Layout the World - The Grand Strategy of Ancient Chinese Military Geography

Author: Rao Shengwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: There has been a game of Go in the world, some say it is similar to military strategy. As for the higher level of Go, it is about avoiding distant and spreading, setting up a gathering (encirclement), and thus forming many, obtaining the victory of the way; the middle level, then, strives to block and intercept, seeking advantages and profits, so the victory and defeat are uncertain, and must be determined by counting; the lower level, then, guards the borders and corners, rushes to make enclosures, and lives in small places, but it must also be inferior. The military geographical pattern of ancient China was a chessboard-like pattern. From the perspective of military geography, China's geographical pattern is like an irregular Go board. On this irregular Go board, Guanzhong, Hebei, Southeast, and Sichuan are its four corners, Shanxi, Shandong, Hubei, and Hanzhong are its four sides, and the Central Plains are its central hinterland. Although China's territory is vast, the nine major regions mentioned above played a decisive role in the wars of the dynasties. Generally, they are distributed on the second and third steps of China's terrain. Here, the decisive role refers mainly to the importance of these nine regions in the wars of the dynasties, often relating to the unification or division of the world, the rise or decline of a dynasty, or, in the wars between the Central Plains regime and the nomadic tribes outside the Great Wall, the survival or destruction of the Central Plains regime. Ancients often spoke of "mountains and rivers as meeting places." Generally, strategic points are easily formed in places where there are both dangerous mountains that can be relied on and rivers and waterways that can be used for transportation. Several east-west mountain ranges and several north-south mountain ranges crisscross, dividing the hinterland of China into several relatively independent regions. The three-level steps of China's terrain are roughly distributed in a northeast-southwest direction. Among them, a series of mountains along the eastern edge of the second-level step—starting from the Yanshan Mountains in the north, following the Taihang Mountains southward, passing through the Songshan Mountains, Fangcheng, connecting with the Tongbai Mountains, Dahuang Mountains, and then turning to the western mountains of Hubei and Hunan, connecting with the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau—is an important dividing line between China's east and west. The north-south direction also divides into several layers, with the main dividing lines being the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Huai River, and the Qin-Ba Mountains. In addition, the Zhongtiao Mountains and the Dabieshan Mountains also play a supplementary role. These crisscrossing mountain ranges and rivers divide the hinterland of China into several relatively independent geographical units. The hinterland of these geographical units generally has a certain spatial capacity, with dangerous mountains or rivers surrounding them as barriers; there are large and small rivers flowing in and out, serving as transportation lines within these regions and connecting different areas, which is an important foundation for the formation of strategic relations between regions. The strategic significance of mountain ranges and rivers is different. The significance of mountain ranges lies in blocking, and the key is having passageways for passage; the significance of rivers lies in transportation, and the key is having points for control. Generally, fault zones of mountainous areas or river valleys formed by river sources cutting through mountain ranges are convenient as transportation passageways through mountains. For example, the four passes of Guanzhong, the eight passes of the Taihang Mountains, and the several cairns passing through the Qin-Ba Mountains are all like this. Rivers are mainly used as transportation lines for human and material resources. To use rivers as barriers, it is necessary to establish strongholds at important ferry crossings or where tributaries meet main rivers to ensure control over these rivers. For example, Mengjin and Pujin of the Yellow River, Guazhou Ferry and Caishi Ferry of the Yangtze River, Yingkou, Wokou, and Siku of the Huai River all have important military strongholds. With dangerous mountains that can be relied on, it is easier to establish a base in chaotic situations, form local order, and accumulate strength; with rivers and waterways that can be used for transportation, it is easier to deliver strength externally, expand externally, and intervene in the overall situation. Most of these nine major strategic points have these conditions. It should be noted that these nine major strategic points are not all divided according to the current provincial administrative divisions, but are mainly considered to have formed relatively independent geographical units due to their terrain and terrain in the military geographical pattern, and they have indeed demonstrated the status of independent units in the wars of the dynasties. Among them, Guanzhong mainly refers to the part of Shaanxi north of the Qinling Mountains; Hanzhong is considered a separate strategic point due to its relative independence; Southeast mainly refers to the central and southern parts of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces; and the Central Plains mainly refer to Henan. The other regions are basically the same as the current provincial administrative divisions. In terms of naming, Guanzhong and the Central Plains both follow the ancient names, because these names themselves are full of strategic color. Outside these major strategic points, there are some regions that are also very important under special circumstances, but due to their location, the dangerous mountains and rivers that protect them also hinder their connection with the outside world to some extent, and hinder their comprehensive involvement in the overall situation, so in the rise and fall of the dynasties, they