1
卷九十六上西域傳第六十六上
Book of Han, scroll 96a: Traditions of the Western Regions (part one)
2
西域以孝武時始通，本三十六國，其後稍分至五十餘，皆在匈奴之西，烏孫之南。 南北有大山，中央有河，東西六千餘里，南北千餘里。 東則接漢，厄以玉門、陽關，西則限以蔥嶺。 其南山，東出金城，與漢南山屬焉。 其河有兩原：一出蔥嶺出，一出于闐。 于闐在南山下，其河北流，與蔥嶺河合，東注蒲昌海。 蒲昌海，一名鹽澤者也，去玉門、陽關三百餘里，廣袤三四百里。 其水亭居，冬夏不增減，皆以為潛行地下，南出於積石，為中國河雲。
Contact began under Emperor Wu; thirty-six original polities later split into fifty-odd, all west of the Xiongnu and south of Wusun. High ranges north and south bracket a central river plain—more than six thousand li east to west and a thousand north to south. Yumen and Yangguan pinch the eastern edge toward Han; the Pamirs wall it off on the west. The southern range runs east through Jincheng and links to Han’s Qinling spine. The river has twin headwaters—one from the Pamirs, one from Khotan. South of the range, Khotan’s stream runs north to merge with the Pamir-fed branch and drain east into Lop Nur. Puchang—also the Salt Marsh—sits three hundred li beyond the frontier passes and spans three or four hundred li. The lake neither rises nor falls with the seasons—many believed it flowed under the desert to surface as the Yellow River at Jishi.
3
自玉門、陽關出西域有兩道：從鄯善傍南山北，波河西行至莎車，為南道，南道西逾蔥嶺則出大月氏、安息。 自車師前王廷隨北山，波河西行至疏勒，為北道，北道西逾蔥嶺則出大宛、康居、奄蔡焉。
Two roads led west from the passes: the southern ran from Shanshan along the Kunlun flank to Kashgar, then over the Pamirs to Yuezhi and Parthia. The northern ran from Turfan along the Tianshan to Kashgar, then over the Pamirs to Ferghana, Kangju, and the steppe confederation beyond.
4
西域諸國大率土著，有城郭田畜，與匈奴、烏孫異俗，故皆役屬匈奴。 匈奴西邊日逐王置僮僕都尉，使領西域，常居焉耆、危須、尉黎間，賦稅諸國，取富給焉。
Most realms were oasis farmers behind walls—nothing like the nomads—so the Xiongnu kept them in tributary harness. The western Xiongnu prince posted a “bondservant commandant” between Yanqi, Weixu, and Korla to skim tribute.
5
自周衰，戎狄錯居涇渭之北。 及秦始皇攘卻戎狄，築長城，界中國，然西不過臨洮。
After Zhou’s fall, Di and Rong peoples dotted the country north of the Jing and Wei. The First Emperor’s wall boxed “China” in—but its western end stopped at Lintao.
6
漢興至於孝武，事征四夷，廣威德，而張騫始開西域之跡。 其後驃騎將軍擊破匈奴右地，降渾邪、休屠王，遂空其地，始築令居以西，初置酒泉郡，後稍發徙民充實之，分置武威、張掖、敦煌，列四郡，據兩關焉。 自貳師將軍伐大宛之後，西域震懼，多遣使來貢獻。 漢使西域者益得職。 於是自敦煌西至鹽澤，往往起亭，而輪台、渠犁皆有田卒數百人，置使者校尉領護，以給使外國者。
From Gaozu through Emperor Wu’s frontier wars, Zhang Qian first traced a road into the west. Huo Qubing’s victory emptied Hexi; Han walled west from Lingju, planted Jiuquan, then Wuwei, Zhangye, and Dunhuang—the four western commanderies anchoring the twin passes. Li Guangli’s Ferghana expedition terrified the oases—embassies and gifts multiplied. Han missions west gained real traction. Watchtowers ran from Dunhuang to Lop Nur; hundreds of farmers garrisoned Luntai and Karashahr under an Envoy-Colonel for outbound missions.
7
至宣帝時，遣衛司馬使護鄯善以西數國。 及破姑師，未盡殄，分以為車師前後王及山北六國。 時漢獨護南道，未能盡並北道也。 然匈奴不自安矣。 其後日逐王畔單于，將眾來降，護鄯善以西使者鄭吉迎之。 既至漢，封日逐王為歸德侯，吉為安遠侯。 是歲，神爵二年也。 乃因使吉並護北道，故號曰都護。 都護之起，自吉置矣。 僮僕都尉由此罷，匈奴益弱，不得近西域。 於是徙屯田，田於北胥鞬，披莎車之地，屯田校尉始屬都護。 都護督察烏孫、康居諸外國，動靜有變以聞。 可安輯，安輯之； 可擊，擊之。 都護治烏壘城，去陽關二千七百三十八里，與渠犁田官相近，土地肥饒，於西域為中，故都護治焉。
Under Emperor Xuan, a Guards Major was posted to shield the kingdoms west of Shanshan. Jushi’s fall split the land into anterior and posterior Turfan kings plus six northern rim polities. Han held only the southern road—the northern remained contested. The Xiongnu grew uneasy. When the western prince broke from the Chanyu and surrendered, Zheng Ji—the envoy west of Shanshan—received him. The Son of Heaven made the prince Marquis of Guide and Zheng Ji Marquis of Pacifying-the-Distant. That was Shenjue 2. Ji was ordered to oversee both routes—hence the title Protector-General. The office began with Zheng Ji. The bondservant tax post vanished—Han blocked Xiongnu access to the Tarim. Han pushed farms to Beixujian and sliced into Kashgar—the colonel of garrison troops now answered to the Protector-General. He monitored Wusun, Kangju, and beyond—any stir required memorial. Pacify where pacification worked; strike where force was needed. The headquarters sat at Wulei—2738 li west of Yangguan—near Karashahr’s farms in the Tarim’s fertile middle.
8
至元帝時，復置戊己校尉，屯田車師前王庭。 是時，匈奴東蒲類王茲力支將人眾千七百餘人降都護，都護分車師後王之西為烏貪訾離地以處之。
Emperor Yuan restored the Wu–Ji colonel and planted farms at Turfan’s anterior court. When eastern Pulei prince Zilizhi brought seventeen hundred followers in, the Protector-General carved Wuchen-zili pasture west of posterior Turfan for their settlement.
9
自宣、元後，單于稱籓臣，西域服從。 其土地山川、王侯戶數、道裡遠近，翔實矣。
After Xuan and Yuan, the Chanyu accepted vassal rank and the Tarim fell in line. Territory, demographics, and distances could finally be recorded in detail.
10
出陽關，自近者始，曰婼羌。 婼羌國王號去胡來王。 去陽關千八百里，去長安六千三百里，辟在西南，不當孔道。 戶四百五十，口千七百五十，勝兵者五百人。 西與且末接。 隨畜逐不草，不田作，仰鄯善、且末谷。 山有鐵，自作兵，後有弓、矛、服刀、劍、甲。 西北至鄯善，乃當道雲。
West of Yangguan the first realm is Ruoqiang. Its king bore the title “He Who Left the Hu and Came.” Eighteen hundred li from Yangguan, sixty-three hundred from Chang’an—it sits off the main road in the southwest. Four hundred fifty households, seventeen hundred fifty people, five hundred fighters. Qiemo lies to its west. They followed herds after sparse grazing, farmed nothing, and bought grain from Shanshan and Qiemo. Mountain iron fed local forges—bows, spears, belt knives, swords, and armor. Northwest lies Shanshan—where the highway runs.
