Explanation of the History of the Northern Dynasties - Read History, View the World. Explanation of the Twenty-Five Histories

Author: Bai Yulin, Zeng Zhihua, Zhang Xinke / Country: Mainland China
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Publishing Date: 2006-07-01
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34. How did the Northern Wei decisively defeat the Rouran? The Rouran were an ancient ethnic group living in the northern region, also known as the Juuru, Juru, or Ruru. The core tribe of the Rouran was the Yujiulü, descended from the Xianbei of the Donghu, with some claiming they were a branch of the Xiongnu or referred to as mixed nomads from beyond the Great Wall. The language and customs of the Rouran were similar to those of the early Tuoba Xianbei. In the early 4th century, the son of Muguulu, Cheluhui, began to unite his tribes and proclaimed himself the Rouran, meaning "wise and capable." At that time, the Rouran were vassals of the Tuoba Xianbei and lived a nomadic and hunting lifestyle in the northeastern Hetao region and north of the Yinshan Mountains in Inner Mongolia. In the early 5th century, the Rouran leader Sheli moved northward, conquered surrounding tribes, established a tribal alliance, and created an army.
In 424, when Tuoba Taosi, the ruler of the Northern Wei, ascended the throne, the Rouran sent 60,000 cavalry into Yunzhong (now Togtoh County in Inner Mongolia), killed and looted officials and civilians, and occupied the Shengle Palace built by the Northern Wei in Yunzhong. Tuoba Taosi personally led a light cavalry force and swiftly rushed to Yunzhong. The Rouran cavalry surrounded Tuoba Taosi dozens of times, but he remained calm and commanded the battle. The younger brother of the Rouran khan was shot and killed, and in panic, the Rouran retreated. By the end of that year, Tuoba Taosi sent the Anji General Changsun Han and the Anbei General Yü Juan to launch a northern campaign against the Rouran. The Rouran fled north, and the Wei army pursued them fiercely, defeating the Rouran again.
In 425, Tuoba Taosi launched five armies to gather in the southern Gobi, abandoned their baggage trains, and launched a surprise attack on the Rouran with light cavalry. Unprepared, the Rouran fled north in panic. In 429, Tuoba Taosi again led troops to attack the Rouran. The Rouran scattered westward and hid in the mountains and valleys. The Northern Wei army divided into smaller units to search and pursue, covering an area of five thousand miles from east to west and three thousand miles from north to south. Over 300,000 Rouran people surrendered to the Northern Wei, and countless horses and vehicles were captured. By the fourth year of the Shenji era (431), the Rouran sent envoys to the Northern Wei to pay tribute and become vassals. Thereafter, the two sides frequently exchanged envoys, engaged in marriage alliances, and developed close economic and cultural ties. P20-21