it as the shepherd's rod so much that the decorative hairs on the staff eventually all fell off. Twice, during exile, the chanyu sent Li Ling, who had surrendered to Xiongnu after being defeated on the battlefield in 99 BC, to visit Su. The first time, Li informed Su that his two brothers had both been accused of crimes and committed suicide; that his mother had died; and that his wife had remarried. He tried to convince Su to surrender, but Su refused. On the second occasion, Li informed him of Emperor Wu's passing, and Su was so despondent that in mourning that he vomited blood. When the Emperor of Han died, Su Wu faced south towards his old homeland of China and wept in utter sadness. Return to Han In 81 BC, Han was again in a détente with Xiongnu, when Han ambassadors inquired of Su's fate. The Xiongnu government claimed that Su had long died. However, Su's old assistant Chang Hui secretly informed the ambassadors of Su's exile, and the ambassadors, under Chang's suggestion, told then chanyu Huyandi () that Emperor Zhao had killed a migratory goose while hunting, and that a letter from Su seeking help was found on the bird's foot. Surprised, Chanyu Huyandi admitted that Su was in fact still alive, recalled him and allowed him as well as his nine followers to go home. In all, he was in exile for 19 years. Once Su returned to Han, he was given the position of Director of Colonization (), a high-ranking official post. He remained in that post at least until the early years of Emperor Xuan's reign—late 70s BC. In 51 BC, when Emperor Xuan, in gratitude to 11 key officials who served him well, had their portraits painted onto the main gallery of the main imperial palace, Su was one of the 11 so portrayed. Impact on Chinese history Su was often regarded as the epitome of faithful service in light of great odds and trials. His story was often invoked when acts of great faith or courage were performed by officials. His story, as undetailed as it was in actual history, often became subjects of drama, poetry, and songs throughout Chinese history. Many people take him as a second Zhang Qian, who was also previously caught in the same situation, refused to surrender, and managed to escape back to Han China. Art