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註：章節乃維基文庫編輯後加，以方便索引。
Editor's note: Section headings were supplied by Wikisource editors to make the text easier to navigate.
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13高附國
Section 13: The kingdom of Gaofu.
3
武帝時，西域內屬，有三十六國。 漢為置使者、校尉領護之。 宣帝改曰都護，元帝又置戊己二校尉，屯田於車師前王庭。 哀平間，自相分割為五十五國。 王莽篡位，貶易侯王，由是西域怨叛，與中國遂絕，並復役屬匈奴。 匈奴斂稅重刻，諸國不堪命，建武中，皆遣使求內屬，願請都護。 光武以天下初定，未遑外事，竟不許之。 會匈奴衰弱，莎車王賢誅滅諸國，賢死之後，遂更相攻伐。 小宛、精絕、戎廬、且末為鄯善所併。 渠勒、皮山為於窴所統，悉有其地。 郁立、單桓、孤胡、烏貪訾離為車師所滅。 後其國並復立。
Under Emperor Wu the Western Regions submitted to Han and comprised thirty-six polities. The Han court appointed imperial envoys and colonels to supervise and defend them. Emperor Xuan renamed the office Protector-General of the Western Regions; Emperor Yuan added two Gengji colonels with garrison farms at the seat of the king of Front Cheshi. During the reigns of Emperors Ai and Ping the region splintered into fifty-five states. When Wang Mang seized power and demoted or reshuffled the oasis rulers, the Western Regions turned against Han; ties with the interior were severed, and the oases again fell under Xiongnu control. The Xiongnu taxed them mercilessly until the kingdoms could endure no more. In the Jianwu period they sent missions one after another asking to enter Han protection and receive a Protector-General. Emperor Guangwu, with the empire barely settled, had no capacity for the frontier and ultimately refused. As the Xiongnu declined, Xian of Shache (Yarkand) conquered neighboring states; after his death the Tarim dissolved into endless warfare. Xiaoyuan, Jingjue, Ronglu, and Qiemo were absorbed by Shanshan (Loulan). Qule and Pishan fell under Khotan (Yutian), which took their lands in full. Yuli, Danhuan, Guhu, and Wuzilizi were extinguished by Cheshi. Later each of these polities was restored.
4
九年，班超遣掾甘英窮臨西海而還。 皆前世所不至，《山經》所未詳，莫不備其風土，傳其珍怪焉。 於是遠國蒙奇、兜勒皆來歸服，遣使貢獻。
In the ninth year of his western campaign Ban Chao dispatched Gan Ying to explore westward to the Mediterranean before turning back. Regions no earlier envoy had reached and the Shan hai jing barely mentions—every land had its customs catalogued and its wonders committed to writing. Thereafter distant realms such as Mengqi and Doule presented themselves as tributaries and forwarded missions to court.
5
延光二年，敦煌太守張璫上書陳三策，以為「北虜呼衍王常展轉蒲類、秦海之间，專制西域，共為寇鈔。 今以酒泉屬國吏士二千餘人集昆侖塞，先擊呼衍王，絕其根本，因發鄯善兵五千人脅車師後部，此上計也。 若不能出兵，可置軍司馬，將士五百人，四郡供其犂牛、穀食，出據柳中，此中計也。 如又不能，則宜棄交河城，收鄯善等悉使入塞，此下計也。」 朝廷下其議。 尚書陳忠上疏曰：
In Yanguang 2 (123 CE) Zhang Dan, governor of Dunhuang, laid out three options: "the Xiongnu King Huyan was roaming between Barkol and the steppe sea, dominating the Tarim and joining raids on the frontier. The best course: mass over two thousand men from the Jiuquan dependent state at Kunlun Pass, strike Huyan first to destroy his base, then bring five thousand Shanshan troops to bear on Rear Cheshi. If that is impossible, appoint a military official with five hundred men, provisions from the four western commanderies, and hold Liuzhong—the middle option. Failing that, abandon Jiaohe and withdraw Shanshan and allied states behind the wall—the least desirable plan." The court circulated Zhang's memorial for debate. Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Chen Zhong replied with a memorial:
6
臣聞八蛮之寇，莫甚北虜。 汉兴，高祖窘平城之圍，太宗屈供奉之恥。 故孝武愤怒，深惟久長之計，命遣虎臣，浮河絕漠，窮破虜庭。 当斯之役，黔首陨于狼望之北，財币縻于盧山之壑，府库单竭，杼柚空虚，算至舟車，赀及六畜。 夫岂不懷，虑久故也。 遂开河西四郡，以隔絕南羌，收三十六國，断匈奴右臂。 是以单于孤特，鼠窜遠藏。 至于宣、元之世，遂備蕃臣，關徼不閉，羽檄不行。 由此察之，戎狄可以威服，難以化狎。 西域内附日久，区区東望扣關者數矣，此其不乐匈奴慕汉之效也。 今北虜已破車師，势必南攻鄯善，棄而不救，則諸國从矣。 若然，則虜財贿益增，胆势益殖，威臨南羌，與之交連。 如此，河西四郡危矣。 河西既危，不得不救，則百倍之役兴，不訾之费發矣。 議者但念西域絕遠，恤之烦费，不见先世苦心勤劳之意也。 方今邊境守御之具不精，内郡武卫之備不修，敦煌孤危，遠來告急。 復不辅助。 内无以慰劳吏民，外无以威示百蛮。 蹙國减土，經有明诫。 臣以為敦煌宜置校尉，案旧增四郡屯兵，以西撫諸國。 庶足折冲萬里，震怖匈奴。
