During the Western Han Dynasty, the northern Xiongnu tribes frequently raided the border
Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Wu of Han decided there was no need to compromise with the northern barbarians. He dispatched generals like Han Anguo, Wei Qing, Li Guang, and Huo Qubing to attack the Xiongnu, winning battle after battle and leaving the nomads exhausted and utterly routed.
In 90 BC, the Xiongnu Chanyu Hulugu launched an attack on Shanggu, Wuyuan, and Jiuquan, killing and plundering Han officials and civilians. Upon receiving the news, Emperor Wu of Han immediately dispatched General Li Guangli of the Ershi, Imperial Censor Shangqiu Cheng, and Marquis Chonghe Mang Tong to lead 140,000 troops in three separate routes to counter the Xiongnu.
When the Xiongnu Chanyu Hulugu learned that the Han army was launching a massive campaign, he knew resistance would be futile, so he relocated his troops and people while still maintaining formidable strength.
Later, the Han army led by Shangqiu Cheng clashed with the Xiongnu at Mount Junji for nine days, with casualties on both sides and no clear victor. Meanwhile, the Marquis of Chonghe, Mang Tong, led his troops into the Tianshan Mountains. The Xiongnu general Yan Qu had originally planned to confront them with 20,000 soldiers, but upon seeing that the Han forces outnumbered his own two to one, he withdrew without a fight.
When General Li Guangli of the Second Division launched his campaign, he decisively defeated the Xiongnu. However, news soon arrived that his family had been imprisoned for crimes, plunging Li Guangli into deep anxiety. His advisors then suggested, "Push deeper into barbarian territory to earn merit and redeem your family's sins." Following their counsel, Li Guangli pressed forward, securing another major victory by slaying the Xiongnu's Left General.
But the army's chief secretary was deeply dissatisfied with this risky strategy. When Li Guangli heard this, he flew into a rage, executed the secretary, and retreated to Mount Yanran.
Chief Chanyu Hulu Gu, knowing that Li Guangli's army was exhausted from continuous fighting, personally led 50,000 cavalry in a surprise attack. Caught off guard, Li Guangli was captured by the Chanyu, and the Han forces suffered devastating losses.
The Chanyu knew that Li Guangli was one of the top generals of the Han Dynasty and also the emperor's brother-in-law, so he persuaded him to surrender, married his daughter to him, and favored him even more than "King Dingling" Wei Lü. Because of this, Wei Lü harbored a deep hatred for Li Guangli and finally killed him a year later.
The Han dynasty lost its main general, and the Chanyu seized the opportunity to write to Emperor Wu of Han, saying, "In the south there is Great Han, in the north there is the mighty Hu; the Hu are the favored sons of Heaven..."
He demanded that Emperor Wu of Han open the border passes for the Xiongnu's convenience, marry a Han princess, and receive annual tribute from the Han court—warning that if refused, the Xiongnu would relentlessly raid the Han frontier.
Emperor Wu of Han, realizing the Xiongnu could not be quickly defeated, reluctantly agreed to peace negotiations. However, he soon passed away. The Han and Xiongnu continued their cycle of war and peace for many years.
Later, people used the idiom "The Chosen of Heaven" to refer to powerful frontier tribes or overly arrogant individuals.
Source: *Book of Han*, "Biography of the Xiongnu"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "天之骄子" came to describe powerful frontier tribes or overly arrogant individuals.