For his achievements he was appointed duke of Yung-k'ang District and acting prefect for Ching-chou [Prefecture]. Thereupon he crossed the mountains to Kuei-chou and dispatched emissaries along different routes to proclaim the policy of pacification. Tribal leaders-such as Feng-ang-with their children, all came to submit, and the entire southern region was settled. When they calculated the gains, established authority, and created offices, they had added ninety-six commanderies in all, with more than six hundred thousand households. He was summoned by imperial edict and his efforts praised. He was granted the titles of Pacification Commissioner for Ling-nan and acting Commander in Chief for Kuei-chou.
He felt that Ling-hai was rustic and distant and [that] for a long time [it] had not seen [a proper display of] Virtue, so that unless he manifested awesomeness and military majesty and displayed the rites and righteousness, he would not have the means to transform their customs. Thus he led the army on a southern tour. Wherever they went he inquired about the sick and suffering and saw the elders and aged in his courtyard. He proclaimed the emperor's beneficent intentions, and near and far submitted in fear.
Fu Kung-shih occupied Tan-yang in rebellion. The emperor appointed Hsiaokung Commander in Chief and summoned Ching to the court where he received the general strategy and was appointed Vice Commander under Hsiao-kung. When they marched east on their punitive expedition, Li Shih-chi and the others-seven general officers-all received appointment as Area Commanders. Kung-shih dispatched Feng Hui-liang with thirty thousand naval forces to invest Tang-t'u and Ch'en Cheng-t'ung with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to invest the Ch'ing-lin Mountains. From Mount Liang they connected their forces in order to sever the road to Chiang and built crescent-shaped walls stretching out more than ten Ii from north to south in order to extend their flanks.
All the [emperor's] generals voiced their opinion: "They have strong soldiers and unbroken palisades. Even without engaging in battle they will wear out our army. If you directly seize Tan-yang and empty his stronghold, then Hui-liang and the others will surrender by themselves." Ching said: "It is not so. While those two armies are elite units, the ones under Kung-shih's personal command are also spirited troops. Since they have already secured Shih-t'ou Mountain, their stronghold cannot yet be breached. If we remain we will not gain our objective, but we must shun retreat. For the stomach and back to have overwhelming worries is not a completely successful plan. Moreover, Hui-liang and Chengt'ung are experienced rebels of more than a hundred battles. They do not fear combat in the wilds. Right now they are maintaining the security of their position, clinging to Kung-shih's strategy. If we do the unexpected, provoking them and attacking their fortifications, we will certainly destroy them. Hui-liang will be drawn out and Kung-shih captured."
Hsiao-kung listened to him. Ching, leading Huang Chun-han and the others, advanced along water and land routes. After a bitter battle they killed and wounded more than ten thousand men. Hui-liang and the others fled, so Ching-in command of light cavalry-went to Tan-yang. Kung-shih was afraid, but although his forces were still numerous, they were incapable of fighting, so he fled. They captured him, and the region south of the Ch'ang-chiang River was at peace.
When the Branch Department of State Affairs was established for the Southeast Circuit, Ching was made Minister for the Ministry of War. He was granted a thousand pieces of silk, a hundred female slaves, and a hundred horses. When the Branch Department of State Affairs was discontinued, he was made Acting Chief Administrator for the Yang-chou Superior Area Command. The emperor sighed and said: "Ching, could the ancient generals Han, Pai, Wei, and Huo have done any more than you in the vital affairs of Hsien and Kung-shih!"7
In the eighth year [625] the Turks made an incursion into T'ai-yuan. Ching, as Commander in Chief of the Campaign Army, encamped with ten thousand men from the Chiang and Huai armies in the T'ai-ku region. At this time all the other generals suffered numerous defeats, while Ching alone returned with his army intact. For a short while he was appointed Acting Commander in Chief for An-chou [Prefecture].
When T'ang T'ai-tsung ascended the throne he received appointment as Minister of the Ministry of justice, his accomplishments were recorded, and he was enfeoffed with four hundred households, concurrently acting as Secretariat Director.
