Da Yuan represents the famous "Heavenly Horses" from the ancient kingdom of Dayuan, a land located in the Ferghana Valley, near modern-day Uzbekistan. The Han Dynasty under Emperor Wu waged two wars to secure these powerful horses, known for their incredible endurance and speed. The horses were believed to sweat blood, likely due to parasitic infections, and were highly coveted for their strength, which made them ideal for cavalry.

In 104 BC, trade disputes led to the War of the Heavenly Horses. After the Dayuan king rejected Han China's offer of gold and killed the Han envoys, Emperor Wu sent General Li Guangli with an expeditionary force to subdue Dayuan. Although the first campaign failed, a second, better-supplied army successfully besieged the Dayuan capital. The victorious Han forces secured thousands of these prized horses, which bolstered the Han cavalry in their wars against the Xiongnu.

The acquisition of these horses not only strengthened China's military but also expanded the Han Dynasty's influence in Central Asia. Da Yuan represents this critical connection between China and the Western Regions, symbolizing the lengths to which leaders would go to secure the finest resources for their campaigns.