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{{Short description|General served under the Song dynasty}}
{{Chinese name|[[Pan (surname)|Pan]]}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Pan (surname)|Pan]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox officeholder
|name=Pan Mei
|name=Pan Mei
|image=Panmei yuyao.jpg
|image=Panmei yuyao.jpg
|caption=from a 1887 Pan family [[genealogy book]]
|caption=from an 1887 Pan family [[genealogy book]]
|office=Zhongwu Command military governor
⚫
|issue={{unbulleted list|Pan Weide (潘惟德), son|Pan Weigu (潘惟固), son|Pan Weizheng (潘惟正), [[adoption|adopted]] son|Pan Weiqing (潘惟清), son|Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), son|Pan Weiji (潘惟吉), adopted son|daughter (m. Zhang Zhaoyun 張昭允)|[[Lady Pan (Song Dynasty)|daughter]] (m. [[Emperor Zhenzong of Song]])|daughter (m. Cao Wei 曹瑋)}}
|monarch=[[Emperor Taizong of Song]]
|birth_date=925
|birth_date=925 or early 926<ref name=birthyear />
|birth_place=[[Daming County]], [[Hebei]]
|birth_place=likely modern [[Daming County]], [[Hebei]]
|death_date={{death date|991|7|20|df=y}} (aged 66)
|death_date={{death date|991|7|20|df=y}} (aged 65–66<ref name=ss258>{{harvnb|''Song Shi''|loc=[https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷258 ch. 258.]}}</ref>)
|death_place=[[Taiyuan]], [[Shanxi]]
|death_place=modern [[Taiyuan]], [[Shanxi]]
⚫
|full name=[[Chinese surname|Family name]]: Pān ({{linktext|潘}})<br>[[Chinese given name|Given name]]: Měi ({{linktext|美}})<br>[[Chinese style name|Style name]]: Zhòngxún ({{linktext|仲|詢}})<br>[[Posthumous name]]: Wǔhuì ({{linktext|武|惠}})
|burial_place=
|burial_place=
|posthumous name=Prince of [[Zheng (state)|Zhèng]] (鄭王)
|posthumous name=Prince of [[Zheng (state)|Zhèng]] ({{linktext|鄭|王}})
⚫
|children={{unbulleted list|Pan Weide (潘惟德), son|Pan Weigu (潘惟固), son|Pan Weiqing (潘惟清), son|Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), son|Daughter (m. Zhang Zhaoyun)|[[Princess Pan]]|Daughter (m. Cao Wei)}}
⚫
|father=Pan Lin (潘璘)
|blank1=Father
⚫
|data1=Pan Lin (潘璘)
|blank2=Full name
⚫
|data2=[[Chinese surname|Surname]]: Pān ({{linktext|潘}})<br>[[Chinese given name|Given name]]: Měi ({{linktext|美}})<br>[[Courtesy name]]: Zhòngxún ({{linktext|仲|詢}})<br>[[Posthumous name]]: Wǔhuì ({{linktext|武|惠}})
}}
}}
{{Chinese|c={{linktext|潘|美}}|p=Pān Měi|j=Pun<sup>1</sup> Mei<sup>5</sup>}}
{{Chinese|c={{linktext|潘|美}}|p=Pān Měi|j=Pun<sup>1</sup> Mei<sup>5</sup>}}
⚫
'''Pan Mei''' (潘美) (925–991) was a military general and [[politician|statesman]] in the early years of [[history of China|ancient China]]'s [[Song Dynasty]]. In the 970s, he was the main commander in Song's conquest of [[Southern Han]] and also played pivotal roles in the conquest of [[Southern Tang]] and [[Northern Han]]. Afterwards he fought the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]-ruled [[Liao Dynasty]] on Song's northern border.


