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Geng Yan
Geng Yan (Chinese: 耿弇; pinyin: Gěng Yǎn; Wade–Giles: Keng Yen; 3–58 AD) was a Chinese general of the Eastern Han dynasty. Courtesy name Bo Zhao, he was a native of Maoling, Fufeng Commandery He was the son of Geng Kuang (耿況), who was the governor of Shanggu Commandery (上谷, roughly modern Zhangjiakou, Hebei). He initially served Emperor Guangwu of Han as clerk; later, he was a renowned general and military strategist of the Eastern Han dynasty.
Geng Yan persuaded his father, Geng Kuang, to support Liu Xiu, assisting him in securing elite cavalry from Shanggu and Yuyang. Fighting across various regions, he was appointed as a Grand General by Emperor Guangwu at the age of 22. Later, he was tasked with leading an eastern campaign, employing strategies such as besieging cities, feigning attacks, and conserving strength to defeat Zhang Bu, ultimately pacifying the Qi region. Geng Yan "conquered 46 commanderies and razed 300 cities, never suffering a defeat". Emperor Ming honored Throughout his career, Geng among those who had served his father well by painting their portraits on a palace tower (雲台二十八將, 28 Generals of Yuntai); Geng's portrait was placed in the fourth position.
Geng Yan, studious from a young age, mastered the Confucian classics under his father, Geng Kuang, the Commandant of Shuodiao (equivalent to the Governor of Shanggu Commandery under the Xin dynasty). Observing the commandery’s military examinations, which involved setting up flags and practicing horseback archery, he developed a passion for military affairs.
In the first year of the Gengshi Emperor (23 AD), after the emperor ascended the throne and Wang Mang was killed, Geng Kuang, uneasy as a Wang Mang-appointed official, sent Geng Yan as an envoy with tribute from Shanggu to Chang'an to pay homage to the Gengshi Emperor, seeking to secure his position. In December, while traveling through Songzi, the warlock Wang Lang proclaimed himself Liu Ziyu, the lost heir of Emperor Cheng of Han, and raised an army in Handan. Geng Yan’s attendants, Sun Cang and Wei Bao, believed Wang Lang was legitimate and urged him to join. Geng Yan, gripping his sword, declared: “Once I reach Chang’an, I will explain the utility of Shanggu and Yuyang’s cavalry. Returning via Taiyuan and Dai Commandery will take mere tens of days. With elite cavalry, we’ll crush this rabble like dry leaves. Your lack of judgment will lead to your clans’ destruction.” Sun Cang and Wei Bao ignored him and defected to Wang Lang.
Hearing that the Gengshi Emperor’s Acting Grand Marshal Liu Xiu was in Lunu, Geng Yan rode north to meet him. Liu Xiu appointed him as a Gatekeeper Attendant. Geng Yan seized the opportunity to persuade the Military Protector Zhu Hu to let him recruit troops to attack Handan. Liu Xiu, amused, said: “This young man has grand ambitions!” and frequently met with him, offering encouragement. Geng Yan wrote to his father, praising Liu Xiu’s vision and strategy, urging him to meet Liu Xiu soon. Geng Kuang traveled to Changping and sent his youngest son, Geng Shu, to present horses to Liu Xiu.
In January of the second year of Gengshi (24 AD), Geng Yan followed Liu Xiu north to Ji. Hearing that Wang Lang’s forces were approaching, Liu Xiu planned to retreat south and consulted his officers. Geng Yan said: “With the enemy approaching from the south, we cannot go that way. Peng Chong, the Governor of Yuyang, is your townsman; my father is the Governor of Shanggu. By mustering ten thousand cavalry from these two commanderies, Handan’s forces are no concern.” Liu Xiu’s officers retorted: “The dead are buried facing south; why head north into a trap?” Liu Xiu, pointing at Geng Yan, said: “This is the master of my northern path.”
When Liu Jie, son of Prince Guangyang, rebelled in Ji, causing chaos, Liu Xiu fled south, while Geng Yan escaped north to Changping to join his father. Geng Yan and Geng Kuang issued a proclamation and combined forces. Convincing his father, Geng Yan sent the Merit Officer Kou Xun to ally with Peng Chong, the Governor of Yuyang. Each commandery dispatched 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry. Geng Yan, alongside Shanggu’s Chief Clerk Jing Dan, Merit Officer Kou Xun, and Wu Han leading Yuyang’s forces, attacked Wang Lang’s generals, Nine Ministers, and colonels, killing over 400 and pacifying 22 counties, including Zhuo, Zhongshan, Julu, Qinghe, and Hejian. When their forces reached Guang’a, rumors of Wang Lang’s army caused alarm. Liu Xiu personally led troops to the city walls, sending scouts to investigate. Wu Han clarified: “We are Shanggu’s troops joining Liu.” Liu Xiu’s forces rejoiced. Liu Xiu asked: “Has Geng Yan found his allegiance?” Geng Yan bowed beneath the walls, detailing the troop deployment. Liu Xiu summoned them, laughing: “Handan’s generals boasted of mustering Yuyang and Shanggu troops. I casually responded, ‘I’ll muster them too.’ Who knew these commanderies would truly come for me! Together, we’ll achieve fame.” Geng Yan was appointed Lieutenant General, retaining command of his troops, and followed Liu Xiu to conquer Handan.
