Wen Tianxiang (1236-1283), an outstanding national hero[1] and patriotic poet in the Southern Song Dynasty. Han nationality, from Luling (now part of Ji'an, Jiangxi Province), his original name was Yunsun, also given the courtesy name Songrui, and also the courtesy name Lushan. He called himself Wenshan and Fuxiu Daoren. His works include "The Complete Works of Wenshan" and "Wenshan Yuefu", and his famous articles include "Zhengqi". "Song", "Crossing the Lingding Ocean", etc. In the fourth year of Baoyou's reign (1256), Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty won the first place in Jinshi (No. 1 Scholar). Together with Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie, they were known as the "Three Heroes of the Late Song Dynasty". His poems in his later years were impassioned, desolate and tragic, with strong appeal, reflecting his steadfast national integrity and tenacious fighting spirit. He died generously in Chaishikou, Beijing on January 9, 1283 (the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month) at the age of 47. Wen Tianxiang wrote a large number of poems in prison. His works such as "Crossing the Lingding Ocean" and "Song of Righteousness" have become eternal masterpieces and symbols of the spirit of the Chinese nation.

[Edit this paragraph] Life overview

Wen Tianxiang won the first place in the Luling Township School Examination when he was 19 years old. The following year (the fourth year of Baoyou), he entered Jizhou (now Ji'an, Jiangxi) Bailu He studied in Zhou Academy and was selected as a tribute scholar in Jizhou in the same year. He followed his father to Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, to take the exam. In the palace examination, he wrote "imperial examination policy" to address the current shortcomings, proposed reform plans, and expressed political ambitions. Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty was selected as the first, and he also became a disciple of Jia Sidao, the powerful prime minister. The examiner Wang Yinglin reported: "This is the ancient friendship like a turtle." "Jian, my heart is as loyal as iron, I dare to congratulate others." But his father unfortunately died of illness four days later, and Wen Tianxiang returned home to mourn for three years. In the early years of Kaiqing (1259), the Mongolian army attacked Ezhou (today's Wuchang, Hubei Province). The eunuch Dong Songchen asked Lizong to move the capital to avoid the enemy. Wen Tianxiang asked the minister to kill Dong Songchen to cheer up people's hearts and offer a plan to defend against the enemy. Not adopted. Later, he successively held the posts of signing official of Ning Haijun Jiedu, Langguan of the Ministry of punishment, Jiangxi Tixing, Shangshu Zuosilang, Hunan Tixing, and Zhiganzhou. In the sixth year of Xianchun (1270), he was dismissed for offending the traitor Jia Sidao.

In the first month of the first year of Emperor Gong Deyou of the Song Dynasty (1275), due to the massive attack by the Yuan army, the Song army's Yangtze River defense line collapsed. The imperial court issued an edict to organize troops and horses to serve the king. Wen Tianxiang immediately donated his family's money to serve as military expenses, recruited local heroes, formed a rebel army of more than 10,000 people, and marched to Lin'an. The Song court appointed Wen Tianxiang to inform Pingjiang Mansion and ordered him to send troops to rescue Changzhou, and immediately ordered him to rush to rescue Dusong Pass. Due to the fierce offensive of the Yuan army, although the Jiangxi rebels fought bravely, they ultimately failed to block the front of the Yuan army.

In the first month of the following year, the Yuan army came to Lin'an, and all civil and military officials fled. Empress Dowager Xie appointed Wen Tianxiang as Prime Minister and Privy Envoy to the right, and sent him out of the city to negotiate with Boyan in an attempt to make peace with the Yuan army. Wen Tianxiang arrived at the Yuan army camp, but was detained by Boyan. Seeing that the situation was over, Empress Dowager Xie had no choice but to surrender the city to the Yuan army.

