Good Works Translation from the Southern Xiongnu Biography

This Good Works Translation renders the Southern Xiongnu biography in Fan Ye's Hou Han Shu from Classical Chinese into English.

For the Scythian shelf, the chapter is eastern frontier evidence. It preserves the Later Han account of the divided Xiongnu frontier, the settlement and supervision of the southern shanyu, northern campaigns, tribute and hostage practice, Wuhuan and Xianbei pressure, and the long policy memory that followed the split between north and south.

The Classical Chinese source text is printed below the translation.

Translation

Bi, the Southern Xiongnu Hailaoshizhudi shanyu, was a grandson of Huhanye shanyu and a son of Wuzhuliu Ruodi shanyu. After Huhanye, his sons succeeded one another in order. In the time of Bi's younger uncle, Xiao shanyu Yu, Bi was made right Aojian Rizhu king and commanded the southern border divisions and the Wuhuan.

At the beginning of Jianwu, Peng Chong rebelled in Yuyang. The shanyu joined troops with him and again gave power and standing to Lu Fang, causing him to enter and live in Wuyuan. At first Emperor Guangwu was only then pacifying the Chinese lands and had no leisure for affairs outside. In the sixth year he first ordered Liu Sa, Marquis of Guidao, to go as envoy to the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu also sent envoys with offerings. Han again ordered Han Tong, palace gentleman general, to answer the mission and gave gold and money as gifts in order to communicate the old friendship. But the shanyu was arrogant and rude, comparing himself with Maodun, and his replies to the envoys were perverse and insolent. The emperor treated him as before.

At first missions passed constantly, but the Xiongnu repeatedly joined Lu Fang in invading the northern border. In the ninth year, Grand Marshal Wu Han and others were sent to strike them. A year passed without success; the Xiongnu became still stronger, and their raiding and violence increased daily. In the thirteenth year they raided Hedong, and the provinces and commanderies could not restrain them. The court therefore gradually moved the border people of You and Bing to the east of Changshan Pass and Juyong Pass. The Xiongnu left divisions again shifted to live inside the frontier. The court was troubled by this and increased the soldiers of the border commanderies by several thousand men, built many posts and scouts, and repaired the beacon fires.

When the Xiongnu heard that Han was offering rewards for Lu Fang, they coveted the goods and sent Fang back to surrender, hoping to obtain the reward. But Fang made his own return the merit and did not say that the Xiongnu had sent him. The shanyu was ashamed to speak of his plan; therefore the reward was not carried out. From this he greatly hated Han and entered more deeply in raiding. In the twentieth year the raids reached Shangdang, Fufeng, and Tianshui. In the winter of the twenty-first year they again raided Shanggu and Zhongshan, killing, seizing, and plundering many people. The northern border no longer had a peaceful year.

At first, the shanyu's younger brother, the right Guli king Yitu Zhiyashi, was next in order to become left worthy king. The left worthy king was the shanyu's heir and deputy. The shanyu wished to transmit the position to his own son and therefore killed Zhiyashi. Zhiyashi was a son of Wang Zhaojun. Zhaojun, courtesy name Qiang, was a woman of Nan commandery. At first, in Emperor Yuan's time, she was selected from a good family and entered the inner palace. When Huhanye came to court, the emperor ordered that five palace women be given to him. Zhaojun had been in the palace several years and had not been seen and favored. Accumulating grief and resentment, she asked the official of the inner palace to let her go. At Huhanye's great farewell assembly, the emperor summoned the five women and showed them. Zhaojun's form was full and her ornaments bright; she shone in the Han palace, turned and looked at her shadow, and stirred all those around her. The emperor saw her and was greatly surprised. He wished to keep her, but found it difficult to break faith, and so gave her to the Xiongnu. She bore two sons. When Huhanye died, the son of his former consort succeeded him and wished to take her as wife. Zhaojun submitted a letter asking to return. Emperor Cheng ordered her to follow the custom of the Hu, and she again became consort of the later shanyu.

When Bi saw Zhiyashi executed, he spoke in resentment: "If speaking by brothers, the right Guli king should be established next. If speaking by sons, I am the eldest son of the former shanyu and should be established." He then inwardly carried suspicion and fear and attended court assemblies only rarely. The shanyu suspected him and sent two Guduhou to supervise the troops under Bi. In the twenty-second year, shanyu Yu died. His son, the left worthy king Wudadihou, became shanyu. He too died, and his younger brother, the left worthy king Punu, became shanyu. Bi was not established and carried resentment. At the same time, among the Xiongnu there were drought and locusts year after year; red earth stretched several thousand li, grasses and trees all withered, men and livestock starved and suffered epidemic, and more than half died. The shanyu feared that Han would take advantage of his exhaustion and sent envoys to Yuyang seeking marriage alliance and peace. Han sent Li Mao, palace gentleman general, to answer the mission.

But Bi secretly sent the Han man Guo Heng with a map of the Xiongnu lands. In the twenty-third year Guo Heng went to the administrator of Xihe and asked for inner attachment. The two Guduhou somewhat discovered Bi's intention. At the dragon sacrifice in the fifth month they reported to the shanyu, saying that the Aojian Rizhu king had long intended evil; if he was not killed, he would bring disorder to the state. At that time Bi's younger brother, the Jianjiang king, was in the shanyu's tent. Hearing this, he rode swiftly to report it to Bi. Bi was frightened and gathered the eight southern-border divisions under his authority, forty or fifty thousand people, waiting for the two Guduhou to return in order to kill them. When the Guduhou were about to arrive, they learned of his plot and both fled away with light cavalry to inform the shanyu. The shanyu sent ten thousand cavalry to attack him. Seeing that Bi's host was strong, they did not dare advance and returned.

In the spring of the twenty-fourth year, the great men of the eight divisions discussed together and established Bi as Huhanye shanyu. Because his grandfather had once relied on Han and gained security, they wished to take up that title. They then knocked at Wuyuan frontier pass, asking forever to be a fence and shield, guarding against the northern enemy. The emperor used the advice of Geng Guo, palace gentleman general of the five offices, and permitted it. That winter Bi established himself as Huhanye shanyu.

In the spring of the twenty-fifth year he sent his younger brother Mo, the left worthy king, with more than ten thousand troops to attack the northern shanyu's younger brother, the Aojian left worthy king, and captured him alive. He also broke the troops directly under the northern shanyu and obtained their people, in all more than ten thousand persons, seven thousand horses, and ten thousand cattle and sheep. The northern shanyu was shaken with fear and withdrew his lands by one thousand li. At first, the emperor had built war wagons that could be drawn by several oxen, with towers and galleries made on top, and placed them on the frontier to resist the Xiongnu. Some who saw them said to one another: "The omen says that in the ninth generation of Han the northern Di will be pushed back one thousand li. Could this be what it means?" Now indeed the land was expanded.

The northern division's Aojian Guduhou and the right Guduhou led more than thirty thousand people to return to the southern shanyu. The southern shanyu again sent envoys to the palace gate, offered himself as fence and minister, presented precious things of the state, requested envoys to supervise and protect him, sent hostage sons, and renewed the old agreement.

In the twenty-sixth year, Duan Chen, palace gentleman general, and Wang Yu, deputy colonel, were sent as envoys to the southern shanyu and established his court eighty li from the western-sector frontier of Wuyuan. The shanyu then prolonged the greeting and welcomed the envoys. The envoys said: "The shanyu should bow prostrate and receive the edict." The shanyu looked around for some time and then prostrated himself, calling himself minister. After the bowing was finished, he ordered an interpreter to explain to the envoys: "The shanyu has just been established and is truly ashamed before those to left and right. I ask the envoys not to bend and humiliate me before the crowd." The Guduhou and others saw this and all shed tears.

Duan Chen and the others returned with the mission. An edict then permitted the southern shanyu to enter and live in Yunzhong. He sent envoys with a letter, presenting two camels and ten patterned horses. That summer the northern enemy's Aojian left worthy king, whom the southern shanyu had captured, led his followers and the five Guduhou of the southern division, more than thirty thousand people altogether, in rebellion and returned north. They went more than three hundred li from the northern court and together established the Aojian left worthy king as shanyu. After more than a month they attacked one another. The five Guduhou all died, the left worthy king killed himself, and the sons of the several Guduhou each held troops and defended themselves.

In autumn the southern shanyu sent a son to serve in attendance and submitted a memorial to the palace. An edict granted the shanyu cap and belt, clothing, a golden seal, green sash and ribbon, a peaceful carriage with feathered canopy, a splendid team of four horses, a precious sword, bows and arrows, three black credentials, two attached horses, gold, brocade, embroidered silk, and plain fabrics amounting to ten thousand pieces, ten thousand jin of floss, musical instruments, drum carts, halberds, armor, weapons, vessels for food and drink. It also transferred twenty-five thousand hu of grain and dried rice from Hedong and thirty-six thousand cattle and sheep to support him. The palace gentleman general was ordered to establish pacifying aides and clerks, lead fifty pardoned convicts with weapons and crossbows to follow the shanyu's residence, take part in judgments and lawsuits, and observe movements. At the year's end the shanyu always sent envoys with a memorial and sent a hostage son to court; one aide of the palace gentleman general led him to the palace gate. Han sent an attendant to return the earlier hostage son to the shanyu's court, so that they met on the road. After the New Year's court congratulations and the worship at the imperial tombs and temples were completed, Han then sent the shanyu's envoys back under escort and granted a thousand bolts of colored silk, four ends of brocade, ten jin of gold, imperial kitchen sauces, oranges, tangerines, longan, and lychees. Gifts to the shanyu's mother, consorts, sons, the left and right worthy kings, the left and right Guli kings, and meritorious Guduhou amounted to ten thousand pieces of colored silk in all. This became the yearly custom.

According to Xiongnu custom, each year there were three dragon sacrifices, always on wu days of the first, fifth, and ninth months, to sacrifice to the heavenly spirits. After the southern shanyu became inwardly attached, he also sacrificed to the Han emperors. At these occasions he assembled the divisions to discuss state affairs and used horse and camel races as amusement. Among his great ministers the most noble was the left worthy king, then the left Guli king, then the right worthy king, then the right Guli king; these were called the four horns. Next were the left and right Rizhu kings, then the left and right Wenyudi kings, then the left and right Jianjiang kings; these were the six horns. All were sons and younger brothers of the shanyu and were those who should become shanyu in order. Ministers of different surnames were the left and right Guduhou, then the left and right Shizhu Guduhou. The remaining titles, Rizhu, Juqu, Danghu, and others, were ranked high or low according to power and the number of their divisions. The shanyu's surname was Xulianti. Among different surnames there were the four famous clans of the state: Huyan, Xubu, Qiulin, and Lan. They regularly intermarried with the shanyu. Huyan was on the left; Lan and Xubu were on the right. They judged lawsuits, heard disputes, and decided light and heavy matters by speaking orally to the shanyu; there were no written records or registers.

In winter the sons of the five Guduhou who had earlier rebelled again led three thousand of their people back to the southern division. The northern shanyu sent cavalry to pursue and attack them and captured them all. The southern shanyu sent troops to resist, but the encounter went badly. The court then again ordered the shanyu to move and live at Meiji in Xihe. Duan Chen, palace gentleman general, and Wang Yu, deputy colonel, were made to remain in Xihe to support and protect him, and offices, aides, and clerks were established for him. The senior clerk of Xihe was ordered yearly to lead two thousand cavalry and five hundred pardoned convicts to assist the palace gentleman general in guarding the shanyu, garrisoning in winter and withdrawing in summer. This became the standing rule, and all eight border commanderies were restored.