A portion of the Turks separated and revolted, so the emperor planned a strategy to advance and take them. As Minister of the Ministry of War he acted as Commander in Chief for the Campaign Army of the Ting-hsiang Circuit, leading three thousand crack cavalry through Ma-i to race to the 0-yang Mountains. Hsieh-li K'o-han 8 was astonished: "If the entire T'ang Army has not been mobilized, how would Ching dare to bring his single army here?" Thereupon the soldiers were repeatedly frightened. Ching let loose his agents to sow discord among the K'o-han's trusted confidants. At night he launched a sudden attack against Ting-hsiang and destroyed it. The K'o-han managed to escape and fled to Ch'i-k'ou.
For his accomplishment Ching was advanced and enfeoffed as duke of Taikuo. The emperor said: "Li Ling9 crossed the desert with five thousand infantrymen but in the end surrendered to the Hsiung-nu. His achievements were still recorded on bamboo and silk. With three thousand cavalrymen Ching trampled through blood and took their court prisoner, subsequently taking Ting-hsiang. Antiquity does not have its like. It is enough to wash away my shame at Wei River!"10
Hsieh-li went to secure Mount T'ieh, then dispatched an emissary to acknowledge his offense, requesting that his state could become an inner vassal. Ching, as Commander in Chief of the Ting-hsiang Circuit, was sent out to receive him. The emperor also dispatched the Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, T'ang Chien, and General An Hsiu-jen to act as officers for the pacification. Ching [who knew Hsieh-li's submission was uncertain] spoke with his Lieutenant General Kung-chin: "The Imperial Emissary is, on the contrary, a prisoner, so Hsieh-li must feel secure. If ten thousand cavalrymen, carrying twenty days' rations, stage a sudden attack from Pai-tao, we will certainly obtain what we desire." Kung-chin said: "The emperor has already agreed to the surrender, and the administrators are with them. What about that?" Ching said: "The opportunity cannot be lost. This is the way Han Hsin destroyed Ch'i.l I For someone like T'ang Chien, what is there to regret?"
He directed the army on an urgent advance. Whenever they encountered [enemy] patrols, they took the soldiers prisoner and had them follow. Only when they were seven li from his headquarters did Hsieh-li realize it. The tribesmen were terrified and scattered, and Ching's army killed more than ten thousand, making prisoners of a hundred thousand men and women. They captured Hsieh-li's son, Tieh-luo-shih, and killed [his wife] the princess of I-ch'eng. Hsieh-li fled but was captured and presented to the emperor by the Assistant Commander in Chief of the Campaign Army for the T'a-tung Circuit, Chang Pao-hsiang. Thereby the T'ang enlarged its territory from north of Mount Yi to the Great Desert.
The emperor thereupon declared a general pardon throughout the realm and bestowed five days of festivities on the people. The Censor-in Chief Hsiao Yu accused Ching of disregarding the laws while commanding the army, allowing the troops to plunder extensively, and losing a great many rarities and treasures for the state. The emperor summoned Ching and upbraided him. Ching did not offer any argument but bowed his head to the ground and acknowledged his offense. The emperor slowly said: "In the Sui when General Shih Wan-sui destroyed Ta-t'ou K'o-han, he was not rewarded, but was executed. I will not do that. I pardon your offenses, and take note of your achievements." Then he advanced him to be Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, presented him with a thousand pieces of silk, and increased his fief to five hundred households. When this had been done he said: "Previously, people slandered and criticized you, but now I have realized the truth." Then he bestowed an additional two thousand pieces of material and transferred him to be Vice Director on the Right for State Affairs. Whenever Ching participated in discussions he was very respectful, as if he could not speak, and was considered profound and since
re.
At the time the emperor dispatched emissaries to the sixteen circuits to travel about investigating the customs of the people and appointed Ching to be Commissioner for the Metropolitan Circuit. It happened that he suffered from a foot disease, so he beseeched the emperor to release him from this duty. The emperor dispatched the Vice Director of the Secretariat, Ts'en Wen-pen, to proclaim to him: "From antiquity those that knew how to stop after attaining riches and honor have probably been few. Although you are ill and weary, still exert yourself to go on. Now if you consider the welfare of the state, I will deeply admire it. If you want to complete your elegant objectives and become a model for the age, you must accept." Then he bestowed upon him the privilege of an Acting Lord Specially Advanced remaining in residence, and gave him a thousand pieces of silk and a superior carriage with two horses. For his salary [the emperor] continued his previous emoluments as an officer for the state and domain. Whenever his illness abated somewhat he would go to the SecretariatChancellery one day out of three as a Grand Councillor for the SecretariatChancellery and was accorded the privilege of using the staff of spiritual longevity.
