[warlordgeneral]

I recall having seen a detailed account of Ban Chao at the old AE forum before it was shut down, but unfortunately, I didn't take the time to copy and save the information on a file. Do any of you happen to have a copy of his bio from the old AE forum? Or better yet, can any of you give more information on the general, including a detailed account of his military career?

[General_Zhaoyun]

I'll post some info about Ban Chao:

Ban Chao (32-102 AD) 班超 - Diplomat and Military General of Eastern Han dynasty. Style name is Zhon Sheng 仲升 and originated from Fufeng Anling (today's Xianyang in Shaanxi province). He was the son of historian Ban Biao (班彪) and younger brother of Ban Gu (班固), the famous historian who wrote "the book of Han".

In 73 AD, he accompanied Dou Gu (窦固) to attack Xiongnu, was assigned as 2nd Supreme commander and won merits at Pulei Sea (today's lake Balikun in Xinjiang province). He gained the admiration from Dou Gu and was despatched to Western Region to persuade the various kingdoms there to remove themselves from the control of the Xiongnu and to swear allegiance to Han dynasty. He first visited Shan Shan kingdom 鄯善国 (today's northeast of Suojian in Xinjiang province), and witnessed the Xiongnu diplomats executing anti-han activities in Shan Shan kingdom. He instructed his 36 followers " without getting into the den, you won't get the child of the tiger" and secretly raided and killed up to 100 Xiongnu diplomats during night. This caused the Shan Shan kingdom to be relieve of the trouble and begin to swear allegiance to Han dynasty.

He used the same tactics and killed the Xiongnu inspector diplomats at Yutian (today's Hetian in Xinjiang province), and restore the good relationship between Yutian and han dynasty. Late, he made use of his han status to strip Prince Sule 疏勒王 based in Guici (today's Kuche in Xinjiang province) of his power, and defeated the rebellions of Sha Che 莎车 (today belonging to Xinjiang province), Gui Ci 龟兹, Yan Qi 焉耆 (today's Yanqi autonomous area in Xinjiang province) and stablised the situation in Western Region.

In 91 AD, he was assigned as Protector Chief of Western Region (西域都护), and entitled Duke of Dingyuan (定远候) and spent a total of 31 years in Western Region. He united various ethnicities and protect the security of silk route which was the economic and cultural exchange route between China and the west. He also restored the good relationship between Western Region and Han dynasty, consolidate the economic and cultural exchange between Western Region and Han Royalty, and as such received much welcome from the various ethnicities in Western Region. Various people even tried to hug his 'legs' to make him stay and not leave.

During his times in Western Region, he dispatched Gan Ying 甘英 to visit Da Qin (Eastern Roman Empire) and attempted to open up and develop the cultural exchange between China and West. In 102 AD, he returned to Luoyang and died shortly after that. He was the next person after Zhang Qian, who has contributed enormously to the economic and cultural exchange between China and West.

[warlordgeneral]

Wow ok thanks GZ. That was some great info.

I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, but if you could add some detailed accounts of his battles (I recall that warhead mentioned Ban Chao holding off hundreds of thousands of Kushan troops, or was that another general?), especially the ones in East Turkestan, that would be great. Oh yea, was Gan Ying the guy that led a diplomatic party to the Caspian Sea, or was that Zhang Qian? I heard that neither of them reached Rome since it was supposedly too dangerous, but they did end up in Parthia.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Then, we have to consult Warhead for more details about the battle.

[warlordgeneral]

But do you know of his other battles? If so, could you post them up. That would be greatly appreciated.

[General_Zhaoyun]

I've founded some info relating to Ban Chao's battle in Western Region according to

http://www.no1190.co...asp?NewsID=1661

I should translate these chinese articles into english for your viewing:

Quote

西域自西汉即归附汉朝，与中原关系密切。王莽代汉，匈奴趁机进占西域。西域诸邦不堪匈奴凌虐，请求归汉。明帝永平十六年（公元73），班超随奉车都尉窦固攻北匈奴，以假司马职率军袭取伊吾(今新疆哈密西) 后，受命率36人出使西域。至鄯善(今新疆罗布泊西南)，初受礼遇，继被怠慢，班超得知有匈奴使臣到达，以不入虎穴焉得虎子激励部属，乘夜袭杀北匈奴使臣及随从 130余人,鄯善王遂决心归汉。班超因功升军司马。至于阗（今新疆和田一带）,促使其王广德杀北匈奴使臣,归属汉朝。

The western Region had once sweared allegiance to Western Han and maintained a good relationship with inner China. After Wang Mang replaced han, Xiong Nu attacked and occupied Western Region. Various kingdoms in Western Region did not want be bullied by Xiong Nu and requested help from Han empire. In 73 AD, Ban Chao accompanied military cor-poral Dou Gu to attack northern Xiong Nu. Ban Chao, entitled "fake General", after attacking and occupying Yi Wu (today's Ha Mixi in Xinjiang province), was ordered to despatch 35 diplomats to leave for Western Region. When they arrived in Shan Shan kingdom, they had a warm welcome, but later were slowed down. After ban Chao realised that it was b'cos of Xiong Nu diplomat's coming, he launched an attack on these northern Xiongnu and killed up to 100 people. Ban Chao was later promoted to Sima (or Great General).