I have heard that of all the frontier threats, none matches the northern nomads. At the founding of Han, Gaozu was trapped at Pingcheng; Wen Di endured the humiliation of buying peace with gifts. So Emperor Wu, resolved on a lasting strategy, sent his best generals across the Yellow River and deep into the desert until the Xiongnu court itself was shattered. That war cost countless lives beyond the steppe, drained the treasury into mountain gorges, emptied granaries and workshops, and taxed everything from carts and boats down to livestock. It was not bloodlust—it was the knowledge that short-term pain could buy lasting peace. Thus he carved out the four Hexi commanderies to wall off the Qiang, drew thirty-six oasis states into the orbit of Han, and cut off the Xiongnu's western flank. The Chanyu was isolated and driven to skulk at the edges of the steppe like a cornered rat. By the reigns of Xuandi and Yuandi the Xiongnu had become tributary neighbors; frontier gates stayed open and alarm arrows ceased to fly. The lesson is plain: steppe peoples yield to strength, not to gentle persuasion. The oases have leaned toward Han for generations; time and again they have hammered on the Jade Gate because they dread the Xiongnu and look to the empire for succor. The nomads have smashed Cheshi and will surely drive on Shanshan; if we stand aside, every kingdom along the southern route will follow their lead. They would grow rich on plunder, bolder by the day, and bring the southern Qiang into their orbit. At that point the four Hexi commanderies themselves would be in peril. Once Hexi is threatened we would have to pour in troops anyway—at vastly greater cost than steady frontier stewardship. Critics harp on distance and expense yet ignore why our forebears invested so heavily in the west. Our frontier garrisons are ill equipped, interior reserves are thin, and Dunhuang—already isolated—sends desperate pleas from afar. If we refuse aid again, we comfort neither our own officials nor the frontier peoples, and we show the border tribes that Han's authority is hollow. The classics are plain: yielding territory only invites ruin. I urge that we post a colonel at Dunhuang, reinforce the four western commanderies as in former times, and steady the oases from there. That alone can deter invasion from the horizon and keep the Xiongnu in fear.
7
帝納之，乃以班勇為西域長史，將驰刑士五百人，西屯柳中。 勇遂破平車師。 自建武至于延光，西域三絕三通。 顺帝永建二年，勇復擊降焉耆。 於是龜兹、疏勒、于胘、莎車等十七國皆來服从，而烏孙、葱嶺已西遂絕。 六年，帝以伊吾旧膏腴之地，傍近西域，匈奴资之，以為鈔暴，復令开設屯田，如永元時事，置伊吾司馬一人。 自陽嘉以後，朝威稍损，諸國骄放，轉相陵伐。 元嘉二年，長史王敬為于窴所沒。 永兴元年，車師後王復反攻屯營。 虽有降首，曾莫惩革，自此浸以疏慢矣。 班固記諸國風土人俗，皆已詳備《前書》。 今撰建武以後其事異于先者，以為《西域傳》，皆安帝末班勇所記云。
The emperor approved: Ban Yong became Chief Clerk of the Western Regions with five hundred penal troops and a base at Liuzhong. Ban Yong then crushed Cheshi and restored order. Between the Jianwu and Yanguang eras Han authority over the Tarim rose and fell three times. In Yongjian 2 (127 CE) of Emperor Shun, Ban Yong forced Yanqi (Karashahr) to surrender. Kucha, Kashgar, Khotan, Yarkand, and twelve other states renewed their allegiance, though ties with Wusun and everything beyond the Pamirs lapsed. That same year the court reopened the garrison farms at Yiwu—rich soil that the Xiongnu had used as a staging ground—mirroring the Yongyuan settlement and posting a single Yiwu major. After the Yangjia era (132–135 CE) imperial prestige faded; oasis kings grew arrogant and preyed on each other. In Yuanjia 2 (152 CE) Chief Clerk Wang Jing was captured by Khotan. In Yongxing 1 (153 CE) the king of Rear Cheshi rebelled and struck the Han camp. Even when rulers pledged submission, nothing changed their behavior, and respect for Han steadily eroded. Ban Gu's Western Regions account in the Hanshu already covers local customs in full. Here we record only what changed after Guangwu's restoration, drawing on Ban Yong's notes from late in Emperor An's reign.