A short time later the T'u-yu-hun invaded the border. The emperor addressed his attendants: "Is Ching able to again assume the post of general?" Ching went to see Fang Hsuan-ling and said: "Even though I am old, I can still undertake one more campaign." The emperor was elated and appointed him the Commander in Chief of the Campaign Army for the West Seas Circuit. Five other generals with their armies-Tao-tsung, king of Ch'eng; Hou Chun-chi; Li Ta-liang; Li Tao-yen; and Kao Tseng-sheng-were all subordinate to him. When the army arrived at the city of Fu-ssu, the T'u-yu-hun had already burned all the grass and withdrawn to secure the Ta-fei River valley. The generals all advised that since the spring grass had not yet sprouted and the horses were weak, they could not do battle. Ching decided that their strategy would be to make a deep penetration. Subsequently, they passed beyond Mount Chi-shih and engaged in more than several tens of major battles. They killed and captured great numbers, destroying their states, and most of the inhabitants surrendered. Fu-yun [Qughan of the] T'u-yu-hun, being depressed, hung himself. Ching then established [Fu-yun's son] Mu-jung Sun, [also known as] King Ta-ning, in authority and returned home.
[Early in the campaign] Kao Tseng-sheng's army, traveling by way of the salt marsh roads, arrived late. Ching upbraided him somewhat, so that after they returned Kao reviled him. Together with the Aide for Kuang-chou, T'ang Feng-i, he accused Ching of plotting to revolt. Officers investigated the charge but found it unsubstantiated. Tseng-sheng and the others were judged guilty of making false accusations. Ching then closed his doors and dwelt in seclusion, refusing the visits of guests and relatives.
The emperor changed his enfeoffment to Duke of Wei-kuo.12 His wife died. The emperor instructed that the grave should be built in the style [indicated by] stories about Wei and Huo, making the towers like Mount T'ieh and Mount Chi-shih to manifest his accomplishments. He was advanced to Commander Unequaled in Honor.
The emperor wanted to attack Liao, so he summoned Ching to come [to the court] and said: "In the south you pacified Wu, in the north destroyed the Turks, in the west settled the T'u-yu-hun. Only Kao-li [Koguryo] has not submitted. Do you also have any inclination about this?" He replied: "In the past I relied upon the awesomeness of Heaven to achieve some small measure of merit. Now although I am weak from my illness, if your Majesty is truly unwilling to release me, my sickness will be healed." The emperor took pity on his old age and did not consent to the assignment.
In the twenty-third year [649] his illness became acute. The emperor favored him with a visit at his official residence and wept. "You have been my lifelong friend and have labored for the state. Now your illness is like this, I sorrow for you." He died at age seventy-nine. He was granted the posthumous titles Minister of Education and Auxiliary Regional Area Commander in Chief. As a loyal minister he was interred on the side of the Imperial burial grounds at Chao-ling and bestowed the posthumous title Ching Wu.
As may be evident from the biography, Sui and T'ang military forces consisted of crossbowmen, cavalry, and infantrymen. The chariot had long ceased to have any military significance, and bronze weapons had vanished. Great flexibility was possible due to the large number of smaller, locally based units that could be called on for a major campaign. These troops were essentially professional and were supplemented by general conscription when required. Weapons groups were specialized, the emphasis was on speed and mobility, and flanking and other indirect maneuvers received preference over brute shock action.
The T'ai-tsung inquired: "Kao-li [Koguryo] has encroached on Hsin-lo [Silla] several times.' I dispatched an emissary to command them [to desist], but they have not accepted our edict. I am about to send forth a punitive expedition. How should we proceed?"
Li Ching replied: "According to what we have been able to find out about them, Kai Su-wen 2 relies upon his own knowledge in military affairs. He says that the Central States lack the capability to mount a punitive expedition and so contravenes your mandate. I request an army of thirty thousand men to capture him."
The T'ai-tsung said: "Your troops will be few while the place is distant. What strategy will you employ to approach them?"
