1
南匈奴醢落尸逐鞮单于比者，呼韩邪单于之孙，乌珠留若鞮单于之子也。 自呼韩邪后，诸子以次立，至比季父孝单于舆时，以比为右薁鞬日逐王，部领南边及乌桓。
Bi—Southern Xiongnu ruler bearing the title Huayi Luoshi Zhudi—was a grandson of Huhanye and son of Wuzhuliuruozhi. After Huhanye's line rotated through the throne, Bi served under his uncle Yu styled Xiaoshanyu as Right Yujian Rizhu Wang, commanding the southern pastures and the Wuhuan.
2
建武初，彭宠反畔于渔阳，单于与共连兵，因复权立卢芳，使入居五原。 光武初，方平诸夏，未遑外事。 至六年，始令归德侯刘飒使匈奴，匈奴亦遣使来献，汉复令中郎将韩统报命，赂遗金币，以通旧好。 而单于骄踞，自比冒顿，对使者辞语悖慢，帝待之如初。 初，使命常通，而匈奴数与卢芳共侵北边。 九年，遣大司马吴汉等击之。 经岁无功，而匈奴转盛，抄暴日增。 十三年，遂寇河东，州郡不能禁。 于是渐徙幽、并边人于常山关、居庸关已东，匈奴左部遂复转居塞内。 朝廷患之，增缘边兵郡数千人，大筑亭候，修烽火。 匈奴闻汉购求卢芳，贪得财帛，乃遣芳还降，望得其赏。 而芳以自归为功，不称匈奴所遣，单于复耻言其计，故赏遂不行。 由是大恨，入寇尤深。 二十年，遂至上党、扶风、天水。 二十一年冬，复寇上谷、中山，杀略抄掠甚众，北边无复宁岁。
Early in Jianwu, Peng Chong rose in Yuyang; the Chanyu joined him and propped up Lu Fang, who then took up residence in Wuyuan. Emperor Guangwu was still unifying the interior and could spare no attention for the steppe. In the sixth year Liu Sa went north as envoy; the Xiongnu reciprocated with tribute. Han Tong carried the reply with gifts of gold to restore former ties. The Chanyu swaggered like Modun and insulted Han envoys; Guangwu bore it without breaking ties. Embassies continued while the Xiongnu and Lu Fang repeatedly struck the northern frontier. In the ninth year Guangwu sent Grand Marshal Wu Han against them. The campaign stalled while Xiongnu raids grew bolder. In the thirteenth year they overran Hedong; local forces could not stop them. Han evacuated You and Bing settlers east of Changshan and Juyong; the Xiongnu left wing slipped back inside the wall. The court reinforced frontier garrisons by thousands, threw up watchtowers, and relit the beacon chains. Learning of Han's bounty on Lu Fang, the Xiongnu sent him south to surrender and claim the prize. Lu Fang claimed he had defected on his own; the Chanyu shrank from admitting the ruse—no reward was paid. Enraged, they struck deeper into Han territory. In the twentieth year they reached Shangdang, Fufeng, and Tianshui. That winter they ravaged Shanggu and Zhongshan; the north knew no peace.
3
初，单于弟右谷蠡王伊屠知牙师以次当为左贤王。 左贤王即是单于储副。 单于欲传其子，遂杀知牙师。 知牙师者，王昭君之子也。 昭君字嫱，南郡人也。 初，元帝时，以良家子选入掖庭。 时，呼韩邪来朝，帝敕以宫女五人赐之。 昭君入宫数岁，不得见御，积悲怨，乃请掖庭令求行。 呼韩邪临辞大会，帝召五女以示之。 昭君丰容靓饰，光明汉宫，顾景裴回，竦动左右。 帝见大惊，意欲留之，而难于失信，遂与匈奴。 生二子。 及呼韩邪死，其前阏氏子代立，欲妻之，昭君上书求归，成帝敕令从胡俗，遂复为后单于阏氏焉。
The Chanyu's brother Yitu-Zhiyashi, Right Guli Wang, stood next in line for the Left Worthy Kingship. The Left Worthy King was heir to the throne. Seeking to crown his own son, the Chanyu murdered Zhiyashi. Zhiyashi was the son of Wang Zhaojun. Lady Wang Zhaojun, known as Qiang, came from Nan commandery. Under Yuandi she entered the harem as a candidate from a respectable family. When Huhanye visited court, the emperor gave him five ladies-in-waiting. She languished unseen for years until she begged the harem steward to send her north. At Huhanye's farewell audience the emperor presented the five women. She appeared radiant among them and stunned every courtier. The emperor longed to keep her yet could not break his pledge—so she went to the Xiongnu. She bore two sons. After Huhanye died his son by a former wife succeeded and sought her hand per steppe custom; she pleaded to return home but Chengdi commanded her to obey Hu marriage law—she became the next Chanyu's queen.
4
比见知牙师被诛，出怨言曰：“以兄弟言之，右谷蠡王次当立； 以子言之，我前单于长子，我当立。 ”遂内怀猜惧，庭会稀阔。 单于疑之，乃遣两骨都侯监领比所部兵。 二十二年，单于舆死，子左贤王乌达鞮侯立为单于。 复死，弟左贤王蒲奴立为单于。 比不得立，既怀愤恨。 而匈奴中连年旱蝗，赤地数千里，草木尽枯，人畜饥疫，死耗太半。 单于畏汉乘其敝，乃遣使诣渔阳求和亲。 于是遣中郎将李茂报命。 而比密遣汉人郭衡奉匈奴地图，二十三年，诣西河太守求内附。 两骨都侯颇觉其意，会五月龙祠，因白单于，言薁鞬日逐夙来欲为不善，若不诛，且乱国。 时，比弟渐将王在单于帐下，闻之，驰以报比。 比惧，遂敛所主南边八部众四五万人，待两骨都侯还，欲杀之。 骨都侯且到，知其谋，皆轻骑亡去，以告单于。 单于遣万骑击之，见比众盛，不敢进而还。
When Zhiyashi was executed Bi complained aloud: “Among brothers the Right Guli Wang should succeed; and among sons I am the former Chanyu's eldest—I should rule.” From then on he nursed suspicion and avoided court. The Chanyu posted two Gutu marquises to watch Bi's command. In the twenty-second year Yu died and his son the Left Worthy King Wudati Hou succeeded. He soon died and his brother Punu, Left Worthy King, took the throne. Passed over for the throne, Bi burned with resentment. Year after year drought and locusts scoured thousands of li bare; famine and plague halved men and herds. Fearing Han would exploit their weakness, the Chanyu sued for peace through Yuyang. Han sent Gentlemen-of-the-Palace Li Mao with the reply. Bi secretly sent Guo Heng with maps to the Xihe governor in the twenty-third year asking to submit. At the May dragon sacrifice the Gutu marquises warned the Chanyu that Bi meant rebellion and must die. Bi's brother Jiangjiang Wang at court galloped west with the warning. Bi rallied forty or fifty thousand men of eight southern tribes and planned to kill the returning Gutu marquises. Forewarned, they fled on fast horses to warn the Chanyu. The Chanyu sent ten thousand riders but withdrew before Bi's strength.
5
二十四年春，八部大人共议立比为呼韩邪单于，以其大父尝依汉得安，故欲袭其号。 于是款五原塞，愿永为籓蔽，扞御北虏。 帝用五官中郎将耿国议，乃许之。 其冬，比自立为呼韩邪单于。
In the spring of the twenty-fourth year eight tribal elders proclaimed Bi Chanyu Huhanye to evoke his grandfather's alliance with Han. They pledged allegiance at Wuyuan and offered to shield Han from the northern Xiongnu. Guangwu accepted Gentlemen-of-the-Palace Geng Guo's counsel and approved. That winter Bi declared himself Chanyu Huhanye.
6
二十五年春，遣弟左贤王莫将兵万余人击北单于弟薁鞬左贤王，生获之； 又破北单于帐下，并得其众，合万余人，马七千匹、牛羊万头。 北单于震怖，却地千里。 初，帝造战车，可驾数牛，上作楼橹，置于塞上，以拒匈奴。 时人见者或相谓曰：“谶言汉九世当却北狄地千里，岂谓此邪？ ”及是，果拓地焉。 北部薁鞬骨都侯与右骨都侯率众三万余人来归南单于，南单于复遣使诣阙，奉籓称臣，献国珍宝，求使者监护，遣侍子，修旧约。
In the spring of the twenty-fifth year Bi's brother Mo led ten thousand men against the Northern Chanyu's brother the Yujian Left Worthy King and took him alive; they smashed the northern court and rounded up more than ten thousand followers with seven thousand horses and myriad cattle and sheep. The Northern Chanyu recoiled a thousand li in panic. Guangwu had built ox-drawn tower carts on the frontier against the Xiongnu. Onlookers murmured that the prophecy of Han's ninth reign driving the Di back a thousand li was coming true. Events proved them right. Thirty thousand northerners followed the Yujian and Right Gutu marquises to the Southern Chanyu, who sent tribute and hostages and asked Han supervision under the old treaty.
