Chapter 9 - The Overlord of Chu Perishes at Wujiang, Huo Qubing Seals the Wolf at Mount Langjuxu - I was watching short videos and historical figures were collectively vomiting blood!

Chapter 9 The Overlord of Chu Perishes at Wujiang, Huo Qubing Seals the Wolf at Mount Langjuxu

Above the vast sky, the video continued to roll, Unstopped by any emperor’s emotions.

Time is the most impartial presence in this world.

[11:14] The Chu-Han Contention begins.

[11:15] The Battle of Gaixia—Xiang Yu is defeated and takes his own life at Wujiang, marking the fall of Western Chu.

The cold stone stands silently, the river flows on alone. Xiang Yu, covered in wounds and drenched in blood. Gazes at the words “The Fall of Western Chu” on the sky screen.

A mouthful of blood bursts from his lips. Looking around at the mere hundred or so soldiers left at his side, his heart sinks into despair. Now, he was truly surrounded by enemies on all sides!

Not long ago—The Farewell of the Overlord!

Right before his eyes, Yu Ji had slit her own throat. Her delicate body fell like a drifting leaf, Proclaiming that in life she belonged to him, and in death, she would be his spirit. She was the one he loved most!

Her beauty, her laughter, still fresh in his memory, yet the past could not be undone. He had squandered a winning hand.

“Suicide at Wujiang?”

A bitter smile crossed Xiang Yu’s face. He looked up at the sky, closed his eyes.

“Perhaps… this is not such a bad end.”

To have a chapter in history dedicated to his name, to be remembered for eternity—that alone was enough.

In the distance, the sound of iron hooves drew near, murderous intent filled the air. Guan Ying led five thousand cavalry, sealing every escape route. But he admired Xiang Yu as a true hero, so he hesitated to strike.

“Hahaha…”

Xiang Yu let out a long, wild laugh. His black hair danced in the wind. His gaze, tinged with sorrow, swept over the encroaching army. He nodded slightly toward Guan Ying. He understood—this was the final dignity left for him.

“I have no face to return to Jiangdong.”

“Heavens above, sun and moon, mountains and rivers—farewell!”

“Yu Ji, my father, my ancestors—I, Xiang Yu, come to reunite with you!”

“Eighteen years from now, the Overlord of Chu shall return to this world!”

“In this life, I was a hero; in the next, I shall be an emperor!”

With those words, a cold gleam flashed.

Xiang Yu took his own life at Wujiang.

“Bury him with honor.”

Dismounting from his horse, Guan Ying paid his respects. Though Xiang Yu had fallen by his own sword, he still stood like a sharp blade.

“In life, a hero; in death, a mighty spirit!”

This was Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu.

____

[11:15] Liu Bang ascends as emperor, unifying China and establishing the Han Dynasty.

[11:18] Liu Bang passes away, Lü Zhi seizes power.

[11:32–11:37] The Reign of Wen and Jing—the first golden age of China.

[11:32] Emperor Wu of Han is born.

[11:37] Emperor Wu ascends the throne.

[11:38] Huo Qubing is born.

[11:38] Zhang Qian sets out on his expedition to the Western Regions.

[11:39] With Empress Dowager Dou’s passing, Emperor Wu takes full control of the government.

[11:40] The Hundred Schools of Thought are suppressed, Confucianism is established as the sole ideology.

[11:42] Wei Qing defeats the Xiongnu.

[11:45] Huo Qubing leads a grand expedition against the Xiongnu, triumphs in the Battle of Mobei, and secures Mount Langjuxu—forever breaking the Xiongnu’s hold over the southern desert.

[11:46] Huo Qubing dies young.

Huo Qubing joined the army at seventeen, soaring like an eagle in the sky. A young war hero, he became the cavalry general at twenty. Fighting the Xiongnu, his army of ten thousand dwindled to three thousand, yet they cut through enemy lines for seven thousand miles.

On returning home victorious, two Xiongnu kings surrendered voluntarily!

Thus, the Hexi Corridor became Han territory!

In the Mobei Campaign, leading fifty thousand cavalry, he crossed the desert and fought across two thousand miles. Slaughtering seventy thousand Xiongnu warriors, he sealed the wolf at Mount Langjuxu!!

His pursuit of the enemy reached the Hanhai (modern-day Lake Baikal). This campaign made him a legend among all military strategists.

“For the country and the people, he defended the borders with both loyalty and honor.”

“As long as the Xiongnu exist, I shall have no home!”

Huo Qubing’s achievements were unparalleled. He was the eternal war god of history!

Emperor Wu, still rejoicing at the sight of the Han Dynasty’s golden age saw Huo Qubing’s name appear, followed by the long list of his triumphs.

At just twenty-four, he had already carved his name into history. His destiny was beyond extraordinary!

Among the court officials, Wei Qing looked up at the sky screen. A shiver ran down his spine. He had thought himself accomplished for merely defeating the Xiongnu, Yet he never expected that his young nephew—Would one day become the legendary war god who sealed the wolf at Mount Langjuxu!

He, a veteran commander, understood the weight of that title.

“A ‘war god’ is not a name given lightly!”

Emperor Wu was overjoyed. Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, The Xiongnu had been a constant threat. Fierce and mobile, their raids plagued the northern frontier, Halting development in many border regions.

But Huo Qubing was like a razor-sharp blade, slashing through the Xiongnu, leaving them no chance to resist.

“As long as the Xiongnu exist, I shall have no home!”

“From this moment on, the southern desert belongs to Han alone!”

“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!”

Emperor Wu’s excitement made his voice tremble.

“Wei Qing, summon Huo Qubing at once!”

“I must meet this future great hero immediately!”

“And search for the best physicians in the empire! Keep them at his side at all times! The imperial medicine vault is at his disposal!”

He was no fool. The emperor’s throne was nothing but a title, a palace, a chair. True rule was upheld by men like Huo Qubing.

As long as Huo Qubing lived, the Xiongnu would not dare to rise. The empire would stand firm.

Wei Qing, just as excited, responded, “As you command!”

_____

[11:47] Zhang Qian passes away, the Silk Road is officially opened.

[11:56] Sima Qian completes his monumental historical work, Records of the Grand Historian.

[11:57] Emperor Wu passes away.

Seeing this, Emperor Wu declared, “Dongfang Shuo! Zhang Qian’s contributions in opening the Silk Road are immeasurable—appoint the best physicians for him as well! We cannot let such pillars of our nation die young!”

Dongfang Shuo looked at Liu Che, admiring him deeply. Even upon seeing his own death, his face showed no reaction. His only concern was for his ministers and the nation’s progress. This was the heart of a true emperor!

“Why are you still standing there? Go make the arrangements!”

Liu Che urged.

Dongfang Shuo bowed deeply.

“As you command!”

He knew that the opening of the silk road was as significant as Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s unification of weights, measures, and script. It symbolized China’s soft power rising to new heights.

“With such great ministers and generals, my name as Emperor Wu shall echo through eternity!”

His imperial presence radiated, and the court officials all congratulated him.

[12:12] The time traveler Wang Mang is born.

[12:16] Wang Zhaojun is sent to marry the Xiongnu—the most famous diplomatic marriage in history.

Seeing this, Emperor Wu clenched his fists. Indeed, after Huo Qubing’s untimely death, and his own passing. The Xiongnu rose again, forcing the Han to resort to marriage diplomacy.

“Marriage diplomacy! Those Xiongnu aren’t worthy!”