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 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 commander Gan Yanshou launched a surprise campaign deep into enemy territory—reaching as far as modern-day Kazakhstan—to eliminate a rival Xiongnu chieftain who had defied Han authority and threatened frontier stability. Upon returning victorious, Chen Tang justified his unauthorized action with these words, framing it not as insubordination but as necessary defense of Han prestige and order. The *Book of Han* records this statement not as idle rhetoric but as part of an official memorial submitted to the throne—a bold assertion that legitimacy and deterrence sometimes demand decisive action beyond bureaucratic procedure. Though debated among court officials, the emperor ultimately endorsed the campaign, affirming the principle embedded in the phrase. This passage captures a moment when geopolitical reach, moral conviction, and military initiative converged—offering insight into how the Han state conceived its responsibilities and power on the world stage.