⚫
'''Pan Mei''' (潘美) ({{circa}} 925<ref name=birthyear>From his date and [[East Asian age reckoning|Chinese age]] at death we can deduct that he was born some time between 27 January 925 and 14 February 926.</ref> – 20 July 991<ref name=xzztjcb32>{{harvnb|''Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian''|loc=[https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/續資治通鑑長編/卷032 ch. 32.]}}</ref>) was a military general and [[politician|statesman]] in the early years of [[history of China|imperial China]]'s [[Song dynasty]]. In the 970s, he was the main commander in Song's conquest of [[Southern Han]] and also played pivotal roles in the conquest of [[Southern Tang]] and [[Northern Han]]. Afterwards he fought the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]-ruled [[Liao dynasty]] on Song's northern border.
⚫
In 986 he was demoted by 3 ranks for contributing to the death of fellow Song general [[Yang Ye]] during battles against Liao. At this time [[Lady Pan (Song Dynasty)|one of his daughters]]<ref name="empresspan">A contradiction exists in ''[[History of Song]]'': according to [[:zh:s:宋史/卷258#.E6.BD.98.E7.BE.8E|Vol. 258]] Empress Pan was the daughter of Pan Mei's son Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), while [[:zh:s:宋史/卷242#.E7.AB.A0.E6.87.B7.E6.BD.98.E7.9A.87.E5.90.8E|Vol. 242]] describes her as Pan Mei's 8th child. Historians believe in the latter claim.</ref> had married into the imperial [[House of Zhao]]. The [[antagonist]] '''Pan Renmei''' (潘仁美, also known as Pan Hong 潘洪) in the largely fictional ''[[Generals of the Yang Family]]'' legends is based on Pan Mei from this episode.

⚫
In 986 he was demoted by 3 ranks for contributing to the death of fellow Song general [[Yang Ye]] during battles against Liao. At this time [[Lady Pan (Song dynasty)|one of his daughters]]<ref name="empresspan">A contradiction exists in ''[[History of Song (Yuan dynasty)|History of Song]]'': according to [[:zh:s:宋史/卷258#.E6.BD.98.E7.BE.8E|Vol. 258]] Empress Pan was the daughter of Pan Mei's son Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), while [[:zh:s:宋史/卷242#.E7.AB.A0.E6.87.B7.E6.BD.98.E7.9A.87.E5.90.8E|Vol. 242]] describes her as Pan Mei's 8th child. Historians believe in the latter claim.</ref> had married into the imperial [[House of Zhao]]. The [[antagonist]] '''Pan Renmei''' (潘仁美, also known as Pan Hong 潘洪) in the largely fictional ''[[Generals of the Yang Family]]'' legends is based on Pan Mei from this episode.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Pan Mei's father Pan Lin (潘璘) was a local [[militia]] [[captain (armed forces)|captain]] in Changshan (常山, around today's [[Shijiazhuang]]). In his 20s, Pan Mei worked as an [[usher (occupation)|usher]] at the local [[zhou (country subdivision)|prefecture]] during [[Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)|Later Han Dynasty]] (947–951) and would often tell his close friend about his ambitions to take advantage of the turbulent times for fame and riches.<ref name="panmei" />
Pan Mei's father Pan Lin (潘璘) was a local militia captain (軍校) in Changshan (常山, around modern [[Shijiazhuang]], [[Hebei]]). In his 20s, Pan Mei worked as an usher (典謁) at his hometown of [[Daming County|Daming]] (in modern Hebei) during the [[Later Han (Five Dynasties)|Later Han]] (947–951), and often told his close friend Wang Mi (王密) about his ambitions in taking advantage of the turbulent times for fame and riches.<ref name=ss258 />


