Please vote and state the reason why?

My favorite armies is the Han armies.. given their great development in cavalry due to threats from the XiongNu. The han armies also balanced their potent forces by having cross-bow units, the most effective weaponry against infantry before the advent of gunpowders.

I like Ming Armies, their outfits were just awesome. Unfortunately, they kept suffer from Ming's internal and political problems after the second emperior's reign, and they barelly win any war after that.

I like Qing armies' brigandine, too. The Manchus also made the China much bigger than what it was.

I really like Han-era armies, but after reading the book about Frederick Townsend Ward and his role in the Taiping rebellion, I have a real soft spot for his "Ever Victorious Army", which fought for the Manchus. So I voted for Qing.

I voted for Age of Fragmentation armies, of course...

Armoured horse archers and massed cataphract lancers!

I like the Qin army based on its merit system and organization. And plus, we have many accounts about it. Apart from the Qing army, I think we probably understood the Qin army pretty well thanx to the terracotta army.

I like the 3 Kingdoms armies. In those battles they had everything you could wish for. In thosse times they did not rely on brute force but also on a really good stratagy. Not only that but the Wu, Wei, and Shu forces were so balanced out and that made it even more amazing.

I voted for Han Dynasty Armies since I have a penchant for any army using sweeping cavalry.

I picked Qin armies.
First of all, the Warring States period is my favourite historic phase. Qin armies prevailed in the end over the armed forces of all the other states.
Second, sometimes I ponder if Age of War ended with the Warring States period. The most profound Chinese classic on warfare was produced in this era. (Qi Si He argued that Art of Warfare was made in the Warring States period rather than the foregoing Spring and Autumn period.) I cannot recall any other battle in which the victor killed 450,000 captives to prevent their potential threat. War spirit quickly faded away after the establishment of Qin Dynasty. Alas, Age of War was gone, as were the Warring States.

Must be Age of frag armies, due to the EHALASC!

(Extremely heavily-armoured lance-armed shock cavalry).

M

Perhaps the Song army was not the most powerful, by any means. But the weapons, armor etc just simply is the most awesome to me. It's also probably my favorite period, before gunpowder began to take gigantic influence, lessening the power of cavalry.

I vote for 'others'.....the Republican-era armies godammit. How can they be left out? From the warlords', to the Kuomintang's to the Communists'...they show a certain charm and distinction to Chinese military history.
My fav armies of the period:
Cantonese 19th Route army
Feng Yuxiang's Christian army
Stilwell/Sun Liren's New 1st Army
German-trained KMT elite corps
'DaDao' brigades
Xue Yue's army group
Li Zongren's army group

I vote for Republican-era armies too. Because they fight for china, fight for a great dream. Because their well_known great walk. Because they face the most strong army in chiese history,japan,USA. Republican-era armies they know their country would collape if they do not fight.So they are great because they have a dream to built a new china-more strong and more peaceful-and , they fight until it become true.
My fav armies is:
Liu Zhidan' 27th Red army
Yeting' new 4th army

I voted for Tang.

Commanders wearing dragon-head sleeves, just cool, so cool.

And this sword's from the Tang!

In term of technological gap, the Han is probably the most advanced in comparison to the rest of the world, from horse breeding, to crossbow to the mettallurgy technology combined with a militaristic attitude, thus Cheng Tang would say that 1 Han soldier is so much better equippted that it equals 5 Hu soldiers while even after the Hu start to develop their mettallurgy, the Han is still superior and equals 3 Hu soldier.

Nothing of this sort was said in later dynasties, in fact most later dynasties agree that Han soldiers have less fighting capabilities and Hu nomads are preferred this include Han emperors themselves. The Western Han seem to be the last dynasty where Han people have militaristic spirit combined with advanced arms to achieve great supremacy.


My favourite however is still the Qing army. Not just their customes but their organization based on banners and how they are still able to defeat firearmed troops larger than their own.

Hi all

I voted for the three kingdoms not just because of great strategists and brave generals, but it was the fact that it involved infantry, cavalry, vessels of boats, and ambush. Look at it the ShuHan armies fought on every terrain such as in the jungle of Nanman, vessels of river along the ShuHan and Wu. ShuHan force was unstoppable under Zhuge Liang command, until AhDo came to power under the influence of corrupted court officials not to send food supply for Zhuge Liang main forces during his campaign against Wei Sima Yi's force. Every commanders during the three Kingdom shown bravery, stagma, and intelligence. It wasn't a matter of what armies are the strongest because when it come down to winning it's all about the great generals and commanders strategies. I believe the most dramatic and exciting events that occurred in chinese history were during spring and autumn period, warring states era, Chu Han conflicts, Three Kingdoms, and Yue fei battle against Jurchen, and Ming dynasty. d**** the Manchus for conquered the Ming, which I wish that Wu Sangui didn't betray his countrymen. Ming emperor should have killed this traitor. I really hated the Manchuran for subjugating the Han people. Also I would like to ask one question who were the Yue ( were they know as Cantonese) or ?

