Entering China Without Regrets

The period from the 18th year of Yongping of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 75) to the first year of Emperor Jianchu of Zhang (AD 76). Western Region, Shule City (located in the country behind Cheshi, near present-day Qitai, Xinjiang). Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty passed away and Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty was newly established. The Northern Xiongnu took the opportunity to launch a massive attack on the Western Regions and compete with the Han Dynasty for control. Geng Gong, who was stationed in Jinpucheng, led his troops to move to Shule City, which was located in a dangerous terrain, and became a key target of the Huns' siege. Tens of thousands of Xiongnu troops surrounded Shule City and cut off the water source in the city. Geng Gong led his soldiers to dig a well fifteen feet (about thirty meters) in the city, but there was still no water. The situation was extremely critical. Finally, Geng Gong dressed and knelt down to the well to pray. Soon the spring water gushed out, solving the drinking water problem. The Huns thought they had help from the gods and temporarily postponed their offensive. The Huns besieged the city for several months. When the food in the city ran out, the soldiers cooked the leather on their armor and crossbows to satisfy their hunger. Geng Gong lived and died with his soldiers and treated each other with sincerity. Therefore, despite heavy casualties, his morale never collapsed. The Huns sent an envoy to recruit them, but Geng Gong personally killed the envoy on the city wall to show his determination not to surrender.