Book of Han — 虽远必诛

The phrase “犯强汉者，虽远必诛” expresses a resolute declaration of imperial resolve: any who dare to attack the Han dynasty will be punished, no matter how distant their location. It appears in the *Book of Han*, specifically in the biography of Chen Tang, a Han general who led a daring expedition against the Xiongnu in Central Asia. In 36 BCE, without prior imperial authorization, Chen Tang and his colleague Gan Yanshou mobilized troops across the Western Regions, defeated the Xiongnu chanyu Zhizhi near modern-day Kazakhstan, and sent his head to the capital as proof of victory. When questioned for acting beyond his mandate, Chen Tang defended himself with these words—framing his campaign not as insubordination but as upholding Han dignity and deterring future aggression. The *Book of Han* records this moment not as mere rhetoric but as a pivotal assertion of sovereignty, embedded within a narrative that weighs military initiative against bureaucratic protocol. Though the passage reflects one commander’s bold judgment, its endurance lies in how succinctly it captures a vision of power rooted in moral authority and unwavering consequence. Readers encounter it not as abstract doctrine but as a line spoken in defense, under scrutiny, and preserved in official history.