Zhangsun Sheng

Biography

Early life

Zhangsun Sheng was born in 552 in Luoyang during the Northern Zhou dynasty to Zhangsun Si (长孙兕) and a lady from the Chigan (or Xue) clan. He hailed from Zhangsun Clan of Henan. It was written that his ancestors traced their origin to the Northern Wei's founding emperor Taiwu's 17th generation ancestor Tuoba Kuaili (拓跋儈立) — that their ancestor was Tuoba Kuali's third son, who took the surname Baba (拔拔), eventually changed to Zhangsun when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei changed Xianbei surnames to Han surnames in 496. He had an elder brother, Zhangsun Chi (长孙炽; 549 – 15 November 610), who was also a Sui official.

Orphaned at the age of 14, he was enrolled in the military. At the age of 18, he became an upper officer in the guard. Initially, he was not well-known and went unrecognized by others according to Book of Sui until his meeting with Yang Jian who was impressed with his skills.

Career

In 580, the Turkic leader Taspar Qaghan sought marriage with Northern Zhou. Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou betrothed the daughter of his uncle Yuwen Zhao (宇文招) to him. Following Xuan's death, Yang Jian, the regent for Emperor Xuan's son Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou, continued to offer Princess Qianjin. Next year Taspar also died and was followed by a short civil-war. The new qaghan Ishbara continued the negotiations. During the marriage negotiations, both Northern Zhou and Ishbara showcased their native talents and selected brave warriors as envoys. As a result, Zhangsun Sheng was dispatched as an envoy, serving as an assistant to Yuwen Shenqing to escort Princess Qianjin. Ishbara took a liking to Zhangsun Sheng and frequently invited him on hunts, leading to Zhangsun Sheng staying there for nearly a year. According to Chinese sources, during one outing, they encountered two eagles fighting over meat. Ishbara handed Zhangsun Sheng two arrows and said, "Please shoot them." Zhangsun Sheng rode swiftly, just as the eagles were grappling, and shot them both with a single arrow. Khagan was overjoyed and ordered all his nobles to befriend Changsun Sheng and learn his archery skills. This late became a common motif in Chinese art.

In 581, Northern Zhou was replaced by the Sui dynasty and all members of the Yuwen clan were put to death. Meanwhile, incited by his wife, Ishbara started a campaign against the Sui. He was allied with Gao Baoning (高寶寧), the former Northern Qi general who was still holding Ying Province (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning). His patron now in power, Sheng started to work as a strategist for the new Emperor Wen of Sui. In response, under advice from Sheng, the Emperor carried out the strategy of placating Ishbara's subordinates. Sheng's memorial thoroughly described rivalries between Turkic nobles: "Tardu, compared to Ishbara, has strong troops but a lower position. Outwardly they seem aligned, but inwardly their rift is evident. If we incite their feelings, they will inevitably fight each other. Chuluohou, Ishbara's brother, is cunning but weak, and though he curries favor with the people, they love him and thus he is distrusted by Ishbara, making him uneasy. Apa is hesitant and caught in the middle, somewhat fearing Ishbara, following his lead out of strength, but without a firm heart. We should now form distant alliances and attack nearby, separating the strong and uniting with the weak. By sending envoys to Tardu and persuading Apa, Ishbara will withdraw his troops to defend his right. By bringing in Chuluohou and connecting with the Khitan and Xi tribes, Ishbara will have to divide his forces to defend his left. With suspicions from end to end and internal discord, in a dozen years, we can take advantage of their strife and conquer their country in one strike."