Seeing Liu Xiu’s growing prestige, the Gengshi Emperor appointed him King of Xiao, ordering him to disband his army and return to Chang’an with his generals. The emperor sent Miao Zeng as Governor of Youzhou, Wei Shun as Governor of Shanggu, and Cai Chong as Governor of Yuyang. Residing in Handan’s palace, Liu Xiu rested in the Wenming Hall by day. Geng Yan entered, approaching his bedside, and advised: “The Gengshi Emperor’s rule is faltering, with generals seizing power in the capital’s outskirts and nobles acting recklessly. Imperial orders don’t leave the city gates, and governors are arbitrarily replaced. The people cannot adapt, and scholars fear for their safety. Bandits rob wealth and women; those carrying treasures cannot return home alive. The people lament, yearning for Wang Mang’s Xin dynasty. Bands like Tongma and Chimei, numbering tens to hundreds of thousands, roam freely. The Gengshi Emperor cannot subdue them and will soon fail. You rose in Nanyang, defeating a million enemies; now, securing Hebei, you hold this land of abundance. With righteousness, conquer the four directions and issue commands—the realm can be pacified by proclamation. This critical opportunity must not fall to others. The emperor’s envoy urges you to disband; this must not be heeded. Our troops have suffered losses and desertions. I request to return to Youzhou to muster elite troops for your grand plan.” Liu Xiu, delighted, appointed Geng Yan as Grand General, sending him north with Wu Han to recruit Youzhou’s ten commandery troops. Geng Yan returned to Shanggu, arrested and executed Wei Shun and Cai Chong, while Wu Han killed Miao Zeng, enabling them to muster Youzhou’s forces and march south.
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Geng Yan
Geng Yan (Chinese: 耿弇; pinyin: Gěng Yǎn; Wade–Giles: Keng Yen; 3–58 AD) was a Chinese general of the Eastern Han dynasty. Courtesy name Bo Zhao, he was a native of Maoling, Fufeng Commandery He was the son of Geng Kuang (耿況), who was the governor of Shanggu Commandery (上谷, roughly modern Zhangjiakou, Hebei). He initially served Emperor Guangwu of Han as clerk; later, he was a renowned general and military strategist of the Eastern Han dynasty.
Geng Yan persuaded his father, Geng Kuang, to support Liu Xiu, assisting him in securing elite cavalry from Shanggu and Yuyang. Fighting across various regions, he was appointed as a Grand General by Emperor Guangwu at the age of 22. Later, he was tasked with leading an eastern campaign, employing strategies such as besieging cities, feigning attacks, and conserving strength to defeat Zhang Bu, ultimately pacifying the Qi region. Geng Yan "conquered 46 commanderies and razed 300 cities, never suffering a defeat". Emperor Ming honored Throughout his career, Geng among those who had served his father well by painting their portraits on a palace tower (雲台二十八將, 28 Generals of Yuntai); Geng's portrait was placed in the fourth position.
Geng Yan, studious from a young age, mastered the Confucian classics under his father, Geng Kuang, the Commandant of Shuodiao (equivalent to the Governor of Shanggu Commandery under the Xin dynasty). Observing the commandery’s military examinations, which involved setting up flags and practicing horseback archery, he developed a passion for military affairs.
In the first year of the Gengshi Emperor (23 AD), after the emperor ascended the throne and Wang Mang was killed, Geng Kuang, uneasy as a Wang Mang-appointed official, sent Geng Yan as an envoy with tribute from Shanggu to Chang'an to pay homage to the Gengshi Emperor, seeking to secure his position. In December, while traveling through Songzi, the warlock Wang Lang proclaimed himself Liu Ziyu, the lost heir of Emperor Cheng of Han, and raised an army in Handan. Geng Yan’s attendants, Sun Cang and Wei Bao, believed Wang Lang was legitimate and urged him to join. Geng Yan, gripping his sword, declared: “Once I reach Chang’an, I will explain the utility of Shanggu and Yuyang’s cavalry. Returning via Taiyuan and Dai Commandery will take mere tens of days. With elite cavalry, we’ll crush this rabble like dry leaves. Your lack of judgment will lead to your clans’ destruction.” Sun Cang and Wei Bao ignored him and defected to Wang Lang.