8
西域内屬諸國，東西六千餘里，南北千餘里，東極玉門、陽關，西至葱嶺。 其東北與匈奴、烏孙相接。 南北有大山，中央有河。 其南山東出金城，與汉南山屬焉。 其河有两源，一出葱嶺東流，一出于窴南山下北流，與葱嶺河合，東注蒲昌海。 蒲昌海一名盐泽，去玉門三百餘里。
The tributary states of the Western Regions stretch some six thousand li east to west and over a thousand li north to south—from Yumen and Yang Pass in the east to the Pamirs in the west. To the northeast they border the Xiongnu confederation and Wusun. Massifs wall the basin north and south; a river runs down the middle. The southern range reaches eastward into Jincheng commandery and joins the Qilian chain inside Han territory. The Tarim draws two headwaters—one eastward off the Pamirs, another north from the Kunlun south of Khotan—that merge and empty east into Lake Lop (Puchang). Puchang—also called the Salt Marsh—lies a little over three hundred li west of Yumen Pass.
9
自敦煌西出玉門、陽關，涉鄯善，北通伊吾千餘里，自伊吾北通車師前部高昌壁千二百里，自高昌壁北通後部金满城五百里。 此其西域之門户也，故戊己校尉更互屯焉。 伊吾地宜五谷、桑麻、蒲萄。 其北又有柳中，皆膏腴之地。 故汉常與匈奴争車師、伊吾，以制西域焉。
West from Dunhuang through Yumen and Yang Pass one crosses Shanshan and reaches Yiwu in over a thousand li; another twelve hundred li north from Yiwu lies the Gaochang garrison of Front Cheshi, and five hundred li beyond that lies Jincheng in Rear Cheshi. These passes are the funnel into the Tarim, which is why the Gengji colonels alternate postings there. Yiwu's soil supports grain, hemp, mulberry, and vineyards. Liuzhong to the north is equally rich farmland. Hence the perennial Han–Xiongnu struggle for Cheshi and Yiwu—whoever holds them commands the western oases.
10
自鄯善逾葱嶺出西諸國，有两道。 傍南山北，陂河西行至莎車，為南道。 南道西逾葱嶺，則出大月氏、安息之國也。 自車師前王庭随北山，陂河西行至疏勒，為北道。 北道西逾葱嶺，出大宛、康居、奄蔡焉。
West of Shanshan two roads cross the Pamirs into Transoxiana. The southern road hugs the northern foot of the Kunlun, follows the river west to Yarkand. West of the Pamirs it opens onto Greater Yuezhi and Parthia. The northern road leaves the king of Front Cheshi, tracks the southern slope of the Tianshan, and runs west to Kashgar. Beyond the Pamirs it reaches Ferghana, Kangju, and the Alans.
11
出玉門，經鄯善、且末、精絕三千餘里至拘彌。
From Yumen Pass through Shanshan, Qiemo, and Jingjue is more than three thousand li to Jumi.
12
拘彌國
The kingdom of Jumi.
13
拘彌國，居寧彌城，去長史所居柳中四千九百里，去洛陽萬二千八百里。 領户二千一百七十三，口七千二百五十一，胜兵千七百六十人。
Jumi had its capital at Ningmi—four thousand nine hundred li from the chief clerk's seat at Liuzhong and twelve thousand eight hundred li from Luoyang. It counted 2,173 households, 7,251 people, and 1,760 men under arms.
14
顺帝永建四年，于窴王放前杀拘彌王兴，自立其子為拘彌王，而遣使者貢獻于汉。 敦煌太守除由上求讨之，帝赦于窴罪，令歸拘彌國，放前不肯。 陽嘉元年，徐由遣疏勒王臣槃發二萬人擊于窴，破之，斩首數百级，放兵大掠，更立兴宗人成國為拘彌王而還。 至灵帝熹平四年，于窴王安國攻拘彌，大破之，杀其王，死者甚眾。 戊己校尉、西域長史各發兵辅立拘彌侍子定兴為王。 時人眾裁有千口。 其國西接于窴三百九十里。
In Yongjian 4 (129 CE) Fangqian of Khotan murdered Jumi's king Xing, installed his own son on the throne, and still sent tribute missions to Luoyang. Governor Chu You of Dunhuang asked permission to attack; the court forgave Khotan on condition it restore Jumi, but Fangqian refused. In Yangjia 1 (132 CE) Xu You had Kashgar's king Chenpan march twenty thousand men against Khotan, routed it, took hundreds of heads, let his troops sack the countryside, enthroned Xing's kinsman Chengguo in Jumi, and withdrew. In Xiping 4 (175 CE) Anguo of Khotan stormed Jumi, slew its king, and left great slaughter. The Gengji colonel and the chief clerk sent troops to install Dingxing—the hostage prince at court—as king of Jumi. The realm now numbered barely a thousand souls. Its western frontier lay three hundred ninety li from Khotan.
15
于窴國
The kingdom of Yutian (Khotan).
16
于窴國，居西城，去長史所居五千三百里，去洛陽萬一千七百里。 領户三萬二千，口八萬三千，胜兵三萬餘人。
Khotan's capital was Xicheng—5,300 li from the chief clerk's headquarters and 11,700 li from Luoyang. It mustered 32,000 households, 83,000 people, and more than 30,000 soldiers.
