Relying on the various nationalities in the Western Regions, he united all the people and maintained the unity of the empire. In 90, Ban Chao detained an envoy from Kushan who requested a marriage for his king. In retaliation, the Kushan marched on Ban Chao with a force of 70,000 under commander Xie, and besieged the city of Shule for about ten days.
The leader's strategy of uniting diverse nationalities within his empire is contrasted by the Kushan's attempt to disrupt this unity through military action.