Huchuquan

Huchuquan was the elected Chanyu (r. 195–216) of the southern Xiongnu during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China.^[1] He was a younger brother of the puppet Yufuluo (who was in exile). He also was appointed to the Chanyu position by the Han central government following the slaying of their father Qiangqui, also a Han appointee from an ineligible succession line.

History

In 188, the Han central government attempted to appoint an ineligible noble for the crown of Western Jükü-Prince Yufuluo.^[2] The southern Xiongnu dissented, electing a lawful alternate, Hyuibu Gudu-heu. After his death, the Han central government elected Huchuquan. The southern Xiongnu were a branch of the eastern Xiongnu that followed a rebellious pretender Huhanye and in 51-53 BC moved en masse within Han borders under Chinese protection. Since the times of Huhanye Chanyu, the status of the southern Xiongnu were loyal allies; the southern Xiongnu enjoyed material support of the old heqin treaty, and in return guarded the Chinese northern borders and participated in external and internecine conflicts as long as the Han central government respected their independence. Bichurin noted that Huchuquan was both a younger brother of Yufuluo (on his father's side), and his grandfather (on his mother's side), possibly implying seniority in the line of succession.^[3]

During the tumultuous period between 189 and 215, Huchuquan was outside the interest of the Chinese annals. Nothing is known about the life and events of the southern Xiongnu, who numbered in excess of 100,000. In compliance with treaties, a cavalry division headed by Western Jükü-Prince Kyuibi served as bodyguard troops for the figurehead Han sovereign Emperor Xian, who was a hostage of various warlords vying to rule in his name. However, with the consolidation of power and the emperor's return to Luoyang, the Han central government attempted to assert control over the southern Xiongnu. In 215. Huchuquan was invited to meet the Han chancellor Cao Cao, but was detained, stripped of royal status, and replaced with a puppet Chanyu, the Western Jükü-Prince Kyuibi, from an ineligible line. By that time, the Western Jükü-Prince Kyuibi was released from guardianship duty and returned to his horde in Pingyang to rule the five remaining southern Xiongnu tribes, a far cry from the 80 tribes that sought safety in China in the 50s BC.^[3] Nothing is known about the fate of the southern Xiongnu who deposed Huchuquan.

At one time, Huchuquan decided to visit Cao Cao with one of his subordinates, and was treated as an honoured guest. After the Eastern Han dynasty ended, Cao Cao's son Cao Pi established the state of Cao Wei in 220 with himself as the new emperor. During this time, Huchuquan sent many gifts to congratulate Cao Pi on his ascension to the throne.

See also

• Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

References

• Bichurin, N.Ya. (1851). Collection of information on peoples in Central Asia in ancient times. 1. Saint Petersburg.
• Grousset, Rene (1970). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.