==Career under Later Zhou==
After the establishment of [[Later Zhou Dynasty]] in 951, Pan Mei served [[Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou|Chai Rong]], the [[prefect]] of [[Kaifeng]]. When Chai became Emperor Shizong in 954, Pan was named a court official. He followed Chai on campaigns against the [[Northern Han]] kingdom, and after playing a part in the victory at [[Gaoping]], served in the palace commissions. Later he became the military inspector of an expeditionary army preparing to invade the [[Later Shu]] kingdom.<ref name="panmei" /><ref name="wang819" />
After the establishment of [[Later Zhou]] in 951, Pan Mei served [[Chai Rong]], the prefect (府尹) of [[Kaifeng]]. When Chai became the [[emperor of China|emperor]] in 954, Pan was named a court official. He followed Chai on campaigns against the [[Northern Han]] kingdom, and after playing a part in the victory at [[Gaoping]], served in the palace commissions. Later he became the military inspector of an expeditionary army preparing to invade the [[Later Shu]] kingdom.<ref name=ss258 /><ref name="wang819" />


==Pacifying Yuan Yan==
In 960, general [[Emperor Taizu of Song|Zhao Kuangyin]] overthrew Later Zhou to found the [[Song Dynasty]]. As a former friend, Pan was given important tasks by the new emperor and he did not disappoint. First, Pan persuaded a military governor to submit to Song, then supervised the armies in quelling Li Chongjin's (李重進) revolt in [[Huainan]]. Staying behind in [[Yangzhou]] after the victory, he was later sent to Qinzhou (秦州, in today's [[Qin'an County]]) where he became the imperial commissioner of the local [[militia]].<ref name="panmei" /><ref name="wang819" />
In 960, general [[Emperor Taizu of Song|Zhao Kuangyin]] overthrew Later Zhou to found the [[Song dynasty]]. As a former friend, Pan was given important tasks by the new emperor and he did not disappoint. First, Pan persuaded military governor [[Yuan Yan]] to submit to Song, then supervised the armies in quelling [[Li Chongjin]]'s revolt in [[Huainan]]. Staying behind in [[Yangzhou]] after the victory, he was later sent to Qinzhou (秦州, in today's [[Qin'an County]], [[Gansu]]) where he became the imperial commissioner of the local [[militia]].<ref name=ss258 /><ref name="wang819" />


==Conquest of Southern Han==
==Conquest of Southern Han==
In 963, Pan Mei was named the imperial defense commissioner of Tanzhou (潭州, today's [[Changsha]]) and sent to [[Hunan]] to help control the newly conquered province, which borders the [[Southern Han]] kingdom to the south. During the next 7 years, Pan pacified rebellious tribes in the southern half of the province and fought off [[Southern Han]] incursions in [[Guiyang County|Guiyang]] and [[Jianghua Yao Autonomous County|Jianghua]].<ref name="panmei" /><ref name="wang819" />
In 963, Pan Mei was named the imperial defense commissioner of [[Tanzhou (in modern Hunan)|Tanzhou]] (today's [[Changsha]]) and sent to [[Hunan]] to help control the newly conquered province, which borders the [[Southern Han]] kingdom to the south. During the next 7 years, Pan pacified rebellious tribes in the southern half of the province and fought off [[Southern Han]] incursions in [[Guiyang County|Guiyang]] and [[Jianghua Yao Autonomous County|Jianghua]].<ref name=ss258 /><ref name="wang819" />


In 970, Pan was named the commander of the expeditionary force to invade Southern Han. In [[Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County|Fuchuan]], he defeated the 10,000-men strong Southern Han army and subsequently took [[Hezhou]]. Quicky the Song army conquered Zhaozhou (昭州, in today's [[Pingle County]]), Guizhou (桂州, today's [[Guilin]]) and [[Lianzhou]], resulting in the surrender of other [[zhou (country subdivision)|prefecture]] leaders along the [[Xi River]].<ref name="panmei" />
In 970, Pan was named the commander of the expeditionary force to invade Southern Han. In [[Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County|Fuchuan]], he defeated the 10,000-men strong Southern Han army and subsequently took [[Hezhou]]. Quickly the Song army conquered Zhaozhou (昭州, in today's [[Pingle County]]), Guizhou (桂州, today's [[Guilin]]) and [[Lianzhou]], resulting in the surrender of other [[zhou (country subdivision)|prefecture]] leaders along the [[Xi River]].<ref name=ss258 />