17
建武末，莎車王贤强盛，攻并于窴，徙其王俞林為骊歸王。 明帝永平中，于窴將休莫霸反莎車，自立為于窴王。 休莫霸死，兄子广德立，後遂灭莎車，其國轉盛。 从精絕西北至疏勒十三國皆服从。 而鄯善王亦始强盛。 自是南道目葱嶺以東，唯此二國為大。
Late in the Jianwu era Xian of Yarkand conquered Khotan and demoted King Yulin to the petty throne of Ligui. Under Emperor Ming's Yongping reign Khotan's general Xiumoba threw off Yarkand and crowned himself king. When Xiumoba died, his nephew Guangde took over, destroyed Yarkand, and built Khotan into the dominant power. From Jingjue northwest to Kashgar thirteen kingdoms acknowledged his authority. Shanshan's king grew strong at the same time. East of the Pamirs along the southern silk road only these two realms mattered.
18
自于窴經皮山，至西夜、子合、德若焉。
From Khotan the route runs through Pishan to Xiye, Zihe, and Deruo.
19
西夜國
The kingdom of Xiye.
20
西夜國，一名漂沙，去洛陽萬四千四百里。 户二千五百，口萬餘，胜兵三千人。 地生白草，有毒，國人煎以為药，傅箭镞，所中即死。 《汉書》中误云西夜、子合是一國，今各自有王。
Xiye—also called Piaosha—lay 14,400 li from Luoyang. It had 2,500 households, upward of 10,000 residents, and 3,000 troops. A toxic white grass grows there; locals boil it into a poison for arrowheads—a scratch means death. The Hanshu wrongly merged Xiye with Zihe; in fact each has its own ruler.
21
子合國
The kingdom of Zihe.
22
子合國，居呼鞬谷。 去疏勒千里。 領户三百五十，口四千，胜兵千人。
Zihe occupied the Hujian valley. It lies a thousand li from Kashgar. It had 350 households, 4,000 people, and 1,000 troops fit for service.
23
德若國
The kingdom of Deruo.
24
德若國，領户百餘，口六百七十，胜兵三百五十人。 東去長史居三千五百三十里，去洛陽萬二千一百五十里，與子合相接。 其俗皆同。
Deruo counted just over 100 households, 670 inhabitants, and 350 soldiers under arms. It was 3,530 li east of the chief clerk's headquarters, 12,150 li from Luoyang, and bordered Zihe. Their ways of life were identical.
25
烏弋山离國
The kingdom of Wuyi Shanli (Alexandria in Arachosia).
26
自皮山西南經烏秅，涉悬度，历罽宾，六十餘日行至烏弋山离國，地方數千里，時改名排持。
From Pishan one travels southwest through Wuna, crosses the perilous Hanging Pass, skirts Kashmir, and after more than sixty days reaches Wuyi Shanli—a realm thousands of li across, occasionally recorded under the alternate name Paichi.
27
復西南馬行百餘日至條支。
Another hundred days' ride southwest brings one to Tiaozhi.
28
條支國
The kingdom of Tiaozhi.
29
條支國城在山上，周回四十餘里。 臨西海，海水曲环其南及東北，三面路絕，唯西北隅通陆道。 土地暑湿，出師子、犀牛、封牛、孔雀、大雀。 大雀其卵如甕。
Tiaozhi's capital stood on a mountain ringed by more than forty li of walls. It fronts the western ocean; the sea wraps around the south and northeast so that three sides are inaccessible by land, leaving only a northwest passage. The climate is torrid and humid; the region yields lions, rhinos, zebu, peacocks, and giant ostriches. The ostriches lay eggs as large as wine jars.
30
轉北而東，復馬行六十餘日至安息。 後役屬條支，為置大將，臨領諸小城焉。
Bear north and eastward another sixty days on horseback and one reaches Parthia. Later it fell under Tiaozhi's sway; a senior commander was installed to administer its towns.
31
安息國
The kingdom of Parthia (Anxi).
32
安息國，居和椟城，去洛陽二萬五千里。 北與康居接，南與烏弋山离接。 地方數千里，小城數百，户口胜兵最為殷盛。 其東界木鹿城，号為小安息，去洛陽二萬里。
Parthia had its seat at Heducheng, 25,000 li from Luoyang. It bordered Kangju on the north and Wuyi Shanli on the south. Its territory ran thousands of li across hundreds of walled towns; population and military manpower were among the richest of the western lands. Its eastern march ended at Mulu, known as Lesser Parthia—20,000 li from Luoyang.
33
自安息西行三千四百里至阿蛮國。 从阿蛮西行三千六百里至斯宾國。 从斯宾南行度河，又西南至于罗國九百六十里，安息西界極矣。 自此南乘海，乃通大秦。 其土多海西珍奇異物焉。
Three thousand four hundred li west of Parthia lies Aman. Another 3,600 li west from Aman brings one to Sibin. South from Sibin one crosses a river, then southwest 960 li to Yuluo—Parthia's farthest western frontier. Southward by sea from that point one reaches Daqin. Those shores yield many curiosities from beyond the western ocean.
