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The Han-Wusun Alliance and the Invasion of the Xiongnu (72 BCE)
By the 2nd century BCE, the nomadic Xiongnu Confederacy dominated the steppes north of China, frequently raiding Han territory. The Han Dynasty, under Emperor Wu (r. 141-87 BCE), sought to weaken the Xiongnu through military campaigns and alliances with their enemies, including the Wusun, a powerful steppe people in the Ili Valley (modern-day Kazakhstan and Xinjiang).
The Han had previously sent Princess Liu Xijun (in 108 BCE) and later Princess Jieyou (in 101 BCE) to marry Wusun leaders, securing a marriage alliance. By 72 BCE, the Wusun, under King Wengguimi, were strong enough to challenge the Xiongnu.
In 72 BCE, the Han and Wusun launched a coordinated attack:
- Han Forces: A Han army of over 160,000 troops, led by Generals Zhao Chongguo and Tian Guangming, advanced from the northeast.
- Wusun Forces: The Wusun, under King Wengguimi, struck from the west with 50,000 cavalry.
The Xiongnu, caught between two fronts, suffered heavy losses. The Wusun reportedly killed or captured 40,000 Xiongnu, including a high-ranking Luli King. The Han forces also inflicted significant damage.
This campaign marked a turning point in the Han-Xiongnu Wars, demonstrating the effectiveness of Han diplomacy and military strategy in neutralizing a long-standing threat.
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