7
二十六年，遣中郎将段郴、副校尉王郁使南单于，立其庭，去五原西部塞八十里。 单于乃延迎使者。 使者曰：“单于当伏拜受诏。 ”单于顾望有顷，乃伏称臣。 拜讫，令译晓使者曰：“单于新立，诚惭于左右，愿使者众中无相屈折也。 ”骨都侯等见，皆泣下。 郴等反命，诏乃听南单于入居云中。 遣使上书，献骆驼二头，文马十匹。 夏，南单于所获北虏薁鞬左贤王将其众及南部五骨都侯合三万余人畔归，去北庭三百余里，共立薁鞬左贤王为单于。 月余日，更相攻击，五骨都侯皆死，左贤王遂自杀，诸骨都侯子各拥兵自守。 秋，南单于遣子入侍，奉奏诣阙。 诏赐单于冠带、衣裳、黄金玺、盭緺绶，安车羽盖，华藻驾驷，宝剑弓箭，黑节三，驸马二，黄金、锦绣、缯布万匹，絮万斤，乐器鼓车，棨戟甲兵，饮食什器。 又转河东米糒二万五千斛。 牛、羊三万六千头，以赡给之。 令中郎将置安集掾史将弛刑五十人，持兵弩随单于所处，参辞讼，察动静。 单于岁尽辄遣使奉奏，送侍子入朝，中郎将从事一人将领诣阙。 汉遣谒者送前侍子还单于庭，交会道路。 元正朝贺，拜祠陵庙毕，汉乃遣单于使，令谒者将送，赐彩缯千匹，锦四端，金十斤，太宫御食酱及橙、橘、龙眼、荔支； 赐单于母及诸阏氏、单于子及左右贤王、左右谷蠡王、骨都侯有功善有，缯彩合万匹。 岁以为常。
In the twenty-sixth year Duan Chen and Wang Yu invested the Southern Chanyu and fixed his court eighty li inside the western Wuyuan pass. The Chanyu came forward to greet them. The envoys said he must kneel to receive the edict. After a pause he knelt and acknowledged Han overlordship. When he rose he asked through interpreters that they spare him further public shame. The Gutu nobles wept at the sight. They reported back and an edict allowed the Southern Chanyu to settle in Yunzhong. He sent a memorial with two camels and ten fine horses. That summer more than thirty thousand northerners broke away three hundred li from the northern court and raised the captive Yujian Left Worthy King as rival Chanyu. Within weeks they turned on one another—the five Gutu marquises fell, the Left Worthy King killed himself, and each noble's son held his own troops. That autumn he sent his heir to Luoyang with a memorial. The court showered him with regalia—a gold seal, feather-canopied carriage, arms, ten thousand bolts of silk and brocade, floss, instruments, halberds, and provisions. Twenty-five thousand hu of Hedong grain and army biscuit followed. Han sent thirty-six thousand head of cattle and sheep for subsistence. Gentlemen-of-the-Palace posted Pacification clerks with fifty penal troops and crossbows to attend the Chanyu, hear suits, and watch for trouble. Each New Year he forwarded memorials and hostages while a Gentlemen-of-the-Palace clerk escorted them to court. Han heralds exchanged hostages with Xiongnu envoys along the road. After New Year rites Han sent heralds with a thousand bolts of silk, four rolls of brocade, ten jin of gold, imperial preserves, oranges, tangerines, longan, and lychees; the queen mother, consorts, princes, Worthy Kings, Guli Wangs, and deserving Gutu marquises received ten thousand bolts in all. This became the yearly routine.
8
匈奴俗，岁有三岁祠，常以正月、五月、九月戊日祭天神。 南单于既内附，兼祠汉帝，因会诸部议国事，走马及骆驼为乐。 其大臣贵者左贤王，次左谷蠡王，次右贤王，次右谷蠡王，谓之四角； 次左右日逐王，次左右温禺鞮王，次左右渐将王，是为六角； 皆单于子弟，次第当为单于者也。 异姓大臣：左右骨都侯，次左右尸逐骨都侯，其余日逐、且渠、当户诸官号，各以权力优劣、部众多少为高下次第焉。 单于姓虚连题。 异姓有呼衍氏、须卜氏、丘林氏、兰氏四姓，为国中名族，常与单于婚姻。 呼衍氏为左，兰氏、须卜氏为右，主断狱听讼，当决轻重，口白单于，无文书簿领焉。
The Xiongnu thrice yearly—in the first, fifth, and ninth months on a wu day—sacrificed to Heaven. The Southern Chanyu added rites for the Han emperor, convened the tribes on state business, and raced horses and camels for sport. The chief nobles ranked Left Worthy King, Left Guli Wang, Right Worthy King, Right Guli Wang—the “four horns”; then Left and Right Rizhu, Wenjuding, and Jiangjiang kings—the “six horns”; all royal princes in line for the throne. Non-royal lords included Gutu and Shizhu Gutu marquises; Rizhu, Juqu, and Danghu ranks followed power and following size. The royal clan bore the surname Xulianti. The great collateral houses—Huyan, Xubu, Qiulin, Lan—intermarried with the throne. Huyan headed the left ministers, Lan and Xubu the right; they judged cases orally before the Chanyu without written dockets.
9
冬，前畔五骨都侯子复将其众三千人归南部，北单于使骑追击，悉获其众。 南单于遣兵拒之，逆战不利。 于是复诏单于徙居西河美稷，因使中郎将段郴及副校尉王郁留西河拥护之，为设官府、从事、掾史。 令西河长史岁将骑二千、弛刑五百人，助中郎将卫护单于，冬屯夏罢。 自后以为常，及悉复缘边八郡。
Winter, three thousand followers of the rebel Gutu marquises fled south; Northern riders overtook and seized them. The Southern Chanyu sent troops but lost the engagement. An edict then moved the court to Meiji in Xihe; Duan Chen and Wang Yu stayed to staff offices and protect him. The Xihe chief clerk brought two thousand cavalry and five hundred penal troops each winter to reinforce the escort, standing down in summer. This became standing practice as Han restored the eight border commanderies.
10
南单于既居西河，亦列置诸部王，助为扞戍。 使韩氏骨都侯屯北地，右贤王屯朔方，当于骨都侯屯五原，呼衍骨都侯屯云中，郎氏骨都侯屯定襄，左南将军屯雁门，栗籍骨都侯屯代郡，皆领部众为郡县侦罗耳目。 北单于惶恐，颇还所略汉人，以示善意。 抄兵每到南部下，还过亭候，辄谢曰：“自击亡虏薁鞬日逐耳，非敢犯汉人也。”
From Xihe he posted tribal kings to hold the line for Han. He stationed Gutu marquises and princes at Beidi, Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, Dingxiang, Yanmen, and Dai to scout for Han. The Northern Chanyu, anxious, began returning captured Han subjects as a gesture. When northern raiders crossed south they apologized at Han posts, claiming they chased only the rebel Rizhu, not Han.
11
二十七年，北单于遂遣使诣武威求和亲，天子召公卿廷议，不决。 皇太子言曰：“南单于新附，北虏惧于见伐，故倾耳而听，争欲归义耳。 今未能出兵，而反交通北虏，臣恐南单于将有二心，北虏降者且不复来矣。 ”帝然之，告武威太守勿受其使。
In the twenty-seventh year the Northern Chanyu asked for peace through Wuwei; the emperor polled his ministers without resolution. The crown prince argued that the Southern Chanyu had just submitted and the north feared attack—both strained to please Han. Parley with the north without troops would alienate the Southern Chanyu and scare off future defectors. The emperor agreed and ordered Wuwei to reject the embassy.
12
二十八年，北匈奴复遣使诣阙，贡马及裘，更乞和亲，并请音乐，又求率西域诸国胡客与俱献见。 帝下三府议酬答之宜。 司徒掾班彪奏曰：
In year 28 the Northern Xiongnu sent horses, furs, and renewed pleas for marriage ties and court musicians, asking to bring Western Regions allies to audience. The emperor asked the Three Offices how best to answer. Clerk Ban Biao of the Minister of Education wrote:
13
臣闻孝宣皇帝敕边守尉曰； “匈奴大国，多变诈。 交接得其情，则却敌折冲； 应对入其数，则反为轻欺。 ”今北匈奴见南单于来附，惧谋其国，故数乞和亲，又远驱牛、马与汉合市，重遣名王，多所贡献。 斯皆外示富强，以相欺诞也。 臣见其献益重，知其国益虚，归亲愈数，为惧愈多。 然今既未获助南，则亦不宜绝北，靶縻之义，礼无不答。 谓可颇加赏赐，略与所献相当，明加晓告以前世呼韩邪、郅支行事。
Emperor Xuan once told frontier commanders: ‘The Xiongnu are a great power and masters of deceit. Read them truly and you hold the frontier; fall into their schemes and they make a fool of you.’ Now that the Southern Chanyu has submitted, the north fears for its succession—hence marriage bids, livestock markets, and noble embassies heavy with tribute. It is braggadocio masking exhaustion. Heavier gifts betray an emptier treasury; more frequent pleas mean deeper fear. Han cannot abandon the Southern ally, yet the loose-rein policy toward the north still requires courteous reply. Increase gifts to match theirs and plainly rehearse the fates of Huhanye and Zhizhi.
