The Child Emperor

In old age, people were often willing to forsake their posture and manners for a bit of comfort. The Great Chanyu reclined on a soft chair, panting and smiling as he welcomed the Northern Protection General.

“He apologizes to the General for not being able to stand and welcome you. He drank too much last night and hasn’t fully recovered,” Fang Daye translated, pausing to add, “The Great Chanyu indeed drank a lot.”

Han Ruzi asked Fang Daye to exchange a few pleasantries on his behalf and then sat across from the Great Chanyu.

The Great Chanyu put away his smile and spoke sternly.

Fang Daye said, “The Great Chanyu knows the movements of the Chu army. He regrets that the Chu army did not launch an attack this morning, making the preparations of the Xiongnu in vain.”

Fang Daye listened for a while, conversed with the Great Chanyu, and then said to the Northern Protection General, “The Xiongnu wish to engage in a major battle with the Chu army to regain their confidence. They believe that if they can defeat the Chu army, they can then turn and defeat the false Chanyu in the west. The Xiongnu are ready for a desperate battle; they have sharpened their swords, stocked up on arrows, and shod their horses… In short, if a battle starts, the Xiongnu will first kill all the livestock in their camp, except for their horses, to show that they have no retreat and must obtain food from the Chu camp.”

“Please tell the Great Chanyu…” Han Ruzi was choosing his words when Fang Daye said, “I have already told him that the Chu army has no retreat as well; if war breaks out, there is no retreat for us either.”

“Indeed, the Chu army’s retreat is nearly cut off. We received news this morning that a group of rebels has reached Divine Hero Pass, and it’s unclear who controls it now,” Han Ruzi said.

Fang Daye took a heavy breath, “General, speak and I’ll convey it to the Great Chanyu…” He glanced at Jin Chuiduo, “Go ahead, General.”

Han Ruzi cleared his throat, “I understand the Xiongnu’s determination to fight to the death and believe in the strength of their cavalry, but the Great Chanyu is mistaken if he seeks to bolster confidence from a fight with the Chu army. Thirty thousand Chu soldiers can defend Shattered Iron City against a larger force, let alone a hundred thousand Chu soldiers. On the vast steppes, the Xiongnu might have some advantage in hit-and-run tactics, but in a direct confrontation, the Chu army excels. We only fear that the Xiongnu will flee too quickly; we never worry about them competing on the battlefield. Yes, the Chu army did not attack but retreated instead. Even so, Shattered Iron City remains a Chu city that no number of Xiongnu can take.”

Fang Daye translated truthfully. The Great Chanyu nodded and shook his head alternately, then laughed and spoke quickly.

“We have met and built mutual trust, so why waste time playing games? The Chu army did not attack, and the Xiongnu did not counterattack, which shows that both sides are sincere. Let’s skip the probing and speak frankly.”

Fang Daye unconsciously adopted the Great Chanyu’s tone, translating well, leaving Jin Chuiduo unable to interject.

Han Ruzi nodded, “The Xiongnu must retreat, stay away from the river, and not invade any Chu territory.”

“The Great Chanyu agrees, saying that as soon as a peace agreement is reached, they will immediately withdraw. The Eastern Xiongnu have established several camps in the northern valleys, stocked with enough forage to last the winter. The Great Chanyu also hopes the Chu army will not advance northward, as each camp is vital to the Xiongnu. Losing one would mean endless trouble for the Chu.”

This was the basis of the peace talks. Han Ruzi agreed, and both sides took turns proposing conditions, all within reason, with little dispute. After about half an hour, Han Ruzi said, “There is one matter the Great Chanyu should have raised, but since he hasn’t, I will: I am merely a general of the Chu army. I can agree to many things, but I am not the decision-maker.”

This was a significant flaw in the negotiations, but the Great Chanyu seemed to ignore it. After hearing Fang Daye’s translation, he laboriously shifted in his chair and spoke much more slowly.

“The Great Chanyu says his ambition is not great; he just hopes that mutual trust can gradually deepen. He heard that the General is the grandson of the Martial Emperor and once briefly served as Emperor. That is enough for him; he believes the General has a bright future. If necessary, the Xiongnu are even willing to offer assistance.”

Han Ruzi glanced at Jin Chuiduo. The Great Chanyu likely learned of the General’s former identity from her. He said, “Thank the Great Chanyu for his kindness, but please also assure him that under no circumstances, even if my life were at stake, would I allow the Xiongnu to enter our territory, let alone extend an invitation to the Xiongnu.”

The Great Chanyu nodded repeatedly and said through Fang Daye, “As long as a peace agreement is reached, the Xiongnu will not cross the river southward. The General raised a question for the Great Chanyu, so the Great Chanyu must reciprocate: does the General not care about what happens in the west? The false Chanyu’s power is rapidly expanding. He not only claims to be Xiongnu but also openly declares his intention to conquer all of Chu territory and kill all Chu people.”

Han Ruzi did care about this but didn’t intend to listen to the Xiongnu’s one-sided story. “I already know enough. The Chu has officials in the Western Regions, and I will have them gather more accurate information.”

