Daxia: Difference between revisions

Following nomad attacks on the northern commanderies during the spring of 676, the First Emperor dispatched the eunuch Ma Fuyeng to establish a series of forts on the northern approaches of the Hexi Corridor to deter further attacks. The largest of these fortresses was dubbed Daopian and from there Ma Fuyeng exerted a tenuous hold on the southern marshes of modern day [[Huoxia]] and checked the power of the eastern tribes subordinated to nomad [[Degei]] confederation. In 679 the Degei raided and subsequently destroyed the settlements that had started to form around Daopian. Lacking the means to properly breach the fortress, the Degei settled their tents in a ring to wait for hunger to overcome the defenders. On hearing news of the siege, the Emperor raised a 90,000-man army and rushed to the Hexi Corridor. Degei scouts mistakenly assumed the vanguard of the imperial army to be the whole force that was sent against them, causing them to confidently enter the hilly corridor. By the time they realized the actual size of the enemy force, retreat was no longer an option. Seeing the bulk of the besieging force leaving, Ma Fuyeng's forces rushed out the gates and stormed the nomad camp, overrunning the few defenders left. Trapped in the narrow pass between two forces with their cavalry based force, the Degei desperately fought to break out but were decisively defeated and suffered catastrophic casualties. The Emperor forced the Degei chiefs to abase themselves before him and imposed upon them the humiliating Treaty of Daopian. The treaty stipulated the Degei would become tributaries of the Shang dynasty, henceforth they were forbbiden from raiding imperial lands (they were granted grazing rights) or taking any imperial subject as slaves, they would migrate beyond the Urgal river and settle there, leaving the southern Tanhai plain for Shang colonization. In addition they would be charged with supplying ten thousand cavalrymen (including weapons, armor and saddles) to serve in Shang armies during the war seasons.