Huo Qubing — March North to Conquer the Desert

The Xiongnu rebels have plagued our Han for years treating our people like grass and our land like open ground

I swear here today to defeat these foes and make them pay in blood All generals, hear my command

We march north to conquer the desert Wei Qing Your servant is here For this campaign

I appoint you supreme commander Lead the army and command all forces Your servant obeys

I will not return until the Xiongnu are crushed As for the other routes we must decide wisely

Your Majesty I obey Your servant Huo Qubing requests to join the campaign

You are only twenty-one The north is vast and barren no grass, no water and the Xiongnu are strong

I fear… I joined the army young and long ago cast aside life and death I know every path

crossing the desert with ease The Xiongnu may be strong but they won't match my speed Speed is key

strike when they least expect victory will be ours Good Such youthful spirit and bold resolve

Wei Qing lead your army out of Dingsang and hit their main force directly steady and sure

step by step Yes Huo Bing lead your army out of Daijun

target the Left Wise King catch him off guard Strike fast and win. I obey.

I order you two to lead fifty thousand troops each on separate routes to crush the Xiongnu

and end their raids forever for the peace of our Han empire. In 119 BC, Emperor Wu was set on ending a century of Xiongnu raids.

He launched the largest northern campaign in Han-Xiongnu history. General Wei Qing and General Huo Qubing each led fifty thousand elite cavalry

in two prongs, east and west.