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"The Han Dynasty's Northern Expansion (128 BCE): Conquest and Consolidation"
Content:
In 128 BCE, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (r. 141-87 BCE), China embarked on a major campaign of territorial expansion northward into the Xiongnu-dominated steppes. This marked a critical phase in the Han-Xiongnu Wars, a prolonged conflict between the agrarian Chinese empire and the nomadic Xiongnu confederation.
Since the early Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu had posed a persistent threat to China's northern borders, launching raids and extracting tribute. Emperor Wu, determined to end this humiliation, shifted from a defensive policy (including marriage alliances and payments) to an aggressive military strategy.
In 128 BCE, Han forces under generals Wei Qing and Li Xi launched a major offensive into Xiongnu territory. The campaign was part of a broader strategy to push the Xiongnu back, secure the Hexi Corridor (a vital trade and military route), and eventually connect with Central Asia via the Silk Road.
The 128 BCE campaign was a turning point in Han foreign policy, demonstrating that the Xiongnu could be challenged militarily. It set the stage for:
- The eventual Han conquest of the Hexi Corridor (121 BCE).
- The opening of the Silk Road under Zhang Qian's diplomatic missions.
- The long-term weakening of the Xiongnu, though full victory would take decades.
This expansion reflected Emperor Wu's ambition to transform Han China into a dominant imperial power, securing its frontiers and projecting influence far beyond the Central Plains.
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