have not demonstrated a decisive role in the overall situation. Of course, after modern times, China's national defense situation has changed, and their status in the military geographical pattern has also changed. In this chessboard-like pattern, Guanzhong, Hebei, Southeast, and Sichuan are located at its four corners. The four corners each have their own unique geographical conditions, generally having relatively superior mountain and river situations, relatively stable rear, and reliable mountain and river barriers, enabling a situation where one can advance and retreat; they also have superior economic conditions, sufficient to support a large political and military group; and they have a certain social foundation, making it easy to form a certain social and political force. When a force first rises, occupying the mountainous and riverside areas of the four corners, it can establish a base, operate at ease, accumulate strength, and lay the foundation for future advancement in the world. Guanzhong's rivers and mountains are surrounded by four passes, with the Qinling Mountains stretching across the south, the Longshan Mountains extending to the west, the Loess Plateau to the north, and the Huashan and Xiaoshan Mountains, as well as the northern mountains of Shanxi to the east, all surrounded by the Yellow River, truly enclosed by mountains and rivers, with a united. In terms of terrain, Guanzhong is in a commanding position over the eastern plain. Surrounded by rivers and mountains on all four sides, several important transportation passageways are guarded by passes. The most important ones are Hangu Pass, which controls the danger of Xiaohanguan and controls the communication between Guanzhong and the Central Plains; Wuguan, which controls the danger of the eastern section of the Qinling Mountains and guards the eastern access of Guanzhong; San Pass, which controls the danger of the western end of the Qinling Mountains and controls the traffic throat between Guanzhong, Hanzhong, and Bashu; and Xiaoguan, which controls the danger of the Longshan Mountains and guards the northwest passage of Guanzhong. Surrounded by passes, one can close the doors to defend oneself and open the doors to advance. When the situation is favorable, one can advance; when the situation is unfavorable, one can close the doors to defend. This enables Guanzhong to have a situation where it can advance and retreat, attack or defend. Hebei is surrounded by mountains and the sea on three sides, with the Central Plains to the south. The Yanshan Mountains play the role of a barrier against the southward advance of northern nomadic tribes, protecting Hebei and even the entire Central Plains. Passes such as Juyong Pass, Shanhaiguan, Songting Pass, Gubeikou, Lengkou, and Xifengkou guard several transportation passageways through the Yanshan Mountains. The Taihang Mountains are an important barrier for the right flank of Hebei. Passes such as Zijingguan, Damaguan, Jingxingguan, and Fazhou guard the passage through the Taihang Mountains. There are some east-west rivers in the plain of Hebei, such as the Jima River, Tuhe River, and the Zhanghe River, which can also be used to establish a river defense system in the wars between the Central Plains regime and northern nomadic tribes. For ethnic minority regimes that took control of the Central Plains from the north, Hebei, especially northern Hebei, is particularly important because it connects the agricultural economy of the Central Plains with the pastoral economy of the northern regions. This connection becomes particularly important when their rule is challenged by the Central Plains. The defense pattern of Southeast is a multi-layered defense system relying on the Yangtze River and the Huai River. In north-south confrontations, the south mainly relies on the Yangtze River and the Huai River. Many military in the south were formed on this basis. The Yangtze River connects Sichuan in the west, passes through Jingxiang in the middle, and connects to Wu-Yue in the east, stretching thousands of miles from east to west, with upstream and downstream areas responding to each other, making the overall situation of the southern region complete. In addition, the Yangtze River itself plays the role of a natural moat against the northern cavalry charge. The south has established a series of military along the Yangtze River, guarding several key points of the river. There were two easy-to-cross places in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in ancient times: Caishi Ferry and Guazhou Ferry, located upstream and downstream of Jiankang (now Nanjing). Jiankang also strengthened the defense of these two ferry crossings. On the southern bank of these two ferry crossings, there are Jingkou (now Zhenjiang in Jiangsu) and Caishi, and on the northern bank, there are Guangling (now Yangzhou in Jiangsu) and Liyang (now Heshan in Anhui), all of which were garrisoned and established as important military. The Huai River is complementary to the Yangtze River, playing a dual role as a barrier. Operating the Huai River has both defensive and proactive offensive strategic meanings. Those who controlled the south in the dynasties had a deep understanding of the interdependent relationship between the Huai River and the Yangtze River, and the saying "to defend the Yangtze, one must first defend the Huai" can be seen everywhere. The south has also established a series of military along the Huai River, mainly guarding the confluence of Huai River tributaries with the Huai River. In Huaiwest, the main ones are Zhongli (now Fengyang in Anhui) and Shouchun (now Shou County in Anhui); in Huaieast, the main ones are Shanyang (now Huai'an in Jiangsu) and Xuyi. Shouchun is directly opposite Yingkou (the confluence of the Ying River and the Huai River), blocking enemies coming from the upper reaches of the Ying River or the upper reaches of the Huai River; Zhongli is directly opposite Wokou (the confluence of the Wo River and the Huai River), blocking the of the Wo River. The main tributary of the lower reaches of the Huai River is the Si River. In ancient times, the Si River flowed south from Shandong and converged with the