Study of "Historical Records" 367: Biography of the Xiongnu (4)

The old Shanyu Jizhou had just succeeded to the throne. Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty once again sent the princess of the clan to marry Shanyu as the Yan family, and sent eunuchs and Yan people Zhongxingshuo to escort the princess. Bank of China said he didn't want to go, but Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty forced him to go. Zhongxing said: "If I must go, it will definitely become a serious trouble for the Han Dynasty." After Zhongxing mentioned the Xiongnu, he immediately surrendered to the Shanyu, who favored him very much.

In the beginning, the Xiongnu often received silk cotton and food as gifts from the Han Dynasty. Zhongxing said to Shanyu: "The population of the Xiongnu combined is not as good as that of a county in the Han Dynasty. The reason why they are strong is that their food and clothing are different from those of the Han Dynasty, and they do not need to rely on the supply of the Han Dynasty. Now the Shanyu has changed his customs and likes the Han Dynasty If the items sent by the Han Dynasty reached two-tenths of all the materials used, the Xiongnu would be Chineseized quickly. The silk cotton we got from the Han Dynasty had to be worn deliberately and galloped among the thorns, and the clothes would immediately be worn. It will crack and rot, so as to show that Hanfu is not as perfect as Zhanqiu. After getting the food of Han Dynasty, throw it all away to show that it is not as convenient and delicious as cheese." The Bank of China taught Shan Yu how to record things in separate items for the statistical assessment department. A large number of people, livestock and supplies.

The letter from the Han Dynasty to the Shan Yu was written on a wooden slip measuring one foot per inch. It began with "The Emperor wishes to ask that the Xiongnu Shan Yu is well", and in the middle he wrote the items presented and other words, etc. . The Bank of China said that the wooden slips given to the Han Dynasty by the Chanyu should be one foot and two inches long, and the seals should be longer and larger than those of the Han Dynasty. The beginning of the letter was arrogantly written: "The birth month of the heaven and the earth is set by the Xiongnu Great Chanyu. "The Emperor of the Han Dynasty is well", with the items presented and other words written in the middle.

The envoy of the Han Dynasty said to the Huns: "The custom of the Huns looks down on the elderly." The Bank of China said in reply to the envoy of the Han Dynasty: "The custom of the Han Dynasty, the young people who guard the border and enlist in the army, their old age Don't the parents save the warm clothes they are reluctant to wear and the rich food they are reluctant to eat, and give them to their children? "The envoy of the Han Dynasty replied: "That's right." Zhongxing said: "The Xiongnu is clearly on the attack. War is a major event, and the old, weak, sick and disabled cannot participate in the battle, so fat food is given to the strong first. This is for self-defense. In this way, both father and son can protect each other for a long time. How can you say that the Huns look down on the elderly? " The envoy of the Han Dynasty said: "The Huns sleep with their father and son in the same room. When the father dies, the son marries his mother; when a brother dies, the other brothers marry their wives. The Huns have no crests and decorations, and no court etiquette."

The Bank of China said: "The living customs of the Xiongnu are that people eat the meat of livestock, drink their milk, and wear their skins; livestock eat grass and drink water, which changes over time. That's why they practice riding and shooting when things are urgent. There are no entertainment items, so the restrictions are very light, for simplicity. The politics of a country is like one person running. After the death of the father and son, others marry to prevent the loss of caste. The system is chaotic, but the clan remains unchanged. Although today's China does not marry the wives of their fathers and brothers, relatives gradually become alienated and fight each other, so that they change their names. This is not to mention the shortcomings of etiquette. It is precisely here that the superiors and subordinates resent each other, and the houses are built too luxuriously, which will inevitably affect the people's strength. They work hard to cultivate the fields and plant mulberry trees for food and clothing, and build walls for self-defense. Therefore, the Chinese people cannot go out to fight in emergencies. It's very hard to work in the fields all year round. Oh, Chinese people who live in mud houses, why don't you talk too much all day long? Can you tell me what the actual use of those crowns is? ?”

From then on, when the Han Dynasty envoy wanted to argue, Bank of China immediately interrupted him and said: “The Han Dynasty envoy should not talk too much, just explain clearly the situation of the cotton rice noodles sent by the Han Dynasty to the Xiongnu. That’s it, we must maintain the quality and quantity, and make it perfect. Why talk so much nonsense? Besides, if the materials delivered are perfect, then everything will be over. If not, then just wait and see as long as the crops are ripe in the fall. They will send out cavalry to trample the crops." Zhongxing said that he always taught Shanyu to choose the most favorable time and place to attack the Han Dynasty.

