Ban Chao

How can I waste my life on writing? (大丈夫無他志略，猶當效傅介子、張騫立功異域，以取封侯，安能久事筆硯間乎？) in Hou Hanshu. Following his death the power of the Xiongnu in the Western Territories increased again and subsequent Chinese emperors were never to reach so far to the west. His father was Ban Biao (3-54 CE) who started the History of the Western Han Dynasty (Hanshu; The Book of Han) in 36 which was completed by his son Ban Gu (32-92) and his daughter Ban Zhao (Ban Chao's brother and sister).

He fought for 31 years. He repelled the Xiongnu and secured Chinese control over the Tarim Basin region and was awarded the title of 'Protector General of the Western Regions'.