Zhangsun Sheng

Zhangsun Sheng
Zhangsun Sheng kills two birds with one arrow (Ma Tai, 1928)
Born	Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟) 552 Luoyang, Northern Qi
Died	609 (aged 56–57)
Issue	Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji
Names Courtesy name: Jìchéng (季晟) Posthumous name Xiàn (獻)
Father	Zhangsun Si
Mother	Lady Chigan
Occupation	Diplomat, military strategist, spy

Zhangsun Sheng or Zhangsun Cheng (Chinese: 長孫晟; pinyin: Zhǎngsūn Chéng; 552 — 609), courtesy name Jicheng (季晟) was Chinese statesman, diplomat and general of Xianbei extraction who served Sui dynasty. He was China's chief strategist about Turkish policy. He was described as "intelligent and quick-witted, had some knowledge of clerical work, was skilled in pellet shooting and archery, and was exceptionally agile."^[1] He was posthumously ennobled Duke of Qi (齊國公) and was given the name Xiàn (獻).

He was born in 552 in Luoyang during Northern Zhou dynasty to Zhangsun Si (长孙兕) and a lady from Chigan (or Xue) clan.^[a] He hailed from Zhangsun Clan of Henan. It was written that his ancestors traced their origin to the Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei's founding emperor Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei's 17th generation ancestor Tuoba Kuaili (拓拔儈立) — that their ancestor was Tuoba Kuali's third son, who took the surname Baba (拔拔), eventually changed to Zhangsun when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei changed Xianbei surnames to Han surnames in 496.^{[citation needed]} He had an elder brother, Zhangsun Chi (长孙炽; 549 - 15 November 610^[2]), who was also a Sui official.

Orphaned at age of 14, he was enrolled in military. At the age of 18, he became an upper officer in the guard. Initially, he was not well-known and went unrecognized by others according to Book of Sui until his meeting with Yang Jian who was impressed with his skills.^[3]

In 580, the Turkic leader Taspar Khagan sought marriage with Northern Zhou. Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou betrothed the daughter of his uncle Yuwen Zhao (宇文招) to him. However, following Xuan's death, Yang Jian, the regent for Emperor Xuan's son Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou, nevertheless offered Princess Qianjin. Next year Taspar also died and was followed by a short civil-war. The new khagan Ishbara continued the negotiations. During the marriage negotiations, both Northern Zhou and Ishbara Khagan showcased their native talents and selected brave warriors as envoys. As a result, Zhangsun Sheng was dispatched as an envoy, serving as an assistant to Yuwen Shenqing to escort Princess Qianjin. Khagan took a liking to Zhangsun Sheng and frequently invited him on hunts, leading to Zhangsun Sheng staying there for nearly a year. According to Chinese sources, during one outing, they encountered two eagles fighting over meat. Ishbara Khagan handed Zhangsun Sheng two arrows and said, "Please shoot them." Zhangsun Sheng rode swiftly, just as the eagles were grappling, and shot them both with a single arrow. Khagan was overjoyed and ordered all his nobles to befriend Changsun Sheng and learn his archery skills.^[1] This became a common motif in Chinese art later.

Sheng later met Tardu, Apa and Chuluohou, Ishbara's subordinates and was specifically atteched to the latter. Taking advantage of his hunting trips, Sheng observed the geographical and military strengths and weaknesses of the Turks. Upon returning, Sheng reported the detailed situation of the Turks to Yang Jian, who was then the regent of Northern Zhou. Jian promoted Sheng to the position of Captain of the Chariots (奉車都尉).^{[citation needed]}

In 581, Northern Zhou was replaced by Sui dynasty and all the Yuwen clan was put to death.^[4] Meanwhile, incited by his wife, Ishbara started a campaign against new Sui dynasty. He was allied with Gao Baoning (高寶寧), the former Northern Qi general who was still holding Ying Province (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning). His patron now in power, Sheng started to work as a strategist for the new Emperor Wen of Sui. In response, under advice from Sheng, the emperor carried out the strategy of placating Ishbara's subordinates.^[5] Sheng's memorial was thoroughly describing rivalries inside Turkic nobles: "Tardu, compared to Ishbara, has strong troops but a lower position. Outwardly they seem aligned, but inwardly their rift is evident. If we incite their feelings, they will inevitably fight each other. Chuluohou, Ishbara's brother, is cunning but weak, and though he curries favor with the people, they love him and thus he is distrusted by Ishbara, making him uneasy. Apa is hesitant and caught in the middle, somewhat fearing Ishbara, following his lead out of strength, but without a firm heart. We should now form distant alliances and attack nearby, separating the strong and uniting with the weak. By sending envoys to Tardu and persuading Apa, Ishbara will withdraw his troops to defend his right. By bringing in Chuluohou and connecting with the Khitan and Xi tribes, Ishbara will have to divide his forces to defend his left. With suspicions from end to end and internal discord, in a dozen years, we can take advantage of their strife and conquer their country in one strike."^[3]

