The Qin and Han dynasties planted elm trees to prevent the Huns, and they were clever
Historically, the Xiongnu were the first large-scale collection of ethnic minorities in China, and they merged with numerous ethnic minority tribes to eventually form a powerful nomadic regime, which brought a huge threat to the Han people on the northern border of China.
Due to the extremely harsh environment in which they lived, cold, wind and sand, life was difficult, and food was scarce, so they tried their best to invade the Central Plains in order to plunder the means of production and expand their sphere of influence.
The time dates back to the Warring States Period, when the countries were too busy fighting to care about the invasion of the Xiongnu, which gave the Xiongnu the opportunity to rise, and they often invaded the borders of our country.
In order to defend against the Xiongnu, each country built its own Great Wall. It was not until Qin Shi Huang unified the Six Kingdoms that he began to really fight the Xiongnu. He connected the Great Wall of Qin, Zhao, and Yan and made people move there to keep an eye on the Xiongnu's every move and prevent them from easily encroaching on our borders.
At the same time, Meng Tian of the Qin Dynasty was also sent to fight against the Xiongnu, and after a long period of observation and practice, he found that planting elm trees could form a natural barrier, which played a key role in resisting and fighting the Xiongnu.
In ancient China, elm trees were widely cultivated for their unique adaptability, so why did Meng Tian love elm trees so much? Today let's take a look at what makes elm trees special.
Elm is a species that can resist wind and sand, especially during the Qin and Han dynasties, and the Central Plains fought with the Xiongnu mainly on the border between Gansu and Inner Mongolia, where the environment was extremely harsh, cold and wind-blown.
The soldiers of the Xiongnu had long been accustomed to this environment, which had no effect on their marching and fighting, while the soldiers of the Qin and Han dynasties had not lived in such an environment, and it was difficult for them to adapt, which seriously affected their combat effectiveness.
The growth of elm trees creates an ideal fighting environment for soldiers. Its tall foliage acts as a natural barrier to the wind and sand in the north, providing a stable environment for the soldiers.
Under the shelter of the elm tree, the soldiers no longer worry about the troubles caused by the wind and sand, and their sight is clear, the direction is clear, and they can devote themselves to the battle. This environment not only boosts the morale of the soldiers, but also makes them feel comfortable and more willing to devote themselves to the battle.
The elm tree became an important part of the Qin and Han soldiers against the Xiongnu. Because the Xiongnu soldiers fought on horseback all the year round, their combat ability on horses was far superior to that of the Qin and Han soldiers. In order to gain an advantage in the war, the Qin and Han soldiers used the elm tree as a barrier and the elm forest as their hiding place.
If there were no elm forests, the Qin Dynasty soldiers would have no shelter in the wasteland, and the Xiongnu soldiers could see them at a glance. But now with the elm forest, the Qin soldiers could hide in the woods, waiting for the arrival of the Xiongnu soldiers and attacking them by surprise.
The elm tree is different from the poplar tree in that it has a large body and twisted branches, and it has a peculiar appearance, and its roots are above the ground, so it needs to be walked with caution.
In the elm forest, the war horses of the Hun soldiers could not exert their superiority, which would greatly reduce their combat effectiveness. Even if they left this forest, the soldiers of the Qin and Han dynasties could suddenly kill out of the woods, so that the Xiongnu soldiers could not accurately judge the number of the Qin and Han troops, and an army of two hundred people could create the illusion of two thousand.
This tactic could confuse the enemy, so that the Hun soldiers were afraid before the battle, and thus lost their fighting spirit. The army of the Qin and Han dynasties could take advantage of this opportunity to strike a fierce blow to the enemy in order to achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Elms can provide supplies for war. Although now we rarely plant elm trees in the north, but plant a large number of poplars, because poplars are more resistant to sand and cold than elms.
So, why did the Qin and Han dynasties choose to plant elm trees? This is enough to show the wisdom of the people at that time.
According to legend, "the soldiers and horses have not moved, the grain and grass go first", and the elm tree is the "logistics support" of the tree world, which can provide necessary materials for people's lives. In ancient times, when transportation was not developed, soldiers fought on the frontier, the distance was long and long, and the amount of materials required was enormous.
If there is not enough military spending, the soldiers of the border fortress will have to solve the material problem on their own, and this is when the elm tree can come in handy. The leaves of the elm tree are not only edible, providing energy and moisture to the soldiers, but also serve as their "life-saving grass".
War horses, like soldiers, need adequate supplies. The leaves of the elm tree belong to the war horse"Grain and grass"It is rich in nutrients, which can meet the food needs of war horses, and can also improve the immunity of war horses and reduce the possibility of their illness.
When the soldiers pursued the Xiongnu, even if the food and grass ran out, they were still able to continue fighting, because both the soldiers and the war horses could eat the elm money. On the contrary, due to their long nomadic life, the Huns mainly relied on meat and were not accustomed to eating elm leaves, so it was difficult to survive in the elm forests and could not fight for a long time.
In addition, the branches of the elm tree can not only be used to make a fire and ward off the cold, but the burning branches can also be used to cook rice. In cold weather, soldiers can enjoy steaming food, which is a great comfort for them, both physically and psychologically.
In general, the elm tree is not only the food for war horses, but also the survival of soldiers.
The elm tree, a tree of incredibly toughness, is highly durable and makes it ideal for construction. It is resistant to moisture and is not perishable, making it the best choice for building houses, tents, fortifications, and even chariots.
In addition, the leaves of the elm tree are not only edible but also have medicinal properties. Mashing elm leaves, adding liquor and applying them to wounds can quickly stop bleeding and pain, and in the case of fractures, promote bone growth.
The boiled water of elm leaves can diuresis and reduce swelling, which has a good relieving effect on patients with body edema. When the branches of the elm tree are lit, they emit a unique fragrance that can help people relax their nerves and relieve fatigue, which is undoubtedly a great blessing for soldiers who have been fighting outside for a long time, and they can relax and get plenty of rest in the company of this aroma to prepare for the next day's battle.
The wisdom of the ancients is embodied in the observation and application of life. During the Qin Dynasty, people planted elm trees on a large scale, not only to meet the needs of life, but also for military considerations.
Elm trees not only enhance the combat effectiveness of soldiers, but also save the imperial court military expenses. On the frontier, elm trees provided the soldiers with ample food and living conditions, allowing them to persist in fighting for a long time.
This clever use shows the wisdom of the ancient people. In terms of survival in the wild, the multiple values of the elm tree are even more impressive.