Quote

次年，班超抵疏勒（今新疆喀什），智擒效忠北匈奴的国王，另立新王，使之归附汉朝。十八年，北匈奴攻占车师（今新疆吐鲁番西），西域形势逆转。次年，汉诏班超回朝，在官民挽留和拥戴下，班超固守疏勒五年，联合南道诸邦，奋力扭转局面。待朝廷以千余兵增援后，班超先平息疏勒叛乱,继率南道诸邦军队2.5 万人攻莎车（今属新疆）。龟兹（今新疆拜城、库车一带）王闻讯,调兵5万援莎车。班超佯称当夜分两路撤军，故纵俘虏逃回报信。龟兹王中计，分兵要道设伏。班超乘虚挥军袭击莎车营地,歼5000余人,缴获大量辎重。龟兹伏兵闻讯溃散，莎车归汉，南道遂通。

In 74 AD, Ban Chao reached Shule (today's Keche in Xinjiang province), and captured the northern Xiongnu's king, he re-established a new king and made the kingdom swore allegiance to Han. In 75 AD, Northern XiongNu attacked and occupied Cheshi (today's western Turfan in Xinjiang province) and the situation in western region was reversed. In 76 AD, Ban Chao was ordered to return to court and after the support from various officials, Ban Chao defended Shule for 5 years. He allied with various kingdoms in the south to try and reverse the situation. After re-enforcement of thousands of troops from the court, Ban Chao first quenched the rebellion in Shule, then he personally directed an allied troop of 25,000 to attack ShaChe. The king of Guici tried to send re-inforcement of 50,000 from Guici.
Ban Chao used to deception tactics of "retreating with two regiments", and purposely got a prisoner of war to return to Guici to inform of this. The king of Guici fell into the ploy and tried to set a trap to ambush Ban Chao. Ban Chao made use of this to attack SheChe camp and killed 5000 people and obtained various supplies. The Guici army was defeated and SheChe became a vassal of Han.

Quote

　　永元二年（公元90），月氏国（今印度、巴基斯坦、阿富□一带）副王谢统军 7万攻疏勒。班超针对其千里劳师的弱点，坚壁不战。月氏军久攻不克,粮秣将尽,遣使往龟兹求援，被班超设伏截杀。谢束手无策，请罪求归。班超允其率军返国，月氏复与汉朝修好。次年，龟兹等三国纷纷归汉。班超升任西域都护，进驻龟兹。六年,班超调集龟兹、鄯善等国联军7万余人攻焉耆（今属新疆），先遣使招降。焉耆王奉礼远迎班超，暗中却拆桥以阻其军。班超获悉，秘密率军绕道渡河，出其不意进逼王城。焉耆王大惊，欲驱民众逃避山野。班超闻讯，设重赏诱斩焉耆王等，另立新王。至此，北道畅通，西域50余邦皆归汉。七年，班超受封定远侯。

In 90 AD, Yuechi (Soghidanian)'s king Xie launched an army of 70,000 to attack Shule (currently occupied by Han). Ban Chao made use to the general's weakness and put up a strong defense. The Yuechi army, after several months of not being able to capture the city, slowly depleted their food supplies and was forced to ask Guici for help, but they were later ambused and attacked by Ban Chao. King Xie had no choice but to beg for surrender. Ban Chao allowed the Yue Chi army to retrun to their country and Yue Chi's relationship with han turned better.

In 91 AD, Guici and other 3 kingdoms all became vassals of han. Ban Chao was promoted to Protector Chief of Western Region (Governor) and was statioend at Guici.

In 94 AD, Ban Chao allied with Guici, Shan Shan and other allied troops totalling 70,000 to attack Yanqi, and sent a diplomat to force surrender. The king of Yanqi on appearance welcomed Ban Chao, but actually plotted behind to destroy Ban Chao's army. Ban Chao's troop made a detour and passed the river, reaching the city of Yanqi swiftly sending shock to the king of Yanqi. The Yanqi king tried to escape, but Ban Chao made a reward for the head of Yanqi king. He re-established a new king. Form then on, all the northern routes were opened and 50 kingdoms in western region became vassal to the han empire. In 95 AD, Ban Chao was entitled "Duke of Ding Yuan".

Quote

　　班超在西域31年，以“宽小过，总大纲”（《后汉书·班梁列传》）治军施政，卓有成效。其用兵倚重谋略，善于利用矛盾，因势利导，以弱胜强，为收复西域建立了不朽功绩。班超还遣使西方，与欧洲交往。十四年，抱病返回洛阳，授射声校尉，不久病逝。

During Ban Chao's 31 years in Western region, he was very effective in ruling the army and made much meritous victory in exerting han influence in western region. (refer to "Later Han Book, Ban Chao's biography"). He was one who knew how to make use of strategy and tactics, fond of souring discord, balancing power and gain , using the weaker to defeat the stronger. He also send diplomats to Europe. He died in 104 AD, and was honoursed "She Shen Corporal Commander".