35 Su Wu

A Diplomat Herded Sheep in Xiong Nu for 19 Years

Su Wu (140-60 BC) was a diplomatic official, and the words “Su Wu herded sheep” was a popular story known by every child and housewife in Chinese history. At first, Emperor Wudi sent him to Xiong Nu for a diplomatic mission, but Xiong Nu ruler, appreciating Su’s talent, asked him to stay in the north, but the demand was resolutely refused. After Su tried to commit suicide twice, Xiong Nu ruler exiled him to its northern remotest Bei Hai (literally North Sea, present Bai Kai Lake) to be a shepherd. He was given a flock of male sheep, and been told: You could return when they give birth to baby sheep.

After 19-year loss of Su Wu’s whereabouts, the Han Emperor (Wudi’s successor) received an unexpected letter concerning Su Wu’s conditions. The emperor immediately sent a emissary tried to escort Su back. The Xiong Nu ruler at first pretended to be ignorant, but Han’s courier showed down a series of testimonies that made the ruler eventually confessed: “How did you get informed?” Courier replied: “A swam delivered a letter.” (the word became an idiom) The superstitious ruler gave up and let Su go. People believed that Li Ling could let out the news. Li Ling was Li Guang’s grandson (see piece 33). After his troops were defeated, he surrendered Xiong Nu. Li made good friend with Su, and had trekked through boundless desert and forest to meet Su at the North Sea.