Map of Xiongnu and Han Empires (and their neighbors) 160 BCE

 "6.17 Xiongnu Defeated Yuezhi and 26 States (176 BCE): In the following year (176 BCE), the Chanyu sent a missive to the Han court, it read: 

'The Great Chanyu, ordained by Heaven, sends his regards to the Emperor and inquires his health. Previously the Emperor broached the issue of forming a nuptial union for peace alliance; the proposal pleases me. Some Han officers at the border, however, had flustered and insulted our Right Sage King. The King did not seek my approval, listened to the advice of Houyi, Luhou, Nanzhi and other generals and started a skirmish with our neighbor (Han). It broke the pledge between the two Kingdoms and ruined the brotherly accord between us. The Emperor has sent letters through envoys to raise the issue on two separate occasions. However, my envoys were not allowed to return, nor had Han reciprocated with any envoys. For this reason, the Han Kingdom has become an adversary, leading to conflict between two neighboring states. Now that the petty officers had broken the pledge of alliance, I hence chastised the Right Sage King. I sent him off to the west to attack Yuezhi. Praise to the grace of Heaven, the excellence of the King's warriors, the strength of his horses, he vanquished the Yuezhi and brought pacification to Yuezhi through executing or forcing the people into submission. Loulan, Wusun, Hujie, and twenty-six neighboring states have submitted to the Xiongnu Kingdom. All the peoples bearing bows and arrows are united as one family, and the Northern Territories is now peaceful.

I want to allow my soldiers to lay down their arms, enabling them to take a break of respite and I also want to return my horses to the pasture. Let us forget what happened in the past and resume our former pledge; hence as to allow the civilians at the border to settle in peace. Let us renew our genial relationships since time immemorial; allowing our young people to grow to manhood, the old to live out their lives in peace and let generations after generations to enjoy harmony and happiness.

Nevertheless, I have yet to know what the Emperor thinks of the proposition. Hence, I am sending my Imperial Guard, Xihuqian, to present a memorial and to seek an audience with the Emperor. I offer one camel, two riding horses, eight coach horses as gifts. If the Emperor thinks the Xiongnu should not approach the frontier Passes, then he should issue a decree instructing his people to move further away. Upon delivering this message, please allow my envoy to return.'

During the middle of the 6th month, the Xiongnu envoy arrived at the Xinwang district. The letter was presented to the court; an intense deliberation followed whether Han should attack the Xiongnu or carry out a nuptial union. The ministers at court all maintained, 'The Chanyu has recently broken the Yuezhi, they are on the pinnacle of conquest, and would be difficult for us to win a victory over them. Besides, having won over the Xiongnu territories, they are either swampy or saline, not suitable for settlement. It would be better to make peace by entering a nuptial union.' The Emperor agreed with the opinions and approved the proposal."

-Hanshu Xiongnu Zhuan Volume 94 Number 64 A. The Western Regions, Xiongnu, and Han (from the Shiji, Hanshu, and Hou Hanshu) translated and annotated by Joseph P. Yap

Xiongnu and Han Empires (and their neighbors) 160 BCE.

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https://twitter.com/CarlZha/status/1034668305846394881/photo/2

Quote:

Hanshu Xiongnu Zhuan Volume 94 Number 64 A. The Western Regions, Xiongnu, and Han (from the Shiji, Hanshu, and Hou Hanshu) translated and annotated by Joseph P. Yap