After the southern shanyu settled in Xihe, he also set out the several divisional kings as garrison support. The Han-clan Guduhou was stationed in Beidi, the right worthy king in Shuofang, the Dangyu Guduhou in Wuyuan, the Huyan Guduhou in Yunzhong, the Lang-clan Guduhou in Dingxiang, the left southern general in Yanmen, and the Liji Guduhou in Dai commandery. All led their divisions as scouts, nets, ears, and eyes for the commanderies and counties. The northern shanyu was terrified and returned some Han people he had seized to show good intention. Whenever raiding troops came near the southern division, when they passed back by the posts and scouts they always apologized, saying: "We are only attacking the lost enemy Aojian Rizhu; we do not dare offend Han people."

In the twenty-seventh year, the northern shanyu sent envoys to Wuwei seeking marriage alliance and peace. The Son of Heaven summoned dukes and ministers to court council, but no decision was made. The crown prince said: "The southern shanyu has newly attached himself, and the northern enemy fears being attacked; therefore both listen with tilted ears and compete to return to righteousness. If we cannot yet send out troops but instead communicate with the northern enemy, I fear the southern shanyu will have two hearts, and those of the northern enemy who surrender will not come again." The emperor considered this right and told the administrator of Wuwei not to receive the envoys.

In the twenty-eighth year, the northern Xiongnu again sent envoys to the palace, presenting horses and furs, again begging for marriage alliance and peace, requesting music, and also asking to lead the Hu guests of the states of the Western Regions together with them to offer tribute and be received. The emperor sent the question down to the three offices to discuss the proper answer. Ban Biao, aide to the minister over the masses, submitted:

"I have heard that Emperor Xuan instructed the frontier commanders and wardens: 'The Xiongnu are a great state, full of changes and deception. If in communication one obtains their true situation, one repels the enemy and breaks the charge; if in response one falls into their calculations, one is instead slighted and deceived.' Now the northern Xiongnu, seeing the southern shanyu come and attach himself, fear that his state is plotting against them. Therefore they repeatedly beg for marriage alliance and peace, and from afar they drive cattle and horses to trade with Han, again send famous kings, and make many offerings. All this is outward display of wealth and strength in order to deceive. I see that the heavier their offerings become, the emptier their state is; the more frequent their return and closeness, the greater their fear. Yet since we have not yet obtained the ability to assist the south, it is also not fitting to cut off the north. In the meaning of loose restraint, ritual has no unanswered approach. I think we may add rewards somewhat, roughly matching what they have offered, and clearly instruct them with the affairs of Huhanye and Zhizhi in former times.

"Let the words of reply be made definite. I have now drafted them and submit them together:

"'The shanyu does not forget Han favor, remembers the old agreement of his ancestors, and wishes to renew marriage alliance and peace in order to support his own person and secure his state. His calculation and discussion are very high; we commend the shanyu for it. Formerly the Xiongnu repeatedly had disorder. Huhanye and Zhizhi were hostile to each other, and both received Emperor Xuan's descending favor, rescue, and protection; therefore each sent sons in attendance and called himself a fence preserving the frontier. Afterward Zhizhi became angry and perverse, cut himself off from imperial grace, while Huhanye attached himself closely, and his loyalty and filial obedience became still more manifest. When Han destroyed Zhizhi, Huhanye then preserved his state and transmitted succession, his sons and grandsons following one another.

"'Now the southern shanyu has brought his people southward, knocked at the frontier, and returned his life to us. He considers himself Huhanye's legitimate eldest line, next in order to be established, but invaded and seized from office, suspiciously turned away by others. He has repeatedly requested troops and commanders so that he may return and sweep the northern court. His plans are numerous, leaving nothing unattempted. We consider that such words cannot be listened to alone. Moreover, because the northern shanyu has offered tribute in recent years and wishes to renew marriage alliance and peace, we have refused the southern shanyu and not permitted him, intending to complete the shanyu's meaning of loyalty and filial obedience.

"'Han holds authority and trust, commands the ten thousand states, and all that sun and moon shine upon are its ministers and concubines. Among the hundred barbarian peoples of different customs there is in righteousness no near or far: those who submit and obey are praised and rewarded; those who rebel are punished. Huhanye and Zhizhi show the effect of good and evil. Now the shanyu wishes to renew marriage alliance and peace, and his sincere approach has already arrived. What suspicion is there that he wishes to lead the states of the Western Regions all together to present tribute and be received? What difference is there between the Western Regions belonging to the Xiongnu and belonging to Han?

"'The shanyu has repeatedly joined in military disorder, and within his state there is emptiness and exhaustion. Tribute goods need only communicate ritual. Why must he offer horses and furs? We now send five hundred bolts of mixed silk, one bow case and quiver, and four flights of arrows as gifts to the shanyu. We also grant to the left Guduhou and the right Guli king who offered horses four hundred bolts of mixed silk each and one horse-cutting sword each. The shanyu said earlier that the yu pipes, zithers, and konghou harps given to Huhanye in the time of the former emperor are all broken and asks that they be given again. We think that the shanyu's state is not yet settled and that he is now sharpening martial integrity and making war and attack his business. The use of pipes and zithers is not equal to good bows and sharp swords; therefore we do not send them. We do not begrudge small things. Let the shanyu's envoys say through the interpreter what he desires.'"

The emperor accepted and followed all of this. In the twenty-ninth year he gave the southern shanyu several tens of thousands of sheep. In the thirty-first year, the northern Xiongnu again sent envoys as before. A sealed letter answered them, and colored silk was granted, but no envoy was sent.

Shanyu Bi died after standing for nine years. Duan Chen, palace gentleman general, led troops to attend the mourning, sacrificed with wine and rice, and divided troops to guard him. Bi's younger brother Mo, the left worthy king, was established. The emperor sent envoys with a sealed letter to calm and comfort him, appointed him, bestowed seal and ribbon, gave cap and headcloth, three sets of crimson single garments, a boy's wearing knife and patterned belt, and also four thousand bolts of colored silk to reward the several kings, Guduhou, and those below them. After this, when a shanyu died, condolence, sacrifice, comfort, and gifts followed this custom.

Mo, Qiufuyudi shanyu, was established in the first Zhongyuan year and died after one year. His younger brother Han was established.

Han, Yifayuludi shanyu, was established in the second Zhongyuan year. In the second Yongping year, Hu Yuqiu of the northern Xiongnu led more than a thousand people to surrender. Han, shanyu of the southern division, died after standing for two years. Shi, son of shanyu Bi, was established.

Shi, Chutong Shizhu Hudi shanyu, was established in the second Yongping year. In the winter of the fifth year, six or seven thousand cavalry of the northern Xiongnu entered the Wuyuan frontier and then raided Yunzhong, reaching Yuanyang. The southern shanyu struck and drove them back. Ma Xiang, senior clerk of Xihe, hurried to the rescue, and the enemy withdrew.

Shanyu Shi died after standing for four years. Su, son of shanyu Mo, was established; he was Qiuchu Chelindi shanyu. He died after a few months. Chang, younger brother of shanyu Shi, was established.

Chang, Huye Shizhu Hudi shanyu, was established in the sixth Yongping year. At that time the northern Xiongnu were still strong and repeatedly raided the border, which troubled the court. The northern shanyu wished to trade and sent envoys seeking marriage alliance and peace. Emperor Ming hoped that if communication were made they would no longer raid, and therefore permitted it.

In the eighth year, Zheng Zhong, major of the Yue cavalry, was sent north to answer the mission. But Xubu Guduhou and others of the southern division, knowing that Han and the northern enemy were exchanging envoys, held suspicion and resentment and wished to rebel. Secretly, through the northern envoys, they told the north to send troops to receive them. Zheng Zhong went out beyond the frontier, suspected that something was wrong, watched, and indeed caught Xubu's messenger. He then reported that a great general should be newly established to guard against the two enemies communicating. From this the Liao-crossing camp was first established. Wu Tang, palace gentleman general, was made acting general crossing the Liao; Lai Miao, deputy colonel, Yan Zhang, left colonel, and Zhang Guo, right colonel, led soldiers of the Liyang Tiger Fang camp and garrisoned Manbai in Wuyuan. Qin Peng, cavalry commandant, was also sent with troops to garrison Meiji.

That autumn the northern enemy indeed sent two thousand cavalry to watch Shuofang. They made boats of horsehide, intending to cross and receive the southern division's rebels. Because Han was prepared, they withdrew. They again repeatedly raided the border commanderies, burned cities and settlements, and killed and seized many people. In Hexi the city gates were shut in daylight, and the emperor was troubled by this.

In the sixteenth year, troops were therefore raised widely along the border, and generals were sent by four roads beyond the frontier to campaign north against the Xiongnu. The southern shanyu sent the left worthy king Xin to follow Ji Tong, superintendent of the imperial stables, and Wu Tang out from Gaoche in Shuofang, attacking the Gaolin Wenyudu king at Zhuoye Mountain. When the enemy heard the Han troops had come, they all crossed the desert and left. Ji Tong and Wu Tang were dismissed for not reaching Zhuoye Mountain, and Lai Miao, cavalry commandant, was made acting general crossing the Liao. That year the northern Xiongnu entered Yunzhong and reached Yuyang; Lian Fan, the administrator, struck and drove them back. An edict sent Gao Hong to raise troops from three commanderies and pursue them, but nothing was gained.

In the first Jianchu year, Lai Miao was transferred as administrator of Jiyin, and Geng Bing, general campaigning west, was made acting general crossing the Liao. At that time the Gaolin Wenyudu king again led his people back to Zhuoye Mountain. When the southern shanyu learned this, he sent light cavalry together with border commandery and Wuhuan troops beyond the frontier to strike him. They cut off several hundred heads, and three or four thousand people surrendered. That year the southern division suffered locusts and great hunger. Emperor Zhang issued grain to more than thirty thousand of its poor people. In the seventh year Geng Bing was transferred to be bearer of the gilded mace, and Deng Hong, administrator of Zhangye, became acting general crossing the Liao. In the eighth year, Jiliusi and other great men of the northern Xiongnu Sanmulouzi led thirty-eight thousand people, twenty thousand horses, and more than one hundred thousand cattle and sheep to knock at Wuyuan frontier and surrender.

In the first Yuanhe year, Meng Yun, administrator of Wuwei, reported that the northern shanyu again wished to trade with Han officers and people. An edict permitted Yun to send relay envoys to welcome and comfort them. The northern shanyu then sent the great Juqu, King Yimozi, and others driving more than ten thousand cattle and horses to trade with Han merchants. Some of the kings and great men arrived ahead, and the commanderies and counties along the road set up official lodgings, rewarded, and treated them. When the southern shanyu heard this, he sent light cavalry out from Shang commandery, intercepted and seized people, plundered cattle and horses, and drove them back inside the frontier.

In the first month of the second year, the northern Xiongnu great men Cheli, Zhuobing, and others fled and entered the frontier, seventy-three groups in all. At this time the northern enemy was weakened and depleted, its parties and people separating and rebelling. The southern division attacked its front, the Dingling raided its rear, the Xianbei struck its left, and the Western Regions pressed its right. It could no longer stand on its own and drew away far.

Shanyu Chang died after standing for twenty-three years. Xuan, son of shanyu Han, was established.

Xuan, Yituyuludi shanyu, was established in the second Yuanhe year. That year the shanyu sent more than a thousand troops hunting as far as Zhuoye Mountain. By chance they encountered the northern enemy's Wenyudu king, fought him, took his head, and returned. In winter Meng Yun reported: "Since the northern enemy had earlier made marriage alliance and peace, and the southern division again went to plunder them, the northern shanyu says Han has deceived him and is planning to violate the frontier. It would be proper to return the people seized by the south in order to comfort and settle his mind."