In 166 BC, the Xiongnu Chanyu led 140,000 cavalry to invade Chaona and Xiaoguan, killed Sun Ang, the captain of the North, and plundered a lot of people's livestock and supplies, and attacked as far as Pengyang. The Xiongnu sent surprise troops to burn down the central palace of the Han Dynasty, and some cavalry attacked the Ganquan Palace in Yongcheng.

Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty ordered Lieutenant Zhou She and Lang Zhongling Zhang Wu to be generals, and sent a thousand chariots and 100,000 cavalry to guard Chang'an to guard against the Huns' invasion. Then he appointed Changhou Luqing as the general of Shangjun, Ninghou Wei Tian as the northern general, Longluhou Zhouzao as the Longxi general, Dongyanghou Zhang Xiangru as the general, Chenghou Dong Chi as the former general, and sent a large group of chariots and cavalry to attack the Xiongnu.

Chanyu stayed in the fortress for more than a month and then retreated. The Han army drove the Huns out of the fortress and immediately returned, but failed to kill the enemy. The Xiongnu became even more arrogant. They invaded the border fortresses every year, killing and plundering a large number of people, livestock and supplies. Yunzhong and Liaodong counties were the most serious. Together with Daijun, there were more than 10,000 people. The Han Dynasty was worried about this and sent envoys to send letters to the Xiongnu. The Chanyu also sent a responsible person to the Han Dynasty to deliver a message, and the two parties resumed peace.

In 162 BC, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty sent an envoy to send a letter to the Xiongnu, saying: "The emperor wishes to ask the Xiongnu how they are doing. The Shanyu is in charge of the household and lives in Diaoqu, and Han Liao, the doctor, gave it to me. Two horses have been received, and I respectfully accept the system of the former emperor: north of the Great Wall is the country of bows, which is under the command of Shanyu; within the Great Wall is the room of crown and belt, which is governed by me. In this way, all the people can farm, weave, shoot and hunt. Food and clothing, father and son are not separated, ministers and masters are in peace, and there is no rebellion or intrusion. Now I heard that there are evil people who are greedy for plundering benefits, break promises, forget the destiny of the people, and alienate the friendly relations between the two monarchs. Of course, these are all. Everything happened in the past. The letter said: "The two countries have made peace, and the two masters are happy. They can rest their troops and feed their horses, and the world will be prosperous and peaceful." I am happy for this every day. Progress, make changes, let the old rest, let the young thrive, and protect their own lives to maintain their old age. Both I and the Chanyu follow this path, obey the heavens and care for the people, pass on from generation to generation, and give endless gifts. No one in the world is inconvenienced. The Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu are neighboring countries of equal strength. The Xiongnu is located in the north, where the climate is severe and murderous. Therefore, I ordered the officials to send a certain amount of sorghum, gold, silk, silk and cotton to Shan Yu. Other supplies. Now the world is in peace, all the people are prosperous, and the Chan Yu is the parents of the people in the world. I recall the things in the past, which were all trivial things and the mistakes of the ministers. These are not worth alienating the brotherhood between Han and Huns. . I heard that the sky will never fail to cover anything, and the earth will never fail to carry it. We must abandon the original details, follow the great road together, and eliminate the evil in the past, so as to bring peace to the people of the two countries. We are like a family. Kind-hearted people in the world, including fish and turtles, birds, crawling and crawling on the ground, all seek advantages and avoid dangers, so don't stop those who come. This is the way of heaven. The past will not be taken into account: I will lift the pursuit of the Han people who fled to the Huns, and the Shanyu will not mention the affairs of Zhang Ni and others. I have heard that the emperors in ancient times will strictly abide by the covenant and never break their promises. Pay attention to the covenant, and the world will be in peace. After the peace, the Han Dynasty will not be the first to break the covenant."

After the Chanyu made the peace with the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty issued an edict to the censor: "The Great Chanyu of the Xiongnu sent me a letter, saying that the marriage has been confirmed. Our fleeing people are not enough to expand our land. The Huns will no longer enter the fortress, and the Han Dynasty will not leave the fortress. Those who violate the covenant will be killed. This way Only then will the marriage last long and no more trouble will occur in the future, which will be beneficial to both parties. I have agreed and hereby announce it to the world so that everyone can understand it. "

In 160 BC, I went to Ji Porridge. After Yu's death, his son Junchen was appointed as Chanyu. After the military minister succeeded to the throne, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty once again made peace with the Xiongnu, while Zhongxing continued to serve the military minister Shanyu.

Huang Qijun

? Written on November 5, 2020 (September 20, Gengzi Year in the ancient calendar)

Biography of the Xiongnu (3)

Biography of the Xiongnu (II)

Biography of the Xiongnu (I)

Biography of General Li (III)

Biography of General Li (I)