Xiongnu elite woman's headdress from Xigoupan (grave 4) 2nd C. BCE

January 10, 2023

Xiongnu elite woman's headdress from Xigoupan (grave 4) 2nd C. BCE

When Liu Bang (Han Emperor Gaozu) began his offensive against the Xiongnu he sent scouts to survey their land. Hun/Xiongnu chieftain, Modu Chanyu, knew the Han were coming and hid most of his soldiers and horses. He left the enfeeble soldiers and sickly-looking horses out in the open to feign weakness. Liu Bang's minister, Liu Jing, warned him to turn back:

"When two armies face off in a battle they invariably connive and purposely augment to exaggerate their strength by flaunting their best. However, all I could see were old, emaciated and tired soldiers. I believe they are trying to lure us into a ruse. My humble opinion is it would be unwise to crash with them head on."

Liu Bang had Liu Jing arrested for 'demoralization' and imprisoned in Guangwu. When Liu Bang and his army arrived in Ping Cheng, Modu surrounded them. Unable to break the siege, Liu Bang sent an emissary to Modu's wife (the Yanzhi aka Queen) to convince her to make Modu end the siege and let him (Liu) live. In exchange the Xiongnu would receive material goods and lavish gifts. One version of the emissary's communication to the Yanzhi implies she manipulated her husband to end the siege because she didn't want to be one among thousands of wives:

"Chen Ping related through the emissary to Yanzhi that the Han court had tens of thousands of beautiful women ready to be married off to the Chanyu, it prompted the Queen to talk to her husband."

Modu lifted the siege and let Liu escape. Liu Bang freed Liu Jing from prison and had his scouts executed instead.

-Wars with the Xiongnu according to Zizhi Tongjian, translated by Joseph P. Yap