Chapter 73 72 Wang Zhaojun went out of the fortress

During the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty prospered for another period.At that time, the power of the Xiongnu was declining due to the struggle for power by the nobles. Later, the Xiongnu split up, and the five Shanyus were separated and attacked each other endlessly. One of them, Hu Hanxie, was defeated by his elder brother Zhizhi (Zhi) Shanyu, and many people were killed or injured.After discussing the results with the ministers, Hu Hanxie determined to reconcile with the Han Dynasty, and personally brought his subordinates to meet Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty.

Hu Hanxie was the first to meet Shan Yu in the Central Plains. Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty entertained him like a distinguished guest, went to the outskirts of Chang'an to meet him in person, and held a grand banquet for him. Hu Hanxie lived in Chang'an for more than a month.He asked Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty to help him go back.Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty agreed, and sent two generals to lead 10,000 cavalry to escort him to Monan.At this time, the Huns were short of food, and the Han Dynasty sent 34,000 hu (sound hu, ten dou was one hu in ancient times) food. Hu Hanxie Shanyu was very grateful and devoted himself to reconciling with the Han Dynasty.When the countries in the Western Regions heard that the Xiongnu had reconciled with the Han Dynasty, they all scrambled to deal with the Han Dynasty.After the death of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, his son Liu Shi (sound shi) came to the throne, that is, Emperor Han Yuan.In a few years, Zhizhi Shanyu of the Huns invaded the countries of the Western Regions and killed the envoys sent by the Han Dynasty.The Han Dynasty sent troops to Kangju, defeated Zhizhi Shanyu, and killed Zhizhi Shanyu.

Zhizhi Shanyu died, and Hu Hanxie Shanyu's position was stabilized.In 33 B.C., Hu Hanxie Shanyu came to Chang'an again and asked for peace with the Han Dynasty.Emperor Han Yuan agreed. In the past, when the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu made marriages, they had to choose a princess or the daughter of the clan.This time, Emperor Han Yuan decided to choose a maid for him, and he ordered people to go to the harem to spread the word: "Whoever wants to go to the Huns, the emperor treats her as a princess." The maids in the harem are all selected from the people. Once they enter the palace, they are like birds in a cage. They all hope that one day they can be released from the palace.But when he heard that he wanted to leave his country and go to the Xiongnu, he was not happy.

There was a court lady named Wang Qiang (sound qiang), also named Wang Zhaojun, who was very beautiful and very knowledgeable.For her own life, she resolutely signed up and voluntarily went to the Huns to marry. The minister in charge was anxious that no one could apply for the recruitment. Hearing that Wang Zhaojun was willing to go, he reported her name to Emperor Han Yuan.Emperor Han Yuan ordered the ministers in charge to choose a date for Hu Hanxie Shanyu and Wang Zhaojun to get married in Chang'an. Needless to say, Hu Hanxie Shanyu was happy and grateful to have such a young and beautiful wife.

When Hu Hanxie Shanyu and Wang Zhaojun thanked Emperor Han Yuan for their kindness, Emperor Han Yuan saw that Zhaojun was beautiful and generous, and he was somewhat reluctant.He wanted to keep Wang Zhaojun, but it was too late. Legend has it that Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty returned to the inner palace, and the more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became.He then asked people to take out the portrait of Zhaojun from the portraits of court ladies to look at.Although the appearance is a bit similar, it is not as cute as Zhaojun himself. It turned out that after the maids entered the palace, they usually did not see the emperor. Instead, the painters drew portraits and sent them to the emperor to wait for selection.There was a painter named Mao Yanshou. When he was painting portraits of court ladies, the ladies gave him some gifts, so he could paint more beautifully.Wang Zhaojun was unwilling to give gifts, so Mao Yanshou did not paint Wang Zhaojun's beauty as it really was.

In a fit of anger, Emperor Han Yuan killed Mao Yanshou. Wang Zhaojun left Chang'an under the escort of Han and Xiongnu officials.She rode a horse, braved the biting cold wind, traveled thousands of miles to the Xiongnu, and became the Yan clan of Huhanxie Shanyu.After a long time, she gradually got used to life and got along well with the Huns.The Huns liked her and respected her. Wang Zhaojun was far away from his hometown and settled in the Huns for a long time.She persuaded Han Xie Shanyu not to start a war, but also passed on the culture of the Central Plains to the Xiongnu.After the fight, the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty lived in harmony, and there was no war for more than 60 years.

Not long after Wang Zhaojun left Chang'an, Emperor Han Yuan died, and his son Liu Ao (sound ao) came to the throne, who was Emperor Han Cheng.