Emperor Zhang followed the advice of Yuan An, superintendent of the imperial stables, and permitted it. He issued an edict:

"Formerly the Xianyun and Xunyu were enemies of China; the origin of this is old. Though in former times there was the name of marriage alliance and peace, in the end there was not the effect of a hair or thread. The people of barren lands were repeatedly caught in mud and ashes. Fathers fought before; sons died after. Weak girls were carried to frontier posts; orphaned children cried on the roads. Old mothers and widowed wives set out empty sacrifices, drank tears and wept, and thought of returning souls beyond the deserts. Is this not pitiable? The Tradition says: 'The reason rivers and seas can be long over the hundred streams is that they put themselves below them.' If we bend down a little, what is there to be troubled by? How much more now, when our ruler-minister division with the Xiongnu is fixed, their words are obedient and the agreement clear, and tribute offerings have repeatedly arrived? How could it be right to violate trust and receive the crookedness on ourselves? Order the general crossing the Liao and the commanding palace gentleman general Pang Fen to pay twice the price for the people obtained by the southern division and return them to the northern enemy. As for the southern division's cut-off heads and living captives, calculate merit and grant rewards according to the regular scale."

Thereupon the southern shanyu again ordered Shizi, the Aodi Rizhu king, to lead several thousand light cavalry beyond the frontier and make a surprise attack on the northern enemy, again beheading and capturing a thousand people. The northern enemy's people thought the southern division was favored by Han and also heard that those who surrendered were received by the thousands each year.

In the first Zhanghe year, the Xianbei entered the left lands and attacked the northern Xiongnu, greatly defeating them. They beheaded Youliu shanyu and took his Xiongnu skin and returned. The northern court was in great disorder. Qulan, Chubei, Huduxu, and fifty-eight other divisions, with two hundred thousand mouths and eighty thousand fighting men, went to Yunzhong, Wuyuan, Shuofang, and Beidi to surrender.

Shanyu Xuan died after standing for three years. Tuntuhou, younger brother of shanyu Chang, was established.

Tuntuhou, Xiulan Shizhu Hudi shanyu, was established in the second Zhanghe year. At this time the northern enemy was in great disorder, with hunger and locusts added, and surrenderers arrived one after another. The southern shanyu was about to annex the northern court. Emperor Zhang then died, and Empress Dowager Dou governed the court. In the seventh month of that year the shanyu reported:

"I have received favor for many generations, beyond counting. Emperor Zhang, in his sage thought and distant planning, wished to see the work completed; therefore he ordered the Wuhuan and Xianbei to punish the northern enemy, cut off the shanyu's head, and break his state. Now the newly surrendered Xuqu and others have come to me and said: 'Last year, in the middle of the third month, we set out from the enemy court. The northern shanyu, wounded by southern troops and also fearing the Dingling and Xianbei, fled far away and relied on the Anhou River westward. This year, in the first month, the Guduhou and others again together established the right worthy king, elder brother of the shanyu by a different mother, as shanyu. Because these men contended by brotherhood for the establishment, each group has scattered.'

"I have discussed plans with the several kings, the Guduhou, and the newly surrendered leaders. All say that it is fitting to take advantage of the northern enemy's division and contention, send troops to punish them, break the north and complete the south, and make one state, so that the Han house will long have no northern anxiety. Also on the eighth day of this month, the newly surrendered right Xu Rizhu Xiantang came lightly from the enemy court to me and said that the northern enemy's divisions mostly wish to look inward but are ashamed to send themselves; therefore none has yet arrived. If troops go out and rush to strike them, they will surely respond. If we do not go this year, I fear they will again unite.

"I humbly think that since my late father returned to Han, we have received the covering and carrying favor. Severe frontiers and bright marquises, great armies and protection, have held us for forty years. We were born and grew up in Han lands; when we open our mouths we look upward for food. The rewards given at the seasons amount at each movement to hundreds of millions. Although we fold our hands and sleep at peace, we are ashamed to have no place to repay service. I request to raise seasoned Hu of the state and the divisions, together with newly surrendered elite troops. Let Shizi, left Guli king, and Xuzi, left Huyan Rizhu king, lead ten thousand cavalry out from Shuofang. Let Anguo, left worthy king, and Jiaolesu, right great Juqu king, lead ten thousand cavalry out from Juyan. Let them meet in the enemy land in the twelfth month. I will lead the remaining ten thousand troops and garrison the Wuyuan and Shuofang frontier in order to guard and resist.

"I have always been foolish and shallow, and my troops and people are few, not enough to guard inside and outside. I ask that Geng Bing, bearer of the gilded mace, Deng Hong, general crossing the Liao, and the administrators of Xihe, Yunzhong, Wuyuan, Shuofang, and Shang commanderies combine strength and go north, and that the administrators of Beidi and Anding each garrison key places. I hope that, relying on the sacred emperor's authority and spirit, we may settle it in one action. The success or failure of my state turns on this year. I have already ordered the divisions to prepare troops and horses strictly; after the ninth-month dragon sacrifice is finished, all will gather on the river. I ask only that Your Majesty judge, pity, examine, and decide."

The empress dowager showed this to Geng Bing. Bing reported: "Formerly Emperor Wu exhausted all under Heaven, wishing to make the Xiongnu his subjects, but he did not meet Heaven's time, and the affair had no success. In Emperor Xuan's age, Huhanye happened to come and surrender; therefore the border people gained peace, inside and outside became one, and living people rested for more than sixty years. When Wang Mang usurped the throne, he changed their titles and harassed them without cease; the shanyu then rebelled. When Guangwu received the mandate, he again embraced and accepted them, and the broken border commanderies were restored. Wuhuan and Xianbei, pressed by this, all returned to righteousness. His authority shook the four Yi; the result was like this. Now we fortunately meet what Heaven has granted: the northern enemy divided and contending. To attack barbarians with barbarians is the state's advantage. It should be permitted." Bing then stated that, having received favor, he was bound to give his life in service. The empress dowager followed this.

In the first Yongyuan year, Geng Bing was made general campaigning west and, with Dou Xian, general of chariots and cavalry, led eight thousand cavalry, together with the troops of the Liao-crossing command and thirty thousand cavalry of the southern shanyu, out from Shuofang to strike the northern enemy. They greatly defeated him. The northern shanyu fled, and heads and captives numbered more than two hundred thousand. The affair is fully in the biography of Dou Xian.

In the spring of the second year Deng Hong was transferred to grand herald, and Huangfu Leng, administrator of Dingxiang, became acting general crossing the Liao. The southern shanyu again requested that the northern court be destroyed. Therefore Shizi, left Guli king, and others were sent with eight thousand cavalry from the left and right divisions out through Jilu frontier. Geng Tan, palace gentleman general, sent an aide to lead and protect them. When they reached Zhuoye Mountain, they left the baggage and divided into two divisions, each drawing light troops by two roads in a surprise attack. The left division went north past the Western Sea to north of Heyun; the right division followed the Xiongnu river water west, circled Tian Mountain, and crossed south of the Ganwei River. The two armies both converged and surrounded the northern shanyu by night. The shanyu was greatly frightened and led more than a thousand elite troops to join battle. He was wounded, fell from his horse, mounted again, and fled with several tens of light cavalry, barely escaping. They obtained his jade seal, captured his consort and five men and women, cut off eight thousand heads, captured several thousand people alive, and returned.

At this time the southern division, through successive victories and surrenderers, had the strongest following: thirty-four thousand households, two hundred thirty-seven thousand three hundred mouths, and fifty thousand one hundred seventy fighting men. The old rule was that the palace gentleman general had two aides. Because the newly surrendered were many, Geng Tan requested that twelve aides be added.

In the third year the northern shanyu was again broken by Geng Kui, right colonel, and fled, his whereabouts unknown. His younger brother Yuchujian, the right Guli king, established himself as shanyu and led the right Wenyujian king, Guduhou, and several thousand people below them to stay at Lake Pulei, sending envoys to knock at the frontier. Dou Xian, the great general, submitted a letter asking to establish Yuchujian as northern shanyu, and the court followed it. In the fourth year Geng Kui was sent to bestow seal and ribbon on the spot and grant four jade swords and a feathered canopy with a team of four. Ren Shang, palace gentleman general, was sent with credentials to guard and protect him at Yiwu, following the precedent of the southern shanyu. They were just about to assist his return to the northern court when Dou Xian was executed. In the fifth year Yuchujian rebelled on his own and returned north. The emperor sent Wang Fu, senior clerk commanding troops, with more than a thousand cavalry and Ren Shang to pursue him. They lured him back and beheaded him, breaking and destroying his people.

Shanyu Tuntuhou died after standing for six years. Anguo, younger brother of shanyu Xuan, was established.

Shanyu Anguo was established in the fifth Yongyuan year. Anguo had at first been left worthy king and had no reputation. Shizi, the left Guli king, had always been brave, cunning, and knowledgeable. The earlier shanyu Xuan and Tuntuhou both loved his decisive spirit and therefore repeatedly sent him to lead troops beyond the frontier and make surprise attacks on the northern court. When he returned he received rewards, and the Son of Heaven also gave him special distinctions. For this reason everyone in the state respected Shizi and did not attach themselves to Anguo. Anguo therefore hated Shizi and wished to kill him. The newly surrendered Hu had earlier lived beyond the frontier and had often been driven and plundered by Shizi; many resented him. Anguo therefore entrusted his plan to the surrenderers and plotted with them. When Anguo had become shanyu, Shizi by sequence became left worthy king. Realizing that the shanyu and the newly surrendered were plotting, he lived separately in the Wuyuan border area. Whenever the shanyu held dragon assemblies to discuss affairs, Shizi always claimed illness and did not go. Huangfu Leng knew this and also protected him and would not send him. The shanyu's resentment grew greater.

In the spring of the sixth year, Huangfu Leng was dismissed, and Zhu Hui, bearer of the gilded mace, was made acting general crossing the Liao. At that time the shanyu and Du Chong, palace gentleman general, were not at peace with one another. The shanyu submitted a letter accusing Chong. Chong hinted to the administrator of Xihe to cut off the shanyu's memorial, so that it had no way to be heard. Then Chong and Zhu Hui jointly reported: "The southern shanyu Anguo keeps the old Hu distant and is close to the newly surrendered. He wishes to kill the left worthy king Shizi and the left Tai Juqu Liu Li and others. Also the surrenderers of the right division are plotting together to coerce Anguo and raise troops in rebellion. The commanderies of Xihe, Shang, and Anding are making preparations."

Emperor He sent this down to the dukes and ministers. All thought: "Barbarians turn and overturn; though they are hard to measure, when a great army is gathered they surely will not dare move. Now an envoy with plans should be sent to the shanyu's court and should join strength with Du Chong, Zhu Hui, and the administrator of Xihe to observe movements. If there is no other change, Chong and the others may go to Anguo and assemble his left and right great ministers, rebuke those of his divisions who have been violent and harmed the border, and together settle guilt and execution. If they do not obey orders, let them make temporary plans according to circumstances. When the affair is done, a measured guest-gift will be enough to show authority to the hundred barbarians." The emperor followed this. Zhu Hui and Du Chong then raised troops and went to the court. Anguo heard by night that Han troops had arrived, was greatly frightened, abandoned his tent and left, then raised troops and the newly surrendered to execute Shizi. Shizi had known beforehand and led all his followers into Manbai city. Anguo pursued to the city, but the gates were shut and he could not enter. Zhu Hui sent an officer to explain and reconcile them; Anguo would not listen. Since the city did not fall, he led his troops to garrison Wuyuan. Chong and Hui then raised cavalry from the commanderies and urgently pursued him. The people were all greatly afraid. Xiwei and the others, Anguo's maternal-uncles' Guduhou, feared that they would all be executed, and killed Anguo in hand-to-hand fighting.

Anguo stood for one year. Shizi, son of shanyu Shi, was established.

Shizi, Tingdu Shizhu Hudi shanyu, was established in the sixth Yongyuan year. Five or six hundred surrendered Hu attacked Shizi by night. Wang Tian, pacifying aide, led guards and protectors to fight them and broke them. The newly surrendered Hu were then alarmed; fifteen divisions, more than two hundred thousand people, all rebelled. They coerced Fenghou, son of the former shanyu Tuntuhou and Aojian Rizhu king, and established him as shanyu. They killed and seized officers and people, burned postal stations and encampments, and took carts and baggage toward Shuofang, wishing to cross north of the desert. Acting general of chariots and cavalry Deng Hong, Yue cavalry colonel Feng Zhu, and acting general crossing the Liao Zhu Hui were sent with the left and right Yulin, the five northern army camps, skilled archers from commanderies and kingdoms, and border troops. Ren Shang, Wuhuan colonel, led Wuhuan and Xianbei. Together they had forty thousand men to punish them.