11
鄯善國，本名樓蘭，王治扞泥城，去陽關千六百里，去長安六千一百里。 戶千五百七十，口萬四千一百，勝兵二千九百十二人。 輔國侯、卻胡侯、鄯善都尉、擊車師都尉、左右且渠、擊車師君各一人，譯長二人。 西北去都護治所千七百八十五里，至墨山國千三百六十五里，西北至車師千八百九十里。 地沙鹵，少田，寄田仰谷旁國。 國出玉，多葭葦、檉柳、胡桐、白草。 民隨率牧逐水草，有驢馬，多橐它。 能作兵，與婼羌同。
Shanshan—once Loulan—ruled from Kroraina: sixteen hundred li west of Yangguan, sixty-one hundred from Chang’an. Fifteen hundred seventy households, fourteen thousand one hundred people, twenty-nine hundred twelve troops. One state-support marquis, one Hu-repeller, Shanshan commandant, Turfan-strike commandant, paired qütu chiefs, Turfan-strike lord—and two chief interpreters. 1785 li northwest of Wulei; 1365 to Karasahr’s mountains; 1890 northwest to Turfan. Saline sands offered little farmland—they leased fields and grain from neighbors. The kingdom yielded jade plus reeds, tamarisk, poplar, and pale steppe grass. Herders followed officers to pasture—donkeys, horses, and many camels. Their arms matched Ruoqiang’s craft.
12
初，武帝鹹張騫之言，甘心欲通大宛諸國，使者相望於道，一歲中多至十餘輩。 樓蘭、姑師當道，苦之，攻劫漢使王恢等，又數為匈奴耳目，令其兵遮漢使。 漢使多言其國有城邑，兵弱易擊。 於是武帝遣從票侯趙破奴將屬國騎及郡兵數萬擊姑師。 王恢數為樓蘭所苦，上令恢佐破奴將兵。 破奴與輕騎七百人先至，虜樓蘭王遂破姑師，因暴兵威以動烏孫、大宛之屬。 還，封破奴為浞野侯，恢為浩侯。 於是漢列亭障至玉門矣。
Wu-di trusted Zhang Qian’s maps and craved the Ferghana road—caravans of envoys passed each other, a dozen missions some years. Loulan and Turfan straddled the highway—they raided missions like Wang Hui’s and spied for the Xiongnu, blocking Han traffic. Han reports painted them as walled but weak—easy prey. The emperor sent Zhao Ponu with tens of thousands of allied cavalry and county troops against Turfan. Wang Hui—often ambushed by Loulan—was ordered to serve under Zhao Ponu. Ponu raced ahead with seven hundred horse—bagged the Loulan king, smashed Turfan, and flashed steel at Wusun and Ferghana. Homecoming brought Zhao Ponu the Zhuoye marquisate and Wang Hui the Hao marquisate. Han then ran watchtowers and walls clear to Yumen.
13
樓蘭既降服貢獻，匈奴聞，發兵擊之。 於是樓蘭遣一子質匈奴，一子質漢。 後貳師軍擊大宛，匈奴欲遮之，貳師兵盛不敢當，即遣騎因樓蘭候漢使後過者，欲絕勿通。 時漢軍正任文將兵屯玉門關，為貳師後距，捕得生口，知狀以聞。 上詔文便道引兵捕樓蘭王。 將指闕，簿責王，對曰：「小國在大國間，不兩屬無以自安。 願徙國入居漢地。 」上直其言，遣歸國，亦因使候司匈奴。 匈奴自是不甚親信樓蘭。
Loulan’s submission drew a Xiongnu punitive strike. Loulan parked one prince in Han and one with the Chanyu. During Li Guangli’s Ferghana campaign the Xiongnu dared not face his host—instead they used Loulan riders to ambush straggling Han missions. Colonel Ren Wen at Yumen captured prisoners and reported the plot. The emperor ordered Ren Wen to seize the Loulan king by detachment. Dragged to Chang’an for interrogation, the king said: ‘A small realm caught between giants cannot survive without serving both.’ Let us relocate inside Han borders.’ ’ The emperor accepted the plea—sent him home as a Han agent on the steppe. The Chanyu thereafter kept Loulan at arm’s length.
14
征和元年，樓蘭王死，國人來請質子在漢者，欲立之。 質子常坐漢法，下蠶室宮刑，故不遣。 報曰：「侍子，天子愛之，不能遣。 其更立其次當立者。 」樓蘭更立王，漢復責其質子，亦遣一子質匈奴。 後王又死，匈奴先聞之，遣質子歸，得立為王。 漢遣使詔新王，令入朝，天子將加厚賞。 樓蘭王后妻，故繼母也，謂王曰：「先王遣兩子質漢皆不還，奈何欲往朝乎？ 」王用其計，謝使曰：「新立，國未定，願待後年入見天子。 」然樓蘭國最在東垂，近漢，當白龍堆，乏水草，常主發導，負水儋糧，送迎漢使，又數為吏卒所寇，懲艾不便與漢通。 後復為匈奴後間，數遮殺漢使。 其弟尉屠耆降漢，具言狀。
In Zhenghe 1 the king died; Loulan asked for their prince held hostage in Han. That prince had been castrated under Han law—so Han refused release. Han answered: ‘The emperor favors your hostage—he stays.’ Enthrone the next eligible heir.’ ’ Loulan crowned another king—Han demanded a new hostage while Loulan again sent a prince north. When the next king died, the Xiongnu rushed their hostage home first—so he took the throne. Han summoned the new king to Chang’an with promises of rich gifts. The king’s wife—once his stepmother—warned: ‘Your father sent two sons to Han—neither returned—why court suicide?’ ’ He stalled the envoy: ‘The realm is unsettled—I will attend next year.’ ’ Yet Loulan lay farthest east—hard by the White Dragon dunes—where Han escorts drained water and grain while rude soldiers looted—so the court soured on Han traffic. Later they again served the Xiongnu—ambushing Han envoys. Prince Weituqi defected and told all.