Li Ching said: "I will use orthodox [cheng]3 troops."
The T'ai-tsung said: When you pacified the T'u-chueh [Turks],4 you employed unorthodox [ch'i] troops. Now you speak about orthodox troops. How is that?"
Li Ching said: "When Chu-ko Liangs captured Meng Hu seven times, it was not through any other Way [Tao]. He employed orthodox troops, that's all."
The T'ai-tsung said: "When Ma Lung of the Chin dynasty6 conducted a punitive campaign against Liang-chou, it was also in accord with the 'Diagram of Eight Formations," and he built narrow chariots.' When the terrain was broad he employed encampments of `deer-horn chariots," and when the road was constricted he built wooden huts and placed them upon the chariots so they could both fight and advance. I believe it was orthodox troops which the ancients valued!"
Li Ching said: "When I conducted the punitive campaign against the T'uchueh, we traveled west for several thousand li. If they had not been orthodox troops, how could we have gone so far? Narrow chariots and deer-horn chariots are essential to the army. They allow controlling the expenditure of energy,10 provide a defense to the fore," and constrain the regiments and squads of five. These three are employed in turn. This is what Ma Lung learned so thoroughly from the ancients."
The T'ai-tsung said: "At the battle in which I destroyed Sung Lao-sheng, when the fronts clashed our righteous army retreated somewhat. I then personally led our elite cavalry12 to race down from the Southern plain, cutting across in a sudden attack on them. After Lao-sheng's troops were cut off to the rear, we severely crushed them, and subsequently captured him. Were these orthodox troops? Or unorthodox troops?"
Li Ching replied: "Your majesty is a natural military genius, not one who learns by studying. I have examined the art of war as practiced from the Yellow Emperor on down. First be orthodox, and afterward unorthodox; first be benevolent and righteous, and afterward employ the balance of power [ch'uan] and craftiness. Moreover, in the battle at Huo-i the army was mobilized out of righteousness, so it was orthodox. When Chien-ch'eng" fell off his horse and the Army of the Right withdrew somewhat, it was unorthodox."
The T'ai-tsung said: "At that time our slight withdrawal almost defeated our great affair, so how can you refer to it as unorthodox?"
Li Ching replied: "In general, when troops advance to the front it is orthodox, when they [deliberately] retreat to the rear it is unorthodox. Moreover, if the Army of the Right had not withdrawn somewhat, how could you have gotten Lao-sheng to come forward? The Art of War states: "Display profits to entice them, create disorder [in their forces] and take them.i14 Lao-sheng did not know how to employ his troops. He relied on courage and made a hasty advance. He did not anticipate his rear being severed nor being captured by your Majesty.
This is what is referred to as `using the unorthodox as the orthodox."'
The T'ai-tsung said: "As for Huo Ch'u-ping's15 tactics unintentionally cohering with those of Sun-tzu and Wu-tzu, was it really so? When our Army of the Right withdrew, [my father, Emperor] Kao-tsu, turned pale. But then I attacked vigorously and, on the contrary, it became advantageous for us. This unknowingly cohered with Sun-tzu and Wu-tzu. My lord certainly knows their words."
The T'ai-tsung said: "Whenever an army withdraws can it be termed unorthodox?"
Li Ching said: "It is not so. Whenever the soldiers retreat with their flags confused and disordered, the sounds of the large and small drums not responding to each other, and their orders shouted out in a clamor, this is true defeat, not unorthodox strategy. If the flags are ordered, the drums respond to each other, and the commands and orders seem unified, then even though they may be retreating and running, it is not a defeat and must be a case of unorthodox strategy. The Art of War says: `Do not pursue feigned re- treats.i16 It also says: `Although capable display incapability.'" These all refer to the unorthodox."
The T'ai-tsung said: "At the battle of Huo-i, when the Army of the Right withdrew somewhat, was this a question of Heaven? When Lao-sheng was captured, was this due to the efforts of man?"
Li Ching said: "If the orthodox troops had not changed to unorthodox, and the unorthodox to orthodox, how would you have gained the victory? Thus for one who excels at employing the army, unorthodox and orthodox lie with man, that is all! He changes them in spirit-like fashion, [which is] the reason they are attributed to Heaven."
The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China Page 39
