Huo Qubing was a famous general during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. He was an extraordinary military leader and a good archer. He had remarkable wisdom and courage in fighting wars and won all the six battles which he fought against the Xiongnu. However, he died early at the age of 24.
Background
Huo Qubing (140 BC - 117 BC) was a native of Pingyang in Hedong commandery (today’s southeastern Linfeng, Shanxi). He was the nephew of the great military general Wei Qing. His mother, named Wei Shao’er was the sister of Wei Zifu, the empress of Emperor Wu. Because he was related to the royal family by marriage, Huo Qubing was recruited to work as a palace attendant at the age of 18.
Career
In 123 BC, Huo Qubing went to war with Wei Qing. While attacking the Xiongnu, Huo Qubing led 800 cavalrymen to chase the enemy for several hundred miles. He killed 2,000 soldiers, including the chancellor. He was elevated as the Duke of Guanjun after his victory.
In the spring of 121 BC, Huo Qubing was appointed the General of Agile Cavalry. He led an army of 10,000 soldiers and went to the Hexi region. In this battle, the Han army was victorious. They killed the Xiongnu King of Loulan and the King of Luhou, and captured the King of Hunxie's son as well as the Xiongnu chancellor and some high ranking officials. The Han army also gained possession of the King of Xiutu’s golden statue. After the battle, Emperor Wu awarded Huo Qubing with control over 2,000 households. In the summer of 121 BC, during the second battle of Hexi, Huo Qubing penetrated deep into the enemy's army to deliver a forceful attack on the Xiongnu army using unpredictable military strategies. In this battle, the King of Danhuan, the King of Qiutu, the chancellor, commandants and some 2,500 people from the Xiongnu surrendered to Han. About 120 people, including Wangmu, Chanyu Eshi, the prince, the chancellor, generals and commandants were captured. The Han army eradicated about 30,000 Xiongnu soldiers. Huo Qubing was held in high repute and honour for his successive victories.
Because Huo Qubing had successfully captured the King of Hunxie, he was awarded control over another 1,700 households. The main forces of the Xiongnu were destroyed, although they never stopped their attacks on the Han frontiers. In 120 BC, more than 10,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen launched a sudden attack on the Dingxiang and Youbeiping regions, killing more than 1,000 Han people. Emperor Wu decided to launch a counterattack against the Xiongnu in order to restore peace at the frontiers.
In 119 BC, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing each took command of 50,000 cavalrymen and marched to Mobei from the east and west respectively. Huo Qubing set off from Daijun, recruiting surrendered generals of the Xiongnu including Zhao Ponu, Xia Luzhi, and Yi Jixuan. Under the command of Huo Qubing, the Han army travelled across the desert and marched for more than 2,000 miles. They fiercely attacked and defeated the Xiongnu. The Right Prince of the Xiongnu fled. Huo Qubing followed this victory by pursuing the enemy to Mount Langjuxu. Huo Qubing was once again commended for his brilliant military achievements. He was awarded control over yet another 5,800 households, and was accorded the title of Great Minister of War together with his uncle, Wei Qing. Huo Qubing, in his short life, led the army in four military campaigns against the Xiongnu, killing more than 11,000 enemies.
Huo Qubing was a fearless fighter. However, he did not care enough for his army. In the battlefield, the army always had insufficient food and Huo Qubing indulged himself in ball games. Emperor Wu once gave Huo Qubing several wagons of food when he was at the battlefield. But when the army returned victorious, a lot of the food was thrown away with many of the soldiers left unfed.
After Huo Qubing died, Emperor Wu gave him a splendid burial and accorded him the posthumous title of Duke of Jinghuan.
The Possible Causes of Huo Qubing's Death:
1. It is said that in the battle of Mobei, the Xiongnu buried dead animals, like cows and goats, in the water source. The water was thus contaminated. Huo Qubing, after drinking the contaminated water, fell ill.
2. Huo Qubing killed Li Gan. To protect him, Emperor Wu sent him away to Shuofang to keep him away from trouble. On his way to Shuofang, Huo Qubing contracted pestilence and died.