Ren Shang
Encyclopedia
Ren Shang was the Protector General of the Western Regions under Eastern Han between 102-106 CE.
In February, 91, he and Geng Kui
defeated the unnamed Northern Shanyu shortly after the Battle of Ikh Bayan
, on commission by Dou Xian
. In 93, he killed the last northern chanyu
, Yuchujian Chanyu during a pursuit with Wang Fu. A Chinese inscription stele
of him, 汉任尚纪功铭 was excavated in 1957 from Kumul, Xinjiang
, which recorded the event in 93.
When Ban Chao
was retiring from the post of Protector General of the Western Regions in 102 CE, due to age an ill health, Ren Shang asked him for some advice. Ban Chao said:
In 107 CE, the Western Regions in modern Xinjiang
province rebelled against Chinese rule. Ban Yong
was appointed as a Major (Jun Sima 軍司馬) and, with his elder brother, Ban Xiong (班雄), went via Dunhuang
to meet up with the Protector General of the Western Regions, Ren Shang (?-119 CE), who had replaced Ban Chao
as Protector General in 102 CE. The Chinese had to retreat and, following this, there were no Chinese functionaries in the Western Regions for more than ten years until Ban Yong returned in 126 CE.
According to the Hou Hanshu, Chap. 117, p. 6b, Ren Shang was recalled and executed in 118 CE, for committing exactly the mistakes which Ban Chao had warned him against.
In February, 91, he and Geng Kui
Geng Kui
Geng Kui , born in Xianyang, Shaanxi, was a general sent by Dou Xian to defeat the unnamed Northern Chanyu, leader of the Xiongnu nomads. He achieved this in 91 AD, shortly after the Battle of Ikh Bayan. The Northern Chanyu was defeated once more and fled away, abandoning his kingdom...
defeated the unnamed Northern Shanyu shortly after the Battle of Ikh Bayan
Battle of Ikh Bayan
The Battle of Ikh Bayan , was a major expedition launched against the Xiongnu by the Han Dynasty in June, 89. The battle was a success for the Han under Dou Xian The Battle of Ikh Bayan , was a major expedition launched against the Xiongnu by the Han Dynasty in June, 89. The battle was a success...
, on commission by Dou Xian
Dou Xian
Dou Xian was a prominent Chinese general and statesman of the Eastern Han Dynasty. A native of modern-day Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, he was part of the powerful Dou clan which dominated court politics during his tenure. However, his father Dou Xun fell into disgrace and died in 70, leaving Dou...
. In 93, he killed the last northern chanyu
Chanyu
Chanyu , was the title used by the nomadic supreme rulers of Middle and Central Asia for 8 centuries, starting...
, Yuchujian Chanyu during a pursuit with Wang Fu. A Chinese inscription stele
Stele
A stele , also stela , is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerals or commemorative purposes, most usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased or living — inscribed, carved in relief , or painted onto the slab...
of him, 汉任尚纪功铭 was excavated in 1957 from Kumul, Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
, which recorded the event in 93.
When Ban Chao
Ban Chao
Ban Chao , courtesy name Zhongsheng , was born in Xianyang, Shaanxi, and the younger brother of the famous historian, Ban Gu who, with his father Ban Biao, and sister, Ban Zhao, wrote the famous Hanshu, or 'History of the Former Han Dynasty'....
was retiring from the post of Protector General of the Western Regions in 102 CE, due to age an ill health, Ren Shang asked him for some advice. Ban Chao said:
- "The officers who are outside the Barrier are naturally not devoted sons and obedient grandsons. All have been deported for some misdeed and ordered to fill a post in the frontier military colonies. On the other hand, the barbarians have the emotions of wild birds and animals. It is difficult to foster their good tendencies and easy to destroy them. Now, you have an austere and strict character. Well, when a river is clear, it doesn’t have big fish. A government that is too meticulous doesn’t obtain the sympathy of its inferiors. You have to be flowing and accommodating, be indulgent with the little mistakes, and content yourself with guiding the hand of the principal generals.
- After (Ban) Chao left, (Ren) Shang said in private to his close friends: “I think that Lord Ban has some marvellous prescriptions, but what he said to me was very ordinary."
In 107 CE, the Western Regions in modern Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
province rebelled against Chinese rule. Ban Yong
Ban Yong
Ban Yong ) was the youngest son of the famous Chinese General, Ban Chao , and the nephew of the illustrious historian, Ban Gu who compiled the Hanshu, the dynastic history of the Former Han dynasty.- Ban Yong's family :...
was appointed as a Major (Jun Sima 軍司馬) and, with his elder brother, Ban Xiong (班雄), went via Dunhuang
Dunhuang
Dunhuang is a city in northwestern Gansu province, Western China. It was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road. It was also known at times as Shāzhōu , or 'City of Sands', a name still used today...
to meet up with the Protector General of the Western Regions, Ren Shang (?-119 CE), who had replaced Ban Chao
Ban Chao
Ban Chao , courtesy name Zhongsheng , was born in Xianyang, Shaanxi, and the younger brother of the famous historian, Ban Gu who, with his father Ban Biao, and sister, Ban Zhao, wrote the famous Hanshu, or 'History of the Former Han Dynasty'....
as Protector General in 102 CE. The Chinese had to retreat and, following this, there were no Chinese functionaries in the Western Regions for more than ten years until Ban Yong returned in 126 CE.
According to the Hou Hanshu, Chap. 117, p. 6b, Ren Shang was recalled and executed in 118 CE, for committing exactly the mistakes which Ban Chao had warned him against.