Historical Research: Clarifying the Connections between Geshu Han, Ji Qu, and the Shen Ce Army

Brief Introduction

In discussions regarding Tang Dynasty military history, a common misconception exists that the famous general Geshu Han established the "Shen Ce Army" (Divine Strategy Army) in the "Ji Qu" region. However, according to official historical records, this claim contains significant historical inaccuracies. This article aims to clarify the distinction between Geshu Han's Battle of Ji Qu and the true origin of the Shen Ce Army, based on records from the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), thereby restoring the true evolution of the Tang Dynasty's military system.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Geshu Han and the Battle of Ji Qu

Geshu Han was a renowned border general during the Tianbao Era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. His primary achievement lay in defending against the Tubo (Tibetan) Empire. According to historical records, in the 8th year of Tianbao (749 AD), Geshu Han led an army to attack the Tubo, successfully recapturing the Ji Qu region (today's Hequ area in Qinghai Province). He established military garrisons and farming settlements there to control the choke point of the Tubo. However, this force belonged to the Hexi Jiedushi (Military Commissioner of Hexi) and was not the later imperial guard known as the "Shen Ce Army."

2. The True Origin of the Shen Ce Army

The Shen Ce Army was originally a border army stationed in Fengxiang Fu (today's Baoji, Shaanxi Province) during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, named after the Shen Ce Military City where it was located. It truly became the core imperial guard of the Tang Dynasty during the An Lushan Rebellion. At that time, the Fengxiang Jiedushi, Li Sheng, led the Shen Ce Army to aid the emperor and entered Chang'an to defend it. Afterwards, the Shen Ce Army gradually came under the control of eunuchs, becoming a key force in the political turmoil of the late Tang Dynasty. Its origin has no direct establishment relationship with Geshu Han or the Ji Qu region.

3. Timeline and Functional Differences

Geshu Han was active during the Tianbao Era (742–756), whereas the Shen Ce Army rose to prominence during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong (after 756). The former was a border defense army under a regional military commissioner, while the latter evolved into a central imperial guard. There are essential differences between the two in terms of time, location, and function.

Connection with the Zizhi Tongjian

As a chronological universal history, the Zizhi Tongjian provides clear segmented records of the above events:

Regarding Geshu Han: In the Zizhi Tongjian · Tang Ji*, the campaign of Geshu Han breaking the Tubo and capturing Ji Qu in the 8th year of Tianbao is recorded in detail, emphasizing that its strategic significance lay in cutting off the connection between the Tubo and the Tanguts.
* Regarding the Shen Ce Army: Subsequent volumes of the book record the process of the Shen Ce Army following Emperor Xuanzong to Shu and Li Sheng leading the army to aid the emperor, clarifying its trajectory from a local border army to a central imperial guard.

By comparing the records from different volumes of the book, it can be confirmed that "Geshu Han establishing [forces] in Ji Qu" and the "Shen Ce Army" are two independent historical events. Claims circulated in later generations are mostly confusions.

Conclusion

Historical research requires rigorous textual criticism. Geshu Han's achievement at Ji Qu lay in border defense, while the power of the Shen Ce Army lay in imperial authority. Clarifying this misconception helps in more accurately understanding the changes in the Tang Dynasty's military system and the political landscape before and after the An Lushan Rebellion.

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