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Overview The translated histories identify Chanyu as a ruler and tribal leader. This record brings together 6 passages from 1 chapter across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.
Names Type English Chinese Pinyin
Personal
Chanyu
單于
Chanyu
Title
Chanyu
單于
Chanyu
Identity
Historicity Historical
Identification Title only
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Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 109 Biography of General Li · 6 passages
廣既從大將軍青擊匈奴，既出塞，青捕虜知單于所居，乃自以精兵走之，而令廣并於右將軍軍，出東道。
Guang marched with Grand General Wei Qing to attack the Xiongnu. After they had crossed the frontier, Qing learned from captured prisoners where the Chanyu was camped. He took his best troops to go after the Chanyu himself and ordered Guang to merge his forces with the General of the Right and advance by the eastern route.
廣自請曰：「臣部為前將軍，今大將軍乃徙令臣出東道，且臣結發而與匈奴戰，今乃一得當單于，臣願居前，先死單于。」
Guang pleaded on his own behalf, saying, "My command is the Vanguard. Now the Grand General has shifted me to the eastern route. I have fought the Xiongnu since I first bound up my hair, and now, for once, I have the chance to face the Chanyu. I wish to stand in the front and be the first to die before him."
大將軍青亦陰受上誡，以為李廣老，數奇，毋令當單于，恐不得所欲。
Grand General Qing had also received secret instructions from the Emperor: Li Guang was old and had always been unlucky; he must not be allowed to face the Chanyu, for fear that the desired result would not be achieved.
而是時公孫敖新失侯，為中將軍從大將軍，大將軍亦欲使敖與俱當單于，故徙前將軍廣。
Moreover, Gongsun Ao had recently lost his marquisate and was serving as General of the Center under the Grand General. The Grand General wished to give Ao the chance to face the Chanyu alongside him, and so he reassigned Guang from the vanguard.
大將軍與單于接戰，單于遁走，弗能得而還。
The Grand General engaged the Chanyu in battle, but the Chanyu escaped and could not be captured, so the Grand General turned back.
「廣結發與匈奴大小七十餘戰，今幸從大將軍出接單于兵，而大將軍又徙廣部行回遠，而又迷失道，豈非天哉！
"Since I first bound up my hair, I have fought the Xiongnu in more than seventy battles, large and small. Now I was fortunate enough to follow the Grand General out to meet the Chanyu’s army, but the Grand General shifted my command onto a roundabout and distant route, and then we lost the way. Is this not Heaven!