The Yuan army occupied Lin'an, but Lianghuai, Jiangnan, Fujian and Guangzhou and other places were not completely controlled and occupied by the Yuan army. Therefore, Boyan tried to lure Wen Tianxiang to surrender and use his reputation to clean up the mess as soon as possible. Wen Tianxiang would rather die than surrender, so Boyan had no choice but to escort him to the north. Traveling to Zhenjiang, Wen Tianxiang took the risk to escape. After many hardships and dangers, he arrived in Fuzhou on May 26, the first year of Jingyan (1276), and was appointed as the right prime minister by the young emperor Song Duanzong Zhao Shi.

In July, Wen Tianxiang was extremely dissatisfied with Zhang Shijie's autocratic government and had disagreements with Chen Yizhong, so he left the Southern Song Dynasty to go to court, and as the governor, he established a government in Nanjianzhou (now Nanping, Fujian) to gather troops and command After resisting the Yuan Dynasty, he entered the Qingliu territory and passed the country. His mother wrote the poem "Diao Huili's Lady":

A million brave dogs sweep away dogs and sheep, and the family is surrounded by mountains and rivers. If a man refuses to fight against the strong invaders, he will be ashamed of Mingxi Xinqi when he dies. mother.

In the winter of October, Wen Tianxiang moved to Tingzhou, Liancheng, and other places, and sent counselor Wu Jun to Yudu to contact the anti-Yuan rebels in various places and persist in the struggle.

In the second year of Jingyan (1277), Yuan soldiers entered Tingguan. Wen Tianxiang wanted to occupy Liancheng to resist the enemy. Huang Quji, the defender of Tingzhou, heard that the emperor was sailing to the sea and supported the county soldiers with different intentions. Wen Tianxiang gathered the soldiers and friends. The mouth was transferred to Longyan. In February, Wen Tianxiang led his army to attack Meizhou. In April, he killed two domineering generals. In the summer, troops were sent from Meizhou to attack Jiangxi. At this time, heroes from all over the country responded to the anti-Yuan Dynasty and ordered the passage to Jianghuai. After the great victory in Du (now Yudu, Jiangxi), he moved to Ganzhou, attacked Jizhou with a partial force, and successively recovered many states and counties.

Li Heng, the Xuanwei envoy to Jiangxi Province in the Yuan Dynasty, launched a counterattack in Xingguo County. Wen Tianxiang was defeated and his wife, concubines and children were separated. He took in the remaining troops and entered Liancheng again on behalf of his mother. He asked for orders to raise more troops and then moved to Xunzhou.

In the summer of the first year of Xiangxing (1278), Wen Tianxiang learned that Duanzong had died, and his younger brother Zhao Bing, who succeeded him, moved to Yashan and was appointed Shaobao. In order to get rid of the difficult situation, Then he asked to lead his army to join the Southern Song Dynasty. Due to Zhang Shijie's firm opposition, Wen Tianxiang had no choice but to give up and lead his army to retreat to Chaoyang County. In the winter of the same year, the Yuan army launched a massive attack. While leading his troops to retreat to Haifeng, Wen Tianxiang was attacked by Yuan general Zhang Hongfan and was defeated and captured.

Wen Tianxiang attempted suicide by taking poison, and was taken to Yashan by Zhang Hongfan, who asked him to write a letter to recruit Zhang Shijie to surrender. Wen Tianxiang said: "I can't protect my parents, how can I teach others to betray their parents?" Zhang Hongfan refused to listen and repeatedly forced Wen Tianxiang to write letters. Wen Tianxiang then copied the poem "Crossing the Lingding Ocean" he had written a few days ago to Zhang Hongfan. When Zhang Hongfan read these two sentences, "No one has died since ancient times, his loyalty will be remembered by history." He couldn't help but be moved and stopped forcing Wen Tianxiang.

Twenty days after writing "Crossing the Lingding Ocean", after the Southern Song Dynasty suffered a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Yashan, Lu Xiufu jumped into the sea with the 8-year-old emperor Zhao Bing on his back, and the Southern Song Dynasty was destroyed. Zhang Hongfan asked Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty for instructions on how to deal with Wen Tianxiang. Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty said, "Whose family has no loyal ministers?" He ordered Zhang Hongfan to treat Wen Tianxiang with courtesy, sent Wen Tianxiang to Dadu (today's Beijing), and placed him under house arrest in the Huitong Hall, determined to persuade Wen Tianxiang to surrender.

The Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty first sent Liu Mengyan, the former prime minister of Zuo of the Southern Song Dynasty who surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty, to speak to Wen Tianxiang and persuade him to surrender. Wen Tianxiang was furious when he saw Liu Mengyan, and Liu Mengyan had to leave in anger. Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty asked Zhao Xian, Emperor Gong of the Song Dynasty, who surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty, to persuade him to surrender. Wen Tianxiang knelt on the ground, cried bitterly, and said to Zhao Xian: "Sir, please come back!" Zhao Xian had nothing to say and left in dismay. Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty was furious and ordered Wen Tianxiang's hands to be tied and put on wooden shackles. Imprisoned in the cell of the Soldiers and Horses Division. Wen Tianxiang was imprisoned for more than ten days before the jailer loosened his bonds. It took another half a month before they took off the wooden shackles.

Polo, the Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty, personally opened a court to interrogate Wen Tianxiang. Wen Tianxiang was escorted to the lobby of the Privy Council, where he stood tall and bowed his hands to Polo. Polo ordered Wen Tianxiang to kneel down. Wen Tianxiang struggled hard and sat on the ground, still refusing to give in. Polo asked Wen Tianxiang: "What else do you have to say now?" Wen Tianxiang replied: "Things in the world rise and fall. Nations have been destroyed and slaughtered in all dynasties. I am loyal to the Song Dynasty, and I just want to die early!" Polo was furious, Said: "You want to die? I won't let you die. I want to imprison you!" Wen Tianxiang was not afraid and said: "I am willing to die for justice, and I am not afraid of being imprisoned!"

From then on, Wen Tianxiang Spent three years in prison. While in prison, he received a letter from his daughter Liu Niang and learned that his wife and two daughters were slaves in the palace and lived like prisoners. Wen Tianxiang knew that his daughter's letter was a hint from Yuan Ting: as long as he surrenders, his family can be reunited. However, although Wen Tianxiang was heartbroken, he did not want to lose his integrity because of his wife and daughter. He wrote in a letter to his sister: "To collect Liu Nu's letter, it is painful to cut the stomach and intestines. Who doesn't have the love of his wife and children? But when things come to this point today, Yu Yi should die, it is his fate. What can I do? What can I do!" ...It can make Liu Nu and Huan Nu have no control over it. They choked with tears. "

Life in prison was very hard, but Wen Tianxiang endured the pain and wrote many poems. The third volume of "Guide Houlu", "Song of Righteousness" and other majestic and immortal masterpieces were all written in prison.

In March of the 19th year of the Yuan Dynasty (1282), the powerful minister Ahema was assassinated. The emperor of the Yuan Dynasty ordered the confiscation of Ahema's family property, investigated Ahema's crimes, and appointed Heli Huosun. For the right prime minister. Heli Huosun proposed governing the country with Confucianism, which was highly agreed by the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. In August, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty asked the ministers: "Who is Qu Neng, the prime minister of the south or the north?" The ministers replied: "The people from the north are not as good as Yelu Chucai, and the people from the south are not as good as Wen Tianxiang." Therefore, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty issued an order, It is planned to grant Wen Tianxiang a high-ranking official position. Some of Wen Tianxiang's old friends immediately informed Wen Tianxiang of the incident and persuaded Wen Tianxiang to surrender, but Wen Tianxiang refused. On December 8, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty summoned Wen Tianxiang and personally persuaded him to surrender. Wen Tianxiang still bowed to Yuan Shizu without kneeling.

Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty did not force him to kneel down. He just said: "You have been here for a long time. If you can change your mind and treat me with loyalty to the Song Dynasty, then I can give you a position in Zhongshu Province." Wen Tianxiang replied : "I am the prime minister of the Song Dynasty. The country is destroyed, and I only want a quick death. I don't want to live for a long time." Yuan Shizu asked again: "Then what do you want?" Wen Tianxiang replied: "I hope one death is enough!" Yuan Shizu was very happy. Angry, he ordered Wen Tianxiang to be executed immediately.

The next day, Wen Tianxiang was escorted to Chaishi execution ground. The supervisor asked: "What else does the prime minister have to say? You can avoid death by playing the echo." Wen Tianxiang shouted: "I will die if I die, what else can I say?" He asked the supervisor: "Which way is the south? ?" Someone pointed him in the direction, and Wen Tianxiang knelt down to the south and said, "My matter is over, and I feel no guilt." Then he surrendered and died calmly. After his death, a poem was found in his belt: "Confucius said to achieve benevolence, Mencius said to seek righteousness, only the righteousness is fulfilled, so benevolence is the best. What did you learn from reading the books of sages? From now on, the common people have no shame." Wen Tianxiang committed suicide to achieve benevolence. , whose majestic righteousness will last forever.

Wen Tianxiang’s life left many immortal poems for people, and his spirit deserves to be widely praised!

[Edit this paragraph] Memorial Ancestral Hall

Wen Tianxiang Memorial Hall is located in Damian Mountain, Xin County, Ji'an County, named "In Memory of". Construction started in 1984 and was completed and opened at the end of 1991. The total construction area is 1398 square meters. Zhengqi Hall faces south and faces 99 steps at the door. The surrounding pines and cypresses are evergreen all year round. Zhengqi Hall is the preface hall, with a statue of Wen Tianxiang, 6.4 meters high, solemn and majestic. Eight large murals are embedded on the four walls, depicting Wen Tianxiang's life achievements. The preface hall is equipped with an overall model plate of the entire museum to guide visitors to visit and pay homage. There are four exhibition halls, divided into east and west halls. The west wing is the calligraphy and painting collection hall and the exhibition hall of Wen Tianxiang's life and deeds. It is surrounded by pavilions and has a central garden. Wen Tianxiang's life story is displayed in six parts: 1. A young man determined to serve the country with all his loyalty; 2. Ups and downs of officialdom, concerned about the country and the people; 3. Raising troops to serve the king and helping the country in danger; 4. Imprisoned thousands of miles away, a generous lament; 5. , Write history with heartfelt feelings, a great poet of a generation; 6. Be a role model through the ages. There are currently 307 exhibits on display. Among them, there are 4 sculptures; 103 calligraphy and painting works; 7 rubbings; 155 photos and charts; and 38 documents and cultural relics. There is also an archive room for Wen Tianxiang's research documents, which collects research materials and celebrities' calligraphy, painting and calligraphy. The Wen Tianxiang Memorial Hall was officially opened on January 9, 1992, and receives an average of 55,000 visitors annually. Wenshan Park, with Wen Tianxiang Memorial Hall as its main body, is also under preparation.

Wenzhou Wen Tianxiang Temple

Wen Tianxiang Temple, formerly known as the Song Dynasty Prime Minister Wen Xin Guogong Temple, is located at the east end of Jiangxin Island in Lucheng District, Wenzhou City. It is a memorial to Wen Tianxiang, the national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty. architecture.

[Edit this paragraph] Key poems

Poem:

"Crossing the Lingding Ocean"

After a hard encounter,

The stars are scattered all around.

The mountains and rivers are broken and the wind is floating in the catkins,

The ups and downs of life experience are like rain and rain.

Afraid of being on the beach, I am afraid,

I am alone in the ocean and sighing for being alone.

Who has never died since ancient times?

Keep your loyalty and reflect on history.

"Song of Righteousness"

The heaven and earth have righteousness, which is mixed and endowed with manifolds. Below are the rivers and mountains, and above are the sun and stars. To others, it is said that it is vast and overwhelming.

The imperial road should be Qingyi, Hanhe Tumingting. When the time comes, we can see each other and draw pictures one by one. In Qi Taishi bamboo slips, in Jin Dynasty Dong Hu's pen.