Adopting this strategy, emperor sent a wolf-head banner to Tardu as a sign of respect and favor. His envoys were placed above Ishbara's own. Zhangsun Sheng himself was promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍) and was sent through the Huanglongdao (Chinese: 黃龍道; lit. 'The Dragon Road'), carrying gifts to the Khitan, Xi, and Xianbei tribes, who acted as guides to reach Chuluohou.^{[citation needed]}

In 582, Ishbara marched on China with support from Apa and Tamgan. According to Chinese sources - which may be exaggerated - khagan led 400,000 cavalry from Lanzhou where they defeated Daxi Zhangru's (達奚長儒) army and sought to advance further south. Surprisingly, Tardu left his army and Ashina Rangan, who was approached by Zhangsun Sheng sent a false news about alleged revolt of the Tiele to Ishbara, causing him to retreat. Later that year, Ishbara led another force against the Sui. Wen sent his brother Yang Shuang (楊爽) as a response. Yang Shuang achieved a great victory, and part of his army, commanded by the general Yin Shou (陰壽), defeated Gao Baoning, forcing Gao to try to flee to the Khitan, but on the way, Gao was killed by his own subordinates, ending the last bit of Northern Qi resistance. Apa on the other hand was tricked by Zhangsun Sheng, who told him that Tardu already submitted to China and Ishbara was preparing to attack Apa's camp, leading him to submit to Sui. As Zhangsun predicted, Ishbara attacked Apa's camp and killed his mother during the raid in 583. Having nowhere to turn, Apa fled west to seek refuge with Tardu.^[6]

Being in a civil war, Ishbara asked Wen of Sui to adopt his wife, who was originally a Northern Zhou princess. The Emperor granted his request. Sheng was sent as an assistant to Yu Qingze on a mission to Shetu, bestowing upon the princess the surname Yang and conferring upon her the title of Princess Dayi. Sheng returned with favorable results and was appointed as the General of the Left Cavalry of the Honored Guard (左勋卫车骑将军), and the Commandant of the Chariots (车骑将军). After Ishbara's death in 587, Sheng was sent to Chuluohou to recognize him as Bagha Qaghan. Upon Sheng's suggestion, Bagha continued his rivalry with Apa, but was prevented from killing him. However, he died next year too and Sheng was sent to mourn him, bringing with him the treasures looted from Chen dynasty to bestow upon Tulan Qaghan.^{[citation needed]}

In 594, relations between Princess Qianjin and Emperor Wen strained. A Chinese officer named Yang Qin (杨钦) defected to Turks and claimed that Liu Chang (刘昶) and his wife Princess Xihe (西河公主) who were spared by Yang Jian earlier were conspiring to rebel against the Sui. Believing this, Tulan stopped paying tribute to Sui and planned on another raid to China. Sheng, who was sent to observe situation found out that Princess Qianjin was behind this conspiracy together with Sogdian officials. Demanding Yang Qin back, Sheng was responded by khagan that he didn't know who he was. Sheng bribed Tulan's officials to discover Yang Qin's location, captured him at night, and presented him to khagan, exposing the Princess' conspiracy. Khagan was forced apprehend Princess' Sogdian associate Hu Ansuijia (胡人安遂迦) and others, handing them over to Sheng. The Emperor promoted Sheng to the rank of Minister of Works, and sent him to execute the Princess. ^{[citation needed]}

Later Khagan submitted a petition requesting a new marriage in exchange, and the court was inclined to approve it. Sheng advised that Tulan was unreliable and only aligned with Sui due to his conflict with Tardu. If China agreed to the marriage, he would ultimately betray Sui. If he married a princess, leveraging Chinese power, Tardu and Ashina Rangan will inevitably be forced to comply. Once strong, Turks would rebel again, making it difficult to manage. Moreover, Rangan was the son of Chuluohou and has been loyal to Sui. Sheng had met him before, and he also requested marriage. According to Sheng, it would be better to approve his request, invite him to move south, where his small force would be easier to control, and use him as a buffer against Tulan. Emperor once again adopted this proposal. He sent Princess Anyi (安义公主) as a bride to Rangan.^[5] Rangan sent 500 cavalry to accompany Sheng and receive the bride in 597. Sheng advised Rangan to lead his people to move south and settle. His cousin's ambitious behaviour caused outrage to khagan. Tulan started to gather invasion party to attack Sui repeatedly for two years, only to be reported to emperor beforehand by Rangan every occasion.