“The false Chanyu is still some distance from the Western Regions. The General should have the officials gather more information. You will understand the false Chanyu’s strength and methods, and why the Xiongnu fled the west and are determined to negotiate with the Chu. It is not a distant threat; in as little as a year or as much as five years, the false Chanyu will surely lead his army eastward once he conquers the western nations.”

The negotiations were almost complete. Han Ruzi asked, “Should we write an agreement and seal it?”

Fang Daye shook his head, “The Xiongnu have no written language and do not trust written words. Let me ask.”

The Great Chanyu slowly straightened up, gesturing as he spoke. Jin Chuiduo, who had not participated in the conversation, finally spoke in Xiongnu. Han Ruzi could tell she spoke awkwardly and seemed angry, but she eventually fell silent and complied.

Fang Daye found the Great Chanyu’s request somewhat excessive and hesitated before translating, “The Great Chanyu wants a marriage alliance with the General.”

“What?” Han Ruzi did not immediately grasp the meaning.

“A marriage alliance means…”

“I know what it means. The Great Chanyu wants to marry a Chu princess? That’s impossible…”

“No, the Great Chanyu wants to marry his daughter to you.”

Han Ruzi was stunned. Marriage alliances had existed since ancient times, typically involving a Central Plains princess marrying a steppe king, but sometimes the reverse. Regardless, the groom was always a ruler.

The Great Chanyu spoke at length, and Fang Daye said, “The Great Chanyu knows it is difficult for the Chu to believe in the Xiongnu’s goodwill and the western threat. The General’s courage in negotiating is commendable, and he hopes to become family with the General. He also said…”

“That’s enough,” Han Ruzi said, pausing to think. “Tell the Great Chanyu that I am a subject of Chu and cannot independently agree to a marriage alliance with a foreign tribe. If he truly desires this, I can only report it to the court.”

Han Ruzi did not mention that he already had a wife, as this would not be an issue for the Xiongnu.

“The Great Chanyu understands the difficulty and does not seek an immediate marriage. It can wait until the Chu know more about the west. However, if Chu and Xiongnu wish to form a true alliance, a marriage is essential, whether with the General or the Emperor. No one else will do. The Great Chanyu has one request: to go see his daughter to show the Xiongnu that the marriage is possible, allowing them to retreat north with peace of mind.”

Like Han Ruzi, the Great Chanyu worried that his authority might not be enough to control the newly united Xiongnu army and needed external support.

Han Ruzi found this highly inappropriate and shook his head. “Tell the Great Chanyu that I’m already taking a great risk by negotiating. Even a hint of a marriage alliance would cause me immense trouble.”

Fang Daye, understanding the suspicions this would arouse against the General, seriously explained the situation to the Great Chanyu. After much discussion, Fang Daye said, “The Great Chanyu is willing to compromise. You need not visit; he will bring his daughter here. You may choose to see her or not.”

The Great Chanyu looked stern and spoke directly to the General.

“The Great Chanyu says that despite his age, he is not weak, and his daughter is…”

Han Ruzi interrupted Fang Daye, “Should I agree to this?”

“I’ll discuss it with him again.”

Fang Daye debated with the Great Chanyu and finally said, “Perhaps… agree. Consider it as if you’re meeting a potential bride for the Emperor.”

Han Ruzi knew that not engaging the Xiongnu in battle would bring countless criticisms upon his return to the capital. Meeting a potential bride for the Emperor was even more absurd. However, seeing the Great Chanyu’s firm stance, he reluctantly said, “Alright.”

Jin Chuiduo went outside to relay the order. Only then did Han Ruzi glance at her again.

Jin Chuiduo deliberately avoided his gaze.

The rest of the negotiations proceeded smoothly. The Great Chanyu praised his daughter’s unparalleled beauty and shared more about the west. According to him, the false Chanyu was incredibly cruel, killing all men in any resisting city, regardless of age, even newborns. The Western Xiongnu had fought him several times and were now considered resisters…

Han Ruzi felt the Great Chanyu was likely exaggerating and listened without questioning.

The Great Chanyu seemed well-prepared. Shortly after Jin Chuiduo gave the order, his daughter arrived—not one, but two.

“The General and the Emperor… can each marry one,” Fang Daye translated. Despite his familiarity with the Xiongnu, he still found this breach of decorum shocking.

The Great Chanyu was right. His two daughters were very young, about fourteen or fifteen, and very beautiful. They stood at the entrance, heads slightly lowered, faces flushed. Han Ruzi glanced at them and then looked away.

The negotiations finally concluded. The Great Chanyu hoped the General would quickly reach a consensus with the imperial court, “The Xiongnu will wait until next spring at the latest.”

Jin Chuiduo escorted the Great Chanyu’s daughters out of the tent. The Great Chanyu spoke again, and Fang Daye did not immediately translate but said to Han Ruzi on the way back to camp, “The Great Chanyu said he showed the General not two daughters, but three. He also said…”

Fang Daye, reluctant to involve himself in court politics, had to translate, “The Xiongnu are willing to help the General reclaim the throne. He asks the General to consider it carefully.”

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