14
报答之辞，令必有适，今立稿草并上，曰：“单于不忘汉恩，追念先祖旧约，欲修和亲，以辅身安国，计议甚高，为单于嘉之。 往者，匈奴数有乖乱，呼韩邪、郅支自相仇隙，并蒙孝宣皇帝垂恩救护，故各遣侍子称籓保塞。 其后郅支忿戾，自绝皇泽； 而呼韩附亲，忠孝弥著。 及汉灭郅支，遂保国传嗣，子孙相继。 今南单于携众南向，款塞归命。 自以呼韩嫡长，次第当立，而侵夺失职，猜疑相背，数请兵将，归扫北庭，策谋纷纭，无所不至。 惟念斯言不可独听，又以北单于比年贡献，欲修和亲，故拒而未许，将以成单于忠孝之义。 汉秉威信，总率万国，日月所照，皆为臣妾。 殊俗百蛮，义无亲疏，服顺者褒赏，畔逆者诛罚，善恶之效，呼韩、郅支是也。 今单于欲修和亲，款诚已达，何嫌而欲率西域诸国俱来献见？ 西域国属匈奴，与属汉何异？ 单于数连兵乱，国内虚耗，贡物裁以通礼，何必献马裘？ 今赍杂缯五百匹，弓鞬韥丸一，矢四发，遣遗单于。 又赐献马左骨都侯、右谷蠡王杂缯各四百匹，斩马剑各一。 单于前言先帝时所赐呼韩邪竽、瑟、空侯皆败，愿复栽赐。 念单于国尚未安，方厉武节，以战攻为务，竽瑟之用，不如良弓利剑，故未以赍。 朕不爱小物，于单于使宜所欲，遣驿以闻。”
The answer must strike the right tone; below is a draft to submit: “You have not forgotten Han’s grace, you recall your forebears’ pact, you seek renewed marriage ties to steady yourself and your realm—your purpose is admirable, and we applaud it.” Long ago the court split: Huhanye and Zhizhi were at odds until Emperor Xuan succored both, so each sent a hostage son and pledged to hold the frontier. Zhizhi then turned hostile and broke with the throne; while Huhanye stayed close to us, his loyalty plain for all to see. Once Han destroyed Zhizhi, Huhanye’s line held its realm and passed the throne from father to son. Today the Southern Chanyu has brought his hosts south to the frontier and offered submission. He claims primacy as Huhanye’s heir yet was ousted; suspicion bred revolt, and he has again and again asked us for arms to retake the northern court—his designs run in every direction. We cannot take his word alone; the northern ruler still sends tribute and asks for peace, so we have held him at arm’s length—both to honor his plea for loyalty and to avoid rash promises. Han commands respect and unites the realm; every land the sun and moon touch owes allegiance. For every foreign people, duty knows no favorites: reward the obedient, punish rebels—the lesson is written in Huhanye and Zhizhi. You ask again for kinship by marriage and have shown good faith—why, then, insist on dragging every Western Regions state to court? Those kingdoms owe allegiance to you: what changes if they also acknowledge us? Years of war have drained your realm; protocol gifts should suffice—why send horses and pelts as well? We send five hundred bolts of mixed silk, a bow case and quiver, and four sheaves of arrows as your gifts. The Left Gudu Marquis and Right Guyuli King who brought horses receive four hundred bolts of silk apiece and a sword each. You wrote that the mouth-organs, zithers, and lutes given Huhanye under the late emperor are worn out and asked for new ones. Your realm is still unsettled and you live by the sword; strings cannot match steel—so we have not sent instruments. We stint nothing petty; tell us through the post stations whatever else your envoys require.
15
帝悉纳从之。 二十九年，赐南单于羊数万头。 三十一年，北匈奴复遣使如前，乃玺书报答，赐以彩缯，不遣使者。
The emperor accepted Ban’s advice in full. In year 29 the court gave the Southern Chanyu tens of thousands of sheep. In year 31 the north sent envoys again; the throne answered by sealed edict and silk gifts without reciprocating an embassy.
16
单于比立九年薨，中郎将段郴将兵赴吊，祭以酒米，分兵卫护之。 比弟左贤王莫立，帝遣使者赍玺书镇慰，拜授玺绶，遗冠帻，绛单衣三袭，童子佩刀、绲带各一，又赐缯彩四千匹，令赏赐诸王、骨都侯已下。 其后单于薨，吊祭慰赐，以此为常。
Bi ruled nine years before he died; Colonel Duan Chen brought troops to mourn, offered wine and grain, and detached forces to secure the camp. His brother Mo, the Left Wise King, succeeded; envoys brought an investiture edict, seals and ribbons, caps, three red robes, child-sized swords and belts, and four thousand bolts of silk for distribution among kings and marquises. Later deaths of chanyus drew the same mourning missions and stipends as precedent.
17
丘浮尤鞮单于莫，中元元年立，一年薨，弟汗立。
Qiufuyoudi Chanyu Mo took the throne in Zhongyuan 1 (56 CE), died the next year, and his brother Han succeeded.
18
伊伐于虑鞮单于汗，中元二年立。 永平二年，北匈奴护于丘率众千余人来降。 南部单于汗立二年薨，单于比之子適立。
Yifayulüdi Chanyu Han was enthroned in Zhongyuan 2 (57 CE). In Yongping 2 (59 CE) the northern officer Huyuqiu brought more than a thousand men to surrender. Han of the south ruled two years and died; Bi’s son Shi succeeded him.
19
䤈僮尸逐侯鞮单于適，永平二年立。 五年冬，北匈奴六七千骑入于五原塞，遂寇云中，至原阳。 南单于击却之，西河长史马襄赴救，虏乃引去。
Hitongshizhuhoudi Chanyu Shi was enthroned in Yongping 2. In winter of year 5 some six or seven thousand northern riders breached Wuyuan and raided Yunzhong as far as Yuanyang. The Southern Chanyu drove them back; Xihe chief clerk Ma Xiang reinforced him and the raiders withdrew.
20
单于適立四年薨，单于莫子苏立，是为丘除车林鞮单于。 敏月复薨，单于適之弟长立。
Shi ruled four years and died; Mo’s son Su became Qiuchuchelindi Chanyu. He died within months; Shi’s brother Zhang succeeded.
21
胡邪尸逐侯鞮单于长，永平六年立。 时北匈奴犹盛，数寇边，朝廷以为忧。 会北单于欲合市，遣使求和亲，显宗冀其交通，不复为寇，乃许之。
Hexieshizhuhoudi Chanyu Zhang was enthroned in Yongping 6 (63 CE). The north was still strong and raided often; the court fretted over the frontier. The Northern Chanyu asked to trade and offered marriage ties; Emperor Ming hoped exchange would stop raids and agreed.
22
八年，遣越骑司马郑众北使报命，而南部须卜骨都侯等知汉与北虏交使，怀嫌怨欲畔，密因北使，令遣兵迎之。 郑众出塞，疑有异，伺候果得须卜使人，乃上言宜更置大将，以防二虏交通。 由是始置度辽营，以中郎将吴棠行度辽将军事，副校尉来苗、左校尉阎章、右校尉张国将黎阳虎牙营士，屯五原曼柏。 又遣骑都尉秦彭将兵屯美稷。 其年秋，北虏果遣二千骑候望朔方，作马革船，欲度迎南部畔者，以汉有备，乃引去。 复数寇抄边郡，焚烧城邑，杀略甚众，河西城门昼闭，帝患之。
In year 8 Zheng Zhong rode north on reciprocation; southern nobles like the Xubu Gudu Marquis, learning of Han–north diplomacy, plotted revolt and secretly asked northern envoys to send troops to fetch them. Beyond the wall Zheng sensed trouble, waited, caught Xubu’s messenger, and urged a new supreme commander to block collusion between north and south. Hence the Liaodu garrison: Colonel Wu Tang acting as Liaodu general with colonels Lai Miao, Yan Zhang, and Zhang Guo leading Liyang’s Tiger Guard at Manbai in Wuyuan. Cavalry commandant Qin Peng camped at Meiji. That autumn two thousand northern riders scouted Shuofang and built hide boats to ferry southern defectors; finding Han ready, they withdrew. They kept pillaging: towns burned, many dead or taken; Hexi barred its gates by day, and the emperor fretted.
23
十六年，乃大发缘边兵，遣诸将四道出塞，北征匈奴。 南单于遣左贤王信随太仆祭肜及吴棠出朔方高阙，攻皋林温禺犊王于涿邪山。 虏闻汉兵来，悉度漠去。 肜、棠坐不至涿邪山免，以骑都尉来苗行度辽将军。 其年，北匈奴入云中，遂至渔阳，太守廉范击却之。 诏遣使者高弘发三郡兵追之，无所得。
In year 16 the court mobilized the frontier and sent four columns beyond the wall against the Xiongnu. The Southern Chanyu sent Left Wise King Xin with Ji Tong and Wu Tang through Gaoque to strike the Gaolin Wenyu-du king on Mount Zhuoxie. Hearing Han troops, they fled across the desert. Ji Tong and Wu Tang were cashiered for never reaching Zhuoxie; cavalry commandant Lai Miao became acting Liaodu general. The same year northerners pushed into Yunzhong and Yuyang until Prefect Lian Fan drove them back. Envoy Gao Hong led three commanderies in pursuit but caught nothing.
24
建初元年，来苗迁济阴太守，以征西将军耿秉行度辽将军。 时皋林温禺犊王复将众还居涿邪山，南单于闻知，遣轻骑与缘边郡及乌桓兵出塞击之，斩首数百级，降者三四千人。 其年，南部苦蝗，大饥，肃宗禀给其贫人三万余口。 七年，耿秉迁执金吾，以张掖太守邓鸿行度辽将军。 八年，北匈奴三木楼訾大人稽留斯等，率三万八千人、马二万匹、牛、羊十余万，款五原塞降。
Jianchu 1 (76 CE): Lai Miao became prefect of Jiyin; campaign-general Geng Bing acted as Liaodu general. When the Gaolin Wenyu-du king moved back to Zhuoxie, the Southern Chanyu sent light horse with frontier troops and Wuhuan allies; they took hundreds of heads and three or four thousand surrendered. Locusts and famine struck the south; Emperor Zhang issued grain to more than thirty thousand needy people. In year 7 Geng Bing became Bearer of the Mace; Zhangye prefect Deng Hong acted as Liaodu general. In year 8 northern chiefs such as Jiliusi of Sanmulouzi brought thirty-eight thousand people, twenty thousand horses, and huge herds to surrender at Wuyuan.