At that time the southern shanyu and Du Chong, palace gentleman general, were stationed at Mushi city. Fenghou led more than ten thousand cavalry to attack and surround them but could not take the city. In winter Deng Hong and the others reached Meiji. Fenghou then crossed the pass on the ice and went toward Manyi Valley. The southern shanyu sent his son with ten thousand cavalry, and Du Chong's four thousand cavalry, to pursue Fenghou together with Deng Hong and the others at Dacheng frontier. They cut off more than three thousand heads and obtained more than ten thousand living captives and surrenderers. Feng Zhu again divided troops to pursue and strike Fenghou's separate divisions, cutting off more than four thousand heads. Ren Shang led Subagui, Xianbei great protector, and Wuke, Wuhuan great man, with eight thousand cavalry to intercept Fenghou at Manyi Valley and again greatly defeated him. Altogether they cut off more than seventeen thousand heads. Fenghou then led his people out beyond the frontier, and Han troops could not pursue. In the first month of the seventh year the army returned.

Feng Zhu led the Tiger Fang camp and remained to garrison Wuyuan. The Xianbei, Wuhuan, Qiang, and Hu troops were dismissed and sent away. Subagui was enfeoffed as king leading the people and also granted gold and silk. Deng Hong returned to the capital; because he delayed and lost advantage, he was imprisoned and died. Later the emperor learned that Zhu Hui and Du Chong had lost harmony with the Hu and had also forbidden their memorials, bringing about rebellion. Both were summoned, imprisoned, and died. Pang Fen, administrator of Yanmen, was made acting general crossing the Liao.

Beyond the frontier Fenghou divided his people into two divisions. He personally led the right division and garrisoned below Zhuoye Mountain. The left division garrisoned northwest of Shuofang, several hundred li away. In the winter of the eighth year the Hu of the left division suspected one another and rebelled, returning through Shuofang frontier. Pang Fen welcomed and received them and comforted them. Their fighting men numbered four thousand, and their weak and small numbered more than ten thousand mouths; all surrendered and were divided among the northern border commanderies. The southern shanyu, because his right Wenyudu king Wu Juzhan had first plotted with Anguo, wished to examine and question him. Wu Juzhan led several thousand men and again rebelled, going out beyond the frontier into the mountain valleys and harming officers and people. In autumn Pang Fen, Feng Zhu, and commandery troops struck Wu Juzhan, and his people surrendered. Wu Juzhan's people and more than twenty thousand of those who had returned and surrendered were moved to Anding and Beidi. Feng Zhu returned and was promoted to grand artisan. Fenghou's people were hungry and poor, were again attacked by the Xianbei, and had nowhere to return; those who hid and fled into the frontier came in an unbroken line.

Shanyu Shizi died after standing for four years. Tan, son of shanyu Chang, was established.

Tan, Wanshi Shizhudi shanyu, was established in the tenth Yongyuan year. In the twelfth year Pang Fen was promoted to governor of Henan, and Wang Biao, administrator of Shuofang, became acting general crossing the Liao. The southern shanyu for successive years sent troops to attack Fenghou, captured many people, and recovered living persons numbering in the thousands before and after; Fenghou became more and more distressed. In the sixteenth year the northern shanyu sent envoys to the palace with tribute, wishing for marriage alliance and peace and to renew Huhanye's old agreement. Emperor He considered that their old ritual was not complete and did not permit it, but added generous rewards and did not answer the envoys. In the first Yuanxing year they again sent envoys to Dunhuang with tribute, saying that because the state was poor they could not yet furnish the ritual, and asking for a great envoy; they would send a son in attendance. At that time Empress Dowager Deng governed the court. She also did not answer the envoys, but only added gifts.

In the summer of the third Yongchu year, the Han man Han Cong accompanied the southern shanyu into court. After returning, he said to the southern shanyu: "East of the passes there are floods; the people are hungry and have all died. It can be attacked." The shanyu believed his words and raised troops in rebellion, attacking Geng Zhong, palace gentleman general, at Meiji. In autumn Wang Biao died. In winter acting general of chariots and cavalry He Xi and deputy palace gentleman general Pang Xiong were sent to strike him. In the spring of the fourth year Tan sent more than a thousand cavalry to raid Changshan and Zhongshan. Liang Jin, colonel of the Western Regions, was made acting general crossing the Liao and, with Geng Kui, administrator of Liaodong, struck and broke him. The affair is fully in the biographies of Jin and Kui. Seeing all the armies advance together, the shanyu was greatly afraid. He turned and reproached Han Cong: "You said the Han people had all died. What sort of men are these?" He then sent envoys to beg surrender, and it was permitted. The shanyu took off his cap, went barefoot, bowed before Pang Xiong and the others, and stated the way of his capital offense. He was then pardoned and treated as before. He returned the Han men and women he had seized and those seized by Qiang and resold into the Xiongnu, more than ten thousand people in all. In the fifth year Liang Jin was dismissed, and Geng Kui, administrator of Yunzhong, became acting general crossing the Liao.

In the first Yuanchu year Geng Kui was dismissed, and Deng Zun, Wuhuan colonel, became general crossing the Liao. Zun was the empress dowager's younger male cousin; therefore he was first made a full general.

In the fourth year Fenghou was broken by the Xianbei, and his people scattered and all returned to the northern enemy. In the spring of the fifth year Fenghou led more than a hundred cavalry and fled back, going to Shuofang frontier to surrender. Deng Zun submitted a report moving Fenghou to Yingchuan commandery.

In the first Jianguang year Deng Zun was dismissed, and Geng Kui again replaced him as general crossing the Liao. At that time the Xianbei raided the border. Kui and Huyouhui, Wenyudu king, led the newly surrendered year after year beyond the frontier to campaign against the Xianbei. Returning, each was again ordered to garrison key points. But Geng Kui's levies were vexing and severe, and all the newly surrendered hated him and plotted rebellion.

Shanyu Tan died after standing for twenty-seven years. His younger brother Ba was established. Geng Kui was again dismissed, and Fadu, administrator of Taiyuan, replaced him as general.

Ba, Wuji Hou Shizhudi shanyu, was established in the third Yanguang year. That summer Azu and other great men of one newly surrendered division rebelled and coerced Huyouhui, wishing him to go with them. Huyouhui said: "I am old. I have received the favor of the Han house. I would rather die than follow you." The crowd wished to kill him, but someone rescued him and he escaped. Azu and the others led wives, children, and baggage away. Ma Yi, palace gentleman general, sent troops with Hu cavalry to pursue and strike them, breaking them. Those beheaded and those who threw themselves into the river and died were almost all of them. More than ten thousand horses, cattle, and sheep were obtained. In winter Fadu died. In the fourth year Fu Zhong, administrator of Hanyang, replaced him as general. That winter Fu Zhong again died. In the first Yongjian year Pang Can, administrator of Liaodong, replaced him as general.

Before this, many of the barriers and frontiers west of Shuofang had not been repaired. The Xianbei therefore repeatedly raided the southern division and killed the Jianjiang king. The shanyu was anxious and afraid and submitted a request that the barriers and frontiers be repaired. Emperor Shun followed it. Troops from the Liyang camp were sent to garrison the northern border of Zhongshan, soldiers were added in the border commanderies, and they were arrayed below the frontier and trained in battle and shooting.

Shanyu Ba died after standing for four years. His younger brother Xiuli was established.

Xiuli, Quteruo Shizhijiu shanyu, was established in the third Yongjian year. In the fourth year Pang Can was promoted to grand herald, and Song Han, chancellor of Dongping, replaced him as general crossing the Liao. In the second Yangjia year Song Han was promoted to superintendent of the imperial stables, and Geng Ye, Wuhuan colonel, replaced him as general crossing the Liao. In the first Yonghe year Geng Ye was summoned because of illness, and Ma Xu, colonel protector of the Qiang, replaced him as general crossing the Liao.

In the summer of the fifth year, Wusi, Julong king of the left division of the southern Xiongnu, Cheniu, and others rebelled. They led more than three thousand cavalry to raid Xihe and then lured the right worthy king, combining seven or eight thousand cavalry to surround Meiji and kill the senior clerks of Shuofang and Dai commandery. Ma Xu, with Liang Bing, palace gentleman general, and Wang Yuan, Wuhuan colonel, raised border troops and Wuhuan, Xianbei, Qiang, and Hu, more than twenty thousand men in all, and made a surprise attack, breaking them. Wusi and the others then gathered again and attacked and destroyed cities. The Son of Heaven sent envoys to rebuke the shanyu, opened him with favor and righteousness, and ordered him to summon and surrender them. The shanyu had not originally taken part in the plot. He took off his cap, avoided his tent, went to Liang Bing, and apologized. Liang Bing was summoned because of illness, and Chen Gui, administrator of Wuyuan, replaced him as palace gentleman general. Gui, because the shanyu could not control those below, pressured him. The shanyu and his younger brother, the left worthy king, both killed themselves. Shanyu Xiuli had stood for thirteen years. Gui also wished to move the shanyu's close relatives into inner commanderies, and the surrenderers became more suspicious. Gui was imprisoned and dismissed for this.

Liang Shang, the great general, considered that the Qiang and Hu had newly rebelled, their parties had only just joined, and it would be hard to subdue them by arms; it would be better to use summons and surrender. He submitted a memorial:

"The Xiongnu raiders and rebels know that their guilt is extreme. Trapped birds and cornered beasts all know how to seek life; how much more when their kinds are numerous and cannot all be exhausted. Now transport increases day by day, the three armies are weary and suffering, and the inner lands are emptied to supply the outer. This is not China's advantage. I have privately seen that Ma Xu, general crossing the Liao, has long had plans, and since he has directed the border for a long time he deeply understands military essentials. Whenever I receive Xu's letters, they accord with my strategy. It would be proper to order Xu to deepen ditches and raise walls, summon surrender with favor and trust, declare rewards, and make the appointed times clear. In this way the ugly kind can be subdued and the state will have no affair."

The emperor followed it and ordered Xu to summon the rebel enemy to surrender. Shang also sent a letter to Xu and the others:

"China is peaceful and has long forgotten war. Good cavalry meeting in the wild, crossing blades and arrows, and deciding victory at the moment, is what Rong and Di are strong in and what China is weak in. Strong crossbows on city walls, firm camps and solid defense, waiting for them to decline, is what China is strong in and what Rong and Di are weak in. You should work first at what is strong and observe changes, set out rewards and open prizes, declare repentance, and not covet small merit in a way that disorders the great plan."

Ma Xu and the commanderies all followed this. Thereupon Yidi and others of the right worthy king's division, thirteen thousand mouths, went to Xu and surrendered.

In autumn, Julong Wusi and the others established Cheniu, the Julong king, as shanyu. To the east they drew in the Wuhuan; to the west they gathered Qiang, Rong, and the various Hu, several tens of thousands of people. They attacked and broke the Jingzhao Tiger Fang camp, killed the commandant of Shang commandery and the army major, and then raided and plundered Bing, Liang, You, and Ji provinces. Xihe's seat was moved to Lishi, Shang commandery's to Xiayang, and Shuofang's to Wuyuan. In winter Zhang Dan, palace gentleman general, was sent with the Wuhuan of You province and troops from the commandery camps to strike the rebel enemy Cheniu and others. They fought at Mayi, cut off three thousand heads, and obtained many living captives, weapons, cattle, and sheep. Cheniu and the other leaders, including Guduhou, begged surrender. But Wusi still led his divisions and Wuhuan in raiding and plundering. In the spring of the sixth year, Ma Xu led five thousand Xianbei cavalry to Gucheng to attack him and cut off several hundred heads. Zhang Dan was brave and sharp by nature and good at comforting his soldiers; everyone in the army used his life for him. They therefore suspended themselves by ropes and climbed up Tian Mountain, greatly defeated the Wuhuan, beheaded all their leaders, recovered Han people, and took livestock and property. In summer Ma Xu was again dismissed, and Wu Wu, colonel of the city gates, replaced him as general.