Pan Mei's forces killed more than 10,000 enemy soldiers in Shaozhou (韶州, today's [[Shaoguan]]) to advance to 120 ''[[li (unit)|li]]'' north of [[Guangzhou]], Southern Han's [[capital city|capital]]. Around 150,000 Southern Han soldiers were stationed on a hill for a last battle. Pan Mei rested his soldiers and mentioned to his subordinate generals that the enemy's bamboo fences could best be attacked by fire. At a windy night, he dispatched a few thousand brave men to the enemy's gate, each with 2 [[torch]]es in hands. Soon great flames engulfed the camps, and as the Song forces attacked from both sides, tens of thousands of Southern Han soldiers perished. The [[Southern Han]] ruler [[Liu Chang]] was captured in [[Guangzhou]], and the invasion ended 5 months after it began.<ref name="panmei" /><ref name="wang819" />
Pan Mei's forces killed more than 10,000 enemy soldiers in Shaozhou (韶州, today's [[Shaoguan]]) to advance to 120 ''[[li (unit)|li]]'' north of [[Guangzhou]], Southern Han's [[capital city|capital]]. Around 150,000 Southern Han soldiers were stationed on a hill for a last battle. Pan Mei rested his soldiers and mentioned to his subordinate generals that the enemy's bamboo fences could best be attacked by fire. On a windy night, he dispatched a few thousand brave men to the enemy's gate, each with 2 [[torch]]es in hands. Soon great flames engulfed the camps, and as the Song forces attacked from both sides, tens of thousands of Southern Han soldiers perished. The [[Southern Han]] ruler [[Liu Chang (Jixing)|Liu Chang]] was captured in [[Guangzhou]], and the invasion ended 5 months after it began.<ref name=ss258 /><ref name="wang819" />


Pan would remain to pacify the [[Lingnan]] territory for three years as the joint [[prefect]] of [[Guangzhou]] and commissioner of foreign trade.<ref name="wang819" />
Pan would remain to pacify the [[Lingnan]] territory for three years as the joint [[prefect]] of [[Guangzhou]] and commissioner of foreign trade.<ref name="wang819" />


==Conquest of Southern Tang==
==Conquest of Southern Tang==
In 974, Pan Mei led his troops north to [[Jiangling County|Jiangling]] during the fresh campaign against the [[Southern Tang]] kingdom. One month later, he was named the military inspector of the troops under the overall command of [[Cao Bin]] and ordered to advance to [[Qinhuai District|Qinhuai]]. Reaching the [[Yangtze River]], Pan Mei did not want to wait for boats to be built. Instead he motivated his troops by saying, "His majesty gave me tens of thousands of brave men, expecting victories. Are we going to let this narrow water deter us?" His men swam across the river and destroyed the enemy.<ref name="panmei" />
In 974, Pan Mei led his troops north to [[Jiangling County|Jiangling]] during the fresh campaign against the [[Southern Tang]] kingdom. One month later, he was named the military inspector of the troops under the overall command of [[Cao Bin]] and ordered to advance to [[Qinhuai District|Qinhuai]]. Reaching the [[Yangtze River]], Pan Mei did not want to wait for boats to be built. Instead he motivated his troops by saying, "His majesty gave me tens of thousands of brave men, expecting victories. Are we going to let this narrow water deter us?" His men swam across the river and destroyed the enemy.<ref name=ss258 />


After this victory, Pan Mei was rewarded and became a commissioner of palace attendants (宣徽北院使).<ref name="wang820" />
After this victory, Pan Mei was rewarded and became a commissioner of palace attendants (宣徽北院使).<ref name="wang820" />


==Death of Yang Ye==
==Death of Yang Ye==
In 986, [[Emperor Taizong of Song]] ordered a new invasion to retake the [[Sixteen Prefectures]] from [[Liao Dynasty]]. The campaign was known as "Yongxi Campaign" under the era name of Taizong. Three armies participate the campaign, led by Pan Mei, [[Yang Ye]] and [[Cao Bin]]. Pan Mei command one of the three armies sent northward. During the first few advance, major victories over Liao forces were scored.
In 986, [[Emperor Taizong of Song]] ordered a new invasion to retake the [[Sixteen Prefectures]] from the [[Liao dynasty]]. The campaign was known as "Yongxi Campaign" under the era name of Taizong. Three armies participate the campaign, led by Pan Mei, [[Yang Ye]] and [[Cao Bin]]. Pan Mei command one of the three armies sent northward. During the first few advance, major victories over Liao forces were scored.


