The History of China - Supplemental: Qianlong's 1758 Dzungar Victory Stele

Episode Date: July 7, 2025

The "Old Man of 10 Victories" crows to the Heavens in words of stone of his crushing of the once-mighty Khanate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to an AirWave Media Podcast. Get to Toronto's main venues like Budweiser Stage and the new Rogers Stadium with Go Transit. Thanks to Go Transit's special online e-ticket fairs, a $10 one-day weekend pass offers unlimited travel on any weekend day or holiday, anywhere along the Go network. And the weekday group passes offer the same weekday travel flexibility across the network, starting at $30 for two people and up to $60 for a group of five. Buy your online Go Pass ahead of the show at Gotransit.com slash tickets. Hello and welcome to the history of China.

Hello, and welcome to the History of China. Supplemental, the Junggar Victory Inscription of the Qianlong Emperor's Stele, the Ili Valley, 1758. The Qianlong Emperor's victory inscriptions were large stone tablets, also known as stele, commissioned and erected across his empire in order to commemorate his military successes as well as articulate his own imperial ideology. These inscriptions served as a public display of Heaven's will and proclaimed the inevitable victory of him, the son of Heaven.

His inscriptions celebrated his various military campaigns, which he later self-identified as the Old Man of Ten Victories, or the Shichuan Lao Ren. This public formula aimed to transcend mere historical facts through its myth-making properties. What we have here today is a translation of one of his Jungar Victory Inscriptions from 1758. These were quadrilingual inscriptions written in Oirat Mongolian, Manchu, Tibetan, and Chinese, and interacted in both the Imperial Academy at Beijing, and also in the city of Yili out in the newly christened Xinjiang. They asserted heavenly

support for the Qing victories, stating that heaven covers all things, and that it would overthrow those who resisted its might. Qianlong would proclaim his mission as the cultural unification of the world. In the Oirat Mongolian inscription, it specifically attacked the Jungars as thieves and warned the conquered Jungars not to contact external Kyrgyz or Kazakhs, thus marking Qing territory and boundaries. Yet the inscriptions also revealed some uncertainty about future plans for Ili's reconstruction, acknowledging that the success of military colonies was still uncertain. It should be noted that the texts vary significantly in both style

and directly addressed very different audiences, with the non-Chinese versions using more directly comprehensible language compared to the Chinese texts' classical allusions. So if you see this somewhere else and it says something slightly different, that's probably why. Regardless, here is that inscription. Imperial Inscription on the Western Expedition and the Ten Complete Victories", translated from the Yuan Tai Victory Inscription and accompanying Imperial Reflection. We compile herein the historical record of the Palace for Spring No. 85. At the western edge of the garden, by the pond's northern bank and facing south, lies the Zhiyuan Pu.

It was here that the late Emperor Shengzu, the Renhuang Emperor, once held his autumn archery trials. Later, in winter, military scholars tested their martial skills upon this same field, establishing a precedent that has continued to this day. The pavilion was originally constructed on a leveled terrace during the Ming, and in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign it was restored and expanded once more. In the 40th year, it was again extended forward to match the scale of our endeavors. We, the high ancestor, sovereign of pure eminence, bear witness to the far reach of our martial

virtue. The ministers who served in these campaigns are immortalized in painting and prose. The bounties seized, weapons, armor, and the names of valiant contributors is now enshrined. Outer tributaries were feasted, the victories honored. In the 20th year of our reign, the Yuantai victory record was first inscribed, proclaiming this as an achievement unprecedented in the annals of time. In the 24th year of Qianlong, in the 4th lunar month, on the 25th day, we issued our edict. It was engraved upon the reverse of this stone. Again, in the 9th lunar month of the same year, on the 15th day, we gave further instruction. May these great merits remain hidden, awaiting peace, but once the arms are set aside, let the record

shine. Thus is labor praised and rights elevated. We inscribed on a scroll titled Music from the Chariots and Books of the Ten Thousand Gardens. On the Ten Complete Victories by the Qianlong Emperor Not long ago, the surrender of the Zhengars was accepted, and our troops returned in triumph. I composed a poem upon their return, which included the line, The full might of the ten victories is now revealed. Let it be recorded thus, to make a record is not to glorify at random, but to affirm the will that preceded the deed.

As the spring officer in the Rites of Joe says, he oversees the aspirations of the state. The state's aspirations lie both in the mind and in action. If the way is clear, both thought and deed shall align with heaven. If the way is aligned, then even the ten complete martial victories may be counted worthy of record. What are these ten? 1. The pacification of the Jungars 2. The submission of the Hui Muslim Regions 3.

The quelling of Jinchuan 4. The pacification of Taiwan 5. The surrender of Burma 6. The subjugation of Annam 7, 8, and 9. The suppression of internal rebellions 10. The final conclusive surrender of the Jungars after their renewed treachery As for the Jungar submission in the past Jiyo year, though their earlier capitulation was accepted in good faith, they returned once more to cause disturbance.

When they trespassed again upon Tibet's borders, we dispatched generals to punish them. Though generals like O-Hui and others acted with loyalty and strength, the Jungars misjudged our mercy and again stirred rebellion. Last year, they returned, plundering widely. But this time, we responded with full might. We appointed the best commanders, roused the troops, and made preparations through the winter. In the depth of the cold season, we dispatched elite forces. Suo, Shu, and others advanced step by step from Xining westward.

Within five months, they reached the borderlands of Tibet, reclaiming lost territory and driving the enemy from their strongholds. We passed over cliffs as if on level plains, crossed deserts as though on paved roads. Though exhausted and cold, our troops made no complaint. The enemy, demoralized, sued for peace. They sent envoys groveling before our camps, pleading for clemency, yet none dared approach in person. For they remembered well how they had once enticed Tibet into rebellion, and dispatched agents like Songpo, Danzin, Banjur, and others. Our generals struck without mercy, swept the nests clean, and captured every stronghold without the loss of a single man. Though heaven favors life, and we now had all the land in hand, the territories beyond Tibet

stretched thousands of li further, lands not suited to cultivation or long-term governance. And so, though it was ours to take, we chose to show restraint. We issued an edict accepting their surrender and permitting the army's return. This aligned with the council once given by the Tang Emperor Taizong as he dealt with the Shuiyantuo. Victory must come with reconciliation if it is to last. Though the Zhengars were no Shuiyantuo and the frontier was not Chang'an. They pleaded for mercy with such desperation that even they did not speak of peace, only surrender. Their surrender, accompanied by contrition and offering of territory, showed sincerity. Still, one must not speak idly of laying down arms and cultivating virtue.

To do so prematurely, without strength to back it, is to invite loss. Thus, while seeking to end war, we did not forget that peace is only as strong as the hand that ensures it. Fifty years have now passed. These ten martial victories, were they not preordained by heaven? But even so, the favor of Heaven weighs heavily upon us. We remain in awe, never daring to rest upon our might. In every campaign we consider the way first and act with solemn deliberation. In this, may posterity know the true meaning of our wars, not conquest for glory, but the upholding of the order of all under heaven. Have you ever gazed in wonder at the Great Pyramid? Have you marvelled at the golden face of Tutankhamun, or admired the delicate features of Queen

Nefertiti? If you have, you'll probably like the History of Egypt podcast. Every week we explore tales of this ancient culture. The History of Egypt is available wherever you get your podcasting fix. Come, let me introduce you to the world of ancient Egypt.