15
元鳳四年，大將軍霍光白遣平樂監傅介子往刺其王。 介子輕將勇敢士，繼金幣，揚言以賜外國為名。 既至樓蘭，詐其王欲賜之，王喜，與介子飲，醉，將其王屏語，壯士二人從後刺殺之，貴人左右皆散走。 介子告諭以：「王負漢罪，天子遣我誅王，當更立王弟尉屠耆在漢者。 漢兵方至，毋敢動，自令滅國矣！ 」介子遂斬王嘗歸首，馳傳詣闕，懸首北闕下。 封介子為義陽侯。 乃立尉屠耆為王，更名其國為鄯善，為刻印章，賜以宮女為夫人，備車騎輜重，丞相將軍率百官送至橫門外，祖而遣之。 王自請天子曰：「身在漢久，今歸，單弱，而前王有子在，恐為所殺。 國中有伊循城，其地肥美，願漢遣一將屯田積穀，令臣得依其威重。 」於是漢遣司馬一人、吏士四十人，田伊循以填撫之。 其後更置都尉。 伊循官置始此矣。
In Yuanfeng 4 Huo Guang proposed Fu Jiezi’s embassy-assassination. Fu Jiezi took picked swordsmen and treasure chests under cover of imperial gifts. He baited the king with gifts, drank him blind, drew him aside—and two blades struck from behind while retainers fled. Fu Jiezi proclaimed: ‘Your king offended Han—the Son of Heaven sent me to kill him; Weituqi in Chang’an will succeed.’ Han troops are coming—stir and you erase your kingdom!’ ’ He sent the king’s head to Chang’an by post-rider and spiked it below the north gate. Fu Jiezi became Marquis of Yiyang. Weituqi became king of renamed Shanshan—with new seal, a Han consort, equipage, and a state farewell beyond the Horizontal Gate. Weituqi pleaded: ‘I grew up in Han—going home weak—the old king’s son may murder me.’ ‘Plant a Han colonel at fertile Yixun so I may shelter under his spear.’ ’ Han posted one major and forty men to farm Yixun as guarantors. Later a commandant replaced him. The Yixun post dates from this.
16
鄯善當漢道沖，西通且末七百二十里。 自且末以往皆種五穀，土地草木，畜產作兵，略與漢同，有異乃記雲。
Shanshan straddled the highway—seven hundred twenty li west to Qiemo. Beyond Qiemo every oasis grew the five grains with Han-like farms, herds, and arms—only oddities merit note.
17
且末國，王治且末城，去長安六千八百二十里。 戶二百三十，口千六百一十，勝兵三百二十人。 輔國侯、左右將、譯長各一人。 西北至都護治所二千二百五十八裡，北接尉犁，南至小宛可三日行。 有蒲陶諸果。 西通精絕二千里。
Qiemo—capital Qiemo—lies sixty-eight hundred twenty li from Chang’an. It had 230 households, 1,610 people, and 320 men fit for military service. Its officials included one state-supporting marquis, one general of the left and one of the right, and one chief interpreter. It lay 2,258 li northwest of the Protector-General's headquarters; Yuli bordered it on the north, and Xiaowan was three days' travel to the south. Grapes and other fruits grew there. A route westward ran two thousand li to Jingjue.
18
小宛國，王治扜零城，去長安七千二百一十里。 戶百五十，口千五十，勝兵二百人。 輔國侯、左右都尉各一人。 西北至都護治所二千五百五十八里，東與婼羌接，辟南不當道。
The kingdom of Xiaowan had its royal seat at Yu-ling, seven thousand two hundred ten li from Chang'an. It counted 150 households, 1,050 people, and 200 soldiers. There were one state-supporting marquis and one commandant of the left and one of the right. It was 2,558 li northwest of the Protector-General's seat; Ruoqiang lay to the east, and its southern flank stood aside from the main highway.
19
精絕國，王治精絕城，去長安八千八百二十里。 戶四百八十，口三千三百六十，勝兵五百人。 精絕都尉、左右將、譯長各一人。 北至都護治所二千七百二十三里南至戎盧國四日行，地厄狹，西通抒彌四百六十里。
The kingdom of Jingjue had its capital at Jingjue, eight thousand eight hundred twenty li from Chang'an. It had 480 households, 3,360 inhabitants, and 500 troops. Its administration included one Jingjue commandant, one general of the left and one of the right, and one chief interpreter. It stood 2,723 li north of the Protector-General's headquarters and four days' march south of Ronglu; the ground was rugged and tight, and a western route ran 460 li to Yumi.
20
戎盧國，王治卑品城，去長安八千三百里。 戶二百四十，口千六百一十，勝兵三百人。 東北至都護治所二千八百五十八里，東與小宛、南與婼羌、西與渠勒接，辟南不當道。
The state of Ronglu ruled from Beipin, eight thousand three hundred li from Chang'an. It recorded 240 households, 1,610 people, and 300 soldiers. It lay 2,858 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat, bordering Xiaowan on the east, Ruoqiang on the south, and Qule on the west, with its southern approaches off the main road.
21
抒彌國，王治抒彌城，去長安九千二百八十里。 戶三千三百四十，口二萬四十，勝兵三千五百四十人。 輔國侯、左右將、左右都尉、左右騎君各一人，譯長二人。 東北至都護治所三千五百五十三里，南與渠勒、東北與龜茲、西北與姑墨接，西通于闐三百九十里。 今名寧彌。
The kingdom of Yumi had its seat at Yumi, nine thousand two hundred eighty li from Chang'an. It comprised 3,340 households, 20,040 people, and 3,540 fighting men. Officials included one state-supporting marquis, one general and one commandant on each flank, one cavalry chief on each flank, and two chief interpreters. It was 3,553 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, bordered Qule on the south, Kucha on the northeast, and Gumo on the northwest, and linked westward with Yutian across 390 li. Today the place is known as Ningmi.
22
渠勒國，王治鞬都城，去長安九千九百五十里。 戶三百一十，口二千一百七十，勝兵三百人。 東北至都護治所三千八百五十二里，東與戎盧、西與婼羌、北與抒彌接。
The state of Qule ruled from Jiandu, nine thousand nine hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It had 310 households, 2,170 people, and 300 troops. It lay 3,852 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat, with Ronglu on the east, Ruoqiang on the west, and Yumi on the north.
23
于闐國，王治西城，去長安九千六百七十里。 戶三千三百，口萬九千三百，勝兵二千四百人。 輔國侯、左右將、左右騎君、東西城長、譯長各一人。 東北至都護治所三千九百四十七里，南與婼羌接，北與姑墨接。 于闐之西，水皆西流，注西海； 其東，水東流，注鹽澤，河原出焉。 多玉石。 西通皮山三百八十里。
The kingdom of Yutian had its royal residence at the western capital, nine thousand six hundred seventy li from Chang'an. It numbered 3,300 households, 19,300 people, and 2,400 soldiers. There were one state-supporting marquis, one general and one cavalry chief on each flank, one magistrate each for the eastern and western cities, and one chief interpreter. It stood 3,947 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, adjoining Ruoqiang on the south and Gumo on the north. West of Yutian every stream ran westward toward the Western Sea; east of the kingdom the rivers flowed east into the Salt Marsh, where the Yellow River had its source. The country produced abundant jade. A western road ran 380 li to Pishan.
24
皮山國，王治皮山城，去長安萬五十里。 戶五百，口三千五百，勝兵五百人。 左右將、左右都尉、騎君、譯長各一人。 東北至都護治所四千二百九十二里，西南至烏秅國千三百四十里，南與天篤接，北至姑墨千四百五十里，西南當罽賓、烏弋山離道，西北通莎車三百八十里。
The kingdom of Pishan was centered on Pishan, ten thousand fifty li from Chang'an. It had 500 households, 3,500 people, and 500 soldiers. Its roster listed one general of the left and one of the right, one commandant on each flank, one cavalry chief, and one chief interpreter. It lay 4,292 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat and 1,340 li southwest of Wucha; India bordered it on the south, Gumo stood 1,450 li to the north, the southwest lay on the corridor toward Jibin and Alexandria Prophthasia, and Shache was 380 li to the northwest.
