第六章 苏武牧羊

During the Western Han Dynasty, the emperor sent Su Wu as an envoy to the Xiongnu.

Su Wu was an envoy, representing the country to negotiate peace with the Xiongnu.

But after Su Wu arrived among the Xiongnu, they changed their minds and detained him, not allowing him to return home.

The Xiongnu wanted Su Wu to surrender. They said to him: "As long as you are willing to stay, we will give you an official position, a house and money, and let you live a good life."

Su Wu said: "I am an envoy of the Han Dynasty. Holding the emperor's token of authority, I cannot betray my country."

The Xiongnu were very angry and locked him in a cold, empty room without giving him food.

When Su Wu was hungry, he ate the wool from his clothes and snow from the ground. He survived.

Seeing that he would not bow even this way, they thought of another way: they sent him to a far, far away place called the North Sea to herd sheep. The North Sea was a big lake, with no people living around it, long winters, and strong winds.

They told him: "When the ram gives birth to a lamb, you can go home."

Rams cannot give birth to lambs. They simply had no intention of letting Su Wu return.

Su Wu, carrying the emperor's token, began herding sheep at the North Sea.

He was alone at the North Sea. During the day, he drove the sheep; at night, he held the token and looked toward the south. He didn't know whether he could ever return, nor whether his family was still alive.

Someone advised him: "You are suffering here, and no one in the Han Dynasty remembers you. You should surrender."

Su Wu did not answer. He just continued herding sheep.

One year passed. Five years passed. Ten years passed.

The emperor's token was worn out, but Su Wu still held it every day. He had lost his youth and missed many things at home.

Nineteen years later, the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu finally made peace. The Han Dynasty sent people to bring Su Wu home.

He saw the Han flags planted on the carriages and horses in the distance. Someone called out his name loudly.

His eyes became moist, and his longing in that moment became a galloping wild horse.

He followed the carriages and horses southward toward home, and the grassland gradually receded.

The token Su Wu had held tightly was now just a bare wooden stick.

His hair had already turned white.