Cheshi, whose original name was Gushi, was active in the northern part of the Western Regions as early as the Warring States period.

Its location, with connections to the Xiongnu in the northeast, the Wusun in the northwest, and Gaochang and Shanshan in the south, made it an important trading post on the Silk Road, and its geographical importance is self-evident.

From the reign of Emperor Wu of Han to the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu fought five fierce battles for control of the Western Regions, all of which ended in victory for the Han Dynasty. These battles are known in history as the Five Battles for Cheshi.

After occupying Cheshi, Emperor Xuan of Han divided the Cheshi Kingdom into two parts: the Front Cheshi and the Rear Cheshi, also known as the Front and Rear Cheshi.

The former Cheshi was located on the south bank of the Jiao River, in the southeastern part of the Gaochang Kingdom, while the latter Cheshi was located in Wutu Valley (present-day Jimsar County, Xinjiang).

The two Cheshi kingdoms had been divided for many years. Although both sides wanted to unify, neither royal family was willing to back down.

Therefore, in order to increase his strength and annex the former Cheshi, the King of Houcheshi secretly contacted Lanming, who was then the prince of Gaochang, nine years ago, and supported Lanming in launching a coup to take control of the Gaochang Kingdom.

After years of exploiting Gaochang and levying exorbitant taxes on merchants, Houcheshi's strength has far surpassed what it once was, with over 30,000 soldiers, making it a veritable major power.

As early as two years ago, King Che Qian of the Later Cheshi planned to destroy Gaochang, then lead his troops to annex the Former Cheshi, thus completing the great task of unifying Cheshi.

Unexpectedly, the vanguard troops attacked Shanshan, and were not only defeated by the Han army, but were also driven to the capital, where the Treaty of Shanshan was signed.

With 10,000 Han troops stationed in Qiancheshi, Che Qian, under the pressure of the might of the Han Dynasty, temporarily abandoned his plans to destroy Gaochang and annex Qiancheshi, and settled down in the capital, waiting for an opportunity.

Who would have thought that instead of the opportune moment, the Huns would arrive.

In fact, as early as when Xie Zhiyu destroyed the Wutan Kingdom, Che Qian had sent an envoy to pay a visit, preparing to join forces with the Xiongnu to fight against the Han Dynasty.

In order to mislead the other party, Xie Zhi also pretended to agree.

Therefore, Che Qian relaxed his vigilance against the Xiongnu and was completely unaware of the Xiongnu's westward advance this year.

Upon learning that Xie Zhiyu had suddenly appeared on the eastern border with an advance army of 20,000, Che Qian was quite frightened and hurriedly summoned his noble officials to the palace for a meeting.

Seated on the throne, Che Qian, his face grim, glanced at his subordinates and asked in a deep voice:

"Now the Xiongnu have appeared at the border without any warning. What are their intentions? What are your thoughts?"

Left Chancellor Che Xiang stepped forward and said, "The Xiongnu people have arrived suddenly and without prior arrangement, so their intentions must be hostile."

"I urge Your Majesty to mobilize the army and, taking advantage of their unstable foothold, launch a preemptive attack to drive them away."

Before Che Qian could speak, a voice rang out:

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!!"

Looking up, I saw that the Right Chancellor had already stepped forward.

Che Qian frowned: "I wonder what the Right Chancellor's opinion is?"

Che Dan said, “Your Majesty, our country and the Xiongnu have long agreed to fight against the Han together. If we suddenly attack them, it would be tantamount to breaking the agreement. What if the Xiongnu join forces with the Han to attack us? How should we resist?”

Upon hearing this, Che Qian frowned: "Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"

Che Dan: "Your Majesty, I believe we should first send an envoy to find out the intentions of the Xiongnu before making any preparations."

"That's utter nonsense!!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Che Xiang, standing to the side, angrily rebuked him: "Now that the Xiongnu army is stationed on our border, their wolfish ambitions are obvious. If we hesitate, we will surely be harmed by them. By saying such things, are you perhaps colluding with the Xiongnu and intending to harm our country?"

Upon hearing this, Che Dan's face turned ashen with anger: "You are talking nonsense! I am loyal to the King. When have I ever sided with the Xiongnu? I am saying this for the King's own good, so as to prevent our country from being attacked from two sides."

On the contrary, it is you who instigated the King to attack our allies. What are your true intentions?

"What kind of ally are you? The Xiongnu have always been brutal and unethical. What you're doing is clearly helping the Xiongnu buy time. You're a dog of the Xiongnu."

Seeing that the other party was actually throwing mud at him, Che Xiang was furious and started cursing.

"Your instigation of the King to attack the Xiongnu is malicious. You are clearly doing this to create an opportunity for the Han Dynasty. You are a lackey of the Han Dynasty!!"

Seeing that Che Xiang had insulted him, Che Dan did not back down and directly called him a lackey of the big man.

Che Xiang: "You're the lackey!"

Car order: "You are, your whole family are!"

"Pah!"

"You bastard, how dare you spit on me?"

For a moment, the two prime ministers of the rear chariot master also started hurling insults at each other in the hall, their spittle flying everywhere, making quite a scene.

"Enough!!"

When Che Qian, sitting on the throne, saw Che Xiang and Che Dan acting like shrewish women, he was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he slammed his hand on the table.

Che Qian pointed at the two men and shouted angrily, "What time is it now? How dare you two continue to hurl insults at each other? What use are you to me?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!!"

Che Xiang and Che Dan'er trembled and quickly bowed to apologize.

"Alright, let's talk about the Xiongnu now!"

Che Qian waved his hand dismissively, changing the subject back.

These two prime ministers were both his uncles, and each of them commanded an army, so he dared not punish them lightly.

Che Dan then said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, while sending envoys, we should also mobilize troops to strengthen the city's defenses in preparation for a surprise attack by the Xiongnu!"

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