Qin campaign against the Baiyue

Qin's campaign against the Yue tribes
Date221–214 BC
Location
South China and Northern Vietnam (disputed)
Result Qin victory
Belligerents
Qin empire Yue tribes
Commanders and leaders
Wang Jian
Meng Wu
Tu Sui †		 Chieftains of Yue tribes
Strength
Estimated over 500,000 Unknown

As trade was an important source of wealth for the Baiyue peoples of coastal southern China, the region south of the Yangtze River attracted the attention of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and he undertook a series of military campaigns to conquer it. Lured by its temperate climate, fertile fields, maritime trade routes, relative security from warring factions to the west and northwest, and access to luxury tropical products from Southeast Asia, the emperor sent armies to conquer the Yue kingdoms in 221 BC.[1][2] Military expeditions against the region were dispatched between 221 and 214 BC.[3][4][5][6] It would take five successive military excursions before the Qin finally defeated the Yue in 214 BC.[7]

  1. ^ Stein, Stephen K. (2017). The Sea in World History: Exploration, Travel, and Trade. ABC-CLIO. p. 61. ISBN 978-1440835506.
  2. ^ Howard, Michael C. (2012). Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel. McFarland Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 978-0786468034.
  3. ^ Holcombe, Charles (2001). The Genesis of East Asia: 221 B.C. - A.D. 907. University of Hawaii Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0824824655.
  4. ^ Gernet, Jacques (1996). A history of Chinese civilization. Cambridge University Press. p. 126. ISBN 0-521-49781-7.
  5. ^ Stuart-Fox, Martin (2003). A Short History of China and Southeast Asia: Tribute, Trade and Influence. Allen & Unwin. p. 24-25.
  6. ^ Hutcheon, Robin (1996). China–Yellow. Chinese University Press. p. 4. ISBN 978-962-201-725-2.
  7. ^ Stein, Stephen K. (2017). The Sea in World History: Exploration, Travel, and Trade. ABC-CLIO. p. 60. ISBN 978-1440835506.