Come now...you don't really hate the Manchus do you?

Welcome to CHF, ShuHan. You obviously have been reading too many popular novels about the periods you were talking about In fact, there are many more interesting periods of Chinese military history that you just haven't read about. The Age of Fragmentation is one of them - it involved battles on every terrain you mentioned with reference to the Three Kingdoms, and with much stronger armies. Same thing applies to the Tang.

Your hatred of the Manchus and love for Yue Fei shows me that ethnic nationalism has got a good hold on you. Aren't you aware that the Han people also subjugated the so-called 'Nanman', who are actually the ethnic groups in Yunnan? If you go to Yunnan some day, please don't refer to the people there as Nanman (southern savages).

Regarding the Yue and the Cantonese, you can refer to this thread: http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php...wtopic=211&st=0

Hello!

It's good to see a bit of ethnic nationalism, but I think that it's a little bit wrong to hate the Manchus like that today...it seems very politically incorrect. Manchus are Chinese too, now.
Don't hate them for what happened back then, for they are the same as us now; all Chinese, sharing the same culture.
Yep. I do Wish Wu Sangui never opened the gate, but I think that Ming was going down the tubes anyway, and killing him would just Delay the Entry of the Manchus.


Though I'm not going to warn you or edit your post now, I hope you will please be a little more considerate when talking about "Hating Manchus" for it is interpreted as Rascism...and please be aware that we do have at least a few Manchu Members here, one particular one could proabably give you a TREMENDOUS ear scrubbing for saying that. (Warhead)

Thank you.

"d**** the Manchus for conquered the Ming, which I wish that Wu Sangui didn't betray his countrymen. Ming emperor should have killed this traitor. I really hated the Manchuran for subjugating the Han people. Also I would like to ask one question who were the Yue ( were they know as Cantonese) or ?"

Why thats not the case at all, Puyi retained at the Tokyo conference that we're invited to rule. Why disobey heaven's decree when they gave the throne to the Qing and not the declining Ming? In fact the forced Queque is not even a scheme of the Manchus but a plan of a Han Chinese official!

Hi, all

I'm sorry for the hate stuff, my apologizes. I don't seriously mean that I hate Manchus, but I kind feel sad when the Ming dynasty fall to the Manchu. Do you know how many Han died during the Manchu invasion millions and most of them don't want to have their forehead shaved and braid a pigtail. History is the past what can I do about it, but live with it and sadden over this events. Sorry my Manchu friends I don't hate you, but I do hate the event that happened during 1661 of the Manchus invasion. You could say I'm a chinese or Han patriotic man. I wish we could go back to relive the past of the some of old traditional of China. I would like to learn and bring back some ancient chinese principles and philosophy.

I don't know about which dynasties have the strongest armies, but a lots of people here voted for the Three Kingdoms, but it's me that see the three kingdoms is being favored by people or is it just a coincidence that people just vote for the three kingdoms. Yun Nanman were subjugated by Han-chinese, but it was Zhuge Liang that beaten them to submit willingly to the Shu-Han, but I'm not quite sure about later dynasties that subjugated other non-chinese kingdoms and nations forcefully or peacefully.

This is a noble wish, one I share.

And it can be done, though it is very hard; much of the teachings of the past are available; read them, learn from them, act from them.

M

I voted for Qing Dynasty armies.....

Their conquest is larger than any previous dynasties and effectively subjugated all threats from nomads which had plaqued China long time ago.....
They also survived many rebellions against them since their conquest of China and ended the peasant's suffering during the Ming Dynasty...
Besides Qing soldiers clothes is nice and got letter indicating their status or ranking....The Qing armor is also nice and looks well protected....... (for my personal opinion only) their helmet and their official headwear is cool....

Han's Army, why you may ask..

It was during the time when there was like a war aganist Chu and Han because Liu Bang has the The Great Strategist Han Xin.

okay thats about it im done..im a newbie yes yes and i have to go..lol ima gonna go sleep..i am so tired.

Indeed, I agree with you Miltiades it will be hard especially nowadays there isn't that much chinese people that like to study ancient Chinese heritage. Well, I guess I better start learning chinese language first then study ancient ways and teachings.

Many will disagree, but I think it is well worth studying in your own language.

I am a Classicist and learnt (Attic) Greek to study Ancient Greek texts in their original, and this is essential to undertsand some things, especially certain details. And learning Chinese would be a great achievement, and very useful.