25
元和元年，武威太守孟云上言北单于复愿与吏人合市，诏书听云遣驿使迎呼慰纳之。 北单于乃遣大且渠伊莫訾王等，驱牛、马万余头来与汉贾客交易。 诸王大人或前至，所在郡县为设官邸，赏赐待遇之。 南单于闻，乃遣轻骑出上郡，遮略生口，抄掠牛、马，驱还入塞。
Yuanhe 1 (84 CE): Wuwei’s Meng Yun reported the Northern Chanyu wanted frontier markets again; the edict let him send riders to welcome and host them. The Northern Chanyu sent nobles such as the Yimozi king with over ten thousand cattle and horses to trade with Han merchants. Wherever chiefs arrived, counties opened hostels and showered them with gifts. The Southern Chanyu answered by raiding Shang commandery for captives and livestock and hurrying back inside the wall.
26
二年正月，北匈奴大人车利、涿兵等亡来入塞，凡七十三辈。 时北虏衰耗，党众离畔，南部攻其前，丁零寇其后，鲜卑击其左，西域侵其右，不复自立，乃远引而去。
In the first month of Yuanhe 2 chiefs such as Cheli and Zhuobing crossed the wall in seventy-three groups. The north was failing: tribes split; the south pressed from ahead, Dingling from behind, Xianbei on the left, the Western Regions on the right—unable to hold ground, they withdrew far away.
27
单于长立二十三年薨，单于汗之子宣立。
Zhang ruled twenty-three years and died; Han’s son Xuan succeeded.
28
伊屠於闾鞮单于宣，元和二年立。 其岁，单于遣兵千余人猎至涿邪山，卒与北虏温禺犊王遇，因战，获其首级而还。 冬，孟云上言：“北虏以前既和亲，而南部复往抄掠，北单于谓汉欺之，谋欲犯塞，谓宜还南所掠生口，以慰安其意。 ”肃宗从太仆袁安议，许之。 乃下诏曰：“昔猃狁、獯粥之敌中国，其所由来尚矣。 往者虽有和亲之名，终无丝发之效。 墝埆之人，屡婴涂炭。 父战于前，子死于后。 弱女乘于亭障，孤兒号于道路。 老母寡妻设虚祭，饮泣泪，想望归魂于沙漠之表，岂不哀哉！ 传曰：‘江海所以能长百川者，以其下之也。 ’少加屈下，尚何足病？ 况今与匈奴君臣分定，辞顺约明，贡献累至，岂宜违信，自受其曲？ 其敕度辽及领中郎将庞奋倍雇南部所得生口，以还北虏。 其南部斩首获生，计功受赏如常科。 ”于是南单于复令薁鞮日逐王师子将轻骑数千出塞掩击北虏，复斩获千人。 北虏众以南部为汉所厚，又闻取降者岁数千人。
Yituyulüdi Chanyu Xuan took the throne in Yuanhe 2. That year he sent a thousand hunters to Zhuoxie and ran into the northern Wenyu-du king; they fought and brought back his head. Winter: Meng Yun warned that after peace was sealed the south kept raiding, so the Northern Chanyu thought Han had betrayed him and planned to strike the passes—best return the captives the south had taken to soothe him. Emperor Zhang accepted Grand Coachman Yuan An and agreed. The emperor then proclaimed: “Since antiquity Xianyun and the northern tribes have contested the Middle Kingdom. Marriage alliances brought only the name of peace, never the slightest real calm. Frontier folk again and again drowned in slaughter. Fathers fell in the van while sons died behind them. Girls were dragged onto the ramparts and orphans wailed along the roads. Mothers and widows offered empty rites, weeping for bones lost beyond the sands—could grief run deeper? The classics say the rivers and seas stay great because they lie below every stream.’ A little humility costs nothing shameful. Today lord and vassal stand defined, words are courteous and oaths plain, tribute keeps arriving—how could we break faith and wear the wrong? Order Liaodu and Colonel Pang Fen to ransom at double rate every captive the south holds and hand them back to the north. Southern kills and captures will earn rewards under the usual rules. The Southern Chanyu then sent the Rizhu king Shizi with thousands of horse to ambush the north and took another thousand heads. Northerners believed Han favored the south and drew thousands of defectors yearly.
29
章和元年，鲜卑入左地击北匈奴，大破之，斩优留单于，取其匈奴皮而还。 北庭大乱，屈兰、储卑、胡都须等五十八部，口二十万，胜兵八千人，诣云中、五原、朔方、北地降。
In Zhanghe 1 (87 CE) the Xianbei struck from the left, routed the north, killed Youliu Chanyu, and carried off the royal skin banner. The northern court collapsed; fifty-eight tribes led by Qulan, Chubei, and Huduxu—two hundred thousand people, eight thousand fighters—surrendered at Yunzhong, Wuyuan, Shuofang, and Beidi.
30
单于宣立三年薨，单于长之弟屯屠何立。
Xuan ruled three years and died; Zhang’s brother Tun Tuhe succeeded.
31
休兰尸逐侯鞮单于屯屠何，章和二年立。 畤北虏大乱，加以饥蝗，降者前后而至。 南单于将并北庭，会肃宗崩，窦太后临朝。 其年七月，单于上言：
Xiulanshizhuhoudi Chanyu Tun Tuhe was enthroned in Zhanghe 2 (88 CE). As the north collapsed amid famine and locusts, surrendering bands streamed in. The Southern Chanyu was poised to absorb the northern court when Emperor Zhang died and Empress Dowager Dou ruled from behind the curtain. That July the Chanyu petitioned:
32
臣累世蒙恩，不可胜数。 孝章皇帝圣思远虑，遂欲见成就，故令乌桓、鲜卑讨北虏，斩单于首级，破坏其国。 今所新降虚渠等诣臣自言：“去岁三月中发虏庭，北单于创刈南兵，又畏丁令、鲜卑、遁逃远去，依安侯河西。 今年正月，骨都侯等复共立单于异母兄右贤王为单于，其人以兄弟争立，并各离散。 ”臣与诸王骨都侯及新降渠帅杂议方略，皆曰宜及北虏分争，出兵讨伐，破北成南，并为一国，令汉家长无北念。 又今月八日，新降右须日逐鲜堂轻从虏庭远来诣臣，言北虏诸部多欲内顾，但耻自发遣，故未有至者。 若出兵奔击，必有响应。 今年不往，恐复并壹。 臣伏念先父归汉以来，被蒙覆载，严塞明侯，大兵拥护，积四十年。 臣等生长汉地，开口仰食，岁时赏赐，动辄亿万，虽垂拱安枕，惭无报效之地。 愿发国中及诸部故胡、新降精兵，遣左谷蠡王师子、左呼衍日逐王须訾将万骑出朔方，左贤王安国、右大且渠王交勒苏将万骑出居延，期十二月同会虏地。 臣将余兵万人屯五原、朔方塞，以为拒守。 臣素愚浅，又兵众单少，不足以防内外。 愿遣执金吾耿秉、度辽将军邓鸿及西河、云中、五原、朔方、上郡太守并力而北，令北地、安定太守各屯要害，冀因圣帝威神，一举平定。 臣国成败，要在今年。 已敕诸部严兵马，讫九月龙祠，悉集河上。 唯陛下裁哀省察！
Your servant’s house has received grace beyond reckoning. Emperor Zhang looked far ahead and meant to finish the work: he set Wuhuan and Xianbei on the north, struck off a chanyu’s head, and shattered their realm. New surrenderers such as Xuqu tell me: ‘Last March we left the northern court; our Chanyu was cut down fighting the south, then fled Dingling and Xianbei pressure to the west of the river by Anhou.’ This New Year the Gudu marquises set up the Chanyu’s half-brother, the Right Wise King; rival brothers tore the realm apart and followers scattered. ’ I met with kings, marquises, and new surrender chiefs: take them while they fight among themselves, strike the north and seal the south as one realm so Han need never fear the steppe again. On the eighth, the new defector Xiantangqing of the Right Xu Rizhu came from the northern court and said many tribes wish to come over but shrink from asking—so none have arrived. A swift strike would draw allies out of the woodwork. Wait another year and they may reunite. Since my father submitted, Han has sheltered us—guarded passes, honored titles, garrisoned troops—for forty years. We grew up on Han grain and yearly gifts beyond counting; we sleep easy yet burn with shame that we have nothing to give back. Mobilize our veterans and new allies: Left Guyuli Shizi and Left Huyan Rizhu Xuzi with ten thousand horse from Shuofang; Left Wise King Anguo and Right Great Juqu Jiaolesu with ten thousand from Juyan—to join in the twelfth month on steppe ground. I will hold ten thousand men on the Wuyuan and Shuofang lines. I am no strategist and my forces are thin for inner and outer fronts. Send Geng Bing, Deng Hong, and the frontier prefects north together; post Beidi and Anding on the choke points—by the emperor’s majesty end this in one blow. Our fate turns on this year alone. Tribes are under arms; after the ninth-month dragon rite they mass on the river. I beg you to judge with mercy.