Huai River near Huai'an. The Huai-Si waterway has been a major north-south water transportation route since ancient times, and Shanyang and Xuyi control the routes coming from the Si River direction. In the Si River direction, if a more proactive stance is taken, Pengcheng (now Xuzhou) can be developed to target the north. With the fluctuation of north-south forces, the offensive and defensive situation also changes. When the south is strong, it can advance north of the Huai River to conquer the Central Plains; when the south is weak, it often retreats to the Yangtze River; when the north and south are evenly matched, the Huai River line often serves as the front line of confrontation. Sichuan is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin and is a typical basin terrain. In each direction outside the basin, there are towering mountains and ridges, with protection far superior to other regions. The Three Gorges are the passage between it and the east, and the valleys of the Jialing River and its tributaries are the passage between it and the north. The passageways in both directions are extremely dangerous. Generally, the east is a waterway, with a river route; the north is a land route, with a cairn route. These two directions are respectively attributed to two major centers: Chongqing and Chengdu. From Chongqing to the east, passing through the Three Gorges and crossing Wushan, one can enter Hubei, with Fengjie (the ancient Kuizhou) generally as the gateway, and Jintang Pass (also known as Jiangguan or Han Pass) is located here; from Chengdu to the north, through the Jinshan Road and Micang Road, one can enter Hanzhong, and another route through Yinping Road can reach Longshan, with Jianmen generally as the gateway, and Jianmen Pass is located here. There are also several river and lake routes connecting Chongqing and Chengdu. The formation of the four corners of Guanzhong, Hebei, Southeast, and Sichuan also depends on another indispensable condition, which is the superior natural conditions conducive to economic development. Superior natural conditions are suitable for the development of agricultural production, which can store grain and raise troops, and support a large political and military group. The hinterland of Guanzhong is a loess plain formed by the Wei River, the Jing River, the Luo River, and their tributaries, known as "eight hundred miles of Qin plain," with fertile land and convenient irrigation, suitable for agricultural development. Although the agricultural production conditions of ancient Hebei were not as good as now, Hebei, especially northern Hebei, had a relatively good condition for trade between the interior and the northern regions, between the agricultural economy and the pastoral economy. This economic characteristic is consistent with Hebei's status as an important connecting zone between the Central Plains and the northern regions. The natural conditions for agricultural production in Southeast are relatively superior. With the development and development of Jiangnan, by the Southern Dynasties, the southeastern Yangzhou region, which was called "low and low" in the "Yu Gong," had already shown a prosperous and wealthy scene. Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, the financial resources of Southeast have been relied upon by Guanzhong. The Sui Dynasty dug the Grand Canal, and the Tang Dynasty vigorously improved the transport system, both with the intention of transferring the financial resources of Southeast to supply Guanzhong. During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, when the capital was in Beijing, the economy also depended on Southeast, and they operated the Grand Canal to transfer the financial resources of Southeast to supply the capital. The Sichuan Basin has been called "the land of abundance" in history. The hinterland of Sichuan is a plain formed by the Yangtze River and its numerous tributaries, with thousands of miles of fertile land, suitable for agricultural production; coupled with the rich products of Sichuan and its surrounding areas, the Sichuan region has been praised as "prosperous people and a rich country." Most of the regimes established in the mountainous and riverside areas of the four corners have achieved great success in unifying the world. However, to unify the world, there are not enough geographical conditions alone; there must be a certain social foundation. A certain social foundation can integrate a strong social and political force. A strong social and political force is the social foundation for advancing to the world. Regimes established in Guanzhong and Hebei have all achieved the great task of unifying the world, and most of the national regimes in history were also established here; regimes established in Southeast mostly unified half of the Jiangnan region, forming a confrontation with the north, and few unified the world (except for the Ming Dynasty's Zhu Yuanzhang); regimes established in Sichuan were mostly separatist regimes, and no regime had ever unified the world. The root cause can be traced back to the social foundation on which these regimes were based. Whether a region can rise to a strong social and political force is closely related to the folk customs, social and cultural characteristics, and development level of the region. Guanzhong is close to the Western, with a brave and martial customs, and the people are accustomed to war; since the Shang Yang reforms, the Qin people took farming and war as their foundation, and the legacy has had a profound influence, forming a social atmosphere quite different from that of the eastern region, with the saying "Guan Dong produces ministers, Guan Xi produces generals" [Note: Volume 58 of the "Book of the Later Han," the biography of Yu Yu] even mentioned in the Qin and Han periods; in the late Northern Dynasties, the Xianbei military aristocracy combined with northern Han surnamed aristocratic families to form a group force—the Guanzhong Group, which became the foundation of the rule of Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, and early Tang. Hebei has been the front line against northern nomadic tribes since the Warring States period,