In 598, Rangan, following Sheng's advice, reported that Tulan was preparing siege equipment to attack Datong. The emperor issued an edict to deploy six commanders to advance from different routes to counter the enemy. Tulan meanwhile formed an alliance with Tardu, and together they attacked Rangan, leading to a battle beneath the Great Wall. Rangan was defeated, his brothers and nephews were killed, and his tribe was scattered. Rangan and Sheng fled south with only five riders during the night. By dawn, they had traveled over 100 li and managed to gather several hundred riders. Rangan suggested to submit to Tardu who had to special enmity with him. Sheng, knowing that Rangan harbored doubts, secretly sent a follower to Fuyuan (抚远镇, in modern Fuyuan, Heilongjiang) to signal a beacon. Sheng detained Rangan's officials to take control of his people, then personally escorted Rangan to the court. The emperor promoted Sheng to the rank of General of Agile Cavalry of the Honored Guard (左勋卫骠骑将军), holding a special commission over the Turks.

Sheng later sent surrendered captives to observe Tulan's camp in 599 and saw that his camp was repeatedly experiencing natural phenomena. At night, they saw a comet falling, meteor showers, three days of blood rain, and "shooting stars falling into their camp with sounds like thunder". Every night they were frightened and saw this as an ominous sign. Sheng reported all this and requested permission to launch a campaign against the Turks. Meanwhile, capties were returned Rangan, bringing over 10,000 people. Rangan was later married to Princess Yicheng, a daughter of Yang Xie (杨谐). Emperor also commissioned Zhangsun Sheng to build the city of Dali (大利, in modern Hohhot) to house Qimin's people, and also sent an army to protect Qimin. Zhangsun however asked for a permission to move them to Wuyuan, fortify it with the river as a defense, and dig a trench 400 li long from east to west to create a secure area for them to live and graze without fear of raids.

Tulan was assassinated by his own men in 599 and Sui dynasty moved to enthone Qimin Qaghan in his place, which was not accepted by Tardu. Tardu was confronted by Shi Wansui (史萬歲) and later Gao Jiong and Yang Su following months.^[5] During the campaign, Chinese army poisoned drinking waters around Tardu's encampment, greatly weakening his army. Tardu had to retreat without serious combat, but this defeat was disastrous for him. After a rebellion of his subjects, he fled to Tuyuhun around 604. Sheng sent Qimin Qaghan to resettle at the steppe, as a result of which Eastern Turkic Qaghanate was established.^[7]

Emperor Wen died in 604 and was succeeded by Emperor Yang of Sui. Yang wanted to get his support as a powerful official, thus recalled him to palace, appointing him as an internal guard (內衙宿衛) responsible for the palace gates. On the same day, he was appointed General of the Left Guards (左領軍將軍). An immediate challenge that Emperor Yang faced was a rebellion by his brother Yang Liang, then the commandant at Bing Province, who was encouraged by the generals Wang Kui (王頍) and Xiao Mohe. Sheng was appointed governor of Xiangzhou, responsible for raising troops in Shandong and working with Li Xiong (李雄) and other generals to manage the situation. After the rebellion was suppressed, he returned and was promoted to General of the Martial Guards (武衛將軍).

In 605, when Khitan tribes attacked Ying Province (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning), Emperor Yang had the official Wei Yunqi (韋雲起) and Sheng to requisition Turkic troops under Qimin Qaghan to attack Khitan. The Khitan forces were caught by surprise and defeated. Later, Sheng was appointed governor of Huaiyang but did not take office and was reappointed as General of the Right Guards (右驍衛將軍).

Zhangsun Sheng died in 609 at the age of 58. Emperor Taizong of Tang, who married to his daughter Empress Zhangsun posthumously honored him as Minister of Works (司空), Senior Pillar of the State (上柱國), and Duke of Qi (齊國公), with the posthumous name Xian (獻).

He was married to Lady Gao of Bohai, daughter of Gao Mai (高劢), a senior official and governor of Taozhou during the Sui dynasty with whom he fathered:

• A daughter who married to general Zhang Cong (d. 618)
• A daughter who married to Wang Shao (王韶)
• Zhangsun Wuji
• Empress Zhangsun

He had several other children from different marriages:

• Zhangsun Xingbu (長孫行布, 577–604)
• Zhangsun Heng'an (長孫恆安)
• Zhangsun Anye (長孫安業)
• Zhangsun Wuyi
• Zhangsun Wuxian, who became the Minister of War in the early Tang dynasty