33
太后以示耿秉。 秉上言：“昔武帝单极天下，欲臣虏匈奴，未遇天时，事逐无成，宣帝之世，会呼韩来降，故边人获安，中外为一； 生人休息，六十余年。 及王莽篡位，变更其号，耗扰不止，单于乃畔。 光武受命，复怀纳之，缘边坏郡得以还复。 乌桓、鲜卑，咸胁归义。 威镇四夷，其效如此。 今幸遭天授，北虏分争，以夷伐夷，国家之利，宜可听许。 ”秉因自陈受恩，分当出命效用。 太后从之。
The empress dowager showed the memorial to Geng Bing. Geng Bing replied: ‘Wu Di strained the empire to break the Xiongnu but heaven withheld success; under Xuan, when Huhanye yielded, the frontier rested and inner and outer realm became one.’ For sixty years the people knew peace. Wang Mang seized the throne, renamed titles, and ceaseless turmoil drove the Chanyu to revolt. Guangwu renewed ties and welcomed them back; shattered march commands could be rebuilt. Wuhuan and Xianbei alike bent and pledged loyalty. Such was the awe that held the four quarters. Heaven now splits the north—let barbarian fight barbarian; it serves the empire and deserves approval. ’ He added that he owed everything to the throne and would stake his life on the campaign. The empress dowager agreed.
34
永元元年，以秉为征西将军，与车骑将军窦宪率骑八千，与度辽兵及南单于众三万骑，出朔方击北虏，大破之。 北单于奔走，首虏二十余万人。 事已具《窦宪传》。
In Yongyuan 1 (89 CE) Geng Bing became campaign-general west; with Dou Xian’s eight thousand horse, Liaodu troops, and thirty thousand southern riders from Shuofang, they shattered the north. The Northern Chanyu fled; Han counted over two hundred thousand killed or taken. The rest is told in Dou Xian’s biography.
35
二年春，邓鸿迁大鸿□户，以定襄太守皇甫棱行度辽将军。 南单于复上求灭北庭，于是遣左谷蠡王师子等将左右部八千骑出鸡鹿塞，中郎将耿谭遣从事将护之。 至涿邪山，乃留辎重，分为二部，各引轻兵两道袭之。 左部北过西海至河云北，右部从匈奴河水西绕天山，南度甘微河，二军俱会，夜围北单于。 单于大惊，率精兵千余人合战。 单于被创，堕马复上，将轻骑数十遁走，仅而免脱。 得其玉玺，获阏氏及男女五人，斩首八千级，生虏数千口而还。 是时南部连克获纳降，党众最盛，领户三万四千，口二十三万七千三百，胜兵五万一百七十。 故事：中郎将置从事二人，耿谭以新降者多，上增从事十二人。
In spring of year 2 Deng Hong moved to the Grand Herald’s office (text damaged); Dingxiang prefect Huangfu Ling acted as Liaodu general. The Southern Chanyu again asked to wipe out the northern court; Left Guyuli Shizi led eight thousand of both wings through Jilu pass while Colonel Geng Tan sent aides to oversee them. At Zhuoxie they shed baggage, split in two, and struck along separate light columns. The left wing rode north past the western sea to Heyun; the right followed the Xiongnu River west around the Celestial Mountains, crossed the Ganwei southward—and both closed by night around the Northern Chanyu. The Chanyu rallied over a thousand picked men and fought. Wounded, he fell and remounted, fled with dozens of horse, and barely escaped. They seized his seal, his queen, five captives, eight thousand heads, and thousands taken alive. The south now drew victory after victory: thirty-four thousand households, 237,300 people, and 50,170 warriors under arms. By rule a colonel had two aides; Geng Tan, with many new tribesmen, won twelve more.
36
三年，北单于复为右校尉耿夔所破，逃亡不知所在。 其弟右谷蠡王於降鞬自立为单于，将右温禺鞬王、骨都侯已下众数千人，止蒲类海，遣使款塞。 大将军窦宪上书，立於除鞬为北单于，朝廷从之。 四年，遣耿夔即授玺绶，赐玉剑四具，羽盖一驷，使中郎将任尚持节卫护屯伊吾，如南单于故事。 方欲辅归北庭，会窦宪被诛。 五年，於除鞬自畔还北，帝遣将兵长史王辅以千余骑与任尚共追，诱将还斩之。 破灭其众。
In year 3 Right Colonel Geng Kui broke the Northern Chanyu again; he vanished. His brother Yujiangjian, Right Guyuli, declared himself Chanyu with the Right Wen-yujian king, marquises, and thousands beside Lake Barkol; envoys knocked at the passes. Grand General Dou Xian asked to recognize Yuchujian as Northern Chanyu; the court agreed. In year 4 Geng Kui invested him with seals, four jade swords, and a feather-canopied carriage; Colonel Ren Shang escorted him to Yiwu by southern precedent. They meant to restore him to the northern court—then Dou Xian was executed. In year 5 Yuchujian rebelled and fled north; Chief Clerk Wang Fu and Ren Shang overtook him with a thousand horse, lured him back, and executed him. His following was crushed.
37
单于屯屠何立六年薨，单于宣弟安国立。
Tun Tuhe ruled six years and died; Xuan’s brother Anguo succeeded.
38
单于安国，永远五年立。 安国初为左贤王而无称誉。 左谷蠡王师子素勇黠多知，前单于宣及屯屠何皆爱其气决，故数遣将兵出塞，掩击北庭，还受赏赐，天子亦加殊异。 是以国中尽敬师子，而不附安国。 安国由是疾师子，欲杀之。 其诸新降胡初在塞外，数为师子所驱掠，皆多怨之。 安国因是委计降者，与同谋议。 安国既立为单于，师子以次转为左贤王，觉单于与新降者有谋，乃别居五原界。 单于每龙会议事，师子辄称病不往。 皇甫棱知之，亦拥护不遣，单于怀愤益甚。
Chanyu Anguo was enthroned in Yongyuan 5 (93 CE). Anguo had been Left Wise King without renown. Left Guyuli Shizi was bold and shrewd; Xuan and Tun Tuhe prized his dash and sent him raiding the northern court again and again—rewards piled up and the emperor singled him out. The realm sided with Shizi, not Anguo. Anguo grew to hate Shizi and meant to kill him. New Hu beyond the wall had often suffered Shizi’s raids and bitterly resented him. Anguo took them into his counsels. Once enthroned, Anguo made Shizi Left Wise King; Shizi sensed a plot with the new tribesmen and moved apart within Wuyuan. At each dragon-rite council Shizi pleaded illness. Huangfu Ling backed him and would not send him; the Chanyu’s rage grew.
39
六年春，皇甫棱免，以执金吾硃徽行度辽将军。 时单于与中郎将杜崇不相平，乃上书告崇，崇讽西河太守令断单于章，无由自闻。 而崇因与硃徽上言：“南单于安国疏远故胡，亲近新降，欲杀左贤王师子及左台且渠刘利等。 又右部降者谋共迫胁安国，起兵背畔，诸西河、上郡、安定为之儆备。 ”和帝下公卿议，皆以为“蛮夷反覆，虽难测知，然大兵聚会，必未敢动摇。 今宜遣有方略使者之单于庭，与杜崇、硃徽及西河太守并力，观其动静。 如无它变，可令崇等就安国会其左右大臣，责其部众横暴为边害者，共平罪诛。 若不从命，令为权时方略，事毕之后，裁行客赐，亦足以威示百蛮”。 帝从之。 于是徽、崇遂发兵造其庭。 安国夜闻汉军至，大惊，弃帐而去，因举兵及将新降者欲诛师子。 师子先知，乃悉将庐落入曼柏城。 安国追到城下，门闭不得入。 硃徽遣吏晓譬和之，安国不听。 城既不下，乃引兵屯五原。 崇、徽因发诸郡骑追赴之急，众皆大恐，安国舅骨都侯喜为等虑并被诛，乃格杀安国。
In spring of year 6 Huangfu Ling was removed; Bearer Zhu Hui acted as Liaodu general. The Chanyu feuded with Colonel Du Chong and memorialized against him; Chong had the Xihe prefect stop the Chanyu’s petitions reaching court. Chong and Zhu reported: ‘Anguo shuns the old Hu and favors new arrivals; he means to kill Left Wise King Shizi and Left Terrace Juqu Liu Li.’ Right-wing defectors plot to coerce Anguo into revolt; Xihe, Shang, and Anding stand ready. ’ Emperor He asked his ministers: barbarians are fickle, yet massed Han troops should hold them in check. Send a capable envoy to the court with Chong, Zhu, and the Xihe prefect and watch what they do. If nothing stirs, have Chong join Anguo’s nobles, charge raiders who harm the frontier, and execute the guilty together. If they refuse, use interim measures; once done, trim rewards—enough to overawe the tribes.” The emperor agreed. Zhu and Chong marched on the court. Anguo fled his tent at news of Han troops, then rallied the new tribesmen to kill Shizi. Forewarned, Shizi withdrew every tent-line into Manbai. Anguo reached the walls but found the gates shut. Zhu Hui sent officers to reason with Anguo; he refused. Failing to storm the city, he camped at Wuyuan. Chong and Zhu rushed cavalry from every command; panic spread until Anguo’s uncle Gudu Xiwei and others, fearing wholesale execution, slew Anguo.
40
安国立一年，单于適之子师子立。
Anguo lasted one year; Shi’s son Shizi succeeded.