In the autumn of the first Han'an year, Wusi with Aodi Taiqi, Juqu Bode, and others again plundered Bing division.

Doulouchu, Hulanruo Shizhijiu shanyu, had earlier been in the capital. In the second Han'an year he was established. The Son of Heaven appeared at the front hall. The grand herald, holding credentials, appointed him and bestowed seal and ribbon, leading him up into the palace. He was granted a blue canopy with four-horse team, drum cart, peaceful carriage, attached-horse cavalry, jade-fitted knives and swords, equipment, and two thousand bolts of colored cloth. The shanyu's consort and those below her were granted gold, brocade, mixed utensils, two women's carriages, and horses. An acting palace gentleman general with credentials was sent to escort the shanyu back to the southern court. The emperor ordered the grand master of ceremonies and the grand herald to hold a farewell assembly with the hostage sons of the various states outside Guangyang Gate, with feast, gifts, music, wrestling, and the hundred games. Emperor Shun went to Walnut Palace and watched it. In winter the palace gentleman general Ma Shi hired men to assassinate Julong Wusi and sent his head to Luoyang. In the first Jiankang year Ma Shi advanced and attacked the remaining party, cutting off twelve hundred heads. More than seven hundred thousand Wuhuan mouths all went to Shi and surrendered; carts, cattle, and sheep were beyond counting.

Shanyu Doulouchu died after standing for five years.

Juche'er, Yiling Shizhijiu shanyu, was established in the first Jianhe year. In the first Yongshou year, Aojian Taiqi of the Xiongnu left division, Juqu Bode, and others again rebelled and raided Meiji and Anding. Zhang Huan, commandant of the dependent state, struck, broke, and surrendered them. The affair is fully in Huan's biography.

In the first Yanxi year, all the divisions of the southern shanyu rebelled and, together with Wuhuan and Xianbei, raided the nine border commanderies. Zhang Huan was made northern palace gentleman general to punish them, and all the shanyu's divisions surrendered. Huan, because the shanyu could not govern state affairs, detained him and submitted a request to establish the left Guli king. Emperor Huan issued an edict: "The Spring and Autumn greatly honors occupying the correct place. Juche'er with one heart turns toward transformation. What crime has he committed that he should be deposed? Send him back to his court."

Shanyu Juche'er died after standing for twenty-five years. His son, whose name is not recorded here, was established.

The unnamed Tuteruo Shizhijiu shanyu was established in the first Xiping year. In the sixth year the shanyu and Zang Min, palace gentleman general, went out from Yanmen to attack Tanshihuai of the Xianbei, were greatly defeated, and returned. That year the shanyu died, and his son Huzheng was established.

Shanyu Huzheng was established in the first Guanghe year. In the second year Zhang Xiu, palace gentleman general, and the shanyu could not work together. Xiu executed him without authorization and established Qiangqu, the right worthy king, as shanyu. Because Xiu had executed and killed without first requesting permission, he was summoned in a caged cart to the chamberlain for law and convicted.

Shanyu Qiangqu was established in the second Guanghe year. In the fourth Zhongping year, Zhang Chun, former administrator of Zhongshan, rebelled and led the Xianbei in raiding the border commanderies. Emperor Ling ordered southern Xiongnu troops raised and assigned to Liu Yu, governor of You province, to punish him. The shanyu sent the left worthy king with cavalry to You province. The people of the state feared that the shanyu's levies would have no end. In the fifth year, Chuluo of the right division, Xiuzhu, and Baima Tong and other Hu, more than one hundred thousand people, rebelled and attacked and killed the shanyu.

Shanyu Qiangqu had stood for ten years. His son, the right worthy king Yufuluo, was established.

Yufuluo, Chizhi Shizhu Hou shanyu, was established in the fifth Zhongping year. Those of the state who had killed his father rebelled and together established Xubu Guduhou as shanyu, while Yufuluo went to the palace gate and pleaded his case. Just then Emperor Ling died and all under Heaven fell into great disorder. The shanyu led several thousand cavalry and joined forces with the White Wave bandits to raid the commanderies of Henei. At that time the people all gathered in fortified groups, and plundering brought no profit; his troops were then beaten and injured. He again wished to return to his state, but the people of the state would not receive him, and he stayed in Hedong. Xubu Guduhou died after being shanyu for one year, and the southern court left the position empty, using an old king to act in state affairs.

Shanyu Yufuluo died after standing for seven years. His younger brother Huchuquan was established.

Shanyu Huchuquan was established in the second Xingping year. Because his elder brother had been expelled, he could not return to the state and was repeatedly plundered by the Xianbei. In the first Jian'an year, Emperor Xian returned east from Chang'an. Qubei, the right worthy king, with Han Xian and other commanders of the White Wave bandits, guarded and escorted the Son of Heaven and resisted Li Jue and Guo Si. When the imperial carriage returned to Luoyang and later moved to Xu, they then returned to the state. In the twenty-first year, the shanyu came to court. Cao Cao took the opportunity to keep him at Ye and sent Qubei back to supervise his state.

The appraisal says: At the beginning of Han, the age encountered the ferocity and cunning of Maodun, whose people and multitudes were strong and blazing. Gaozu's authority extended over the four seas, yet he was trapped in the siege at Pingcheng. Taizong's government came close to setting punishments aside, yet he did not wipe away the shame of resentment and humiliation. When it came to Emperor Wu, he repeatedly raised frontier strategy and set his purpose on the Xiongnu. Splendidly he ordered generals; war banners were linked like stars; scouts were arrayed through the suburbs; beacon fires reached Ganquan. Yet whistling arrows still raised dust and came in and out of the imperial region. He reached the point of exhausting military power and using up Heaven's wealth over long years to drive them off. Though the raiders were somewhat broken, Han's weariness and depletion roughly matched it.

Emperor Xuan met the time when the enemy court was divided and contending and Huhanye came as minister. He therefore accepted and soothed him according to expediency, made him a border guard, ended the alarms of the passes and outposts, and rested the labor of soldiers and people. With imperial carriage and imperial robes, with bells sounding and drums transmitting on the clear Wei, he faced south and received the shanyu at court. In Shuo and Yi there was no longer the track of a single horse, for more than sixty years. Later Wang Mang usurped and insulted the throne and still stirred the Rong and Yi. This was followed by the disorder of Gengshi, and the Chinese lands were split apart. From then the Xiongnu obtained their will, and the wolf's heart was born again. They took advantage of the interval to invade and overflow, and harm flowed to neighboring borders.

At the beginning of the restoration, the old friendship was again communicated; answering missions followed one another, and gold and money filled the roads. But the shanyu was arrogant and rude, more and more violent; inward violence grew deep. Emperor Guangwu, because he was occupied with affairs among the Chinese lands and had no leisure beyond the desert frontier, endured shame and thought of difficulty, merely returning thanks. He moved the people of You and Bing and increased the soldiers of the border garrisons. When the lands east of the passes were somewhat settled and Long and Shu were already cleared, every fierce man and bold general stamped his feet and bared his arms, competing to speak of the affairs of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing. The emperor was weary of war and quietly repaired civil government; he did not permit it.

Afterward the Xiongnu contended over succession, and the Rizhu king came running. He wished to renew Huhanye's friendship, resist the northern Di's charge, serve as fence and minister, and forever be an outer guard. The Son of Heaven gathered the many plans, made peace, and accepted him. He ordered the proper officers to open the northern border, choose fertile and good land, and settle him according to water and pasture. Envoys of the palace gentleman general rode to him and supervised him fully by law and measure. Clothing was regulated, ritual objects prepared, seals and ribbons added, and the shanyu's title corrected. From this the Xiongnu were divided and broken, and for the first time there were southern and northern courts.

Their hatred and wounds were already deep. Each took advantage of the other's openings; drawing bows and lifting spears, watching wind and dust, gathering like clouds and scattering like birds, they charged against one another. There were years without rest from collapse and wounds, but Han's frontier lands were quiet. Later Han also rather sent out armies, joined troops, and pursued them to the end, ordering Dou Xian, Geng Kui, and their men to advance before and after. All used decisive deception, set unusual calculations, and by different roads met together. They completely covered the enemy's dens and lairs, followed the north and pursued the fleeing for more than three thousand li, then broke the dragon-sacrifice place, burned the felt tents, buried the ten horns, shackled the consorts, inscribed merit on sealed stone, shouted victory, and returned. The shanyu, shaken and terrified, held his breath under felt and fled to the land of Wusun, and the north of the desert was empty.

If, according to the situation of that time and while it was empty and broad, Han had returned the southern enemy to Yinshan and restored Hexi to the inner land, above extending Guangwu's expedient strategy and below preventing the later change in which Rong and Jie disordered China, then Geng Guo's calculation would not have been wrong in that age, and Yuan An's proposal would have been followed by later kings. Level, easy, upright, and straight: so broad was this. But Dou Xian boasted of the success of three victories and neglected the rules for governing an age. Fierce and perverse, not correct, he monopolized authority and favors. He again established the northern enemy, returned him to his old court, and extended favor with two protectors in order to make private fortune for himself. He cast aside Heaven's public order and planted a great obstruction. Thinking forever on the former record, how deep are regret and anger! After this, the management lost its direction, rebellion and submission were not constant, and the poisonous disease it made cannot be told in one statement. Descending to later ages, it was treated as common custom and ended by swallowing the divine land and making the imperial dwelling a mound and ruin. Alas! A thousand-li error rises from the tip of a hair. The source of loss and gain is not erased for a hundred generations.

The praise says: Once the Xiongnu were divided, feathered dispatches were rarely heard. But the wild heart was hard to make repent; in the end there was confusion again.

Colophon

This Good Works Translation was made from the Classical Chinese text of Hou Han Shu, Southern Xiongnu Biography, preserved in the local Scythian expansion source base.

The translation is complete for the source body printed below. It keeps the shanyu title, divisional offices, and frontier command names visible so the chapter can be read beside Shiji 110, Han Shu Xiongnu, Hou Han Shu Wuhuan and Xianbei, and the Western Regions material.

