Map Introduction

Background of Liang Province in the Late Eastern Han

• Geography and Ethnic Composition: Liang Province's jurisdiction included modern Gansu, Ningxia, eastern Qinghai, and western Inner Mongolia. As the northwestern frontier of the Han dynasty, it was a multi-ethnic region inhabited by Han Chinese, Qiang, Di, Xiongnu, Xianbei, and others. In the late Eastern Han, due to the Qiang uprisings and weakening central control, Liang Province gradually became a hotbed for warlord separatism.

• The Dong Zhuo Rebellion (189–192 AD): Dong Zhuo, a native of Longxi Lintao (modern Min County, Gansu), used his military power based in Liang Province to seize control of the Eastern Han court. After a coalition of eastern warlords opposed him, his subordinates Li Jue and Guo Si continued to hold power in the Guanzhong region. Following Dong Zhuo's death, the Liang Province warlords fractured. Figures like Ma Teng and Han Sui controlled the Longyou area, nominally submitting to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao's Unification of Liang Province (211–215 AD)

• Battle of Wei River South (211 AD): Ma Chao and Han Sui allied with ten other Guanzhong factions against Cao Cao. Cao Cao employed a strategy of sowing discord to defeat the coalition. Ma Chao fled to Longyou, while Han Sui surrendered to Cao Cao. After the battle, Cao Cao relocated Ma Teng to Ye city, giving him an official post (he was later executed). Ma Chao continued his resistance.

• Pacification of Zhang Lu (215 AD): During his western campaign against Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, Cao Cao simultaneously exerted pressure on Longyou. Local Di leaders, such as Dou Mao, submitted, bringing the eastern part of Liang Province into the territory of the Wei state.

Administration of Liang Province under Cao Wei (220–265 AD)

• Administrative Adjustments: Cao Wei divided Liang Province into Liang Province (seat at Wuwei) and Qin Province (seat at Longxi). Due to frequent Qiang rebellions, Qin Province was later temporarily merged back into Liang Province. Major commanderies included: Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, Jincheng, Longxi, Anding, etc.

• Military Defense System:

  • Hexi Corridor: The office of the Protector of the Qiang (e.g., Qian Zhao, Guo Huai) was established to manage the Qiang and Hu peoples, utilizing agricultural garrisons (tuntian) to guard the frontier.
  • Longyou Region: This area served as the primary defense against the Northern Expeditions of Shu Han's Jiang Wei (e.g., Guo Huai's defeat of Jiang Wei at the Battle of Taoxi).
  • Xianbei Threat: Xianbei leaders like Kebineng and the Tufa Xianbei harassed the northern borders, leading to multiple Wei military campaigns (e.g., Wang Xiong's assassination of Kebineng).

• Ethnic Policies:

  • Relocation of Surrendered Tribes: Qiang and Di populations were moved inland to areas like Guanzhong (e.g., Fufeng, Tianshui) to weaken their capacity for rebellion.
  • Divide and Rule: Tribal chieftains were granted titles and rewards (e.g., the Xiongnu Liu Bao was enfeoffed as Left Virtuous Prince), but their military authority was restricted.

Turmoil in Liang Province in the Late Cao Wei Period (249–265 AD)

• After the Incident at Gaoping Tombs (249 AD): With the Sima clan consolidating power, Liang Province became a potential base for remaining Cao Wei loyalists (e.g., Guanqiu Jian, Zhuge Dan). Sima Zhao dispatched Deng Ai and Chen Tai to garrison Longyou, preventing alliances between Shu Han and the Qiang/Hu tribes.

• Impact of the Fall of Shu Han (263 AD): After Shu Han's collapse, remnants of Jiang Wei's forces attempted to rally the Qiang and Hu in Liang Province to restore the state, but these efforts were suppressed by Wei forces (e.g., during the Zhong Hui uprising).

• The Western Jin Replaces Wei (265 AD): After Sima Yan declared himself emperor, Liang Province became a crucial northwestern defensive command for the Western Jin, setting the stage for the subsequent upheavals of the "Five Barbarians."

Key Figures and Events

• Guo Huai: A renowned Cao Wei general who defended Liang Province for a long period against both Shu Han and the Qiang/Hu tribes.
• Deng Ai: In the later period, he organized agricultural garrisons in Liang Province, accumulating resources for the eventual conquest of Shu Han.
• Tufa Shuneng (Early Western Jin): A Xianbei chieftain who launched a large-scale rebellion in Liang Province, signaling the failure of the Cao Wei frontier policies.

Historical Impact

• Cao Wei's control over Liang Province laid the foundation for the Western Jin's unification, but underlying ethnic conflicts were never fundamentally resolved.
• The militarized governance of Liang Province (e.g., agricultural garrisons, the Protector of the Qiang) became a model for later frontier management.

If more specific details about events or figures are needed, they can be provided as a supplement.