41
亭独尸逐侯鞮单于师子，永元六年立。 降胡五六百人夜袭师子，安集掾王恬将卫护士与战，破之。 于是新降胡遂相惊动，十五部二十余万人皆反畔，胁立前单于屯屠何子薁鞬日逐王逢侯为单于，遂杀略吏人，燔烧邮亭庐帐，将车重向朔方，欲度漠北。 于是遣行车骑将军邓鸿、越骑校尉冯柱、行度辽将军硃徽将左右羽林、北军五校士及郡国积射、缘边兵，乌桓校尉任尚将乌桓、鲜卑，合四万人讨之。 时南单于及中郎将杜崇屯牧师城，逢侯将万余骑攻围之，未下。 冬，邓鸿等至美稷，逢侯乃乘冰度隘，向满夷谷。 南单于遣子将万骑，及杜崇所领四千骑，与邓鸿等追击逢侯于大城塞，斩首三千余级，得生口及降者万余人。 冯柱复分兵追击其别部，斩首四千余级。 任尚率鲜卑大都护苏拔廆、乌桓大人勿柯八千骑，要击逢侯于满夷谷，复大破之。 前后凡斩万七千余级。 逢侯遂率众出塞，汉兵不能追。 七年正月，军还。
Tingdushizhuhoudi Chanyu Shizi was enthroned in Yongyuan 6 (94 CE). Five or six hundred surrendered Hu raided Shizi by night; registrar Wang Tian led his guards and routed them. The new tribes rose in panic: fifteen divisions, over two hundred thousand men, forced Fenghou, the Yujian Rizhu king and Tun Tuhe’s son, onto the throne; they slew officials, burned posts and camps, drove baggage toward Shuofang, and aimed for the northern desert. Acting general Deng Hong, colonels Feng Zhu and Zhu Hui led Guards, northern army corps, crossbowmen, and frontier troops; Wuhuan colonel Ren Shang brought Wuhuan and Xianbei—forty thousand in all. The Southern Chanyu and Du Chong held Herdsman City while Fenghou’s ten thousand horse besieged it without success. That winter Deng Hong reached Meiji; Fenghou crossed the ice through the pass toward Manyi valley. The Southern Chanyu’s son led ten thousand horse and Du Chong four thousand; with Deng Hong they ran Fenghou down at Dacheng pass—three thousand heads and over ten thousand captives or surrenders. Feng Zhu split off to chase another wing and took four thousand more heads. Ren Shang with Subagui of the Xianbei and Wuke of the Wuhuan—eight thousand horse—ambushed Fenghou in Manyi valley and crushed him again. The campaigns took more than seventeen thousand heads in all. Fenghou escaped beyond the wall; Han could not catch him. The army marched home in the first month of year 7.
42
冯柱将虎牙营留屯五原，罢遣鲜卑、乌桓、羌胡兵、封苏拔廆为率众王，又赐金、帛。 邓鸿还京师，坐逗留失利，下狱死。 后帝知硃徽、杜崇失胡和，又禁其上书，以致反畔，皆征下狱死，以雁门太守庞奋行度辽将军。 逢侯于塞外分为二部，自领右部，屯涿邪山下。 左部屯朔方西北，相去数百里。 八年冬，左部胡自相疑畔，还入朔方塞，庞奋迎受，慰纳之。 其胜兵四千人，弱小万余口，悉降，以分处北边诸郡。 南单于以其右温禺犊王乌居战始与安国同谋，欲考问之。 乌居战将数千人遂复反畔，出塞外山谷间，为吏民害。 秋，庞奋、冯柱与诸郡兵击乌居战，其众降，于是徙乌居战众及诸还降者二万余人于安定、北地。 冯柱还，迁将作大匠。 逢侯部众饥穷，又为鲜卑所击，无所归，窜逃入塞者骆驿不绝。
Feng Zhu’s Tiger Guard stayed at Wuyuan; Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Qiang auxiliaries went home; Subagui was titled king of the host and given gold and silk. Deng Hong reached the capital but was jailed and died for dallying and failure. The court learned Zhu and Chong had ruined harmony with the Hu and blocked their petitions, provoking revolt; both were summoned and died in prison; Yanmen’s Pang Fen acted as Liaodu general. Beyond the wall Fenghou split in two; he led the right wing below Mount Zhuoxie. The left wing camped northwest of Shuofang, hundreds of li away. In winter of year 8 the left wing turned on itself, re-entered Shuofang, and Pang Fen welcomed them in. Four thousand fighters and over ten thousand dependents surrendered and were settled across the northern commanderies. The Southern Chanyu meant to question Wuju Zhan, Right Wenyu-du king, for conspiring with Anguo. Wuju Zhan rebelled with thousands and harried officials and folk from the hills beyond the wall. That autumn Pang Fen and Feng Zhu crushed him; over twenty thousand followers were moved to Anding and Beidi. Feng Zhu came back promoted to grand artisan. Starving and harried by the Xianbei, Fenghou’s people streamed through the passes without end.
43
单于师子立四年薨，单于长之子檀立。
Shizi ruled four years and died; Zhang’s son Tan succeeded.
44
万氏尸逐鞮单于檀，永元十年立。 十二年，庞奋迁河南尹，以朔方太守王彪行度辽将军。 南单于比岁遣兵击逢侯，多所虏获，收还生口前后以千数，逢侯转困迫。 十六年，北单于遣使诣阙贡献，愿和亲，修呼韩邪故约。 和帝以其旧礼不备，未许之，而厚加赏赐，不答其使。 元兴元年，重遣使诣敦煌贡献，辞以国贫未能备礼，愿请大使，当遣子入侍。 时邓太后临朝，亦不答其使，但加赐而已。
Wansishizhudi Chanyu Tan was enthroned in Yongyuan 10 (98 CE). In year 12 Pang Fen became intendant of Henan; Shuofang prefect Wang Biao acted as Liaodu general. Year after year the Southern Chanyu struck Fenghou, taking thousands of captives back until Fenghou was cornered. In year 16 the Northern Chanyu sent envoys with tribute, seeking marriage ties and renewal of Huhanye’s old pact. Emperor He judged their protocol insufficient and withheld marriage ties; he sent rich gifts but no reply to their embassy. In Yuanxing 1 (105 CE) they sent tribute to Dunhuang, pleading poverty and imperfect ceremony, asking for a senior envoy and offering to send a hostage son. Empress Dowager Deng likewise ignored their envoys and increased gifts only.
45
永初三年夏，汉人韩琮随南单于入朝，既还，说南单于云：“关东水潦，人民饥饿死尽，可击也。 ”单于信其言，遂起兵反畔，攻中郎将耿种于美稷。 秋，王彪卒。 冬，遣行车骑将军何熙、副中郎将庞雄击之。 四年春，檀遣千余骑寇常山、中山，以西域校尉梁慬行度辽将军，与辽东太守耿夔击破之。 事已具《慬》、《夔传》。 单于见诸军并进，大恐怖，顾让韩琮曰：“汝言汉人死尽，今是何等人也？ ”乃遣使乞降，许之。 单于脱帽徒跣，对庞雄等拜，陈道死罪。 于是赦之，遇待如初，乃还所抄汉民男女及羌所略转卖入匈奴中者，合万余人。 五年，梁慬免，以云中太守耿夔行度辽将军。
In summer of Yongchu 3 (109 CE) Han Cong returned from court with the Southern Chanyu and told him: ‘East of the passes is drowned and starving—strike now.’ The Chanyu believed him, rebelled, and struck Colonel Geng Zhong at Meiji. That autumn Wang Biao died. Winter brought acting general He Xi and Vice Colonel Pang Xiong against them. In spring of year 4 Tan raided Changshan and Zhongshan with a thousand horse; Liang Jin as Liaodu general and Liaodong’s Geng Kui defeated him. Details appear in the biographies of Liang Jin and Geng Kui. Seeing Han columns advance, the Chanyu panicked and rounded on Han Cong: ‘You said the Han were wiped out—who are these men?’ He sued for peace and Han accepted. Barefoot and bareheaded he bowed to Pang Xiong and confessed his capital crimes. He was pardoned and treated as before; over ten thousand Han taken in raids or sold through Qiang brokers were returned. In year 5 Liang Jin was removed; Yunzhong prefect Geng Kui acted as Liaodu general.
46
无初元年，夔免，以乌桓校尉邓遵为度辽将军。 遵，皇太后之从弟，故始为真将军焉。
In Yuanchu 1 Geng Kui fell; Wuhuan colonel Deng Zun became Liaodu general. Zun was the empress dowager’s cousin—the first substantive appointment to the post.
47
四年，逢侯为鲜卑所破，部众分散，皆归北虏。 五年春，逢侯将百余骑亡还，诣朔方塞降，邓遵奏徙逢侯于颍川郡。
In Yongjian 4 (129 CE) the Xianbei broke Fenghou; his bands scattered back to the northern court. Next spring Fenghou fled back with a hundred riders and surrendered at Shuofang; Deng Zun had him moved to Yingchuan.
48
建光元年，邓遵免，复以耿夔代为度辽将军。 时鲜卑冠边，夔与温禺犊王呼尤徽将新降者连年出塞，讨击鲜卑。 还，复各令屯列冲要。 而耿夔征发烦剧，新降者皆悉恨谋畔。
Jianguang 1 (121 CE): Deng Zun out; Geng Kui again acted as Liaodu general. As the Xianbei raided, Geng Kui and Wenyu-du king Hu Youhui led new tribesmen out yearly against them. On return they were posted again at key passes. Geng Kui’s relentless levies turned every new tribe toward revolt.
49
单于檀立二十七年薨，弟拔立。 耿夔复免，以太原太守法度代为将军。
Tan ruled twenty-seven years and died; his brother Ba succeeded. Geng Kui fell again; Taiyuan grand tutor Fa Du became general.