25
烏秅國，王治烏秅城，去長安九千九百五十里。 戶四百九十，口二千七百三十三，勝兵七百四十人。 東北至都護治所四千八百九十二里，北與子合、蒲犁，西與難兜接。 山居，田石間。 有白草。 累石為室。 民接手飲。 出小步馬，有驢無牛。 其西則有縣度，去陽關五千八百八十八里，去都護治所五千二十里。 縣度者，石山也，溪谷不通，以繩索相引而度雲。
The polity of Wucha had its capital at Wucha, nine thousand nine hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It counted 490 households, 2,733 inhabitants, and 740 warriors. It was 4,892 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, bordered Zihe and Puli on the north, and touched Nandou on the west. The people lived in the mountains and scratched fields from the rock. White grass grew there. They stacked stone into dwellings. Villagers passed water hand to hand to drink. The land bred small pace horses and donkeys but no cattle. To the west lay the Suspended Crossing, 5,888 li from Yang Pass and 5,020 li from the Protector-General's seat. The Crossing was a wilderness of stone peaks where gorges did not link up; travelers reportedly hauled one another across on ropes.
26
西夜國，王號子合王，治呼犍谷，去長安萬二百五十里。 戶三百五十，口四千，勝兵千人。 東北到都護治所五千四十六里，東與皮山、西南與烏秅、北與莎車、西與蒲犁接。 蒲犁及依耐、無雷國皆西夜類也。 西夜與胡異，其種類羌氐行國，隨畜逐水草往來。 而子合土地出玉石。
The kingdom of Xiye was ruled by the king styled lord of Zihe from Hujian Valley, ten thousand two hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It comprised 350 households, 4,000 people, and 1,000 soldiers. It stood 5,046 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, adjoining Pishan on the east, Wucha on the southwest, Shache on the north, and Puli on the west. Puli together with Yinai and Wulei belonged to the same cultural sphere as Xiye. Unlike the Hu peoples, the Xiye cluster were Qiang and Di pastoralists who moved with their herds between seasonal pastures. Zihe's lands yielded jade.
27
蒲犁國，王治蒲犁谷，去長安九千五百五十里。 戶六百五十，口五千，勝兵二千人。 東北至都護治所五千三百九十六里，東至莎車五百四十里，北至疏勒五百五十里，南與西夜子合接，西至無雷五百四十里。 侯、都尉各一人。 寄田莎車。 種俗與子合同。
The state of Puli ruled from Puli Valley, nine thousand five hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It mustered 650 households, 5,000 people, and 2,000 troops. It lay 5,396 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat—540 li west of Shache, 550 li south of Shule, bordering Xiye and Zihe on the south, and 540 li east of Wulei. There was one marquis and one commandant. Its farmers leased fields in Shache. Ethnic composition and customs matched those of Zihe.
28
依耐國，王治去長安萬一百五十里。 戶一百二十五，口六百七十，勝兵三百五十人。 東北至都護治所二千七百三十里，至莎車五百四十里，至無雷五百四十里，北至疏勒六百五十里，南與子合接，俗相與同。 少谷，寄田疏勒、莎車。
The kingdom of Yinai had its royal seat ten thousand one hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It recorded 125 households, 670 people, and 350 soldiers. It was 2,730 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, 540 li from both Shache and Wulei, 650 li south of Shule, bordered Zihe on the south, and shared Zihe's way of life. Grain was scarce, so people rented farmland in Shule and Shache.
29
無雷國，王治無雷城，去長安九千九百五十里。 戶千，口七千，勝兵三千人。 東北至都護治所二千四百六十五里，南至蒲犁五百四十里，南與烏秅、北與捐毒、西與大月氏接。 衣服類烏孫，俗與子合同。
The state of Wulei ruled from Wulei, nine thousand nine hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It had 1,000 households, 7,000 people, and 3,000 troops. It lay 2,465 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat and 540 li north of Puli, bordering Wucha on the south, Juandu on the north, and the Great Yuezhi on the west. Dress resembled that of Wusun, while customs followed Zihe's pattern.
30
難兜國，王治去長安萬一百五十里。 戶五千，口三萬一千，勝兵八千人。 東北至都護治所二千八百五十里，南至無雷三百四十里，西南至罽賓三百三十里，南與婼羌、北與休循、西與大月氏接。 種五穀、蒲陶諸果。 有金、銀、銅、鐵，作兵與諸國同，屬罽賓。
The kingdom of Nandou had its court ten thousand one hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It comprised 5,000 households, 31,000 inhabitants, and 8,000 warriors. It stood 2,850 li northeast of the Protector-General's headquarters, 340 li north of Wulei, and 330 li northeast of Jibin, with Ruoqiang on the south, Xiuxun on the north, and the Great Yuezhi on the west. Farmers grew the staple cereals, grapes, and other fruit. Gold, silver, copper, and iron were mined, weapons matched neighboring styles, and the realm was tributary to Jibin.
31
罽賓國，王治循鮮城，去長安萬二千二百里。 不屬都護。 戶口勝兵多，大國也。 東北至都護治所六千八百四十里，東至烏秅國二千二百五十里，東北至難兜國九日行，西北與大月氏、西南與烏弋山離接。
The kingdom of Jibin ruled from Xunxian, twelve thousand two hundred li from Chang'an. It lay outside the Protector-General's jurisdiction. Its households, population, and army were large; it ranked as a major power. It was 6,840 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat, 2,250 li west of Wucha, and nine days' march southwest of Nandou; the Great Yuezhi bordered it on the northwest and Alexandria Prophthasia on the southwest.
32
昔匈奴破大月氏，大月氏西君大夏，而塞王南君罽賓。 塞種分散，往往為數國。 自疏勒以西北，休循、捐毒之屬，皆故塞種也。
Long ago the Xiongnu shattered the Great Yuezhi; the Yuezhi then moved west to rule Daxia, while the Sai king pressed south to dominate Jibin. The Sai peoples broke apart and repeatedly founded separate realms. Northwest of Shule, Xiuxun, Juandu, and related states were all descendants of the Sai.
33
罽賓地平，溫和，有目宿、雜草、奇木、檀、榱、梓、竹、漆。 種五穀、蒲陶諸果，糞治園田。 地下濕，生稻，冬食生菜。 其民巧，雕文刻鏤，治宮室，織罽，刺文繡，好酒食。 有金、銀、銅、錫，以為器。 市列。 以金銀為錢，文為騎馬，幕為人面。 出封牛、水牛、象、大狗、沐猴、孔爵、珠璣、珊瑚、虜魄、璧流離。 它畜與諸國同。
Jibin's terrain was flat and mild, rich in alfalfa, mixed herbage, exotic timber, sandalwood, hardwoods, catalpa, bamboo, and lacquer trees. They cultivated cereals, grapes, and orchard crops and fertilized their gardens intensively. Low, humid soil supported rice, and even in winter people ate fresh greens. The inhabitants were artisans who carved and inlaid ornament, raised fine houses, wove wool tapestry, embroidered silk, and delighted in feasting. Gold, silver, copper, and tin were worked into household goods. Market stalls lined the streets. They minted gold and silver coins stamped with a horseman on the obverse and a human face on the reverse. Exports included zebu, water buffalo, elephants, mastiffs, macaques, peacocks, pearls, coral, amber, and faience beads. Other livestock resembled those of neighboring countries.