In Qin Zhang Liangzhui, in Han Suwu Festival. He was the head of General Yan and was bloody for Ji Shi. They are Zhang Suiyang's teeth and Yan Changshan's tongue.

Maybe it is the Liaodong hat, clearing the ice and snow. Or to show off one's teachings, ghosts and gods weep heroically. Or to cross the river and swallow Hu Jie generously.

Perhaps for hitting the thief's wat, the reverse head will be broken. This is the majestic Qi that will last forever. When it penetrates the sun and moon, life and death will be settled.

The maintenance of the earth depends on it, and the pillar of heaven depends on it. The three cardinal principles are actually life-related, and morality is the root. I'm sorry to hear that Yang Jiu is really weak.

The prisoners of Chu wore their crowns and sent them to Qiongbei. The tripod wok is as sweet as glutinous rice, but you can't get it if you ask for it. There is a ghost fire in the underworld, and it is dark when the spring courtyard is closed.

The ox eats the same soap, the chicken roosts and the phoenix eats. Once there is fog and dew, it becomes barren in the ditch. In this case, no matter how cold or hot it is, all kinds of diseases will be easy to overcome.

Oh, Ju Laochang, for my peaceful country. How could he not be clever? Yin and Yang cannot be thieved. Taking care of this, I look up at the white floating clouds.

My heart is sad for a long time, and the sky is full of extremes. The day of the philosopher is far away, and the punishment is in the past. The wind eaves display books for reading, and the ancient roads illuminate their colors.

Words:

"Moon over the River"

The water and sky are vast, and I hate the east wind for not borrowing, and the world's most beautiful things. In the waning light of Shu birds and Wu flowers, one can hardly see the decaying walls of a deserted city.

The spring love of the bronze bird, the autumn tears of the golden man, who can express this hatred. The sword spirit is majestic, and the bullfighting sky recognizes the outstanding heroes.

Na Xin will spend the rest of his life on the river and sea, traveling thousands of miles south, in a small boat. I am keeping my drunken eyes for the gull alliance, watching carefully the rising and falling of the waves and the disappearance of the clouds.

The Zhuzhu swallows the victory, returns to the flag and walks away, and rises to the top through the ages. With no one to sleep with, Qinhuai should be a lonely moon.

"Moon over the River"

The universe can be great, even if dragons and yuan are not objects in the pond. The wind and rain have no place to worry about, and the walls are even colder.

Writing poems on the horizon, climbing up the stairs to compose poems, everything is covered with snow. If the river flows like this, there will always be heroes.

It’s a shame to laugh at the drifting leaves. Returning to the Huai River, there is a new cool breeze. All the beauty in the mirror has changed, but only the loyalty remains.

Going to Longsha, looking back at the country, a line of green is as green as hair. Dear friends, I should remember, the moon is waning on the cuckoo branches.

"Moon over the River"

Mountain Lushan is still the same, with a desolate place and infinite Jiangnan scenery. The sky is green and clear, and mist is covered with sweat, covering the eastern half of the sky.

The geese pass over the solitary peak, the apes return to the dangerous peaks, and the wind and waves turn over the snow. The world is not old yet, but there are still outstanding people in the earth.

It's a shame to be drifting in a lonely boat, the river is overflowing, and the guest's dream prompts the bright future. The idle clouds in Nanpu are connected to the grass and trees, and the flags are bright and extinguished when I look back.

In the past thirty years, every ten years has passed, and there are still stars in the sky. I am sad to listen to it late at night, and the bamboo sticks are blowing through the cold moon.

"Qinyuanchun"

It doesn't matter if you die to be filial to your son and loyal to your ministers. Since Guangyue Qi is divided, the scholars have no integrity, the monarch and his ministers are lacking in righteousness, who can bear the burden of strength.

I scold the thief Suiyang, but my love for you is far away, and my reputation will last forever. Those who come later have the skills of no two masters and the steel of a hundred chains.