Compiled for the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: Classical Chinese

### 南匈奴列傳

南匈奴醢落尸逐鞮單于比者，呼韓邪單于之孫，烏珠留若鞮單于之子也。自呼韓邪後，諸子以次立，至比季父孝單于輿時，以比為右薁鞬日逐王，部領南邊及烏桓。

建武初，彭寵反叛於漁陽，單于與共連兵，因復權立盧芳，使入居五原。光武初，方平諸夏，未遑外事。至六年，始令歸德侯劉颯使匈奴，匈奴亦遣使来獻，漢復令中郎將韓統報命，賂遺金幣，以通舊好。而單于驕踞，自比冒頓，對使者辭語悖慢，帝待之如初。初，使命常通，而匈奴數與盧芳共侵北邊。九年，遣大司馬吳漢等擊之。經歲無功，而匈奴轉盛，抄暴日增。十三年，遂寇河東，州郡不能禁。於是漸徙幽、并邊人於常山關、居庸關以東，匈奴左部遂復轉居塞内。朝廷患之，增緣邊兵郡數千人，大築亭候，修烽火。匈奴聞漢購求盧芳，貪得財帛，乃遣芳還降，望得其賞。而芳以自歸為功，不稱匈奴所遣，單于復耻言其計，故賞遂不行。由是大恨，入寇尤深。二十年，遂至上黨、扶風、天水。二十一年冬，復寇上谷、中山，殺略抄掠甚眾，北邊無復寧歲。

初，單于弟右谷蠡王伊屠知牙師以次當為左賢王。左賢王即是單于儲副。單于欲傳其子，遂殺知牙師。知牙師者，王昭君之子也。昭君字嫱，南郡人也。初，元帝時，以良家子選入掖庭。時，呼韓邪来朝，帝敕以宫女五人賜之。昭君入宫數岁，不得見御，積悲怨，乃請掖庭令求行。呼韓邪臨辭大會，帝召五女以示之。昭君豐容靓飾，光明漢宫，顾景裴回，竦動左右。帝見大驚，意欲留之，而難於失信，遂與匈奴。生二子。及呼韓邪死，其前閼氏子代立，欲妻之，昭君上書求歸，成帝敕令從胡俗，遂復為後單于閼氏焉。

比見知牙師被誅，出怨言曰：“以兄弟言之，右谷蠡王次當立；以子言之，我前單于長子，我當立。”遂内懷猜懼，庭會稀闊。單于疑之，乃遣兩骨都侯監領比所部兵。二十二年，單于輿死，子左賢王烏達鞮侯立為單于。復死，弟左賢王蒲奴立為單于。比不得立，既懷憤恨。而匈奴中連年旱蝗，赤地數千里，草木盡枯，人畜飢疫，死耗太半。單于畏漢乘其敝，乃遣使詣漁陽求和親。於是遣中郎將李茂報命。而比密遣漢人郭衡奉匈奴地圖，二十三年，詣西河太守求内附。兩骨都侯頗覺其意，會五月龍祠，因白單于，言薁鞬日逐夙来欲為不善，若不誅，且亂國。時，比弟漸將王在單于帳下，聞之，馳以報比。比懼，遂斂所主南邊八部眾四五萬人，待兩骨都侯還，欲殺之。骨都侯且到，知其謀，皆輕騎亡去，以告單于。單于遣萬騎擊之，見比眾盛，不敢進而還。

二十四年春，八部大人共議立比為呼韓邪單于，以其大父嘗依漢得安，故欲襲其號。於是款五原塞，願永為籓蔽，悍御北虜。帝用五官中郎將耿國議，乃許之。其冬，比自立為呼韓邪單于。

二十五年春，遣弟左賢王莫將兵萬餘人擊北單于弟薁鞬左賢王，生獲之；又破北單于帳下，并得其眾，合萬餘人，馬七千匹、牛羊萬頭。北單于震怖，卻地千里。初，帝造戰車，可駕數牛，上作樓橹，置於塞上，以拒匈奴。時人見者或相謂曰：“讖言漢九世當卻北狄地千里，豈謂此邪？”及是，果拓地焉。北部薁鞬骨都侯與右骨都侯率眾三萬餘人来歸南單于，南單于復遣使詣闕，奉籓稱臣，獻國珍寶，求使者監護，遣侍子，修舊約。

二十六年，遣中郎將段郴、副校尉王郁使南單于，立其庭，去五原西部塞八十里。單于乃延迎使者。使者曰：“單于當伏拜受詔。”單于顧望有頃，乃伏稱臣。拜訖，令譯曉使者曰：“單于新立，誠慚於左右，願使者眾中無相屈折也。”骨都侯等見，皆泣下。郴等反命，詔乃聽南單于入居雲中。遣使上書，獻駱駝二頭，文馬十匹。夏，南單于所獲北虜薁鞬左賢王將其眾及南部五骨都侯合三萬餘人叛歸，去北庭三百餘里，共立薁鞬左賢王為單于。月餘日，更相攻擊，五骨都侯皆死，左賢王遂自殺，諸骨都侯子各擁兵自守。秋，南單于遣子入侍，奉奏詣闕。詔賜單于冠帶、衣裳、黄金璽、盭緺綬，安車羽蓋，華藻駕駟，寶劍弓箭，黑節三，駙馬二，黄金、錦綉、繒布萬匹，絮萬斤，樂器鼓車，棨戟甲兵，飲食什器。又轉河東米糒二萬五千斛。牛、羊三萬六千頭，以瞻給之。令中郎將置安集掾史將弛刑五十人，持兵弩隨單于所處，参辭訟，察動静。單于歲盡輒遣使奉奏，送侍子入朝，中郎將從事一人將領詣闕。漢遣謁者送前侍子還單于庭，交會道路。元正朝賀，拜祠陵廟畢，漢乃遣單于使，令謁者將送，賜彩繒千匹，錦四端，金十斤，太宫御食醬及橙、橘、龍眼、荔支；賜單于母及諸閼氏、單于子及左右賢王、左右谷蠡王、骨都侯有功善者，繒彩合萬匹。歲以為常。

匈奴俗，歲有三龍祠，常以正月、五月、九月戊日祭天神。南單于既内附，兼祠漢帝，因會諸部議國事，走馬及駱駝為樂。其大臣貴者左賢王，次左谷蠡王，次右賢王，次右谷蠡王，謂之四角；次左右日逐王，次左右温禺鞮王，次左右漸將王，是為六角；皆單于子弟，次第當為單于者也。異姓大臣：左右骨都侯，次左右尸逐骨都侯，其餘日逐、且渠、當户諸官號，各以權力優劣、部眾多少為高下次第焉。單于姓虛連題。異姓有呼衍氏、須卜氏、丘林氏、蘭氏四姓，为國中名族，常與單于婚姻。呼衍氏為左，蘭氏、須卜氏為右，主斷獄聽訟，當決輕重，口白單于，無文書簿領焉。

冬，前叛五骨都侯子復將其眾三千人歸南部，北單于使騎追擊，悉獲其眾。南單于遣兵拒之，逆戰不利。於是復詔單于徙居西河美稷，因使中郎將段郴及副校尉王郁留西河擁護之，為設官府、從事、掾史。令西河長史歲將騎二千、弛刑五百人，助中郎將衛護單于，冬屯夏罷。自後以為常，及悉復缘邊八郡。

南單于既居西河，亦列置諸部王，助為悍戍。使韓氏骨都侯屯北地，右賢王屯朔方，當于骨都侯屯五原，呼衍骨都侯屯雲中，郎氏骨都侯屯定襄，左南將軍屯雁門，栗籍骨都侯屯代郡，皆領部眾為郡縣偵羅耳目。北單于惶恐，頗還所略漢人，以示善意。抄兵每到南部下，還過亭候，輒謝曰：“自擊亡虜薁鞬日逐耳，非敢犯漢人也。”

二十七年，北單于遂遣使詣武威求和親，天子召公卿廷議，不决。皇太子言曰：“南單于新附，北虜懼於見伐，故傾耳而聽，爭欲歸義耳。今未能出兵，而反交通北虜，臣恐南單于將有二心，北虜降者且不復来矣。”帝然之，告武威太守勿受其使。

二十八年，北匈奴復遣使詣闕，貢馬及裘，更乞和親，并請音樂，又求率西域諸國胡客與俱獻見。帝下三府議酬答之宜。司徒掾班彪奏曰：

臣聞孝宣皇帝敕邊守尉曰；“匈奴大國，多變詐。交接得其情，則卻敵折冲；應對入其數，則反為輕欺。”今北匈奴見南單于来附，懼謀其國，故數乞和親，又遠驅牛、馬與漢合市，重遣名王，多所貢獻。斯皆外示富强，以相欺誕也。臣見其獻益重，知其國益虛，歸親愈數，為懼愈多。然今既未獲助南，則亦不宜絕北，靶縻之義，禮無不答。謂可頗加賞賜，略與所獻相當，明加曉告以前世呼韓邪、郅支行事。

報答之辭，令必有适，今立稿草并上，曰：“單于不忘漢恩，追念先祖舊約，欲修和親，以輔身安國，計議甚高，為單于嘉之。往者，匈奴數有乖亂，呼韓邪、郅支自相仇隙，并蒙孝宣皇帝垂恩救護，故各遣侍子稱籓保塞。其後郅支忿戾，自絕皇澤；而呼韓附親，忠孝彌著。及漢滅郅支，遂保國傳嗣，子孫相繼。今南單于攜眾南向，款塞歸命。自以呼韓嫡長，次第當立，而侵奪失職，猜疑相背，數請兵將，歸掃北庭，策謀紛紜，無所不至。惟念斯言不可獨聽，又以北單于比年貢獻，欲修和親，故拒而未許，將以成單于忠孝之義。漢秉威信，總率萬國，日月所照，皆為臣妾。殊俗百蠻，義無親疏，服順者褒賞，叛逆者誅罰，善惡之效，呼韓、郅支是也。今單于欲修和親，款誠已達，何嫌而欲率西域諸國俱来獻見？西域國屬匈奴，與屬漢何異？單于數連兵亂，國内虛耗，貢物裁以通禮，何必獻馬裘？今賫雜繒五百匹，弓鞬韥丸一，矢四發，遣遺單于。又賜獻馬左骨都侯、右谷蠡王雜繒各四百匹，斬馬劍各一。單于前言先帝時所賜呼韓邪竽、瑟、空侯皆敗，願復栽賜。念單于國尚未安，方勵武節，以戰攻為務，竽瑟之用，不如良弓利劍，故未以賫。朕不愛小物，於單于使宜所欲，遣譯以聞。”

帝悉納從之。二十九年，賜南單于羊數萬頭。三十一年，北匈奴復遣使如前，乃璽書報答，賜以彩繒，不遣使者。

單于比立九年薨，中郎將段郴將兵赴吊，祭以酒米，分兵衛護之。比弟左賢王莫立，帝遣使者賫璽書鎮慰，拜授璽綬，遺冠幘，絳單衣三襲，童子佩刀、緄帶各一，又賜繒彩四千匹，令賞賜諸王、骨都侯已下。其後單于薨，吊祭慰賜，以此為常。

丘浮尤鞮單于莫，中元元年立，一年薨，弟汗立。

伊伐于慮鞮單于汗，中元二年立。永平二年，北匈奴護于丘率眾千餘人来降。南部單于汗立二年薨，單于比之子適立。

䤈僮尸逐侯鞮單于適，永平二年立。五年冬，北匈奴六七千騎入於五原塞，遂寇雲中，至原陽。南單于擊卻之，西河長史馬襄赴救，虜乃引去。

單于適立四年薨，單于莫子蘇立，是為丘除車林鞮單于。敏月復薨，單于適之弟長立。

胡邪尸逐侯鞮單于長，永平六年立。時北匈奴猶盛，數寇邊，朝廷以為憂。會北單于欲合市，遣使求和親，顯宗冀其交通，不復為寇，乃許之。

八年，遣越騎司馬鄭眾北使報命，而南部須卜骨都侯等知漢與北虜交使，懷嫌怨欲叛，密因北使，令遣兵迎之。鄭眾出塞，疑有異，伺候果得須卜使人，乃上言宜更置大將，以防二虜交通。由是始置度遼營，以中郎將吳棠行度遼將軍事，副校尉来苗、左校尉閻章、右校尉張國將黎陽虎牙營士，屯五原曼柏。又遣騎都尉秦彭將兵屯美稷。其年秋，北虜果遣二千騎候望朔方，作馬革船，欲度迎南部叛者，以漢有備，乃引去。復數寇抄邊郡，焚燒城邑，殺略甚眾，河西城門晝閉，帝患之。

十六年，乃大發缘邊兵，遣諸將四道出塞，北征匈奴。南單于遣左賢王信隨太僕祭肜及吳棠出朔方高闕，攻皋林温禺犢王於涿邪山。虜聞漢兵来，悉度漠去。肜、棠坐不至涿邪山免，以騎都尉来苗行度遼將軍。其年，北匈奴入雲中，遂至漁陽，太守廉范擊卻之。詔遣使者高弘發三郡兵追之，無所得。

