Su Wu the Shepherd

BC 100, the Nomads in the north sent ambassadors to China to seek for peace. With the ambassadors, all of the Chinese ambassadors that were prisoned by the Nomads were sent back. Emperor Wu (Han Wudi) sent Su Wu, with tea and silk, on a diplomatic mission up north. But the head of the Nomads, believed in rumours and imprisoned Su Wu. The head, Shan Yu, told Su Wu that he could give him a high post if he stayed. But Su Wu refused. Shan Yu then sent him to become a shepherd at North Sea. Year after year, Su Wu bore hunger and coldness and refused to surrender to the Nomads. Although his hair has turned completely white, his patriotic heart remained unchanged. 19 years later, during the rein of Emperor Zhao, the Hans attacked the Nomads and rescued Su Wu. Su Wu's story quickly spread and became a folklore that everybody knew of.