Life is like a cloud. What a vigorous and vigorous performance. He who betrayed his country at that time and was willing to surrender to captivity was reviled by others, but he was able to remain famous.

The ancient temple is quiet and elegant, with dead trees and jackdaws and the setting sun. Under the postal booth, a traitor passed by and thought carefully.

"Niannujiao"

Where is the Congcheng? Wangli Pingjiang crosses the snow ridge, and drives off the Hongliang Fishing Market.

If there is a god driving it, just like obeying the emperor's order, the mountains will rise in an instant. Nanyang Longfen, Hutuo condensed still like this.

Reminiscent of Su Wu's poor border, crossing the frost at night, and the wormwood eyes groaning with cold eyes. The cavalry is still running fast with its medal in its hands, the flag is waved by the rustling wind.

The moon is white and the sand is bright, the clouds are frozen and the ground is cracking, and sorrow is coming from all over the fields. My soul has fallen into a prison, where am I now?

"Niannujiao"

The same clouds cover the countryside, and the vastness is endless as far as the eye can see. The green hills here have changed their colors, and the Gushe Qiongtai has just begun to rise.

The fishing boat is covered in smoke, the woodcutter has lost his way, and the wind and frost are severe. Ziyou has a short pole and can be connected to the three high temples.

Jiangcheng’s dreamy Luofu, the dragon’s steps are singing loudly, and Mr. Dongguo is walking. I want to accompany Yuan An in the earthen room, lying high in a pile of six flowers.

This is the sky of ice. Who said that the country of water will make the lonely ministers cry for eternity. The head of the reed is white, and it is suspected that it is Liu Ji.

"The River is Red"

In the Swallow Tower, I experienced several autumn colors again. In the place of lovesickness, youth is like a dream, riding on the fairy palace.

The skin jade fades away and the clothes belt is slow, and the teardrops slant through the side of the flower mother-of-pearl. The most unprovoked, banana shadows on the window screen, green lights rest.

The Quchi merges and the high platform disappears. There is nothing to say about human affairs. Go up to Nanyang, and your lapel will be filled with pure blood.

The state of the world is like a turbulent rain, and my body is like a bright moon. Smiling and joyful, a good romance, but the water chestnuts are missing.

"Man Jiang Hong"

I would like to ask Pipa, how can there be beauty outside Hu Sha? The most bitter thing is that one yellow flower of Yao can move its roots to the fairy palace.

After the Queen Mother’s feast, the immortal’s tears filled the side of the golden plate. Listening to the palace, there are two shower bells in the middle of the night, and the sound stops.

The colorful clouds disperse and the fragrant dust disappears. Bronze camel hates, that's hard to say. If you want a man to be generous, chew through your gums to bleed.

Looking back at the setting sun in Zhaoyang, the sad bronze bird greets the autumn moon. As for my concubine, I don’t want to be like the heavenly family, and the gold is missing.

"Man Jiang Hong"

Wine wine in the Tianshan Mountains, now it is Xu, Zheng An Shao rest. Reliance on iron, hard work and hard work, husband's meritorious deeds.

It is not a strange thing to rectify the world, and the clouds will bloom thousands of miles away and the moon will shine brightly. Laughter is always there, frogs are always croaking during peace talks, why worry.

When the cymbal blows, the robe grows snow. The army is strong and powerful, and the sound of Jia is extinguished. Remembering the ancestors to raise scholars, and enduring the incomplete education.

Who dares to ask if Luo Ding has no losses? Mu Nan is bloody. Fast three dynasties, kindness and filial piety are the heart of heaven, Anlingque.

"Qitian Le"

The moon turns to the Milky Way in the south tower, and the jade flute plays the plum blossom again. The parrots are clear, the grape water is warm, and a wisp of swallow fragrance is clear.

The Yaochi is full of spring. Think of peach dew and plump clouds, chrysanthemum waves clearing the sky. The brocade robes are flowing, and the royal fairy flowers are surrounded by auspicious rainbows.