But I would have never learnt Greek if I hadn't first spent many years studying Greek texts in English translation.

Also, the essence of the ancients is beyond words.

I studied Chan/Zen and Taoism (Complete Reality School) at a 'monastery' for many years, and all in English.

M

Yes, indeed so english can give you a pretty well understand of other languages and cultures, but languages translation can sometimes miss or misinterpret some of the original texts of that cultures or languages. The atmosphere and the mood of read certain texts in their own languages does place a different kinds of interpretation and feelings about that texts. Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is that you got to be in the perspective of that culture or people inorder to understand how they feel, think, and perceive their own heritage. It's totally different on how you would read the translate english texts, it just doesn't give you that certain feelings or mood to explore more deeply about that culture and their heritage. Understand the language and reading it from a perspective of the people themselves will give you that mood of that certain time period.

It's certainly true that some things cannot be translated perfectly.

But not as much perhaps as you might think. If you have a very good translator who is utterly familar with both languages and cultures, miracles can be done. I have read between 10 and 15 translations of the Iliad, and they vary. But 1 at least captures the Greek mood almost perfectly.

I suppose what I'm saying is it's worthwhile getting 98% if one doesn't want to spend the many years it takes to become completely familiar with the original langauge.

Then again, 100% is much better - and learning languages is an excellent thing to do!

M

It's true that Qing dynasty conquer the largest territory in China in history and was responsible for the 'size' and border of today's China..

The debate on Sun Yat-sen was going off topic, but was very interesting. I've split it off into a new topic in the ROC/PRC section.

The Ming armies!

Fire-arrow launchers, cannon, mail armour, not to mention specialised training camps for Cavalry, infantry, and artillery.

How could you miss the Liao from your list ???????????????/

Qin army for its dread effect on rival armies.

It also takes a lot of skills to defeat the other 6 states, that are technological the same or better than Qin and when combine are bigger and stronger than Qin.

The XiongNu also fear them

Why the mongolian yuan army should be considered as chinese army?

The Yuan army was hardly exclusively Mongolian. A very high % of it's numbers were comprised of Chinese soldiers. They served as infantry, navy and artillery experts.

your right, not only that. The Yuan army included Chinese, Koreans, and also other foreigners. Their main strength in my opinion was the fact that they did not segregate the armies by race. Mongolians,Chinese, and Koreans would all be in the same unit which I believe is essential to teamwork. Anyway, I choose the early Tang army! The early Tang was great, the most powerful and technologically advanced empire of its time.

Qing rules forever! Others are only old legend

Glad to see you are still around! This topic is a little frivolous but my army of the moment must be one of the Warring States armies. Maybe a Chu or a Zhao. Would that we know more about the armies, their arms and their tactics.

I have several:

Han Army of Ban Chao.

Ming Army under Qi Jiguang.

Kangxi's army when they destroyed the Cossacks and forced the Treaty of Nerchinsk.

Li Hongzhang's Anhui Army

The German-trained divisions of the National Revolutionary Army. Particularly the 88th Division, 524th Regiment (800 Heroes)

Me:
Warring States armies.

Not so much but Ok IMO:
Qing banners after the conquest
The PLA

for ancient part, I would prefer Qin over Han.....

between 3 kingdoms and AOF, i would prefer 3 kingdoms....as alot of tactics and strategies used
But AOF is also good as I like Earlier Qin dynasty

I would also prefer Song army as they were dealing with the emergence of new tech like canons.

for 11-15th century i would prefer the western armies and their fortifications

I would also like Mongol Yuan army as they were effective and efficient

I would also like Ming army as technology was at its peak at tat point of period

Qing army is also good as it managed to defeat the Russians

warlord era after the fall of Qing dynasty is also another part i like....
Just like the Amercian Revolution and Civil War and Napolaneic Wars....
They remind me of each other, they have to have close combat like bayonet fighting and unarmed fighting despite having firepower.

q: Whatever armies you selected, would you be commanding from the front lines or the back lines?

I think that would depend on the situation and your rank. both has their own appeal

My first choice is the Red Army, second is the Qin army under Qinshihuang, the third may be the PLA, the germanized divisions of KMT is also my favourate.

I cant conceive any other armies in China's history can rival the Red army, they were not only among the armies of strongest will,but also had awesome fighting skills. And the most important thing which distinct the Red army was its unique political commissar system that kept its union and high morale even during the Long March time. Later the Red army consisted of the essentials of the Eight Route army in anti-japanese era, the Volunteer army in Korea War and finally the PLA.

You're completely correct.

Had a brain freeze when I made that point.

The best leader decides on his tactical role based on the given situation.

why does the tang army get so few votes isnt it the most powerful?

power doesn't mean popularity

Good point.

There're many historical examples of that point.