across the land and conquered all corners of the world. Western Xia surrendered, Northern Liao submitted, the Jin Dynasty was destroyed, the Western Regions paid tribute, the four seas were all subdued, and all directions followed its lead.
The land of Tibet has long been fragmented, with various tribes vying for power, nobles abusing their authority, imposing harsh policies and heavy taxes. Serfs are displaced, unable to afford food and clothing; the people are impoverished and have no peace. Our Great Song army marched westward to relieve the people and punish the guilty, advancing north across the Huangshui River, south across the Jinsha River, and west across the Kunlun Mountains, sweeping across the tribes with thunderous force. Supi surrendered, Mangkang submitted, Xiangxiong was pacified, and the hearts of the people were won over. This was not merely the military might of the Great Song, but a response to Heaven and the people, a rescue from their suffering.
The Erguge Dynasty, the Phagmodrupa tribes, and the unsubmitted Qiang and Tibetan peoples of Qinghai should know that the will of Heaven is irreversible and the will of the people is unyielding.
This proclamation proclaims the power and grace of God:
From the date of this proclamation, all those who surrender with their entire tribe will be pardoned for their past crimes. Nobles who are willing to show sincerity and submission will be granted official titles and ranks, and will be given generous salaries, treated the same as officials of the Great Song Dynasty. The people of their tribes will not commit the slightest offense, and will be exempt from taxes for three years and corvée labor for five years. The Great Song Dynasty will send officials to construct water conservancy projects, open roads, facilitate trade, establish schools, teach the people farming, ensure that the elderly are cared for, the young are educated, and that they live in peace and prosperity, enjoying lasting peace.
If there are any stubborn and obstinate individuals who refuse to listen to reason and defy orders, wherever the heavenly army arrives, the fortresses will be destroyed and everything in sight will be burned; once the followers have rebelled, the leaders will be executed, the land will be confiscated, the men will be killed and the women will be forced into prostitution, and then it will be too late for regrets!
Those who submit to me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish; this is a universal principle throughout history. You should assess the situation and decide your course of action promptly. Surrender and you will share in glory; resist and you will bring about your own destruction. Upon receipt of this proclamation, you are required to send envoys to the camp within ten days to surrender your territory. Do not delay, lest you regret it later.
Autumn of the 23rd year of Hongwu reign of the Great Song Dynasty
A proclamation from Li Gang, the Pacification Commissioner of Tibet
Within the city of Lhasa.
The nobles of the various Tibetan tribes were already in a state of panic because the reinforcements had been tied down and the pastures had been burned. When they saw the Song army's proclamation, which stated that "those who surrender will be pardoned, and those who resist will be exterminated," and also heard that Li Yanxian's army on the northern route had already crossed Namtso Lake and was heading straight for Lhasa, the people were thrown into chaos.
Among the Tibetan nobles, the two factions, those advocating war and those advocating surrender, argued endlessly, even to the point of drawing their swords against each other.
The leader of the pro-war faction attempted to coerce the people into defending the city, but was killed by angry civilians and soldiers in front of the palace.
The following day, the surrender flag was raised on the walls of Lhasa, and the Tibetan nobles opened the city gates to surrender, presenting the imperial seal and welcoming the Song army into the city.
From then on, Li Yanxian led the Song army and the surrendered Tibetan and Qiang tribes to sweep across all parts of Tibet. Any tribe that did not submit to the king's rule was flattened by cartwheels.
In the winter of the twenty-third year of Hongwu, Li Gang also rushed from Qinghai to Lhasa to establish the Tubo Pacification Commission and promulgate the decrees of the Great Song Dynasty to recover Tubo through political, military and diplomatic means.
Before three months had passed, the entire Tibetan territory was pacified, and the former separatist tribes were all incorporated into the Song Dynasty.
Li Gang, following Zhao Yu's orders, oversaw the construction of roads and irrigation canals, taught the people to grow wheat, and facilitated trade. Li Yanxian, on the other hand, divided his troops to garrison key passes, reorganized surrendered Tibetan soldiers, and deterred those with ulterior motives.
Soon, beneath the snow-capped mountains and along the ancient Tea Horse Road, caravans from the Song Dynasty came and went in an endless stream. The once barren land gradually became filled with the smoke of cooking fires and teeming with life.
It is worth mentioning that after Li Yanxian conquered Tibet, he sent a large army to attack the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan from the rear. Wu Lin and his soldiers, who were full of anger, finally got their chance to vent their frustration and launched a fierce attack on the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan.
Under the combined attack of the Song army, both the Greater and Lesser Jinchuan regions were captured.
His entire subordinates, from top to bottom, were executed without exception.
Upon returning to the capital, Li Gang petitioned Zhao Yu to establish the Tubo Protectorate, with its capital at Luoxie. He also recommended Li Yanxian as the protector to oversee military and political affairs. Furthermore, he petitioned to relocate 100,000 landless households from Guanzhong and Yizhou to Tubo to live among the local population.
Emperor Zhao Yu was overjoyed upon reading the memorial and granted the request. He also issued an edict to the entire empire: "The land of Tubo shall henceforth be part of the territory of the Great Song Dynasty. I hereby rename it 'Tibet,' so that it may forever guard the southwest of our Great Song Dynasty..."
...(End of chapter)