The people of Yuguan are still young. Calling the yellow crane at the head of the river, we talk and laugh in the towel. The sword blows through the clear water, the branches cross the Chudai River, and the rain washes away the tobacco in the river.

Yellow printing looks like fighting. Look at half an inkstone with roses and a full saddle with willows. Returning from the sandy road, the golden mink and cicada have small wings.

"Qi Tianle"

The east wind comes early at night, the Xiaoxiang River is fresh green, the willows are clear, the plum blossoms are warm, and the spring is light and thousands of flowers are like bunches.

The silver cicada takes a bath. The wild geese are about to return, and the sea turtles are beginning to rise. The clouds hold the flags, and the laughing people are painting the song.

The star Hongyao tree is ethereal, the ring is ringing and the blue sky is falling, and the elegant house is caged. The dew is made of copper, the ice can turn the iron horse, and the light of the curtain shakes the golden millet.

I lean on the bamboo for a long time. Even more, Yao Zun poured out a full cup of wine. Looking back at Gong Lian, I returned to the courtyard late at night.

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[Edit this paragraph] Historical Allusions

Allusions to Su Wu (154 BC-73 BC)

Since the Huns were defeated by Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the two sides did not fight for several years. They verbally stated that they wanted to reconcile with the Han Dynasty, but in fact they still wanted to invade the Central Plains at any time.

The Chanyu of the Xiongnu sent envoys to seek peace again and again, but some of the envoys from the Han Dynasty went to the Xiongnu to return visits, but some were detained by them. The Han Dynasty also detained some Xiongnu envoys.

In 100 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was about to send troops to attack the Huns. The Huns sent envoys to sue for peace and released all the envoys from the Han Dynasty. In order to reply to the Xiongnu's expression of goodwill, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhonglang General Su Wu with a banner, his deputy Zhang Sheng and his attaché Chang Hui on an envoy to the Xiongnu.

Su Wu arrived at the Huns and sent back the detained envoys with gifts. Su Wu was waiting for Shan Yu to write a reply asking him to go back. Unexpectedly, at this moment, something unfortunate happened.

Before Su Wu came to the Xiongnu, there was a Huns named Wei Lu who grew up in the Han Dynasty and surrendered to the Xiongnu after he was sent as an envoy to the Xiongnu. The Chan Yu placed special emphasis on him and made him king.

Wei Lu had a subordinate named Yu Chang who was very dissatisfied with Wei Lu. He and Su Wu's deputy Zhang Sheng turned out to be friends, so he secretly discussed with Zhang Sheng to kill Wei Lu, kidnap Shan Yu's mother, and escape back to the Central Plains.

Zhang Sheng expressed sympathy, but he did not expect that Yu Chang's plan failed and he was caught by the Huns instead. Chanyu was furious and asked Wei Lu to interrogate Yu Chang and also find out his accomplices.

Su Wu originally didn’t know about this. At this time, Zhang Sheng was afraid of being implicated, so he told Su Wu.

Su Wu said: "The matter has reached this point, and I will definitely be implicated. If I die after being interrogated, wouldn't it be more embarrassing to the court?" After that, he pulled out his knife and wanted to commit suicide. Zhang Sheng and his attendant Chang Hui were quick to take the knife from his hand and persuaded him to stop.

Yu Chang was subjected to all kinds of punishments, but he only admitted that he was friends with Zhang Sheng and had spoken to him, but he refused to admit being an accomplice with him even to the death.

Wei Lu reported to Shan Yu. The Chanyu was furious and wanted to kill Su Wu, but was dissuaded by the ministers. The Chanyu also asked Wei Lu to force Su Wu to surrender.

As soon as Su Wu heard Wei Lu asking him to surrender, he said: "I am an envoy of the Han Dynasty. If I violate my mission and lose my integrity, how can I live with dignity?" He pulled out his sword again. Come and wipe it towards the neck.

Wei Lu hurriedly hugged him, but Su Wu's neck was seriously injured and he fainted.

