Noun
Xiongnu pl (plural only)
(historical) An ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han dynasty.
Dou Xian (50s–92), brother-in-law of Emperor Zhang through his sister Empress Duo, utterly defeated the Northern Xiongnu in a series of campaigns during the Yongyuan era (89–105). Source: Internet
After the death of the new Shanyu in 196 CE, most of the Southern Xiongnu left to join the Northern Xiongnu and only five tribes remained in China. Source: Internet
Chinese forces also mounted surprise attacks against Xiongnu who traded at the border markets. Source: Internet
Emperor Wu accepted this, despite continuing Xiongnu raids. Source: Internet
Emperor Wu interpreted Sima's defence of Li as an attack on his brother-in-law, who had also fought against the Xiongnu without much success, and sentenced Sima to death. Source: Internet
Even fragments of the Northern Xiongnu migrated well within the border to the Xihe plain, west of the Yellow River and south of the Ordos Desert ). Source: Internet