建初元年，来苗遷濟陰太守，以征西將軍耿秉行度遼將軍。時皋林温禺犢王復將眾還居涿邪山，南單于聞知，遣輕騎與缘邊郡及烏桓兵出塞擊之，斬首數百級，降者三四千人。其年，南部苦蝗，大飢，肅宗禀給其貧人三萬餘口。七年，耿秉遷執金吾，以張掖太守鄧鴻行度遼將軍。八年，北匈奴三木樓訾大人稽留斯等，率三萬八千人、馬二萬匹、牛、羊十餘萬，款五原塞降。

元和元年，武威太守孟雲上言北單于復願與吏人合市，詔書聽云遣驛使迎呼慰納之。北單于乃遣大且渠伊莫訾王等，驅牛、馬萬餘頭来與漢賈客交易。諸王大人或前至，所在郡縣為設官邸，賞賜待遇之。南單于聞，乃遣輕騎出上郡，遮略生口，抄掠牛、馬，驅還入塞。

二年正月，北匈奴大人車利、涿兵等亡来入塞，凡七十三輩。時北虜衰耗，黨眾離叛，南部攻其前，丁零寇其後，鲜卑擊其左，西域侵其右，不復自立，乃遠引而去。

單于長立二十三年薨，單于汗之子宣立。

伊屠於閭鞮單于宣，元和二年立。其歲，單于遣兵千餘人獵至涿邪山，卒與北虜温禺犢王遇，因戰，獲其首級而還。冬，孟雲上言：“北虜以前既和親，而南部復往抄掠，北單于謂漢欺之，謀欲犯塞，謂宜還南所掠生口，以慰安其意。”肅宗從太僕袁安議，許之。乃下詔曰：“昔玁狁、獯粥之敵中国，其所由来尚矣。往者雖有和親之名，終無絲髮之效。墝埆之人，屢嬰塗炭。父戰於前，子死於後。弱女乘於亭障，孤兒號於道路。老母寡妻設虛祭，飲泣淚，想望歸魂於沙漠之表，豈不哀哉！傳曰：‘江海所以能長百川者，以其下之也。’少加屈下，尚何足病？况今與匈奴君臣分定，辭順約明，貢獻累至，豈宜違信，自受其曲？其敕度遼及領中郎將龐奮倍雇南部所得生口，以還北虜。其南部斬首獲生，計功受賞如常科。”於是南單于復令薁鞮日逐王師子將輕騎數千出塞掩擊北虜，復斬獲千人。北虜眾以南部為漢所厚，又聞取降者歲數千人。

章和元年，鮮卑入左地擊北匈奴，大破之，斬優留單于，取其匈奴皮而還。北庭大亂，屈蘭、儲卑、胡都須等五十八部，口二十萬，勝兵八千人，詣雲中、五原、朔方、北地降。

單于宣立三年薨，單于長之弟屯屠何立。

休蘭尸逐侯鞮單于屯屠何，章和二年立。時北虜大亂，加以飢蝗，降者前後而至。南單于將并北庭，會肅宗崩，竇太后臨朝。其年七月，單于上言：

臣累世蒙恩，不可勝數。孝章皇帝聖思遠慮，遂欲見成就，故令烏桓、鮮卑討北虜，斬單于首級，破壞其國。今所新降虛渠等詣臣自言：“去歲三月中發虜庭，北單于創劉南兵，又畏丁令、鮮卑、遁逃遠去，依安侯河西。今年正月，骨都侯等復共立單于異母兄右賢王為單于，其人以兄弟爭立，并各離散。”臣與諸王骨都侯及新降渠帥雜議方略，皆曰宜及北虜分爭，出兵討伐，破北成南，并为一國，令漢家長無北念。又今月八日，新降右須日逐鮮堂輕從虜庭遠来詣臣，言北虜諸部多欲内顧，但耻自發遣，故未有至者。若出兵奔擊，必有響應。今年不往，恐復并壹。臣伏念先父歸漢以来，被蒙覆載，嚴塞明侯，大兵擁護，積四十年。臣等生長漢地，開口仰食，歲時賞賜，動輒億萬，雖垂拱安枕，慚無報效之地。願發國中及諸部故胡、新降精兵，遣左谷蠡王師子、左呼衍日逐王須訾將萬騎出朔方，左賢王安國、右大且渠王交勒蘇將萬骑出居延，期十二月同會虜地。臣將餘兵萬人屯五原、朔方塞，以為拒守。臣素愚淺，又兵眾單少，不足以防内外。願遣執金吾耿秉、度遼將軍鄧鴻及西河、雲中、五原、朔方、上郡太守并力而北，令北地、安定太守各屯要害，冀因聖帝威神，一舉平定。臣國成敗，要在今年。已敕諸部嚴兵馬，訖九月龍祠，悉集河上。唯陛下裁哀省察！

太后以示耿秉。秉上言：“昔武帝單極天下，欲臣虜匈奴，未遇天時，事逐無成，宣帝之世，會呼韓来降，故邊人獲安，中外為一；生人休息，六十餘年。及王莽篡位，變更其號，耗擾不止，單于乃叛。光武受命，復懷納之，緣邊壞郡得以還復。烏桓、鮮卑，咸脅歸義。威鎮四夷，其效如此。今幸遭天授，北虜分爭，以夷伐夷，國家之利，宜可聽許。”秉因自陳受恩，分當出命效用。太后從之。

永元元年，以秉为征西將軍，與車騎將軍竇憲率騎八千，與度遼兵及南單于眾三萬騎，出朔方擊北虜，大破之。北單于奔走，首虜二十餘萬人。事已具《竇憲傳》。

二年春，鄧鴻遷大鴻臚，以定襄太守皇甫棱行度遼將軍。南單于復上求滅北庭，於是遣左谷蠡王師子等將左右部八千騎出雞鹿塞，中郎將耿譚遣從事將護之。至涿邪山，乃留輜重，分為二部，各引輕兵兩道襲之。左部北過西海至河雲北，右部從匈奴河水西繞天山，南度甘微河，二軍俱會，夜圍北單于。單于大驚，率精兵千餘人合戰。單于被創，墮馬復上，將輕騎數十遁走，僅而免脱。得其玉璽，獲閼氏及男女五人，斬首八千級，生虜數千口而還。是時南部連克獲納降，黨眾最盛，領户三萬四千，口二十三萬七千三百，勝兵五萬一百七十。故事：中郎將置從事二人，耿譚以新降者多，上增從事十二人。

三年，北單于復為右校尉耿夔所破，逃亡不知所在。其弟右谷蠡王於降鞬自立為單于，將右温禺鞬王、骨都侯已下眾數千人，止蒲類海，遣使款塞。大將軍竇憲上書，立於除鞬為北單于，朝廷從之。四年，遣耿夔即授璽綬，賜玉劍四具，羽蓋一駟，使中郎將任尚持節衛護屯伊吾，如南單于故事。方欲輔歸北庭，會竇憲被誅。五年，於除鞬自叛還北，帝遣將兵長史王輔以千餘騎與任尚共追，誘將還斬之。破滅其眾。

單于屯屠何立六年薨，單于宣弟安國立。

單于安國，永元五年立。安國初為左賢王而無稱譽。左谷蠡王師子素勇黠多知，前單于宣及屯屠何皆愛其氣决，故數遣將兵出塞，掩擊北庭，還受賞賜，天子亦加殊異。是以國中盡敬師子，而不附安國。安國由是疾師子，欲殺之。其諸新降胡初在塞外，數為師子所驅掠，皆多怨之。安國因是委計降者，與同謀議。安國既立為單于，師子以次轉為左賢王，覺單于與新降者有謀，乃别居五原界。單于每龍會議事，師子輒稱病不往。皇甫棱知之，亦擁護不遣，單于懷憤益甚。

六年春，皇甫棱免，以執金吾硃徽行度遼將軍。時單于與中郎將杜崇不相平，乃上書告崇，崇諷西河太守令斷單于章，無由自聞。而崇因與硃徽上言：“南單于安國疏遠故胡，親近新降，欲殺左賢王師子及左台且渠劉利等。又右部降者謀共迫脅安國，起兵背叛，諸西河、上郡、安定為之儆備。”和帝下公卿議，皆以為“蠻夷反覆，雖難測知，然大兵聚會，必未敢動摇。今宜遣有方略使者之單于庭，與杜崇、硃徽及西河太守并力，觀其動静。如無它變，可令崇等就安國會其左右大臣，責其部眾横暴為邊害者，共平罪誅。若不從命，令為權時方略，事畢之後，裁行客賜，亦足以威示百蠻”。帝從之。於是徽、崇遂發兵造其庭。安國夜聞漢軍至，大驚，棄帳而去，因舉兵及將新降者欲誅師子。師子先知，乃悉將盧落入曼柏城。安國追到城下，門閉不得入。硃徽遣吏曉譬和之，安國不聽。城既不下，乃引兵屯五原。崇、徽因發諸郡騎追赴之急，眾皆大恐，安國舅骨都侯喜為等慮并被誅，乃格殺安國。

安國立一年，單于適之子師子立。

亭獨尸逐侯鞮單于師子，永元六年立。降胡五六百人夜襲師子，安集掾王恬將衛護士與戰，破之。於是新降胡遂相驚動，十五部二十餘萬人皆反叛，脅立前單于屯屠何子薁鞬日逐王逢侯為單于，遂殺略吏人，燔燒郵亭盧帳，將車重向朔方，欲度漠北。於是遣行車騎將軍鄧鴻、越騎校尉馮柱、行度遼將軍硃徽將左右羽林、北軍五校士及郡國積射、緣邊兵，烏桓校尉任尚將烏桓、鮮卑，合四萬人討之。時南單于及中郎將杜崇屯牧師城，逢侯將萬餘骑攻圍之，未下。冬，鄧鴻等至美稷，逢侯乃乘冰度隘，向滿夷谷。南單于遣子將萬騎，及杜崇所領四千騎，与鄧鴻等追擊逢侯於大城塞，斬首三千餘級，得生口及降者萬餘人。馮柱復分兵追擊其别部，斬首四千餘級。任尚率鮮卑大都護蘇拔廆、烏桓大人勿柯八千騎，要擊逢侯於滿夷谷，復大破之。前後凡斬萬七千餘級。逢侯遂率眾出塞，漢兵不能追。七年正月，军還。

馮柱將虎牙營留屯五原，罷遣鮮卑、烏桓、羌胡兵、封蘇拔廆为率眾王，又賜金、帛。鄧鴻還京師，坐逗留失利，下獄死。後帝知硃徽、杜崇失胡和，又禁其上書，以致反叛，皆征下獄死，以雁門太守龐奮行度遼將軍。逢侯於塞外分為二部，自領右部，屯涿邪山下。左部屯朔方西北，相去數百里。八年冬，左部胡自相疑叛，還入朔方塞，龐奮迎受，慰納之。其勝兵四千人，弱小萬餘口，悉降，以分處北邊諸郡。南單于以其右温禺犢王烏居戰始與安國同謀，欲考問之。烏居戰將數千人遂復反叛，出塞外山谷間，為吏民害。秋，龐奮、馮柱與諸郡兵擊烏居戰，其眾降，於是徙烏居戰眾及諸還降者二萬餘人於安定、北地。馮柱還，遷將作大匠。逢侯部眾飢窮，又為鮮卑所擊，無所歸，竄逃入塞者駱驛不絕。

單于師子立四年薨，單于長之子檀立。

萬氏尸逐鞮單于檀，永元十年立。十二年，龐奮遷河南尹，以朔方太守王彪行度遼將軍。南單于比歲遣兵擊逢侯，多所虜獲，收還生口前後以千數，逢侯轉困迫。十六年，北單于遣使詣闕貢獻，願和親，修呼韓邪故約。和帝以其舊禮不備，未許之，而厚加賞賜，不答其使。元興元年，重遣使詣敦煌貢獻，辭以國貧未能備禮，願請大使，當遣子入侍。時鄧太后臨朝，亦不答其使，但加賜而已。