34
自武帝始通罽賓，自以絕遠，漢兵不能至，其王烏頭勞數剽殺漢使。 烏頭勞死，子代立，遣使奉獻。 漢使關都尉文忠送其使。 王復欲害忠，忠覺之，乃與容屈王子陰末赴共合謀，攻罽賓，殺其王，立陰末赴為罽賓王，授印綬。 後軍候趙德使罽賓，與陰末赴相失，陰末赴鎖琅當德，殺副已下七十餘人，遣使者上書謝。 孝元帝以絕域不錄，放其使者於縣度，絕而不通。
Contacts began under Emperor Wu, yet Jibin considered itself beyond Han reach; King Wutoulao repeatedly ambushed and murdered imperial envoys. When Wutoulao died his son succeeded and dispatched a mission with tribute. The Han court assigned Colonel of the Pass Wen Zhong to escort the returning embassy. The king plotted again to murder Zhong, but Zhong learned of it and conspired with Yinmofu, prince of Rongqu; they struck Jibin, slew the monarch, enthroned Yinmofu, and Han invested him with seal and cords. Later the army guide Zhao De visited Jibin and quarreled with Yinmofu, who chained him, slaughtered more than seventy men down to the deputy envoy, then sent a letter of apology. Emperor Yuan dismissed the affair because the realm seemed unreachable, turned the envoys back at the Suspended Crossing, and severed relations.
35
成帝時，復遣使獻謝罪，漢欲遣使者報送其使，杜欽說大將軍王鳳曰：「前罽賓王陰末赴本漢所立，後卒畔逆。 夫德莫大於有國子民，罪莫大於執殺使者，所以不報恩，不懼誅者，自知絕遠，兵不至也。 有求則卑辭，無慾則嬌嫚，終不可懷服。 凡中國所以通厚蠻夷，愜快其求者，為壤比而為寇也。 今縣度之厄，非罽賓所能越也。 其鄉慕，不足以安西域，雖不附，不能危城郭。 前親逆節，惡暴西城，故絕而不通； 今悔過來，而無親屬貴人，奉獻者皆行賈賤人，欲通貨市買，以獻為名，故煩使者送至縣度，恐失實見欺。 凡遣使送客者，欲為防護寇害也。 起皮山南，更不屬漢之國四五，斥候士百餘人，五分夜擊刀斗自守，尚時為所侵盜。 驢畜負糧，須諸國稟食，得以自贍。 國或貧小不能食，或桀黠不肯給，擁強漢之節，餒山谷之間，乞匄無所得，離一二旬則人畜棄捐曠野而不反。 又歷大頭痛、小頭痛之山，赤土、身熱之阪，令人身熱無色，頭痛嘔吐，驢畜盡然。 又有三池、盤石阪，道狹者尺六七寸，長者徑三十里。 臨崢嶸不測之深，行者騎步相持，繩索相引，二千餘裡乃到縣度。 畜隊，未半坑谷盡靡碎； 人墮，勢不得相收視。 險阻危害，不可勝言。 聖王分九州，制五服，務盛內，不求外。 今遣使者承至尊之命，送蠻夷之賈，勞吏士之眾，涉危難之路，罷弊所恃以事無用，非久長計也。 使者業已受節，可至皮山而還。 」於是鳳白從欽言。 罽賓實利賞賜賈市，其使數年而一至雲。
During Emperor Cheng's reign Jibin again sent envoys with gifts and contrition. When Han proposed escorting them home, Du Qin urged Grand General Wang Feng: "The last king of Jibin, Yinmofu, owed his throne to Han, yet he ultimately turned traitor. No virtue surpasses ruling a state and caring for its people; no crime surpasses murdering ambassadors. They feel no gratitude and no fear of punishment because they know themselves impossibly distant and beyond Han's armies. They crawl when they want something and sneer when they do not; they will never be won by kindness. The Central States indulge frontier peoples chiefly when those peoples neighbor Han territory and might raid if refused. The lethal terrain of the Suspended Crossing lies wholly beyond Jibin's ability to cross toward us. Their professions of admiration cannot stabilize the Western Regions, yet withholding tribute cannot threaten our walled cities. They once betrayed their duty and terrorized the western frontier, so relations were severed; Now they profess repentance, yet no nobles or royal kin accompany them; everyone bearing gifts is a petty pedlar seeking trade under cover of tribute. Having envoys escort them clear to the Suspended Crossing courts deception and misjudgment. Envoys escort foreign parties precisely to shield them from robbery and attack. South of Pishan lie four or five polities no longer under Han. Even when more than a hundred scouts split the night watches and strike signal-clappers to hold their ground, raiders still strike. Pack donkeys haul grain, yet columns must beg provisions from each state along the way or starve. Some realms are too poor to feed them; others defy Han credentials and refuse grain. Envoys clutch imperial batons yet waste away in the hills, begging in vain; within a fortnight men and beasts lie rotting on the desert and never come home. Beyond lie the Great and Little Headache ranges and the Red-Earth and Fever slopes, where travelers burn with fever, turn ash-gray, and retch with splitting headaches; beasts suffer the same. There are also the Three Pools and the Coiled-Stone defiles, where the track shrinks to sixteen or seventeen inches yet stretches thirty li without widening. Sheer cliffs drop into depths no one can measure; riders and walkers brace one another and rope themselves together for more than two thousand li before they reach the Crossing. When animals slip, long before the midpoint the gorges are strewn with shattered carcasses; when men tumble, no one can halt to recover the fallen. The dangers along that road beggar description. The sage kings carved out the Nine Provinces, drew the Five Domains, labored to enrich the interior, and did not chase gains beyond the frontier. Today we would waste imperial envoys escorting barbarian traders, tire hosts of officers over lethal passes, and squander the very strengths we depend on for nothing lasting. The envoy already holds his credentials; let him escort them only as far as Pishan and turn back. Wang Feng reported Du Qin's opinion to the throne and adopted it. Jibin cares chiefly for Han stipends and market profit; envoys show up only once every few years, or so it is said.
36
烏弋山離國，王去長安萬二千二百里。 不屬都護。 戶口勝兵，大國也。 東北至都護治所六十日行，東與罽賓、北與撲挑、西與犁靬、條支接。
The kingdom of Alexandria Prophthasia lay twelve thousand two hundred li from Chang'an. It stood outside the Protector-General's jurisdiction. Its households, population, and army were large—a major power. Sixty days' march northeast of the Protector-General's seat, it bordered Jibin on the east, Puda on the north, and Roman Syria and Tiaozhi on the west.
