Huhanye


Huhanye, born Jihoushan, a Chanyu of the Xiongnu Empire, the son of Xulüquanqu Chanyu. He rebelled in 59 BC with the aid of Wushanmu and Woyanqudi Chanyu soon committed suicide, leaving the Xiongnu torn apart by factional strife. By 55 BC, only Huhanye and his brother Zhizhi Chanyu were left.

Biography

In 33 BC, Huhanye visited Chang'an as part of the tributary system that existed between the Han and Xiongnu governments. He took the opportunity to request to become an imperial son-in-law and unwilling to honour Huhanye with a real princess, Emperor Yuan ordered that the plainest girl in the harem be selected. A lady-in-waiting named Wang Zhaojun volunteered and the Emperor approved. However, Wang Zhaojun was revealed to be exceedingly beautiful and she was considered one of the Four Beauties of China, alongside Xi Shi, Diaochan, and Yang Guifei.
Wang Zhaojun became a favorite of Huhanye Chanyu, giving birth to two sons. Only one, Yituzhiyashi has been recorded as survived, and Yituzhiyazhi was involved in politics. They also had two daughters, Yun known as Subu Juci and Dangyu Juci. Yun was created Princess Yimuo and would later become a powerful figure in Xiongnu politics.
Huhanye was defeated by Zhizhi in 51 BC and fled to the Han dynasty. Zhizhi also submitted to the Han the following year but declared independence in 48 BC once he saw that they favored his brother. Zhizhi moved further west to attack Fergana and the Wusun. In 43 BC, Huhanye moved back north. Zhizhi was killed by the Han at the Battle of Zhizhi in 36 BC, leaving Huhanye the uncontested leader of the Xiongnu. Huhanye died in 31 BC and was succeeded by his son Diaotaomogao.

Footnotes