34
大秦國
The realm of Daqin (the Roman East).
35
大秦國，一名犁鞬，以在海西，亦云海西國。 地方數千里，有四百餘城。 小國役屬者數十。 以石為城郭。 列置邮亭，皆垩塈之。 有松柏諸木百草。 人俗力田作，多种树蚕桑。 皆髡头而衣文绣，乘輜軿白盖小車，出入擊鼓，建旌旗幡帜。
Daqin—also called Lijian—lies beyond the western sea and is therefore styled the Western Sea realm. Its domains stretch thousands of li and encompass more than four hundred cities. Several dozen lesser realms pay it tribute. Their city walls are built of stone. Postal relays line the roads, each station whitewashed. Pines, cypresses, and many other trees and herbs grow there. The people farm intensively and cultivate orchards and mulberry for silk. They shave their heads, wear brocade, ride light carriages under white parasols, announce coming and going with drums, and travel behind colored banners.
36
所居城邑，周圜百餘里。 城中有五宫，相去各十里。 宫室皆以水精為柱，食器亦然。 其王日游一宫，听事五日而後遍。 常使一人持囊随王車，人有言事者，即以書投囊中，王室宫發省，理其枉直。 各有官曹文書。 置三十六將，皆会議國事。 其王无有常人。 皆简立贤者。 國中灾異及風雨不時，辄废而更立，受放者甘黜不怨。 其人民皆長大平正，有類中國，故谓之大秦。
Their chief cities sprawl across well over a hundred li. The capital contains five palaces spaced ten li apart. Crystal columns adorn the halls, and even tableware is cut from the same stone. The king spends each night in a different palace and completes the circuit every fifth day. An attendant walks beside the royal carriage with a leather sack; petitioners drop written appeals inside, and later the palace clerks empty the bag and judge each case on its merits. Every bureau keeps its own archives. Thirty-six commanders meet in council to settle national policy. The throne does not pass by hereditary right alone. The worthiest candidate is chosen to rule. If calamity strikes or the rains fail, the ruler is deposed for another; the fallen sovereign accepts blame without complaint. The populace is tall and fair like the Chinese themselves—hence the name Daqin, “Great Qin.”
37
土多金银奇宝，有夜光璧、明月珠、骇鸡犀、珊瑚、虎魄、琉璃、琅玕、硃丹、青碧。 刺金缕绣，织成金缕罽、杂色绫。 作黄金涂、火浣市。 又有细布，或言水羊毳，野蚕茧所作也。 合会諸香，煎其汁以為蘇合。 凡外國諸珍異皆出焉。
The soil yields gold, silver, and rarities—phosphorescent jade, luminous pearls, patterned rhino horn, coral, amber, glass, langgan beads, cinnabar, and blue-green gems. Artisans stitch gold-thread embroidery and weave brocades, gold-shot felts, and polychrome silks. They gild ware in gold and weave asbestos cloth that survives flame. Their finest linen—said to be carded from “sea sheep” or spun from wild silkworm cocoons—is prized abroad. Perfumers blend resins into storax oil. Every exotic treasure known to the western trade originates there.
38
以金银為钱，银钱十当金钱一。 與安息、天竺交市于海中，利有十倍。 其人質直，市无二价。 谷食常贱，國用富饶。 邻國使到其界首者，乘驿詣王都，至則给以金钱。 其王常欲通使于汉，而安息欲以汉缯彩與之交市，故遮阂不得自达。 至桓帝延熹九年，大秦王安敦遣使自日南徼外獻象牙、犀角、玳瑁，始乃一通焉。 其所表貢，并无珍異，疑傳者过焉。
Gold and silver circulate as coinage at a ratio of one gold piece to ten silver. Maritime trade with Parthia and India returns tenfold profit. Merchants are scrupulous; goods have a single fair price. Grain stays cheap and the treasury overflows. Foreign envoys who reach the frontier are rushed by relay to the capital and presented with gold on arrival. Roman rulers longed to open direct ties with Han, but Parthia monopolized the silk trade and blocked every embassy. Not until Yanxi 9 of Emperor Huan (166 CE), when King Antoninus sent envoys from beyond Rinan with ivory, rhinoceros horn, and hawksbill shell, did an embassy finally reach Luoyang. The gifts were hardly worthy of Rome—later readers suspected the story had grown in the telling.