37
行可百餘日，乃至條支。 國臨西海，暑濕，田稻。 有大鳥，卵如甕。 人眾甚多，往往有小君長，安息役屬之，以為外國。 善眩。 安息長老傳聞條支有弱水、西王母，亦未嘗見也。 自條支乘水西行，可百餘日，近日所入雲。
Some hundred days of travel bring one to Tiaozhi. The realm fronts the western sea; heat and humidity breed wet-field rice. Giant birds nest there with eggs as large as urns. The population is dense and petty chiefs abound; Parthia holds them in tributary service as an outer dependency. Its people excel at conjury and illusion. Parthian elders repeat rumors that Tiaozhi holds the Weak River and the Queen Mother of the West, yet none has seen them. From Tiaozhi one can sail westward another hundred days toward where the sun is said to set.
38
烏戈地暑熱莽平，其草木、畜產、五穀、果菜、食飲、宮室、市列、錢貨、兵器、金珠之屬皆與罽賓同，而有桃拔、師子、犀子。 俗重妄殺。 其錢獨文為人頭，幕為騎馬。 以金銀飾杖。 絕遠，漢使希至。 自玉門、陽關出南道，歷鄯善而南行，至烏弋山離，南道極矣。 轉北而東得安息。
Wugo's basin is torrid and flat; flora, fauna, grains, produce, diet, architecture, markets, coinage, arms, and gems match Jibin's, but it also yields taoba beasts, lions, and rhinoceroses. Their laws treat arbitrary killing with exceptional severity. Their silver coins alone show a human head while the reverse bears a horseman. Official staves are inlaid with gold and silver. So remote that Han embassies seldom reach it. From Yumen and Yang Pass the southern road runs through Shanshan southward to Alexandria Prophthasia—the southern route's terminus. Turn north and then eastward to reach Parthia.
39
安息國，王治番兜城，去長安萬一千六百里。 不屬都護。 北與康居、東與烏弋山離、西與條支接。 土地風氣，物類所有，民俗與烏弋、罽賓同。 亦以銀為錢，文獨為王面，幕為夫人面。 王死輒更鑄錢。 有大馬爵。 其屬小大數百城，地方數千裡，最大國也。 臨媯水，商賈車船行旁國。 書草，旁行為書記。
Parthia ruled from Fandou, eleven thousand six hundred li from Chang'an. It lay beyond the Protector-General's authority. Kangju bordered it on the north, Alexandria Prophthasia on the east, and Tiaozhi on the west. Terrain, climate, products, and customs resemble those of Wugo and Jibin. Silver coinage shows the king's portrait alone on the face and the queen on the reverse. Whenever a king dies the realm remints its money. Great ostriches stride the plain. Its dependency towns number in the hundreds across thousands of li—the greatest realm of the west. It straddles the Oxus, where merchants sail and caravan to surrounding kingdoms. They draft records in a flowing hand and run lines sideways across the sheet.
40
武帝始遣使至安息，王令將將二萬騎迎於東界。 東界去王都數千里，行比至，過數十城，人民相屬。 因發使隨漢使者來觀漢地，以大鳥卵及犁靬眩人獻於漢，天子大悅。 安息東則大月氏。
When Emperor Wu first sent envoys to Parthia, the king ordered a commander to meet them at the eastern frontier with twenty thousand horsemen. That border lay thousands of li from the capital; the ride in passed dozens of cities with continuous settlement. Parthia then sent escorts back with the Han mission to tour the interior, presenting giant ostrich eggs and Syrian illusionists; the emperor was delighted. East of Parthia lies the Great Yuezhi.
41
大月氏國，治監氏城，去長安萬一千六百里。 不屬都護。 戶十萬，口四十萬，勝兵十萬人。 東至都護治所四千七百四十里，西至安息四十九日行，南與罽賓接。 土地風氣，物類所有，民俗錢貨，與安息同。 出一封橐駝。
The Great Yuezhi ruled from Jianshi, eleven thousand six hundred li from Chang'an. It stood outside Han's Protector-General system. It fielded 100,000 households, 400,000 people, and 100,000 soldiers. It lay 4,740 li west of the Protector-General's seat, forty-nine days from Parthia to the west, and bordered Jibin on the south. Soil, climate, produce, customs, and currency resemble Parthia's. It exports single-humped Bactrian camels.
42
大月氏本行國也，隨畜移徙，與匈奴同俗。 控弦十餘萬，故強輕匈奴。 本居敦煌、祁連間，至昌頓單于攻破月氏，而老上單于殺月氏，以其頭為飲器，月氏乃遠去，過大宛，西擊大夏而臣之，都媯水北為王庭。 其餘小眾不能去者，保南山羌，號小月氏。
The Great Yuezhi began as nomads who followed their herds like the Xiongnu. More than a hundred thousand archers made them powerful enough to look down on the Xiongnu. They once ranged between Dunhuang and the Qilian until Modun Chanyu shattered them and Laoshang Chanyu slew their king and fashioned his skull into a cup. The Yuezhi then fled far west beyond Dayuan, conquered Daxia, and built a royal camp north of the Oxus. Smaller bands unable to flee sheltered among the Southern Mountain Qiang and were called the Lesser Yuezhi.
43
大夏本無大君長，城邑往往置小長，民弱畏戰，故月氏徙來，皆臣畜之，共稟漢使者。 有五翕侯：一曰休密翕侯，治和墨城，去都護二千八百四十一里，去陽關七千八百二里； 二曰雙靡翕侯，治雙靡城，去都護三千七百四十一里，去陽關七千七百八十二里； 三曰貴霜翕侯，治護澡城，去都護五千九百四十里，去陽關七千九百八十二里，四曰肸頓翕侯，治薄茅城，去都護五千九百六十二里，去陽關八千二百二里； 五曰離附翕侯，治高附城，去都護六千四十一里，去陽關九千二百八十三里。 凡五翕侯，皆屬大月氏。
Daxia once had no paramount ruler—only petty town heads—and the people were timid in war. When the Yuezhi arrived they herded them like clients, yet together they provisioned Han envoys. Five vassal princes served the Yuezhi: first, the Xiumi prince at Hemo—2,841 li from the Protector-General and 7,802 li from Yang Pass; second, the Shuangmi prince at Shuangmi—3,741 li from the Protector-General and 7,782 li from Yang Pass; third, the Guishuang prince at Huzao—5,940 li from the Protector-General and 7,982 li from Yang Pass; fourth, the Xidun prince at Bomao—5,962 li from the Protector-General and 8,202 li from Yang Pass; fifth, the Lifu prince at Gaofu—6,041 li from the Protector-General and 9,283 li from Yang Pass. All five princes answered to the Great Yuezhi court.
44
康居國，王冬治樂越匿地。 到卑闐城。 去長安萬二千三百里。 不屬都護。 至越匿地馬行七日，至王夏所居蕃內九千一百四里。 戶十二萬，口六十萬，勝兵十二萬人。 東至都護治所五千五百五十里。 與大月氏同俗。 東羈事匈奴。
The king of Kangju winters in the district of Leyueyi. That seat reaches Beitian. It lies twelve thousand three hundred li from Chang'an. Han's Protector-General did not govern it. Seven days by horse from Yueyi brings one to the king's summer residence inside the inner marches, 9,104 li distant. The realm counted 120,000 households, 600,000 people, and 120,000 soldiers. It stood 5,550 li west of the Protector-General's headquarters. Its customs matched those of the Great Yuezhi. To the east it remained tethered in service to the Xiongnu.