Wei Lu quickly called for rescue, and Su Wu finally regained consciousness.

Chanyu felt that Su Wu was a hero with integrity and admired him very much. After Su Wu recovered from his injuries, Chanyu wanted to force Su Wu to surrender.

The Chanyu sent Wei Lu to interrogate Yu Chang, and asked Su Wu to listen. Wei Lu first sentenced Yu Chang to death and killed him; then, he threatened Zhang Sheng with his sword. Zhang Sheng was greedy for life and feared death, so he surrendered.

Wei Lu said to Su Wu: "Your deputy is guilty, and you have to sit down."

Su Wu said: "I am neither an accomplice with him nor a relative of him. Why?" Do you want to sit together?"

Wei Lu raised his sword to threaten Su Wu, but Su Wu remained calm. Wei Lu had no choice but to put down his raised sword and persuaded Su Wu: "I surrendered to the Huns as a last resort. The Chanyu treated me well and made me king. He gave me tens of thousands of subordinates and mountains full of cattle." Sheep, enjoy all the wealth and glory. If you can surrender to the Huns, why should you sacrifice your life in vain tomorrow?"

Su Wu stood up angrily and said, "Wei Lu! My son has become a subject of the Han Dynasty. You are ungrateful, betrayed your parents, betrayed the court, and shamelessly become a traitor. I will never surrender, no matter how hard you force me, you have the nerve to talk to me."

Wei Lu went back in frustration and reported to Shan Yu. The Chanyu locked Su Wu in a cellar, deprived him of food and drink, and wanted to use long-term torture to force him to surrender.

It was winter weather at this time, and it was snowing heavily outside. Su Wu suffered from hunger. When he was thirsty, he took a handful of snow to quench his thirst. When he was hungry, he pulled some leather belts and sheepskin pieces and gnawed them to satisfy his hunger. After a few days, he didn't starve to death.

The Chanyu saw that torturing him was useless, so he sent him to the North Sea (today's Lake Baikal) to herd sheep. He was separated from his subordinate Chang Hui, and they were not allowed to communicate with each other. He also said to Su Wu: "When the ram gives birth to a lamb, I will let you go back." How can a ram give birth to a lamb? This just means that he will be imprisoned for a long time.

When Su Wu arrived in Beihai, there was no one around him. The only thing keeping him company was the banner representing the imperial court. The Huns refused to give him food rations, so he dug grass roots from wild rats' holes to satisfy his hunger. As time went by, all the tassels on the banner fell off.

Until 85 BC, the Xiongnu's Chanyu died, and the Xiongnu had civil strife and divided into three countries. The new Chanyu had no strength to fight the Han Dynasty anymore, so he sent envoys to seek peace. At that time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty had died, and his son Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty came to the throne.

Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty sent envoys to the Xiongnu to ask Shanyu to release Su Wu. The Xiongnu lied that Su Wu was dead. The messenger believed it to be true and did not mention it again.

The second time, the Han envoys went to the Xiongnu again, and Su Wu's follower Chang Hui was still with the Xiongnu. He bribed the Huns, met privately with the Han envoys, and told the envoys about Su Wu's sheep herding in Beihai. The envoy met Shan Yu and scolded him severely: "Since the Xiongnu wanted to make peace with the Han Dynasty, they should not deceive the Han Dynasty. Our emperor shot down a wild goose in the imperial garden. There was a piece of silk tied to the goose's foot, which said Su Wu He is still alive, how can you say he is dead?"

Chanyu was shocked when he heard this. He thought it was Su Wu's loyalty that really moved the birds, and even the geese sent messages for him. He apologized to the envoy and said: "Su Wu is indeed alive. We just put him back."

Su Wu was only forty years old when he went on the mission. After nineteen years of torture in the Huns, his beard and hair turned completely white. On the day he returned to Chang'an, the people of Chang'an came out to greet him. When they saw Su Wu with white beard and white hair holding a banner with a bare pole in his hand, no one was unmoved and said that he was really a man of integrity.