39
或云其國西有弱水、流沙，近西王母所居处，几于日所入也。 《汉書》云「从條支西行二百餘日，近日所入」，則與今書異矣。 前世汉使皆自烏弋以還，莫有至條支者也。 又云「从安息陆道绕海北行出海西至大秦，人庶連屬，十里一亭，三十里一置，终无盗贼寇警。 而道多猛虎、師子，遮害行旅，不百餘人赍兵器，辄為所食」。 又言「有飞桥數百里可度海北諸國」。 所生奇異玉石諸物，谲怪多不經，故不記云。
Some place Daqin west of the Weak River and shifting sands, near the mythic haunts of Xiwangmu at the sunset's edge. The Han Shu says, “From Tiaozhi west traveling over two hundred days, near where the sun enters”—then it differs from present texts. Earlier Han missions turned back east of Wuyi; none had seen Tiaozhi itself. Again it says, “From Anxi by land route circling the sea north proceeding out to sea west to Daqin, people and multitude connect continuously; ten li one pavilion, thirty li one station; in the end no robbers or bandit alarms. Yet tigers and lions wait along the road, and any party with fewer than a hundred armed men is devoured." Again it says, “There are flying bridges several hundred li that can cross to the various states north of the sea.” Such marvels read like fantasy and are omitted here.
40
大月氏國
The kingdom of the Greater Yuezhi.
41
大月氏國，居蓝氏城，西接安息，四十九日行，東去長史所居六千五百三十七里，去洛陽萬六千三百七十里。 户十萬，口四十萬，胜兵十餘萬人。
The Kushan court sat at Lanshi—forty-nine days west of Parthia, 6,537 li east of the chief clerk's headquarters, and 16,370 li from Luoyang. It registered 100,000 households, 400,000 people, and more than 100,000 soldiers under arms.
42
初，月氏為匈奴所滅，遂遷於大夏，分其國為休密、雙靡、貴霜、駙頓、都密，凡五部翕侯。 後百餘歲，貴霜翕侯丘就卻攻滅四翕侯，自立為王，國號貴霜。 侵安息，取高附地。 又滅濮達、罽賓，悉有其國。 丘就卻年八十餘死，子閻膏珍代為王。 復滅天竺，置將一人監領之。 月氏自此之後，最為富盛，諸國稱之，皆曰貴霜王。 漢本其故號，言大月氏云。
Driven from the steppe by the Xiongnu, the Yuezhi resettled in Bactria and split into five tribal confederations: Xiumi, Shuangmi, Guishuang, Fudun, and Dumi. A century later Qiujiuque of Guishuang crushed the other four chiefs, proclaimed himself king, and took Guishuang as his dynastic name. He invaded Parthia and seized the Gaofu region. He overran Puda and Kashmir and annexed both realms. Qiujiuque died in his eighties; his son Yangaozhen ascended the throne. He conquered northern India and stationed a resident general to govern it. The Yuezhi empire henceforth towered over the region; neighbors spoke only of the King of Guishuang. Chinese documents still use their ancient name and call them the Greater Yuezhi.
43
高附國
The kingdom of Gaofu.
44
高附國，在大月氏西南，亦大國也。 其俗似天竺，而弱，易服。 善贾贩，内富于財。 所屬无常，天竺、罽宾、安息三國强則得之，弱則失之，而未尝屬月氏。 《汉書》以為五翕侯數，非其实也。 後屬安息。 及月氏破安息，始得高附。
Gaofu lay southwest of the Yuezhi heartland and ranked as a major power. Its culture resembles India's, yet the realm is weak and quick to submit. Its merchants thrive and the kingdom is wealthy. It changed hands with whichever of India, Kashmir, or Parthia held the upper hand; it had never been a stable dependency of the Yuezhi. The Hanshu wrongly listed Gaofu among the five yabghus. It later fell under Parthia. Only after the Yuezhi shattered Parthia did they secure Gaofu.
45
天竺國
The realm of Tianzhu (India).
46
天竺國，一名身毒，在月氏之東南數千里。 俗與月氏同，而卑湿暑热。 其國臨大水。 乘象而战。 其人弱于月氏，修浮图道，不杀伐，遂以成俗。 从月氏、高附國以西，南至西海，東至磐起國，皆身毒之地。 身毒有别城數百，城置長。 别國數十，國置王。 虽各小異，而俱以身毒為名，其時皆屬月氏。 月氏杀其王而置將，令统其人。 土出象、犀、玳瑁、金、银、铜、铁、铅、锡，西與大秦通，有大秦珍物。 又有细布、好毾氍、諸香、石蜜、胡椒、姜、黑盐。
India—also called Shendu—lies several thousand li southeast of the Yuezhi domains. Customs mirror the northwestern Indians', but the climate is low, humid, and sweltering. The country fronts a great river. They fight from elephant howdahs. They are less warlike than the Yuezhi; Buddhism forbids killing, and that ethic has shaped daily life. From the Yuezhi and Gaofu frontiers westward, south to the ocean and east to Panqi, lies the Indian cultural sphere. India contains hundreds of walled towns, each overseen by a magistrate. Several dozen kingdoms each enthrones its own ruler. Local titles vary, yet foreigners bundle them under “Shendu”; in this era they all answered to the Yuezhi. The Yuezhi executed native kings and installed military governors. The land yields ivory, rhino horn, hawksbill, and every metal; Roman luxuries arrive via the western trade. Exports include fine cotton, carpets, aromatics, cane sugar, pepper, ginger, and black salt.
