The Xiongnu, as their economic and military situation deteriorated, had been willing to renew peace during the reigns of Huyandi Chanyu (r. 85-69 BCE) and Xulüquanqu Chanyu (r. 68-60 BCE), but the Han court had given only one option, tributary submission.

After Xulüquanqu Chanyu's death in 60 BCE, a Xiongnu civil war had broken out in 57 BCE over the succession, which fully fragments the Xiongnu confederation with many contenders.

In the end, only Zhizhi Chanyu and Huhanye Chanyu survive the struggle to power.

After Zhizhi Chanyu (r. 56–36 BCE) inflicts serious losses against his rival Huhanye Chanyu (r. 58–31 BCE), Huhanye and his supporters debate whether to request military protection and become a Han vassal.

In 53 BCE, Huhanye decides to do so and surrenders to the reign of the Han empire.

Huhanye sends his son as a hostage to the Han capital in 53 BCE and personally pays homage to Emperor Xuan in 51 BCE.

Huhanye makes a second visit two years later.

With Han assistance, his strength grows, and Zhizhi, who had previously been stronger, is now forced to move west.