The Gathering Storm on the Northern Frontier

In the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era , Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty received alarming intelligence from his northern borders. The Western Xia regime, under the leadership of Empress Dowager Liang, was conducting an unprecedented mobilization. Reports indicated the Tanguts were conscripting nine out of every ten able-bodied men across their territory, preparing for a multi-pronged invasion of Song territory. This massive military buildup represented one of the most serious threats to Song security in decades, coming just years after the disastrous Five Routes Campaign against Western Xia.

The Northern Song Dynasty had long struggled with its northwestern neighbors. Since its establishment in the 10th century, the Song had never achieved the military dominance of previous Chinese dynasties, particularly against the nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples along its frontiers. The Western Xia, founded by the Tangut people in 1038, controlled strategic territories that included crucial trade routes and pasturelands. Their cavalry-based army posed a constant challenge to the Song’s primarily infantry forces.

Emperor Shenzong, who had ascended to the throne in 1067, represented a new generation of Song leadership determined to address these security challenges. Influenced by the reformist policies of Wang Anshi, Shenzong sought to strengthen the dynasty militarily and economically. The previous failed campaign against Western Xia in 1081 had been a personal humiliation for the emperor and a costly lesson in the difficulties of projecting power into the arid northwest.

Divergent Strategies for Frontier Defense

Faced with the new threat, Emperor Shenzong urgently commanded his border generals to submit their defensive strategies. The responses revealed fundamentally different approaches to dealing with the Western Xia threat.

Li Xian, a prominent military commander, proposed launching another major expedition. His plan called for concentrating forces in the Jingyuan Circuit and pushing directly toward Lingzhou, a key Western Xia stronghold. Learning from previous failures, Li Xian emphasized the importance of building fortified positions along the advance route, creating a secure supply line while gradually extending Song control into enemy territory. This methodical approach aimed to avoid the overextension that had doomed previous campaigns.

Meanwhile, along the Fuyan Circuit, a different strategy emerged from the local command. Chong E, now promoted to Vice Military Commissioner of the Fuyan Circuit, and his superior Shen Kuo, the Circuit Military Commissioner, developed a more nuanced approach focused on the recently captured Hengshan region. This mountainous area represented a critical frontier zone between Song and Western Xia territories.

Their proposal outlined three strategic advantages to consolidating control in the Hengshan region. First, as the eastern gateway to Western Xia territories, Hengshan’s rugged terrain offered natural defensive advantages. Controlling this area would provide a secure base for potential advances into the Xia provinces of Yin, Xia, and You, while simultaneously protecting Song border regions from raids. Second, the local population, known for their martial traditions, had historically supplied elite troops to Western Xia armies. Securing their loyalty would both weaken Xia military capabilities and potentially provide the Song with additional forces. Third, the region’s economic resources—particularly horses, green salt, and iron—would strengthen the Song economically while depriving Western Xia of crucial revenue sources.

The Emperor’s Deliberation and a Fateful Commission

Emperor Shenzong, still haunted by the memory of the disastrous Five Routes Campaign, rejected Li Xian’s proposal for another large-scale invasion. The more cautious approach advocated by Shen Kuo and Chong E appealed to the emperor’s desire for sustainable frontier management without the risks of another major expedition.

Intrigued by the Hengshan strategy, Shenzong decided to send investigators to evaluate the best locations for constructing fortified cities. He appointed Xu Xi, a court official, and Li Shunju, a palace eunuch, to travel to the Fuyan Circuit and assess potential sites for the construction program.

Xu Xi’s background reveals much about the political environment of the Song court. Hailing from Fennin in Hongzhou , Xu had always harbored grand ambitions but disdained the conventional examination system that typically propelled scholarly careers. His opportunity came when Wang Anshi implemented his New Policies, which faced significant opposition from conservative elements at court. Recognizing an opportunity, Xu Xi wrote a treatise titled “Governing Strategies” that enthusiastically supported the reforms and offered additional suggestions. This work impressed Wang Anshi, who recommended Xu to Emperor Shenzong, launching his official career.

