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Great Chanyu of Xiongnu. Grandgrandson of Maodun Chanyu. Son of Ichise Chanyu. the 8th great Chanyu after Modun Chanyu. His brother, Guilihu, the 7th Chanyu during his only one year reign, killed in a battle to seize back the land with Shoufan fortress in Ordor from an state. During Chedihou Chanyu, aggressive attacks from Han state activated and Xiongnu was facing political difficulties.
After the throwing Chedihou Chanyu wanting peace, declared that “I am a child. How I can consider war when Han Emperor is older in age?” and he released and sent back imprisoned Han envoys. Han Wudi thought the above-mentioned declaration could be used to destroy the independence of Xiongnu and make Xiongnu independent of Han. At that time Han dynasty himself was also impoverished due to long war years. Envoy lead Su Wu was sent with presents from Han in 101 BCE. The situation was ar different than thought Wudi when Chedihou did not give chance to raise discussion about their submission. Su Wu with his deputy Zhang Sheng thought of a plan to collaborate with Chinese natives in Chanyu court, take queen mother of Chanyu as a hostage, and kill Wei Liu, Chanyu advisor with Xiongnu-Chinese mixed blood. They also tried to bribe Gou wang and Yu Chan, close nobles to Chanyu. However, this conspiracy was discovered and naturally angered Chanyu. He executed those who betrayed and offered prisoners to submit to him accepting their guilt. Su Wu denied to submit to Chanyu and was sent on exile to Baikal Lake. After 19 years in exile, he returned to his homeland.
Because of Chinese conspirators, the relationship between two powers worsened and in 99 BCE great army of Han entered Xiongnu in three fronts. Han general Li Guangli attacked Western Tuqi Wang domain and killed and captured more than ten thousand Xiongnu and on the way back he was caught in the blockade, lost most of his warriors, and barely survived. Second Han army did not encounter the Xiongnu army and later returned back. General Li Lin of Eastern army of Han was surrounded by Xiongnu and fought with Chedihou Chanyu, who was defeated and captured. Only 400 men fro his army got back. According to Han state law, if Chinese ministers, noblemen, generals were captured and surrendered due to stronger opponent’s force, he would be executed for betrayal and/or one of his family members were to bear this punishment. Captured Li Lin had no way to return back, so he submitted to Xiongnu and agreed to serve them. Chedihou gave his daughter to marry, made him a governor, and sent him to govern remote Qiangun tribe land in the north-western periphery of Xiongnu. Li Lin loyally served to Xiongnu. Archeologists discovered ruin of his palace in the lowland of Minusinsk and carried out excavation.
The submission of General Li Lin to Xiongnu left a deep impression in China. It was unimaginable for the great General of Han to surrender to enemy and was considered to be a great sin. His mother was executed. Ancient historian and well-known scholar Sima Qian tried to save his mother’s life saying that general Li Lin must have been in the intricate situation but was claimed to be guilty in wrongdoing himself. He was centered and thrown into prison. Two months later he was released and promoted to ahead of Royal chancellery by Wudi.
This was a big victory over aggressive attacks from Han in the history of Xiongnu. Two years later, in 97 BCE Han decided to take revenge and sent an army led by General Li Guangli but was defeated again. Chedihou Chanyu was a skillful military leader, a talented organizer and saved his homeland in difficult periods.
Cheremukhovaya Pad’ Tombs
Xiongnu period cemetery in Buriatia. Covers totally 65575 square meters, were identified 84 tombs. The cemetery was discovered in 1950 by Russian scholar A/P/Okladnikov, A.D.Zaporojskii, and R.P.Tugutov. In 1955 A.Vdavydova make a plan of the cemetery. In 1957 R.P.Tugutov and N.N.Mamonov carried out first excavation, and in 1961 R.P.Tugutov and E.A.Khamzina excavated 1 burial, after that in 1965-1966 P/B.konovalov excavated 18 burials, They were able to discover a large number of artifacts, including different kind of pottery, iron arrowheads, knives, belt decoration and hooks, horse equipment, bone and horn artifacts: chopsticks, bow plates. This collection now in Kyachta regional museum.
