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The Fall of Nanyue - Han Dynasty's Annexation in 111 BCE
In 111 BCE, the Han Dynasty under Emperor Wu (Wudi) achieved a major expansion of its southern territories by annexing the Kingdom of Nanyue (Nan Yue), a powerful regional state that had existed for nearly a century. This conquest marked a significant moment in the consolidation of Han authority over southern China and laid the foundation for Chinese dominance in what is now modern-day Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnam.
Nanyue was established in 204 BCE by Zhao Tuo (Triệu Đà in Vietnamese), a former Qin Dynasty general who declared himself king after the collapse of the Qin. Located in the Lingnan region (modern southern China and northern Vietnam), Nanyue was a multicultural state with a mix of Han Chinese, Yue (Baiyue) peoples, and indigenous tribes. The kingdom maintained a degree of independence from the Han but was often forced into a tributary relationship.
For decades, Nanyue balanced diplomacy and autonomy, sometimes submitting to Han authority while resisting full integration. However, internal instability and succession crises weakened the kingdom. In 113 BCE, Emperor Wu sent an envoy, Anguo Shaoji, to demand Nanyue's submission. The young king, Zhao Xing (Triệu Hưng), and his Han-born mother favored surrender, but the prime minister, Lü Jia (Lữ Gia), led a faction opposed to Han domination.
In 112 BCE, Lü Jia staged a coup, killing Zhao Xing and his mother, and installed another ruler, Zhao Jiande (Triệu Kiến Đức), as king. This defiance gave Emperor Wu the pretext for invasion. The Han launched a massive military campaign, sending a two-pronged attack: one force advanced from modern Hunan, while another sailed up the Pearl River.
By 111 BCE, Han forces captured the Nanyue capital, Panyu (modern Guangzhou), and executed Lü Jia and Zhao Jiande. The kingdom was fully annexed, and the Han divided the territory into nine new commanderies, integrating it into the imperial administration.
The fall of Nanyue extended Han control deep into the south, facilitating cultural assimilation, trade, and migration. The region became a crucial part of China's economic and military framework, linking it to maritime trade routes. However, resistance from local Yue peoples persisted, and the area remained culturally distinct for centuries.
In Vietnam, the annexation is remembered differently—some view it as the beginning of Chinese domination, while others see Zhao Tuo's Nanyue as an early precursor to Vietnamese statehood.
The conquest of Nanyue demonstrated Emperor Wu's aggressive expansionist policies, which also saw Han campaigns against the Xiongnu in the north and into Central Asia. It was a key step in shaping China's historical borders and influence in Southeast Asia.
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