50
乌稽侯尸逐鞮单于拔。 延光三年立。 夏，新降一部大人阿族等遂反畔，胁呼尤徽欲与俱去。 呼尤徽曰：“我老矣，受汉家恩，宁死不能相随！ ”众欲杀之，有救者，得免。 阿族等遂将妻子辎重亡去，中郎将马翼遣兵与胡骑追击，破之，斩首及自投河死者殆尽，获马、牛、羊万余头。 冬，法度卒。 四年，汉阳太守傅众代为将军。 其冬，傅众复卒。 永建元年，以辽东太守庞参代为将军。
Wujihoushizhudi Chanyu Ba. He was enthroned in Yanguang 3 (124 CE). That summer chief Azu’s band rebelled and tried to drag Hu Youhui away. Hu Youhui said: ‘I am old and owe Han every kindness—I would die before I went with you!’ They nearly killed him until someone intervened. Azu fled with families and baggage; Colonel Ma Yi ran them down—few survived the swords or the river—and took over ten thousand head of livestock. Fa Du died that winter. In year 4 Hanyang prefect Fu Zhong succeeded as general. Fu Zhong died the same winter. Yongjian 1 (126 CE): Liaodong prefect Pang Can became general.
51
先是，朔方以西障塞多不修复，鲜卑因此数冠南部，杀渐将王。 单于忧恐，上言求复障塞，顺帝从之。 乃遣黎阳营兵出屯中山北界，增置缘边诸郡兵，列屯塞下，教习战射。
Barrier works west of Shuofang had long decayed; the Xianbei struck the south again and again and killed the Jianjiang king. The Chanyu petitioned in alarm to rebuild the forts; Emperor Shun agreed. Liyang garrison troops moved to Zhongshan’s north march; frontier commands were reinforced along the wall with drill in arms and archery.
52
单于拔立四年薨，弟休利立。
Ba ruled four years and died; his brother Xiuli succeeded.
53
五年夏，南匈奴左部句龙王吾斯、车纽等背叛，率三千余骑寇西河，因复招诱右贤王，合七八千骑围美稷，杀朔方、代郡长史。 马续与中郎将梁并、乌桓校尉王元，发缘边兵及乌桓、鲜卑、羌胡，合二万余人，掩击破之。 吾斯等遂更屯聚，攻没城邑。 天子遣使责让单于，开以恩义，令相招降。 单于本不豫谋，乃脱帽避帐，诣并谢罪。 并以病征，五原太守陈龟代为中郎将。 龟以单于不能制下，逼迫之，单于及其弟左贤王皆自杀。 单于林利立十三年。 龟又欲徙单于近亲于内郡，而降者遂更狐疑。 龟坐下狱免。 大将军梁商以羌胡新反，党众初合，难以兵服，宜用招降，乃上表曰：“匈奴寇畔，自知罪极。 穷鸟困兽，皆知救死，况种类繁炽，不可单尽。 今转运日增，三军疲苦，虚内给外，非中国之利。 窃见度辽将军马续素有谋谟，且典边日久，深晓兵要，每得续书，与臣策合。 宜令续深沟高壁，以恩信招降，宣示购赏，明其期约。 如此，则丑类可服，国家无事矣。 ”帝从之，乃诏续招降畔虏。 商又移书续等曰：“中国安宁，忘战日久。 良骑野合，交锋接矢，决胜当时，戎狄之所长，而中国之所短也。 强弩乘城，坚营固守，以待其衰，中国之所长，而戎狄之所短也。 宜务先所长，以观其变，设购开赏，宣示反悔，勿贪小功，以乱大谋。 ”续及诸郡并各遵行。 于是右贤王部抑鞮等万三千口诣续降。
That summer Wusi and Cheniu of the left Goulong band rebelled with three thousand horse in Xihe, pulled in the Right Wise King, and seven or eight thousand riders besieged Meiji, killing the Shuofang and Dai chief clerks. Ma Xu with Liang Bing and Wang Yuan raised frontier troops, Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Qiang—over twenty thousand—and struck them by surprise. Wusi regrouped and took towns. The throne rebuked the Chanyu yet urged grace and ordered him to summon surrender. The Chanyu had not planned the revolt; he doffed his cap, left his yurt, and begged Liang Bing’s pardon. Liang Bing was recalled ill; Wuyuan prefect Chen Gui became colonel. Chen Gui hounded the Chanyu for failing his people until he and the Left Wise King killed themselves. Xiuli had ruled thirteen years. Chen Gui also meant to move the Chanyu’s kin inland; the surrendered tribes grew wary. Chen Gui was jailed and dismissed. Grand General Liang Shang argued fresh Qiang and Hu revolts needed persuasion not battle, and wrote: ‘The Xiongnu know their guilt is capital.’ Cornered birds and beasts fight for life; these tribes are many—you cannot exterminate them all. Convoys swell, the armies tire, and draining the interior for the frontier helps no one in China. Liaodu general Ma Xu is a planner who knows the frontier; his letters always match my counsel. Have him dig in, win them by grace, post bounties, and set clear terms. Then the rebels yield and the realm stays quiet. The emperor agreed and ordered Ma Xu to accept surrenders. He also wrote Ma Xu: ‘China has been at peace so long we forget war.’ Mounted skirmish in the open is where the nomads excel and we falter. Strong crossbows, walls, and stubborn camps play to our strengths and their weaknesses. Lead with your strengths, watch how they shift, publish bounties and terms for repentance—do not chase petty kills and spoil the strategy. Ma Xu and the commanderies obeyed. Yidi of the Right Wise King’s wing brought thirteen thousand people to surrender to Ma Xu.
54
秋，句龙吾斯等立句龙王车纽为单于。 东引乌桓，西收羌戎及诸胡等数万人，攻破京兆虎牙营，杀上郡都尉及军司马，遂寇掠并、凉、幽、冀四州。 乃徙西河治离石，上郡治夏阳，朔方治五原。 冬，遣中郎将张耽将幽州乌桓诸郡营兵，击畔虏车纽等，战于马邑，斩首三千级，获生口及兵器、牛、羊甚众。 车纽等将诸豪帅骨都侯乞降，而吾斯犹率其部曲与乌桓寇抄。 六年春，马续率鲜卑五千骑到穀城击之，斩首数百级。 张耽性勇锐，而善抚士卒，军中皆为用命。 遂绳索相悬，上通天山，大破乌桓，悉斩其渠帅，还得汉民，获其畜生财物。 夏，马续复免，以城门校尉吴武代为将军。
That autumn Wusi set up Cheniu as Goulong Chanyu. They drew Wuhuan in the east and tens of thousands of Qiang and Hu in the west, stormed the Jingzhao Tiger Guard, killed Shang’s commandant and army major, and ravaged Bing, Liang, You, and Ji. Xihe’s seat moved to Lishi, Shang’s to Xiayang, Shuofang’s to Wuyuan. Winter: Colonel Zhang Dan led Youzhou Wuhuan and camp troops against Cheniu at Mayi—three thousand heads plus captives, arms, and herds. Cheniu’s chiefs offered surrender while Wusi still raided with Wuhuan. In spring of year 6 Ma Xu took five thousand Xianbei horse to Gucheng and took hundreds of heads. Zhang Dan was bold and won his men’s utter loyalty. They roped the cliffs to the Celestial Mountains, shattered the Wuhuan, slew every chief, freed Han captives, and seized herds and plunder. That summer Ma Xu fell again; City Gate colonel Wu Wu became general.
55
汉安元年秋，吾斯与薁鞮台耆、且渠伯德等复掠并部。
In autumn of Han’an 1 (142 CE) Wusi with Taiqi and Bode raided Bing again.
56
呼兰若尸逐就单于兜楼储先在京师，汉安二年立之。 天子临轩，大鸿胪持节拜授玺绶，引上殿。 赐青盖驾驷、鼓车、安车、驸马骑、玉具刀剑、什物，给彩布二千匹。 赐单于阏氏以下金锦错杂具，軿车马二乘。 遣行中郎将持节护送单于归南庭。 诏太常、大鸿胪与诸国侍子于广阳城门外祖会，飨赐作乐，角抵百戏。 顺帝幸胡桃宫临观之。 冬，中郎将马寔募刺杀句龙吾斯，送首洛阳。 建康元年，进击余党，斩首千二百级。 乌桓七十万余口皆诣寔降，车重、牛、羊，不可胜数。
Hulanruoshizhujiu Chanyu Dou Louchu had been at the capital; in Han’an 2 (143 CE) he was enthroned. The emperor took the porch; the Grand Herald invested him with seals and led him to the hall. He received green-canopied carriages, drum and riding carts, escort horse, jade-hilt blades, sundries, and two thousand bolts of cloth. The queen and household received gold brocade and goods; two screened carriages were granted. An acting colonel with insignia escorted him to the southern court. The Grand Master of Ceremonies and Grand Herald gave the hostage sons a farewell feast outside Guangyang gate with music and acrobats. Emperor Shun watched from Walnut Palace. Winter: Colonel Ma Shi had Wusi assassinated and sent his head to Luoyang. Jiankang 1 (144 CE): follow-up strikes took twelve hundred heads. Over seven hundred thousand Wuhuan submitted to Ma Shi with baggage trains and herds beyond count.
57
单于兜楼储立五年薨。
Dou Louchu ruled five years and died.
58
伊陵尸逐就单于居车兒，建和元年立。 至永寿元年，匈奴左薁鞬台耆、且渠伯德等复畔，寇抄美稷、安定，属国都尉张奂击破降之。 事已具《奂传》。
Yilingshizhujiu Chanyu Ju Che’er was enthroned in Jianhe 1 (147 CE). By Yishou 1 (155 CE) Taiqi and Bode revolted again, raiding Meiji and Anding; dependent-state commandant Zhang Huan broke and accepted their surrender. See Zhang Huan’s biography.
