The Fragile Foundation of the Han Empire
The early Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE) faced a paradox of its own making. After overthrowing the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) sought to prevent future rebellions by enfeoffing his relatives across China, proclaiming: “Any non-Liu who claims kingship shall be attacked by all under heaven.” This system of granting semi-autonomous kingdoms to imperial clansmen sowed the seeds for the disastrous Rebellion of the Seven States in 154 BCE.
By Emperor Jing’s reign (157–141 BCE), these kingdoms—particularly wealthy Wu and Chu—controlled 39 commanderies compared to the imperial court’s mere 15. The kingdoms minted their own coins, maintained private armies, and collected taxes, creating what statesman Chao Cuo likened to “a body with swollen limbs thicker than its torso.” When Emperor Jing implemented Chao’s policy of reducing feudal power through territorial confiscations, the kingdoms revolted under Wu king Liu Bi’s leadership, threatening to fracture the young empire.
Zhou Yafu: From Frontier Defender to Empire’s Savior
Born in Pei County as the son of renowned general Zhou Bo, Zhou Yafu first demonstrated military genius during the Xiongnu invasions of 158 BCE. Stationed at Liuxia Camp near Chang’an, his strict discipline famously impressed Emperor Wen—who personally witnessed Yafu’s troops refusing imperial entry without proper protocol. This adherence to military order would define his career.
When the Seven States rebelled in 154 BCE, Wu and Chu forces stormed westward with 200,000 troops, crushing the imperial army at Jibi and besieging Liang capital Suiyang. Emperor Jing initially executed reformist Chao Cuo hoping to appease the rebels—a futile gesture that only emboldened them. With the empire’s survival at stake, Zhou Yafu was appointed commander-in-chief to confront the crisis.
The Masterstroke at Changyi
Yafu’s campaign became a textbook example of strategic innovation. Recognizing Wu-Chu forces’ superior mobility but poor sustainability, he implemented a three-phase plan:
1. The Feint to Luoyang
Avoiding ambushes by taking an unexpected route through the Wu Pass, Yafu secured the strategic Luoyang armory—demonstrating psychological warfare by making rebels believe he “descended from heaven.”
2. The Calculated Sacrifice
His controversial “abandon Liang to Wu” strategy allowed Prince Liu Wu’s forces to absorb rebel attacks at Suiyang. Despite the Liang king’s desperate pleas and Emperor Jing’s orders to assist, Yafu held firm at Changyi, creating a pincer position.
3. Economic Warfare
Light cavalry severed rebel supply lines at Huai-Sui junction. After three months of starvation and failed assaults, demoralized rebels retreated—only for Yafu’s fresh troops to annihilate them at Xiayi.
Within 90 days, the rebellion collapsed: Wu’s king was assassinated, Chu’s ruler committed suicide, and the other five kings followed suit. Yafu’s minimal-casualty victory preserved centralized Han rule for centuries.
The Iron General’s Tragic End
Post-war, Yafu became chancellor but fell victim to court politics. His opposition to enfeoffing unworthy relatives angered Empress Dowager Dou. Emperor Jing, increasingly paranoid about Yafu’s popularity, engineered his downfall through a fabricated treason charge in 143 BCE. The general’s hunger strike death became a symbol of imperial ingratitude.
Legacy: Military Science and Cultural Memory
Zhou Yafu’s campaign revolutionized Chinese warfare:
– Strategic Depth: First recorded use of protracted defense to enable offensive victory
– Logistical Focus: Pioneering emphasis on supply-line disruption over direct engagement
– Psychological Command: His unyielding discipline at Liuxia set new standards for military professionalism
Modern PLA studies still analyze his “abandon Liang” tactic as early operational art. Meanwhile, the idiom “Zhou Yafu’s army—impossible to breach” (周亚夫军细柳) endures as shorthand for impeccable discipline. Though wronged by history, the general who saved Han unification remains immortalized in military annals and popular culture alike—a testament to strategic brilliance transcending dynastic politics.