However, from time to time, miscommunications, misunderstanding between the generals and the failure of Cao Bin had led Pan Mei and Yang Ye into disastrous situations. In a failed attempt to thwart an attack from Liao troops, without reinforcement from Pan Mei (who was attacked earlier and are unable to send reinforcement), Yang Ye was surrounded. His sons died one by one but his sixth son, [[Yang Yanzhao]]. As a result, Yang Ye was captured and died three days later.
However, from time to time, miscommunications, misunderstanding between the generals and the failure of Cao Bin had led Pan Mei and Yang Ye into disastrous situations. In a failed attempt to thwart an attack from Liao troops, without reinforcement from Pan Mei, Yang Ye was surrounded. His sons died one by one but his sixth son, [[Yang Yanzhao]]. As a result, Yang Ye was captured and died three days later.


Following the death of Yang Ye, advantages now fell into Liao's hand. Song forces were pursued all the way to Bianjing, only with firm defenses hold by [[Taizong emperor]].
Following the death of Yang Ye, advantages now fell into Liao's hand. Song forces were pursued all the way to Bianjing, only with firm defenses held by [[Emperor Taizong of Song|Taizong emperor]].


Angered and furious by the death of Yang Ye, a few of Song's military officials were executed, others being thrown into exile. Pan Mei on his own was relegated and demoted to three ranks.
Angered and furious by the death of Yang Ye, a few of Song's military officials were executed, others being thrown into exile. Pan Mei on his own was relegated and demoted to three ranks.




==Notes and references==
==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2|refs=
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="panmei">''[[History of Song|Song Shi]]'', [[:zh:s:宋史/卷258#.E6.BD.98.E7.BE.8E|vol. 258 (Pan Mei)]]</ref>
<ref name="wang819">Wang, p.819</ref>
<ref name="wang819">Wang, p.819</ref>
<ref name="wang820">Wang, p.820</ref>
<ref name="wang820">Wang, p.820</ref>
Line 59: Line 64:


==Sources==
==Sources==
;Primary sources
{{ChineseText}}
* {{zh icon}} {{cite book |last1=[[Toqto'a (Yuan Minister)|Toqto'a]] et al. |title=Song Shi ''(宋史)'' |trans_title=[[History of Song]] |year=1346}}
* {{in lang|zh}} {{cite book|editor-last=[[Toqto'a (Yuan dynasty)|Toqto'a]]|year=1345|title=[[History of Song (Yuan dynasty)|Song Shi]] ''(宋史)''|trans-title=History of Song|ref={{harvid|''Song Shi''}}|display-editors=etal}}
* {{in lang|zh}} {{cite book|last=Li Tao|author-link=Li Tao (historian)|year=1183|title=[[Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian]] ''(續資治通鑑長編)''|trans-title=Extended Continuation to ''Zizhi Tongjian''|ref={{harvid|''Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian''}}}}
⚫
* {{cite book |last1=Wang Gungwu|authorlink=Wang Gungwu|editor-last=Franke|editor-first=Herbert|editor-link=Herbert Franke (sinologist)|title=Sung Biographies|publisher=[[Franz Steiner Verlag]]|year=1976|pages=818–821|chapter=P'an Mei|isbn=3515024123}}
;Secondary source
⚫
* {{cite book|last=Wang Gungwu|author-link=Wang Gungwu|editor-last=Franke|editor-first=Herbert|editor-link=Herbert Franke (sinologist)|title=Sung Biographies|publisher=[[Franz Steiner Verlag]]|year=1976|pages=818–821|chapter=P'an Mei|isbn=3515024123|ref={{harvid|Wang}}}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Generals of the Yang Family}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Pan, Mei
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Song Dynasty general
| DATE OF BIRTH = 925
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Daming County|Daming]]
| DATE OF DEATH = 991
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Taiyuan]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pan, Mei}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pan, Mei}}
[[Category:925 births]]
[[Category:920s births]]
[[Category:991 deaths]]
[[Category:991 deaths]]
[[Category:Later Zhou Dynasty people]]
[[Category:Later Zhou people]]
[[Category:Song Dynasty generals]]
[[Category:Song dynasty generals]]