Despite this patronage, Xu Xi proved to be an problematic figure. His administrative record was mixed at best, and his personal character drew criticism from many upright officials. Most notably, when conflicts emerged between Wang Anshi and Lü Huiqing, another key reformer, Xu Xi aligned himself with Lü and worked against his original patron—behavior that earned him widespread contempt among principled officials.

Despite being a civil official, Xu Xi maintained a passionate interest in military affairs, often boasting that Western Xia could be easily conquered if only border commanders were more aggressive. His frequent bravado eventually convinced even Emperor Shenzong of his military expertise, leading to his selection for this critical mission.

Li Shunju provided a contrasting figure as Xu Xi’s companion. A palace eunuch, Li was nevertheless respected for his broad knowledge and literary talents—unusual qualities among宦官 at the time. His integrity and dedication to his duties had earned him the emperor’s trust. Most remarkably, Li understood the proper limits of eunuch influence in governance. When Chancellor Wang Gui once flattered him by suggesting that he and another eunuch, Li Xian, could handle border affairs, Li Shunju sternly replied that military matters should remain the responsibility of scholar-officials, while eunuchs should focus on their proper domestic duties. This response embarrassed Wang Gui and became a celebrated example of Li’s integrity.

Wang Anshi himself had expressed reservations about Xu Xi, warning Emperor Shenzong that he was ambitious but lacking in substance. The emperor, while proceeding with Xu’s appointment, wisely sent the principled Li Shunju as a balancing influence.

The Debate Over Fortification Sites

The original plan proposed by Shen Kuo and Chong E had identified Guyuan City as the ideal location for fortification. This site offered excellent defensive terrain while projecting Song power deep into Western Xia territory. Strategically positioned between Xiazhou and Youzhou, a fortified city here could disrupt communications between these key Western Xia centers. Additionally, its accessibility would facilitate rapid reinforcement from Song territory if attacked.

Xu Xi, however, rejected this proposal. Eager to demonstrate his military expertise, the enthusiastic amateur put forward his own suggestion: Yongledi . This site offered dramatic topography that appeared defensively advantageous, appealing to Xu’s theoretical understanding of warfare.

Chong E, with his decades of practical military experience, immediately recognized the fatal flaw in Xu’s proposal: Yongledi lacked adequate water sources. While peacetime garrisoning might manage by drawing water from the nearby Wuding River, any siege would allow Western Xia forces to cut off this supply, potentially dooming the defenders to thirst-induced surrender without a battle. The veteran commander vehemently opposed this choice.

Surprisingly, Shen Kuo—an experienced border official who understood military logistics—supported Xu Xi’s proposal instead of backing his subordinate’s sound military judgment. Historical evidence suggests Shen Kuo likely calculated that opposing the emperor’s favored envoy might damage his own position at court. As a regional official who had often faced criticism from the central government, he perhaps believed aligning with the powerful Xu Xi represented the safer political course.

The Aftermath and Historical Legacy

The decision to build at Yongledi proved disastrous. Construction proceeded despite Chong E’s objections, and when Western Xia forces besieged the new fortress, they indeed cut off the water supply. The garrison, despite heroic resistance, eventually succumbed to thirst and military pressure. The fall of Yongledi represented a significant defeat for Song forces and undermined the broader strategy of securing the Hengshan region.

This episode illuminates several critical aspects of Song governance and military policy. The tension between central envoys and local experts, the influence of political considerations on military decisions, and the challenges of managing distant frontiers all contributed to the outcome. Xu Xi’s appointment despite warnings about his capabilities demonstrates how personal connections and ideological alignment sometimes overrode practical competence in Song bureaucracy.

The Yongledi disaster had lasting consequences for Song-Xia relations and internal Song politics. The military setback weakened the position of the reformist faction at court and emboldened Western Xia, delaying Song ambitions to secure its northwestern frontier. For Shen Kuo, his failure to support Chong E’s correct military assessment would haunt his reputation despite his otherwise considerable accomplishments as a scholar and official.

This historical episode serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of allowing political considerations to override military expertise—a lesson with relevance far beyond its specific historical context. The delicate balance between central authority and local knowledge, between theoretical understanding and practical experience, remains a challenge in governance to this day.