Wulei (), born Xian, was a chanyu of the Xiongnu Empire. The brother and successor of Wuzhuliu, he reigned from 13 to 18 AD. Xian took part in subjugating
Han dynasty
The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...
. Han envoys attempted to split up the Xiongnu by creating 15 different chanyus. Xian was one of them, the Xiao Chanyu. He sent his two sons to be educated in
Chang'an
Chang'an (; ) is the traditional name of Xi'an. The site had been settled since Neolithic times, during which the Yangshao culture was established in Banpo, in the city's suburbs. Furthermore, in the northern vicinity of modern Xi'an, Qin S ...
. When Wuzhuliu died in 13 AD, the Xiongnu Princess Xubu Juci Yun wished to remain on good relations with the Han, so she arranged for the succession to go to Xian, who became Wulei Chanyu. Wulei initially acquiesced to Han demands to return fugitives who had fled to the Xiongnu, but changed his mind when he realized his son, Deng, had died while still living in Chang'an. Xiongnu raiding on Han territory resumed once more. In 15 AD,
Wang Mang
Wang Mang () (c. 45 – 6 October 23 CE), courtesy name Jujun (), was the founder and the only emperor of the short-lived Chinese Xin dynasty. He was originally an official and consort kin of the Han dynasty and later seized the thron ...
sent to Wulei the body of his son together with presents, however Wulei continued to allow raiding into Han territory. Wulei died in 18 AD and was succeeded by his half-brother Huduershidaogao Chanyu.
Footnotes
References
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*Bichurin N.Ya., ''"Collection of information on peoples in Central Asia in ancient times"'', vol. 1, Sankt Petersburg, 1851, reprint Moscow-Leningrad, 1950
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*Taskin B.S., ''"Materials on Sünnu history"'', Science, Moscow, 1968, p. 31 (In Russian)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wulei
Chanyus1st-century monarchs in Asia18 deaths