Latest revision as of 08:19, 3 October 2022

In this Chinese name, the family name is Pan.
Pan Mei
from an 1887 Pan family genealogy book
Zhongwu Command military governor
MonarchEmperor Taizong of Song
Personal details
Born925 or early 926[1]
likely modern Daming County, Hebei
Died(991-07-20)20 July 991 (aged 65–66[2])
modern Taiyuan, Shanxi
Children
  • Pan Weide (潘惟德), son
  • Pan Weigu (潘惟固), son
  • Pan Weiqing (潘惟清), son
  • Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), son
  • Daughter (m. Zhang Zhaoyun)
  • Princess Pan
  • Daughter (m. Cao Wei)
FatherPan Lin (潘璘)
Full nameSurname: Pān (潘)
Given name: Měi (美)
Courtesy name: Zhòngxún (仲詢)
Posthumous name: Wǔhuì (武惠)
Pan Mei
Chinese潘美

Pan Mei (潘美) (c. 925[1] – 20 July 991[3]) was a military general and statesman in the early years of imperial China's Song dynasty. In the 970s, he was the main commander in Song's conquest of Southern Han and also played pivotal roles in the conquest of Southern Tang and Northern Han. Afterwards he fought the Khitan-ruled Liao dynasty on Song's northern border.

In 986 he was demoted by 3 ranks for contributing to the death of fellow Song general Yang Ye during battles against Liao. At this time one of his daughters[4] had married into the imperial House of Zhao. The antagonist Pan Renmei (潘仁美, also known as Pan Hong 潘洪) in the largely fictional Generals of the Yang Family legends is based on Pan Mei from this episode.

Early life

[edit]

Pan Mei's father Pan Lin (潘璘) was a local militia captain (軍校) in Changshan (常山, around modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei). In his 20s, Pan Mei worked as an usher (典謁) at his hometown of Daming (in modern Hebei) during the Later Han (947–951), and often told his close friend Wang Mi (王密) about his ambitions in taking advantage of the turbulent times for fame and riches.[2]

Career under Later Zhou

[edit]

After the establishment of Later Zhou in 951, Pan Mei served Chai Rong, the prefect (府尹) of Kaifeng. When Chai became the emperor in 954, Pan was named a court official. He followed Chai on campaigns against the Northern Han kingdom, and after playing a part in the victory at Gaoping, served in the palace commissions. Later he became the military inspector of an expeditionary army preparing to invade the Later Shu kingdom.[2][5]

Pacifying Yuan Yan

[edit]

In 960, general Zhao Kuangyin overthrew Later Zhou to found the Song dynasty. As a former friend, Pan was given important tasks by the new emperor and he did not disappoint. First, Pan persuaded military governor Yuan Yan to submit to Song, then supervised the armies in quelling Li Chongjin's revolt in Huainan. Staying behind in Yangzhou after the victory, he was later sent to Qinzhou (秦州, in today's Qin'an County, Gansu) where he became the imperial commissioner of the local militia.[2][5]

Conquest of Southern Han

[edit]

In 963, Pan Mei was named the imperial defense commissioner of Tanzhou (today's Changsha) and sent to Hunan to help control the newly conquered province, which borders the Southern Han kingdom to the south. During the next 7 years, Pan pacified rebellious tribes in the southern half of the province and fought off Southern Han incursions in Guiyang and Jianghua.[2][5]