Hearing that the Gengshi Emperor’s Acting Grand Marshal Liu Xiu was in Lunu, Geng Yan rode north to meet him. Liu Xiu appointed him as a Gatekeeper Attendant. Geng Yan seized the opportunity to persuade the Military Protector Zhu Hu to let him recruit troops to attack Handan. Liu Xiu, amused, said: “This young man has grand ambitions!” and frequently met with him, offering encouragement. Geng Yan wrote to his father, praising Liu Xiu’s vision and strategy, urging him to meet Liu Xiu soon. Geng Kuang traveled to Changping and sent his youngest son, Geng Shu, to present horses to Liu Xiu.
In January of the second year of Gengshi (24 AD), Geng Yan followed Liu Xiu north to Ji. Hearing that Wang Lang’s forces were approaching, Liu Xiu planned to retreat south and consulted his officers. Geng Yan said: “With the enemy approaching from the south, we cannot go that way. Peng Chong, the Governor of Yuyang, is your townsman; my father is the Governor of Shanggu. By mustering ten thousand cavalry from these two commanderies, Handan’s forces are no concern.” Liu Xiu’s officers retorted: “The dead are buried facing south; why head north into a trap?” Liu Xiu, pointing at Geng Yan, said: “This is the master of my northern path.”
When Liu Jie, son of Prince Guangyang, rebelled in Ji, causing chaos, Liu Xiu fled south, while Geng Yan escaped north to Changping to join his father. Geng Yan and Geng Kuang issued a proclamation and combined forces. Convincing his father, Geng Yan sent the Merit Officer Kou Xun to ally with Peng Chong, the Governor of Yuyang. Each commandery dispatched 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 infantry. Geng Yan, alongside Shanggu’s Chief Clerk Jing Dan, Merit Officer Kou Xun, and Wu Han leading Yuyang’s forces, attacked Wang Lang’s generals, Nine Ministers, and colonels, killing over 400 and pacifying 22 counties, including Zhuo, Zhongshan, Julu, Qinghe, and Hejian. When their forces reached Guang’a, rumors of Wang Lang’s army caused alarm. Liu Xiu personally led troops to the city walls, sending scouts to investigate. Wu Han clarified: “We are Shanggu’s troops joining Liu.” Liu Xiu’s forces rejoiced. Liu Xiu asked: “Has Geng Yan found his allegiance?” Geng Yan bowed beneath the walls, detailing the troop deployment. Liu Xiu summoned them, laughing: “Handan’s generals boasted of mustering Yuyang and Shanggu troops. I casually responded, ‘I’ll muster them too.’ Who knew these commanderies would truly come for me! Together, we’ll achieve fame.” Geng Yan was appointed Lieutenant General, retaining command of his troops, and followed Liu Xiu to conquer Handan.
Seeing Liu Xiu’s growing prestige, the Gengshi Emperor appointed him King of Xiao, ordering him to disband his army and return to Chang’an with his generals. The emperor sent Miao Zeng as Governor of Youzhou, Wei Shun as Governor of Shanggu, and Cai Chong as Governor of Yuyang. Residing in Handan’s palace, Liu Xiu rested in the Wenming Hall by day. Geng Yan entered, approaching his bedside, and advised: “The Gengshi Emperor’s rule is faltering, with generals seizing power in the capital’s outskirts and nobles acting recklessly. Imperial orders don’t leave the city gates, and governors are arbitrarily replaced. The people cannot adapt, and scholars fear for their safety. Bandits rob wealth and women; those carrying treasures cannot return home alive. The people lament, yearning for Wang Mang’s Xin dynasty. Bands like Tongma and Chimei, numbering tens to hundreds of thousands, roam freely. The Gengshi Emperor cannot subdue them and will soon fail. You rose in Nanyang, defeating a million enemies; now, securing Hebei, you hold this land of abundance. With righteousness, conquer the four directions and issue commands—the realm can be pacified by proclamation. This critical opportunity must not fall to others. The emperor’s envoy urges you to disband; this must not be heeded. Our troops have suffered losses and desertions. I request to return to Youzhou to muster elite troops for your grand plan.” Liu Xiu, delighted, appointed Geng Yan as Grand General, sending him north with Wu Han to recruit Youzhou’s ten commandery troops. Geng Yan returned to Shanggu, arrested and executed Wei Shun and Cai Chong, while Wu Han killed Miao Zeng, enabling them to muster Youzhou’s forces and march south.
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