47
和帝時，數遣使貢獻，後西域反畔，乃絕。 至桓帝延熹二年、四年，頻从日南徼外來獻。
Under Emperor He missions arrived often; after the Western Regions revolted, contact ceased. Under Emperor Huan, missions from beyond Rinan arrived again in Yanxi 2 and Yanxi 4 with tribute.
48
世傳明帝梦见金人，長大，顶有光明，以问群臣。 或曰：「西方有神，名曰佛，其形長丈六尺而黄金色。」 帝於是遣使天竺，问佛道法，遂于中國图画形象焉。 楚王英始信其术，中國因此颇有奉其道者。 後桓帝好神，數祀浮图、老子，百姓稍有奉者，後遂轉盛。
Legend says Emperor Ming dreamed of a towering golden figure crowned with light and polled his ministers. Someone said: “In the west there is a spirit, named Buddha; its form is one zhang six chi in height and golden in color.” The emperor sent envoys to India to inquire into the Buddha's teaching and soon welcomed icons painted within China itself. Prince Ying of Chu was the first notable convert; thereafter Buddhists began to appear in the interior. Emperor Huan honored both Buddhist stupas and Laozi; popular devotion grew and Buddhism flourished.
49
東离國
The kingdom of Dongli.
50
東离國，居沙奇城，在天竺東南三千餘里，大國也。 其土气、物類與天竺同。 列城數十，皆称王。 大月氏伐之，遂臣服焉。 男女皆長八尺，而怯弱。 乘象、骆驼，往來邻國。 有寇，乘象以战。
Dongli had its capital at Shaqi, more than three thousand li southeast of India—a substantial realm. Climate and productions matched those of India. Dozens of walled towns each styled its lord a king. The Kushans invaded and brought Dongli to heel. The people stood eight chi tall but were timid in battle. They traveled among neighbors on elephants and camels. When attacked, they fought from elephants.
51
栗戈國
The kingdom of Lige.
52
栗戈國，屬康居。 出名馬、牛、羊、蒲萄眾果，其土水美，故蒲萄酒特有名焉。
Lige was a dependency of Kangju. It exported horses, livestock, grapes, and orchard fruit; the wine was celebrated.
53
严國，在奄蔡北，屬康居，出鼠皮以输之。
Yan lay north of Alania under Kangju and paid tribute in furs.
54
奄蔡國
The kingdom of Yancai (Alania).
55
奄蔡國，改名阿兰聊國，居地城，屬康居。 土气温和，多桢松、白草。 民俗衣服與康居同。
Yancai—renamed Alanliao—with its seat at Dicheng remained subject to Kangju. The climate was temperate and pine and white grass grew thick. Dress and custom matched Kangju.
56
莎車國
The kingdom of Shache (Yarkand).
57
莎車國，西經蒲犁、无雷至大月氏，東去洛陽萬九百五十里。
Westward the road ran through Puli and Wulei to the Yuezhi lands; the capital lay 10,950 li east of Luoyang.
58
匈奴单于因王莽之乱，略有西域，唯莎車王延最强，不肯附屬。 元帝時，尝為侍子，長于京師，慕乐中國，亦復参其典法。 常敕諸子，当世奉汉家，不可负也。 天凤五年，延死，谥忠武王，子康代立。
While the Xiongnu exploited Wang Mang's chaos to seize the Tarim, King Yan of Yarkand alone remained powerful and independent. Under Yuandi he had served as a hostage and grew up at court, absorbing Han ritual and law. He charged his heirs never to betray the Han house. Yan died in Tianfeng 5 and received the posthumous title King Zhongwu; his son Kang succeeded him.
59
光武初，康率傍國拒匈奴，拥卫故都護吏士妻子千餘口，檄書河西，问中國动静，自陳思慕汉家。 建武五年，河西大將軍竇融乃承制立康為汉莎車建功懷德王、西域大都尉，五十五國皆屬焉。
Early in Guangwu's reign Kang rallied neighboring states against the Xiongnu, sheltered more than a thousand dependents of the old western garrison, sent word into Hexi asking after the interior, and pledged loyalty to Han. In Jianwu 5 Dou Rong invested Kang as king of Han's Shache with the titles “Merit” and “Cherishing Virtue,” named him Grand Colonel of the Western Regions, and fifty-five states acknowledged him.
