As for the Hou Hanshu, I have difficulty deciding whether or not to classify it as "historical." Granted, the (mostly) accurate numbers and great detail included are persuasive, but then again we have to admit that it was compiled from one particular perspective. It is impossible to get an "outsider's" view, hence any lack of objectivity (which came up over and over with our discussion of cultural relativism). Wars and battles will no doubt be glorified for this reason, and the outcomes may very well have been skewed in their favour.
On the other hand, the whole idea of cultural relativism is to study a group from the inside, using their perspective, rather than viewing it through another's eyes. In this sense, the Hou Hanshu can easily be considered historical. In the end, it is the only real record we have of that time period, making it the closest thing to a historical document as we are going to get.
Concerning the cultural references, it was interesting to read about the different regions' practices regarding marrying off princesses and the treatment of widows. The huge disparity between "virtuous widowhood" and the practice of marrying widows off to relatives of their late husbands was just one of many examples of the causes for tension between the various regions. Everything from land disputes to women to horses was cause for violence, resulting in a very, very bloody account of the Han dynasty.
The following link gave me a better understanding of the use of women to strengthen ties between neighbouring regions:
The section called "Figures Remembered" tells the story of Xijun (the daughter of the king of Jiangdu) and her time in Wusun, as told in chapter 4 of the Wood book. It also continues by discussing the subsequent marriages (and children) and how they influenced other "ethnic states" to marry into the Han dyansty.