59
延熹元年，南单于诸部并畔，遂与乌桓、鲜卑寇缘边九郡，以张奂为北中郎将讨之，单于诸部悉降。 奂以单于不能统理国事，乃拘之，上立左谷蠡王。 桓帝诏曰：“《春秋》大居正，居车皃一心向化，何罪而黜！ 其遣还庭。”
Yanxi 1 (158 CE): the southern tribes rose with Wuhuan and Xianbei against nine frontier commanderies; North Commandant Zhang Huan brought every division to surrender. Zhang Huan jailed the Chanyu for failing his realm and asked to install the Left Guyuli king. Emperor Huan replied: ‘The Spring and Autumn honors rightful rule—Ju Chemian is loyal—what crime warrants deposition?’ Send him back to his court.
60
单于居车皃立二十五年薨，子某立。
Ju Chemian ruled twenty-five years and died; his son (name omitted) succeeded.
61
屠特若尸逐就单于某，熹平元年立。 六年，单于与中郎将臧旻出雁门击鲜卑檀石槐，大败而还。 是岁，单于薨，子呼徵立。
Teruoruoshizhujiu Chanyu [name omitted] took the throne in Xiping 1 (172 CE). In year 6 he joined Colonel Zang Min through Yanmen against Tanshi Huai’s Xianbei and suffered a crushing defeat. That year the Chanyu died; his son Huzhi succeeded.
62
单于呼徵，光和元年立。 二年，中郎将张脩与单于不相能，脩擅斩之，更立右贤王羌渠为单于。 脩以不先请而擅诛杀，槛车征诣廷尉抵罪。
Chanyu Huzhi was enthroned in Guanghe 1 (178 CE). In year 2 Colonel Zhang Xiu fell out with the Chanyu, executed him without orders, and set up Right Wise King Qiangqu. For killing without prior approval he was hauled in a prison cart to the Commandant of Justice.
63
单于羌渠，光和二年立。 中平四年，前中山太守张纯反畔，遂率鲜卑寇边郡。 灵帝诏发南匈奴兵，配幽州牧刘虞讨之。 单于遣左贤王将骑诣幽州。 国人恐单于发兵无已，五年，右部䤈落与休著各胡白马铜等十余万人反，攻杀单于。
Chanyu Qiangqu was enthroned in Guanghe 2 (179 CE). Zhongping 4 (187 CE): ex-prefect Zhang Chun rebelled and led the Xianbei against the frontier. Emperor Ling ordered southern Xiongnu troops attached to Youzhou shepherd Liu Yu against them. The Chanyu sent the Left Wise King with cavalry to Youzhou. The tribes feared endless levies; in year 5 over a hundred thousand men of the right-wing Xiluo, Xiuzhu Hu, Baimatong, and others rose up and slew Chanyu Qiangqu.
64
单于羌渠立十年，子右贤王於扶罗立。
Qiangqu had ruled ten years; his son Yufuluo, the Right Wise King, succeeded.
65
持至尸逐侯单于於扶罗，中平五年立。 国人杀其父者遂畔，共立须卜骨都侯为单于，而於扶罗诣阙自讼。 会灵帝崩，天下大乱，单于将数千骑与白波贼合兵寇河内诸郡。 时民皆保聚，抄掠无利，而兵遂挫伤。 复欲归国，国人不受，乃止河东。 须卜骨都侯为单于一年而死，南庭遂虚其位，以老王行国事。
Chizhishizhuhou Chanyu Yufuluo was enthroned in Zhongping 5 (188 CE). Those who had killed his father broke away and set up the Xubu Gudu marquis as Chanyu while Yufuluo went to the capital to plead his case. Emperor Ling died and the realm dissolved; the Chanyu joined thousands of horse to the White Wave rebels and raided Henei. The people had walled up; raiding brought no gain and his force wasted away. He tried to go home but his people refused him, so he halted east of the river. The Xubu Gudu marquis ruled one year and died; the southern court left the throne empty while an elder king handled affairs.
66
单于於扶罗立七年死，弟呼厨泉立。
Yufuluo ruled seven years and died; his brother Huchuquan succeeded.
67
论曰：“汉初遭冒顿凶黠，种众强炽。 高祖威加四海，而窘平城之围。 太宗政邻刑措，不雪愤辱之耻。 逮孝武亟兴边略，有志匈奴，赫然命将，戎旗星属，候列郊甸，火通甘泉，而犹鸣镝扬尘，出入畿内，至于穷竭武力，单用天财，历纪岁以攘之。 寇虽颇折，而汉之疲耗略相当矣。 宣帝值虏庭分争，呼韩邪来臣，乃权纳怀柔，因为边卫，罢关徼之儆，息兵民之劳。 龙驾帝服，鸣钟传鼓于清渭之上，南面而朝单于，朔、易无复匹马之踪，六十余年矣。 后王莽陵篡，犹动戎夷，续以更始之乱，方夏幅裂。 自是匈奴得志，狼心复生，乘间侵佚，害流傍境。 及中兴之初，更通旧好，报命连属，金币载道，而单于骄踞益横，内暴滋深。 世祖以用事诸华，未遑沙塞之外，忍愧思难，徒报谢而已。 因徒幽、并之民，增边屯之卒。 及关东稍定，陇、蜀已清，其猛夫扞将，莫不顿足攘手，争言卫、霍之事。 帝方厌兵，闲修文政，未之许也。 其后匈奴争立，日逐来奔，愿修呼韩之好，以御北狄之中，奉籓称臣，永为外扞。 天子总揽群策，和而纳焉。 乃诏有司，开北鄙，择肥美之地，量水草以处之。 驰中郎之使，尽法度以临之。 制衣裳，备文物，加玺绂之绶，正单于之名。 于是匈奴分破，始有南北二庭焉。 仇衅既深，互同便隙，控弦抗戈，觇望风尘，云屯鸟散，更相驰突，至于陷溃创伤者，靡岁或宁，而汉之塞地晏然矣。 后亦颇为出师，并兵穷讨，命窦宪、耿夔之徒，前后并进，皆用果谲，设奇数，异道同会，究掩其窟穴，蹑北追奔三千余里，遂破龙祠，焚罽幕，坑十角，梏阏氏，铭功封石，倡呼而还。 单于震慑，屏气蒙氈，遁走于乌孙之地，而漠北空矣。 若因其时势，及其虚旷，还南虏于阴山，归西河干内地，上申光武权宜之略，下防戎羯乱华之变，使耿国之算不谬于当世，袁安之议见从于后王，平易正直，若此其弘也。 而窦宪矜三捷之效，忽经世之规，狼戾不端，专行威惠。 遂复更立北虏，反其故庭，并恩两护，以私己福，弃蔑天公，坐树大鲠。 永言前载，何恨愤之深乎！ 自后经纶失方，畔服不一，其为疢毒，胡可单言！ 降及后世，玩为常俗，终于吞噬神乡，丘墟帝宅。 呜呼！ 千里之差，兴自毫端，失得之源，百世不磨矣。
The commentary runs: At Han’s rise Modu was ruthless and his tribes strong. Gaozu awed the realm yet was trapped at Pingcheng. Emperor Wen’s realm knew peace yet never avenged the affront. Emperor Wu mobilized the frontier: banners crowded like stars, beacons ran to Ganquan—yet whistling arrows still stirred dust inside the capital belt; he poured armies and treasury into decades of war. The barbarians bent but Han’s exhaustion matched their losses. When the northern court split, Huhanye submitted; Xuan soothed him into a frontier shield—alarms on the passes ceased and soldier and farmer rested. With imperial carriages on the clear Wei, bells and drums rolling, the emperor faced south while the Chanyu attended court—sixty years without a northern horse near Shuoyi. Wang Mang’s usurpation stirred the tribes; Gengshi’s turmoil shattered the realm. Then the Xiongnu tasted victory; wolfish hunger returned and raids spilled onto every march. Early Guangwu reopened ties—envoys and gold clogged the roads—yet the Chanyu grew arrogant and brutal within. Guangwu was busy within China and could not ride north—he swallowed shame and answered with civility. He resettled You and Bing folk and thickened frontier garrisons. Once the east settled and Long and Shu were pacified, every bold general stamped and cried for another Wei Qing or Huo Qubing. The emperor wanted peace and letters, not war—he refused. Then the north split; Rizhu fled south to renew Huhanye’s pact—holding rival factions of the northern tribes in check as a titled vassal. The throne weighed counsel and accepted him in peace. Officers opened the northern march, chose rich pasture, and quartered them by grass and water. Colonels rode circuit with full statute to govern them. Robes, regalia, seal-ribbons fixed his title as Chanyu. The Xiongnu split—there were now southern and northern courts. Malice ran deep; they seized every opening—bows against spears, scouts on the wind—now massed, now scattered, charging each other year on year—yet Han’s wall stayed quiet. Later Han sent Dou Xian and Geng Kui by ruse and converging columns—surprising their dens, chasing three thousand li past dragon rites—burning felts, slaughtering stock, shackling the queen—carving stone odes—then chanting victory home. The Chanyu fled breathless into Wusun country—the northern desert stood empty. Had Han used that opening—reset the south on the Yinshan and Xihe inland—honoring Guangwu’s expedient and Yuan An’s caution—the policy would have been vast and sound. Dou Xian preened over three victories, ignored statecraft, acted wolfishly, and played tyrant and patron alone. He set up a northern puppet in its old seat, pampered two shields for private gain, defied principle, and planted lasting trouble. Reading that past—what bitterness! Later strategy failed—now rebel, now submit—poison beyond words! Later ages treated it lightly until the holy heartland was devoured and the throne lay in ruins. Alas! A thousand-li error begins at a hair’s breadth—gain and loss echo forever.
68
赞曰：匈奴既分，羽书稀闻。 野心难悔，终亦纷纭。
The verdict: once the Xiongnu split, urgent bulletins grew rare. Their wild hearts never repented—turmoil to the end.