In 970, Pan was named the commander of the expeditionary force to invade Southern Han. In Fuchuan, he defeated the 10,000-men strong Southern Han army and subsequently took Hezhou. Quickly the Song army conquered Zhaozhou (昭州, in today's Pingle County), Guizhou (桂州, today's Guilin) and Lianzhou, resulting in the surrender of other prefecture leaders along the Xi River.[2]

Pan Mei's forces killed more than 10,000 enemy soldiers in Shaozhou (韶州, today's Shaoguan) to advance to 120 li north of Guangzhou, Southern Han's capital. Around 150,000 Southern Han soldiers were stationed on a hill for a last battle. Pan Mei rested his soldiers and mentioned to his subordinate generals that the enemy's bamboo fences could best be attacked by fire. On a windy night, he dispatched a few thousand brave men to the enemy's gate, each with 2 torches in hands. Soon great flames engulfed the camps, and as the Song forces attacked from both sides, tens of thousands of Southern Han soldiers perished. The Southern Han ruler Liu Chang was captured in Guangzhou, and the invasion ended 5 months after it began.[2][5]

Pan would remain to pacify the Lingnan territory for three years as the joint prefect of Guangzhou and commissioner of foreign trade.[5]

Conquest of Southern Tang

[edit]

In 974, Pan Mei led his troops north to Jiangling during the fresh campaign against the Southern Tang kingdom. One month later, he was named the military inspector of the troops under the overall command of Cao Bin and ordered to advance to Qinhuai. Reaching the Yangtze River, Pan Mei did not want to wait for boats to be built. Instead he motivated his troops by saying, "His majesty gave me tens of thousands of brave men, expecting victories. Are we going to let this narrow water deter us?" His men swam across the river and destroyed the enemy.[2]

After this victory, Pan Mei was rewarded and became a commissioner of palace attendants (宣徽北院使).[6]

Death of Yang Ye

[edit]

In 986, Emperor Taizong of Song ordered a new invasion to retake the Sixteen Prefectures from the Liao dynasty. The campaign was known as "Yongxi Campaign" under the era name of Taizong. Three armies participate the campaign, led by Pan Mei, Yang Ye and Cao Bin. Pan Mei command one of the three armies sent northward. During the first few advance, major victories over Liao forces were scored.

However, from time to time, miscommunications, misunderstanding between the generals and the failure of Cao Bin had led Pan Mei and Yang Ye into disastrous situations. In a failed attempt to thwart an attack from Liao troops, without reinforcement from Pan Mei, Yang Ye was surrounded. His sons died one by one but his sixth son, Yang Yanzhao. As a result, Yang Ye was captured and died three days later.

Following the death of Yang Ye, advantages now fell into Liao's hand. Song forces were pursued all the way to Bianjing, only with firm defenses held by Taizong emperor.

Angered and furious by the death of Yang Ye, a few of Song's military officials were executed, others being thrown into exile. Pan Mei on his own was relegated and demoted to three ranks.

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ a b From his date and Chinese age at death we can deduct that he was born some time between 27 January 925 and 14 February 926.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Song Shi, ch. 258.
  3. ^ Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian, ch. 32.
  4. ^ A contradiction exists in History of Song: according to Vol. 258 Empress Pan was the daughter of Pan Mei's son Pan Weixi (潘惟熙), while Vol. 242 describes her as Pan Mei's 8th child. Historians believe in the latter claim.
  5. ^ a b c d e Wang, p.819
  6. ^ Wang, p.820

Sources

[edit]
Primary sources
  • (in Chinese) Toqto'a; et al., eds. (1345). Song Shi (宋史) [History of Song].
  • (in Chinese) Li Tao (1183). Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian (續資治通鑑長編) [Extended Continuation to Zizhi Tongjian].
Secondary source
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pan_Mei&oldid=1113794644"