The Saga of the Minyue Kingdom
The Minyue Kingdom, along with the Donghai Kingdom, has a storied history that traces back to the descendants of the famous Yue King Goujian. The kings of Minyue and Donghai, surnamed Zou, were notable figures who played significant roles during the tumultuous periods following the Qin Dynasty’s fall and the rise of the Han Dynasty.
After the Qin Dynasty unified China, it reorganized the former Yue territories into the Minzhong Commandery. However, when the various feudal states rebelled against Qin, the leaders of Minyue and Donghai, Wu Zhu and Yao, joined forces with Wu Rui, the Magistrate of Poyang, in the campaign to overthrow the Qin. Despite their efforts, Xiang Yu, who held the de facto power among the rebel forces, did not recognize their kingship, leading them to distance themselves from the Chu forces.
When the Han Dynasty emerged victorious over Xiang Yu, Wu Zhu and Yao supported the Han forces, leading to their reinstatement as kings. Wu Zhu was made King of Minyue, ruling over the Minzhong region with his capital at Dongye. Later, during Emperor Hui’s reign, the significant contributions of Yao were acknowledged by establishing him as the King of Donghai, with his capital at Dong’ou. This region, located in modern-day southeastern China, became known as Dong’ou, or Eastern Ou.
Generations later, during Emperor Jing’s third year, the rebellious King Wu of Wu sought an alliance with Minyue, but Minyue hesitated. Instead, Dong’ou allied with Wu. When the rebellion was quashed, Dong’ou was spared due to its cooperation with the Han, even killing the rebellious Wu king’s son, thereby earning a reprieve from punishment.
Tensions between the Minyue and Dong’ou kingdoms escalated when the former harbored a son of the Wu king who sought revenge against Dong’ou for his father’s death. This led to Minyue attacking Dong’ou in the third year of Emperor Wen’s reign. As Dong’ou faced dire straits, they appealed to the Han Emperor for aid. Initially, the court was hesitant, viewing the conflict as a common regional dispute among the Yue people, known for their frequent internal strife and rebellion. Nonetheless, an impassioned plea from the official Zhuang Zhu highlighted the importance of protecting small states seeking refuge under the Han’s protection, leading to a decision to intervene.
Zhuang Zhu was dispatched to mobilize troops from Kuaiji Commandery to aid Dong’ou. Although initially reluctant, the local authorities eventually complied, and the Han forces crossed the sea to rescue Dong’ou. Minyue, upon learning of the approaching Han army, withdrew, sparing Dong’ou from further devastation. The people of Dong’ou, fearing future reprisals, requested relocation to the Han heartland. The Han Emperor consented, resettling the Dong’ou people in the Jianghuai region.
In the sixth year of Emperor Wen’s reign, Minyue once again stirred trouble by attacking Nanyue. Nanyue, adhering to an agreement with the Han, refrained from retaliating and reported the incident to the Han court. In response, the Han dispatched two generals, Wang Hui and Han Anguo, to quell the unrest. Before they could reach Minyue, the kingdom’s internal dissent led to the assassination of King Ying by his brother Yushan and others, who offered the king’s head to the Han as a peace offering.
The Han court, recognizing the internal discord within Minyue, decided to install a new king, granting the title to the virtuous Prince Chou, a grandson of the former Minyue king Wuzhu, and granting him the title of King of Yue. However, Yushan, who had orchestrated the coup, usurped the throne, leading to continued instability.
Eventually, Yushan’s rule became intolerable, and the Han court decided to intervene decisively. The Han launched a comprehensive military campaign against Minyue, mobilizing forces from multiple directions, including the naval forces of General Yang Pu. The Minyue forces, overwhelmed by the Han’s superior numbers and strategy, were defeated. Yushan was killed by his own people, who surrendered to the Han. The Han Emperor ordered the complete evacuation of the Minyue population, relocating them to the Jianghuai region, leaving the territory depopulated.
Historian Sima Qian reflects on the legacy of the Minyue and Dong’ou, noting their descent from the illustrious Yue King Goujian, who once claimed hegemony over all the feudal lords. Despite their achievements, the later rulers fell into internal discord and rebellion, leading to their downfall. The evacuation and resettlement of the Minyue people marked the end of their kingdom’s independence, although some descendants, such as Prince Chou, continued to hold noble titles under Han rule.
This narrative of the Minyue and Dong’ou kingdoms illustrates the complex dynamics of loyalty, rebellion, and diplomacy in ancient China, highlighting the Han Dynasty’s efforts to consolidate its rule over a diverse and often turbulent frontier. The story underscores the challenges faced by the Han in managing its vast and culturally varied empire, as well as the strategies employed to integrate these regions into the broader Chinese state.