45
宣帝時，匈奴乖亂，五單于並爭，漢擁立呼韓邪單于，而郅支單于怨望，殺漢使者，西阻康居。 其後都護甘延壽、副校尉陳湯發戊己校尉西域諸國兵至康居，誅滅郅支單于，語在《甘延壽、陳湯傳》。 是歲，元帝建昭三年也。
Under Emperor Xuandi the Xiongnu fractured into five rival Chanyus. Han enthroned Huhanye, while Zhizhi murdered Han envoys in resentment and fled west to shelter with Kangju. Later Protector-General Gan Yanshou and Deputy Colonel Chen Tang mobilized the Wuji colonel and western allies against Kangju and destroyed Zhizhi; the story is told in "Traditions of Gan Yanshou and Chen Tang". That was the third year of Jianzhao under Emperor Yuan.
46
至成帝時，康居遣子侍漢，貢獻，然自以絕遠，獨驕嫚，不肯與諸國相望。 都護郭舜數上言：「本匈奴盛時，非以兼有烏孫、康居故也； 及其稱臣妾，非以失二國也。 漢雖皆受其質子，然三國內相輸遺，交通如故，亦相候司，見便則發； 合不能相親信，離不能相臣役。 以今言之，結配烏孫竟未有益，反為中國生事。 然烏孫既結在前，今與匈奴俱稱臣，義不可距。 而康居驕黠，訖不肯拜使者。 都護吏至其國，坐之烏孫諸使下，王及貴人先飲食已，乃飲啖都護吏，故為無所省以誇旁國。 以此度之，何故遣子入侍？ 其欲賈市為好，辭之詐也。 匈奴百蠻大國，今事漢其備，聞康居不拜，且使單于有自下之意，宜歸其侍子，絕勿復使，以章漢家不通無禮之國。 敦煌、酒泉小郡及南道八國，給使者往來人、馬、驢、橐駝食，皆苦之。 空罷耗所過，送迎驕黠絕遠之國，非至計也。 」漢為其新通，重致遠人。 終羈縻而未絕。
Under Emperor Cheng Kangju sent a prince as hostage and offered tribute, yet deemed itself beyond reach and alone refused to treat other states as peers. Protector-General Guo Shun argued repeatedly: At the height of Xiongnu power they did not owe their strength to holding both Wusun and Kangju; and when they submitted as vassals it was not because they had forfeited those two realms. Han may hold hostages from all three, yet they still smuggle gifts, traffic as before, spy on one another, and strike whenever advantage appears; united they never trust one another, divided they cannot subjugate each other. Judged by present facts, the marriage league with Wusun has brought no gain and only stirs trouble for the interior. Yet Wusun was tied to us first, and now both it and the Xiongnu style themselves vassals—decency forbids turning them away. Kangju remains arrogant and sly and still refuses to bow to Han envoys. When Protector-General officers arrive they are seated beneath Wusun embassies while the king and nobles dine first and only then feed Han clerks—deliberate insult to impress neighbors. Measured thus, why send a prince as hostage? They crave commerce masked as friendship—that plea is a lie. The Xiongnu head the barbarian league and now observe full courtesy toward Han. If they hear Kangju refuses to bow, the Chanyu may think he too can ease his deference. Return Kangju's hostage, halt embassies, and show that Han breaks with states that scorn ritual. Dunhuang, Jiuquan, and the eight southern-route states strain to provision every envoy's men, mounts, donkeys, and camels. Emptying the frontier to pamper arrogant realms beyond reach is no wise policy. Even so, Han prized newcomers from afar and indulged them. Ties stayed slack but never quite snapped.
47
其康居西北可二千里，有奄蔡國。 控弦者十餘萬人。 與康居同俗。 臨大澤，無崖，蓋北海雲。
Some two thousand li northwest of Kangju lies Yancai. More than a hundred thousand warriors draw the bow there. Their customs mirror Kangju's. It fronts a shoreless inland sea said to be the Northern Ocean.
48
康居有小王五：一曰蘇薤王，治蘇薤城，去都護五千七百七十六里，去陽關八千二十五里； 二曰附墨王，治附墨城，去都護五千七百六十七里，去陽關八千二十五里； 三曰窳匿王，治窳匿城，去都護五千二百六十六里，去陽關七千五百二十五里； 四曰罽王，治罽城，去都護六千二百九十六里，去陽關八千五百五十五里； 五曰奧鞬王，治奧鞬城，去都護六千九百六里，去陽關八千三百五十五里。 凡五王，屬康居。
Kangju maintains five junior kings: first, the lord of Suxie at Suxie—5,776 li from the Protector-General and 8,025 li from Yang Pass; second, the lord of Fumo at Fumo—5,767 li from the Protector-General and 8,025 li from Yang Pass; third, the lord of Yuni at Yuni—5,266 li from the Protector-General and 7,525 li from Yang Pass; fourth, the lord of Ji at Ji—6,296 li from the Protector-General and 8,555 li from Yang Pass; fifth, the lord of Aojian at Aojian—6,906 li from the Protector-General and 8,355 li from Yang Pass. These five lords all answered to Kangju.
49
大宛國，王治貴山城，去長安萬二千五百五十里。 戶六萬，口三十萬，勝兵六萬人。 副王、輔國王各一人。 東至都護治所四千三十一里，北至康居卑闐城千五百一十里，西南至大月氏六百九十里。 北與康居、南與大月氏接，土地風氣物類民俗與大月氏、安息同。 大宛左右以蒲陶為酒，富人藏酒至萬餘石，久者至數十歲不敗。 俗耆酒，馬耆目宿。
The kingdom of Ferghana ruled from Guishan, twelve thousand five hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It counted 60,000 households, 300,000 people, and 60,000 soldiers. There were one deputy king and one king who aided the realm. It lay 4,031 li west of the Protector-General's headquarters, 1,510 li south of Kangju's Beitian, and 690 li northeast of the Great Yuezhi. Kangju bordered it on the north and the Great Yuezhi on the south; terrain, climate, products, and customs matched those of the Yuezhi and Parthia. The Ferghana valley fermented wine from grapes; wealthy households cellared more than ten thousand shi, and the oldest vintages kept for decades without turning. The people love their wine and their horses love alfalfa pasture.
50
宛別邑七十餘城，多善馬。 馬汗血，言其先天馬子也。
More than seventy satellite towns bred excellent horses. The famed blood-sweating horses were said to descend from celestial stock.