永初三年夏，漢人韓琮随南單于入朝，既還，說南單于云：“關東水潦，人民飢餓死盡，可擊也。”單于信其言，遂起兵反叛，攻中郎將耿種於美稷。秋，王彪卒。冬，遣行車騎將軍何熙、副中郎將龐雄擊之。四年春，檀遣千餘騎寇常山、中山，以西域校尉梁慬行度遼將軍， 與遼東太守耿夔擊破之。 事已具《慬》、《夔傳》。單于見諸軍并進，大恐怖，顧讓韓琮曰：“汝言漢人死盡，今是何等人也？”乃遣使乞降，許之。單于脫帽徒跣，對龐雄等拜，陳道死罪。於是赦之，遇待如初，乃還所抄漢民男女及羌所略轉賣入匈奴中者，合萬餘人。五年，梁慬免，以雲中太守耿夔行度遼將軍。

元初元年，夔免，以烏桓校尉鄧遵為度遼將軍。遵，皇太后之從弟，故始為真將軍焉。

四年，逢侯為鮮卑所破，部眾分散，皆歸北虜。五年春，逢侯將百餘騎亡還，詣朔方塞降，鄧遵奏徙逢侯於潁川郡。

建光元年，鄧遵免，復以耿夔代為度遼將軍。時鮮卑寇邊，夔與温禺犢王呼尤徽將新降者連年出塞，討擊鮮卑。還，復各令屯列冲要。而耿夔征發煩劇，新降者皆悉恨謀叛。

單于檀立二十七年薨，弟拔立。耿夔復免，以太原太守法度代為將軍。

烏稽侯尸逐鞮單于拔。延光三年立。夏，新降一部大人阿族等遂反叛，脅呼尤徽欲與俱去。呼尤徽曰：“我老矣，受漢家恩，寧死不能相隨！”眾欲殺之，有救者，得免。阿族等遂將妻子輜重亡去，中郎將馬翼遣兵與胡騎追擊，破之，斬首及自投河死者殆盡，獲馬、牛、羊萬餘頭。冬，法度卒。四年，漢陽太守傅眾代為將軍。其冬，傅眾復卒。永建元年，以遼東太守龐參代為將軍。

先是，朔方以西障塞多不修復，鮮卑因此數寇南部，殺漸將王。單于憂恐，上言求復障塞，順帝從之。乃遣黎陽營兵出屯中山北界，增置緣邊諸郡兵，列屯塞下，教習戰射。

單于拔立四年薨，弟休利立。

去特若尸逐就單于休利，永建三年立。四年，龐參遷大鴻臚，以東平相宋漢代為度遼將軍。陽嘉二年，漢遷太僕，以烏桓校尉耿曄代為度遼將軍。永和元年，曄病征，以護羌校尉馬續代為度遼將軍。

五年夏，南匈奴左部句龍王吾斯、車紐等背叛，率三千餘騎寇西河，因復招誘右賢王，合七八千騎圍美稷，殺朔方、代郡長史。馬續與中郎將梁并、烏桓校尉王元，發緣邊兵及烏桓、鮮卑、羌胡，合二萬餘人，掩擊破之。吾斯等遂更屯聚，攻沒城邑。天子遣使責讓單于，開以恩義，令相招降。單于本不豫謀，乃脫帽避帳，詣并謝罪。并以病征，五原太守陳龜代為中郎將。龜以單于不能制下，逼迫之，單于及其弟左賢王皆自殺。單于林利立十三年。龜又欲徙單于近親於内郡，而降者遂更狐疑。龜坐下獄免。大將軍梁商以羌胡新反，黨眾初合，難以兵服，宜用招降，乃上表曰：“匈奴寇叛，自知罪極。窮鳥困獸，皆知救死，況種類繁熾，不可單盡。今轉運日增，三軍疲苦，虛内給外，非中國之利。竊見度遼將軍馬續素有謀謨，且典邊日久，深曉兵要，每得續書，與臣策合。宜令續深溝高壁，以恩信招降，宣示購賞，明其期約。如此，则丑類可服，國家無事矣。”帝從之，乃詔續招降叛虜。商又移書續等曰：“中國安寧，忘戰日久。良騎野合，交鋒接矢，決勝當時，戎狄之所長，而中國之所短也。强弩乘城，堅營固守，以待其衰，中國之所長，而戎狄之所短也。宜務先所長，以觀其變，設購開賞，宣示反悔，勿貪小功，以亂大謀。”續及諸郡并各遵行。於是右賢王部抑鞮等萬三千口詣續降。

秋，句龍吾斯等立句龍王車紐為單于。東引烏桓，西收羌戎及諸胡等數萬人，攻破京兆虎牙營，殺上郡都尉及軍司馬，遂寇掠并、涼、幽、冀四州。乃徙西河治離石，上郡治夏陽，朔方治五原。冬，遣中郎將張耽將幽州烏桓諸郡營兵，擊叛虜車紐等，戰於馬邑，斬首三千級，獲生口及兵器、牛、羊甚眾。車紐等將諸豪帥骨都侯乞降，而吾斯猶率其部曲與烏桓寇抄。六年春，馬續率鮮卑五千騎到穀城擊之，斬首數百級。張耽性勇銳，而善撫士卒，軍中皆為用命。遂繩索相懸，上通天山，大破烏桓，悉斬其渠帥，還得漢民，獲其畜生財物。夏，馬續復免，以城門校尉吳武代為將軍。

漢安元年秋，吾斯與薁鞮台耆、且渠伯德等復掠并部。

呼蘭若尸逐就單于兜樓儲先在京師，漢安二年立之。天子臨軒，大鴻臚持節拜授璽綬，引上殿。賜青蓋駕駟、鼓車、安車、駙馬騎、玉具刀劍、什物，給彩布二千匹。賜單于閼氏以下金錦錯雜具，軿車馬二乘。遣行中郎將持節護送單于歸南庭。詔太常、大鴻臚與諸國侍子於廣陽城門外祖會，饗賜作樂，角抵百戲。順帝幸胡桃宫臨觀之。冬，中郎將馬寔募刺殺句龍吾斯，送首洛陽。建康元年，進擊餘黨，斬首千二百級。烏桓七十萬餘口皆詣寔降，車重、牛、羊，不可勝數。

單于兜樓儲立五年薨。

伊陵尸逐就單于居車兒，建和元年立。至永壽元年，匈奴左薁鞬台耆、且渠伯德等復叛，寇抄美稷、安定，屬國都尉張奐擊破降之。事已具《奐传》。

延熹元年，南單于諸部并叛，遂與烏桓、鮮卑寇緣邊九郡，以張奐為北中郎將討之，單于諸部悉降。奐以單于不能統理國事，乃拘之，上立左谷蠡王。桓帝詔曰：“《春秋》大居正，居車兒一心向化，何罪而黜！其遣還庭。”

單于居車兒立二十五年薨，子某立。

屠特若尸逐就單于某，熹平元年立。六年，單于與中郎將臧旻出雁門擊鮮卑檀石槐，大敗而還。是歲，單于薨，子呼徵立。

單于呼徵，光和元年立。二年，中郎將張脩與單于不相能，脩擅斬之，更立右賢王羌渠為單于。脩以不先請而擅誅殺，檻車征詣廷尉抵罪。

單于羌渠，光和二年立。中平四年，前中山太守張純反叛，遂率鮮卑寇邊郡。靈帝詔發南匈奴兵，配幽州牧劉虞討之。單于遣左賢王將騎詣幽州。國人恐單于發兵无已，五年，右部䤈落與休著各胡白馬銅等十餘萬人反，攻殺單于。

單于羌渠立十年，子右賢王於扶羅立。

持至尸逐侯單于於扶羅，中平五年立。國人殺其父者遂叛，共立須卜骨都侯為單于，而於扶羅詣闕自訟。會靈帝崩，天下大亂，單于將數千騎與白波賊合兵寇河内諸郡。時民皆保聚，抄掠無利，而兵遂挫傷。復欲歸國，國人不受，乃止河東。須卜骨都侯為單于一年而死，南庭遂虛其位，以老王行國事。

單于於扶羅立七年死，弟呼廚泉立。

單于呼廚泉，興平二年立。以兄被逐，不得歸國，數為鮮卑所抄。建安元年，獻帝自長安東歸，右賢王去卑與白波賊帥韓暹等侍衛天子，拒擊李傕、郭汜。及車駕還洛陽，又徙遷許，然後歸國。二十一年，單于来朝，曹操因留於鄴，而遣去卑歸監其國焉。

論曰：“漢初遭冒頓凶黠，種眾强熾。高祖威加四海，而窘平城之圍。太宗政鄰刑措，不雪憤辱之耻。逮孝武亟興邊略，有志匈奴，赫然命將，戎旗星屬，候列郊甸，火通甘泉，而猶鳴镝揚塵，出入畿内，至於窮竭武力，單用天財，歷紀歲以攘之。寇雖頗折，而漢之疲耗略相當矣。宣帝值虜庭分爭，呼韓邪来臣，乃權納懷柔，因為邊衛，罷關徼之儆，息兵民之勞。龍駕帝服，鳴鐘傳鼓於清渭之上，南面而朝單于，朔、易無復匹馬之踪，六十餘年矣。後王莽陵篡，猶動戎夷，續以更始之亂，方夏幅裂。自是匈奴得志，狼心復生，乘間侵佚，害流傍境。及中興之初，更通舊好，報命連屬，金幣載道，而單于驕踞益横，内暴滋深。世祖以用事諸華，未遑沙塞之外，忍愧思難，徒報謝而已。因徒幽、并之民，增邊屯之卒。及關東稍定，隴、蜀已清，其猛夫悍將，莫不頓足攘手，爭言衛、霍之事。帝方厭兵，閒修文政，未之許也。其後匈奴爭立，日逐来奔，願修呼韓之好，以禦北狄之衝，奉籓稱臣，永為外悍。天子總攬群策，和而納焉。乃詔有司，開北鄙，擇肥美之地，量水草以處之。馳中郎之使，盡法度以臨之。制衣裳，備文物，加璽紱之綬，正單于之名。於是匈奴分破，始有南北二庭焉。仇釁既深，互同便隙，控弦抗戈，覘望風塵，雲屯鳥散，更相馳突，至於陷潰創傷者，靡歲或寧，而漢之塞地晏然矣。後亦頗為出師，并兵窮討，命竇憲、耿夔之徒，前後并進，皆用果譎，設奇數，異道同會，究掩其窟穴，躡北追奔三千餘里，遂破龍祠，焚罽幕，坑十角，梏閼氏，銘功封石，倡呼而還。單于震懾，屏氣蒙氈，遁走於烏孫之地，而漠北空矣。若因其時势，及其虛曠，還南虜於陰山，歸河西於内地，上申光武權宜之略，下防戎羯亂華之變，使耿國之算不謬於當世，袁安之議見從於後王，平易正直，若此其弘也。而竇憲矜三捷之效，忽經世之規，狼戾不端，專行威惠。遂復更立北虜，反其故庭，并恩兩護，以私己福，棄蔑天公，坐樹大鯁。永言前載，何恨憤之深乎！自後經綸失方，叛服不一，其為疢毒，胡可單言！降及後世，玩為常俗，終於吞噬神鄉，丘墟帝宅。嗚呼！千里之差，興自毫端，失得之源，百世不磨矣。

贊曰：匈奴既分，羽書稀聞。野心難悔，終亦紛紜。

Source Colophon

The Classical Chinese source body was extracted from the local source-text page Good Works Library Ready/Scythian/Expansion Bench 2026-05-11/Hou Han Shu -- Southern Xiongnu -- Classical Chinese Source Text.md and copied for this translation pass at Tulku/Tools/scythian/sources/expansion_bench_2026-05-11/hou_han_shu_southern_xiongnu_chinese_source_manual99.txt.

The local source page identifies its inspection route as Wikisource raw text for Hou Han Shu, volume 89, with Chinese Text Project comparison route CTP URN ctp:hou-han-shu/nan-xiong-nu-lie-zhuan.

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