What event in the Han Dynasty does the "disaster of Maodun Pingcheng" refer to?
The Siege of Pingcheng
It is also called the Siege of Baideng.
Since the defeat of the Xiongnu during the reign of Qin Shihuang, the north has been peaceful for more than ten years. After the fall of Qin, a conflict broke out between Chu and Han in the Central Plains, and the Xiongnu took the opportunity to attack southward step by step.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, Maodun Shanyu of the Xiongnu (pronounced mòAdúchánAyú, Modun is a person’s name, the Chan was the king of the Huns) led 400,000 troops to surround King Xin of Han (the former Korean aristocrat, and Han Xin were two people) The fiefdom of Mayi (today's Shuo County, Shanxi). King Xin of Han could not resist and asked Mao Dun for peace. Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty got the news and sent an envoy to blame Han Wangxin. King Xin of Han was afraid that Han Gaozu would punish him, so he surrendered to the Huns.
Modun occupied Mayi and continued to attack southward, surrounding Jinyang. Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty personally rushed to Jinyang to confront the Xiongnu.
In the winter of 200 BC, there was heavy snow in the sky and the climate was extremely cold. The soldiers in the Central Plains had never encountered such cold weather. Many people suffered from frostbite, and some even lost their fingers from the cold. . However, as soon as the Han Dynasty army came into contact with the Xiongnu soldiers, the Xiongnu soldiers were defeated. He won several battles in a row. Later, I heard that Modun Shanyu fled to Daigu (now northwest of Dai County, Shanxi).
The Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty entered Jinyang and sent soldiers to conduct reconnaissance. The people who came back said that Mao Dun's men were all old and weak soldiers, and even their horses were very thin. If we take advantage of the situation and attack, we will definitely win the battle.
Han Emperor Gaozu was still worried that the reconnaissance of these soldiers was unreliable, so he sent Liu Jing to spy on the Xiongnu camp.
Liu Jing came back and said: "The Huns we saw are indeed old and weak soldiers, but I think Mao Dun must have ambushed his elite soldiers. Your Majesty must not be fooled by this."
Han Emperor Gaozu was furious and said, "You dare to talk nonsense and try to stop me from marching." After saying that, he imprisoned Liu Jing.
When Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty led a group of troops to Pingcheng (now northeast of Datong City, Shanxi Province), countless Xiongnu soldiers suddenly poured out from all directions, all of them strong and powerful, and all the old, weak and disabled soldiers disappeared. Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty fought his way out and retreated to Baidengchu, east of Pingcheng.
Modun Shanyu sent 400,000 elite troops to besiege Han Gaozu in Baishan Mountain. The surrounding Han troops were unable to rescue them. Some of Han Gaozu's troops were besieged in Baideng for seven days, unable to escape.
Chen Ping, a counselor around Gaozu, sent an envoy with gold and jewels to see the Yan family of Maodun (pronounced yānAzhī, the queen of the Huns), asking her to say something good in front of Shanyu. Mrs. Yan was very happy when she saw so many gifts.
That night, the Yan family said to Mao Dun: "We have occupied the Han Dynasty and cannot stay here for a long time. Besides, someone from the Han Dynasty emperor will come to rescue him. We might as well withdraw our troops as soon as possible!" "
After listening to Yan's words, Mao Dun ordered the siege net to be withdrawn early the next morning and let the Han soldiers go out.
Early the next morning, with heavy fog falling, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty quietly evacuated Baideng. Chen Ping was still uneasy and asked the archers to draw their bows on both sides to protect Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty as he descended the mountain.
The Emperor of Han Dynasty walked out of the Xiongnu encirclement in fear, and quickly fled to Guangwu. He calmed down, first released Liu Jing, and said: "I didn't listen to you, so I was surrounded by the Huns in Baideng, and I almost couldn't meet you."
Han Gaozu escaped. After entering the tiger's mouth, he knew that he had no strength to conquer the Huns again, so he had to return to Chang'an. From then on, the Xiongnu continued to invade the north, which caused great trouble to Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty. He asked Liu Jing what to do? Liu Jing said: "It is best to adopt the method of 'harmony'. Everyone can make peace and become relatives, so that each other can live in peace."
Han Emperor Gaozu agreed with Liu Jing's opinion and sent Liu Jing to the Xiongnu We went to propose marriage, and Mao Dun agreed. Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty selected a daughter born from a palace maid, called the eldest princess, and sent her to the Xiongnu. Maodun made her the Yan family.
From that time on, the Han Dynasty began to adopt the policy of "peace and marriage", and the relationship with the Xiongnu temporarily eased.