51
張騫始為武帝言之，上遣使者持千金及金馬，以請宛善馬。 宛王以漢絕遠，大兵不能至，愛其寶馬不肯與。 漢使妄言，宛遂攻殺漢使，取其財物。 於是天子遣貳師將軍李廣利將兵前後十餘萬人伐宛，連四年。 宛人斬其王毋寡首，獻馬三千匹，漢軍乃還，語在《張騫傳》。 貳師既斬宛王，更立貴人素遇漢善者名昧蔡為宛王。 後歲餘，宛貴人以為「昧蔡諂，使我國遇屠」，相與共殺昧蔡，立毋寡弟蟬封為王，遣子入侍，質於漢，漢因使使賂賜鎮撫之。 又發使十餘輩，抵宛西諸國求奇物，因風諭以伐宛之威。 宛王蟬封與漢約，歲獻天馬二匹。 漢使采蒲陶、目宿種歸。 天子以天馬多，又外國使來眾，益種蒲陶、目宿離宮館旁，極望焉。
Zhang Qian first told Emperor Wu of them; the throne then sent envoys with a fortune in gold and a golden horse to buy Ferghana's best mounts. The king reckoned Han too distant for a major expedition and refused to part with his prized horses. Provoked by sharp words from the Han mission, Ferghana attacked, slew the envoys, and seized their goods. The emperor therefore ordered General Ershi Li Guangli west with well over a hundred thousand men in a campaign that dragged on four years. The Ferghana elite slew King Mugua and sent three thousand horses; only then did the Han army withdraw; the account is in "Traditions of Zhang Qian". After Ershi executed the king he enthroned the noble Meicai, who had long dealt kindly with Han. More than a year later the Ferghana elite charged that Meicai had truckled to Han and "brought slaughter on our land"; they assassinated him and raised Mugua's brother Chanfeng, dispatching a prince as hostage while Han sent gifts to steady the new regime. Han also sent a dozen missions west of Ferghana for curiosities and to advertise the power that had crushed the valley. King Chanfeng pledged two heavenly horses in annual tribute. Han agents collected vine cuttings and alfalfa seed for the trip home. With heavenly horses abundant and foreign embassies thronging the capital, the court planted grapes and alfalfa around the suburban lodges until they stretched to the horizon.
52
自宛以西至安息國，雖頗異言，然大同，自相曉知也。 其人皆深目，多鬚髯。 善賈市，爭分銖。 貴女子，女子所言，丈夫乃決正。 其地無絲漆，不知鑄鐵器。 及漢使亡卒降，教鑄作它兵器。 得漢黃白金，輒以為器，不用為幣。
From Ferghana west to Parthia the tongues differ somewhat yet remain mutually intelligible. The inhabitants are deep-eyed and heavily bearded. They are sharp traders who haggle over the smallest copper. Women are honored: only after a wife speaks may husbands settle a dispute. The region produced neither silk nor lacquer and once knew nothing of iron casting. Deserters from Han missions taught them to forge other kinds of arms. Whenever they acquired Han gold or silver they worked it into vessels rather than coin.
53
自烏孫以西至安息，近匈奴。 匈奴嘗困月氏，故匈奴使持單于一信到國，國傳送食，不敢留苦。 及至漢使，非出幣物不得食，不市畜不得騎，所以然者，以遠漢，而漢多財物，故必市乃得所欲。 及呼韓邪單于朝漢，後鹹尊漢矣。
West of Wusun through Parthia the steppe presses close to the Xiongnu. Because the Xiongnu had broken the Yuezhi, any envoy bearing the Chanyu's token was relay-fed through every state and never hindered. Han envoys had to pay for food and buy mounts; distant though Han was, its wealth was legendary, so locals insisted on trade before granting anything. Once Huhanye Chanyu attended the Han court, every western state learned to honor Han.
54
桃槐國，王去長安萬一千八十里。 戶七百，口五千，勝兵千人。
Taohuai's royal seat stood eleven thousand eighty li from Chang'an. It recorded 700 households, 5,000 people, and 1,000 troops.
55
休循國，王治鳥飛谷，在蔥嶺西，去長安萬二百一十里。 戶三百五十八，口千三十，勝兵四百八十人。 東至都護治所三千一百二十一里，至捐毒衍敦谷二百六十裡，西北至大宛國九百二十里，西至大月氏千六百一十里。 民俗衣服類烏孫，因畜隨水草，本故塞種也。
Xiuxun ruled Bird-Flight Valley west of the Pamirs, ten thousand two hundred ten li from Chang'an. It had 358 households, 1,030 inhabitants, and 480 soldiers. It lay 3,121 li west of the Protector-General, 260 li from Juandu's Yandun Valley, 920 li southeast of Ferghana, and 1,610 li east of the Great Yuezhi. Dress and custom resemble Wusun's pastoral ways along seasonal pastures—they stem from the Sai peoples.
56
捐毒國，王治衍敦谷，去長安九千八百六十里。 戶三百八十，口千一百，勝兵五百人。 東至都護治所二千八百六十一里。 至疏勒。 南與蔥嶺屬，無人民。 西上蔥領，則休循也。 西北至大宛千三十里，北與烏孫接。 衣服類烏孫，隨水草，依蔥領，本塞種也。
Juandu ruled Yandun Valley, nine thousand eight hundred sixty li from Chang'an. It counted 380 households, 1,100 people, and 500 warriors. The Protector-General's headquarters lay 2,861 li to the east. That route reaches Shule. To the south it joins the Pamir wastes where no one dwells. Westward up the Pamir ridge lies Xiuxun. Ferghana is 1,030 li to the northwest and Wusun borders the north. Dress follows Wusun; herders roam the Pamir pastures—they too are Sai stock.
57
莎車國，王治莎車城，去長安九千九百五十里。 戶二千三百三十九，口萬六千三百七十三，勝兵三千四十九人。 輔國侯、左右將、左右騎君、備西夜君各一人，都尉二人，譯長四人。 東北至都護治所四千七百四十六里，西至疏勒五百六十里，西南至蒲犁七百四十里。 有鐵山，出青玉。
The kingdom of Shache ruled from its namesake capital, nine thousand nine hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It comprised 2,339 households, 16,373 people, and 3,049 troops. Officials included one state-supporting marquis, one general and one cavalry chief on each flank, one minister for Xiye, two commandants, and four chief interpreters. It stood 4,746 li northeast of the Protector-General's seat, 560 li east of Shule, and 740 li northeast of Puli. Iron Mountain yields green jade.
58
疏勒國，王治疏勒城，去長安九千三百五十里。 戶千五百一十，口萬八千六百四十七，勝兵二千人。 疏勒侯、擊胡侯、輔國侯、都尉、左右將、左右騎君、左右譯長各一人。 東至都護治所二千二百一十里，南至莎車五百六十里。 有市列，西當大月氏、大宛、康居道也。
Shule ruled from its capital, nine thousand three hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It recorded 1,510 households, 18,647 inhabitants, and 2,000 soldiers. Its roster listed marquises of Shule, of striking the Hu, and of aiding the state, one commandant, paired generals and cavalry chiefs, and paired chief interpreters. The Protector-General lay 2,210 li to the east and Shache 560 li to the south. Busy markets line the highway west toward the Yuezhi, Ferghana, and Kangju.
59
尉頭國，王治尉頭谷，去長安八千六百五十里。 戶三百，口二千三百，勝兵八百人。 左右都尉各一人，左右騎君各一人。 東至都護治所千四百一十一里，南與疏勒接，山道不通，西至捐毒千三百一十四里，逕道馬行二日。 田畜隨水草，衣服類烏孫。
Weitou ruled Weitou Valley, eight thousand six hundred fifty li from Chang'an. It had 300 households, 2,300 people, and 800 warriors. There were one commandant and one cavalry chief on each flank. It lay 1,411 li west of the Protector-General; mountains block the road south to Shule, while a direct trail reaches Juandu in two days' ride. Farmers and herders follow the pastures; dress matches Wusun.