60
九年，康死，谥宣成王。 弟贤代立，攻破拘彌、西夜國，皆杀其王，而立其兄康两子為拘彌、西夜王。 十四年，贤與鄯善王安并遣使詣阙貢獻，於是西域始通。 葱嶺以東諸國皆屬贤。 十七年，贤復遣使奉獻，請都護。 天子以问大司空竇融，以為贤父子兄弟相约事汉，款诚又至，宜加号位以镇安之。 帝乃因其使，赐贤西域都護印绶，及車旗黄金锦绣。 敦煌太守裴遵上言：「夷狄不可假以大权，又令諸國失望。」 詔書收還都護印绶，更赐贤以汉大將軍印绶。 其使不肯易，遵迫夺之，贤由是始恨。 而犹诈称大都護，移書諸國，諸國悉服屬焉，号贤為单于。 贤浸以骄横，重求赋税，數攻龜兹諸國，諸國愁惧。
Kang died in the ninth year and was posthumously named King Xucheng. His brother Xian took the throne, overran Jumi and Xiye, executed both kings, and enthroned two of Kang's sons on those thrones. In the fourteenth year Xian and the king of Shanshan jointly sent tribute missions to Luoyang and the Tarim corridor reopened. Every kingdom east of the Pamirs acknowledged Xian. In the seventeenth year he sent another embassy begging for a Protector-General. The emperor consulted Dou Rong, who argued that Xian's family had long honored Han in good faith and deserved investiture to stabilize the west. Through the envoy the emperor awarded Xian the seal of Protector-General with chariot banners and gold brocade. Governor of Dunhuang Pei Zun submitted upward saying: “Yi and Di cannot be lent great authority; moreover it causes the various states to lose hope.” An edict recalled the Protector-General insignia and substituted the seal of Han Grand General. When the envoy refused the swap, Pei Zun seized the seal by force—Xian's resentment began there. Xian still styled himself Protector-General in letters to the oases, won their obedience, and accepted the title Chanyu. He grew arrogant, doubled levies, and repeatedly struck Kucha and its neighbors until they lived in dread.
61
二十一年冬，車師前王、鄯善、焉耆等十八國俱遣子入侍，獻其珍宝。 及得见，皆流涕稽首，愿得都護。 天子以中國初定，北邊未服，皆還其侍子，厚赏赐之。 是時贤自负兵强，欲并兼西域，攻擊益甚。 諸國聞都護不出，而侍子皆還，大忧恐，乃與敦煌太守檄，愿留侍子以示莎車，言侍子见留，都護寻出，冀且息其兵。 裴遵以状聞，天子許之。 二十二年，贤知都護不至，遂遗鄯善王安書，令絕通汉道。 安不納而杀其使。 贤大怒，發兵攻鄯善。 安迎战，兵败，亡入山中。 贤杀略千餘人而去。 其冬，贤復攻杀龜兹王，遂兼其國。 鄯善、焉耆諸國侍子久留敦煌，愁思，皆亡歸。 鄯善王上書，愿復遣子入侍，更請都護。 都護不出，诚迫于匈奴。 天子報曰：「今使者大兵未能得出，如諸國力不从心，東西南北自在也。」 於是鄯善、車師復附匈奴，而贤益横。
That winter eighteen realms including Front Cheshi, Shanshan, and Yanqi sent hostage princes and treasure to Luoyang. At audience they wept and kowtowed, pleading for a Protector-General. The court, with the interior still unsettled and the northern frontier open, sent the hostages home with rich gifts. Xian, confident in his army, aimed to conquer the entire Tarim and redoubled his campaigns. Learning that no Protector-General was coming and that hostages had been sent home, the kings panicked and petitioned Dunhuang to keep their sons as a signal to Yarkand that Han would soon appoint a Protector-General—anything to check Xian. Pei Zun relayed the plea and the emperor approved. In the twenty-second year, seeing no Protector-General, Xian ordered the king of Shanshan to cut the trade route to Han. An refused and executed Xian's messenger. Enraged, Xian marched on Shanshan. An gave battle, lost, and fled into the hills. Xian slaughtered and carried off more than a thousand people before withdrawing. That winter he struck Kucha, slew its king, and annexed the realm. The stranded hostages from Shanshan and Yanqi broke homeward from Dunhuang in despair. The king of Shanshan memorialized anew, offering hostages and begging for a Protector-General. Without a Protector-General they had no choice but to yield to the Xiongnu. The Son of Heaven replied saying: “Now envoys and great troops are not yet able to emerge; if the various states' strength does not reach their hearts, east west south north are at liberty.” Shanshan and Cheshi therefore submitted again to the Xiongnu while Xian grew bolder.
62
妫塞王自以國遠，遂杀贤使者，贤擊灭之，立其國贵人驷鞬為妫塞王。 贤又自立其子則罗為龜兹王。 贤以則罗年少，乃分龜兹為烏垒國，徙驷鞬為烏垒王，又更以贵人為妫塞王。 數歲，龜兹國人共杀則罗、驷鞬，而遣使匈奴，更請立王。 匈奴立龜兹贵人身毒為龜兹王，龜兹由是屬匈奴。
The king of Guisai, confident in his remoteness, murdered Xian's envoys; Xian destroyed the kingdom and enthroned the noble Sijian. Xian then installed his son Zeluo as king of Kucha. Finding Zeluo too young to rule, Xian carved Kucha into a new kingdom called Wulei, moved Sijian there as king, and appointed another noble over Guisai. Within a few years the people of Kucha slew Zeluo and Sijian and begged the Xiongnu to choose a new king. The Xiongnu enthroned the Kuchean noble Shendu, and Kucha henceforth answered to them.
63
贤以大宛貢税减少，自將諸國兵數萬人攻大宛，大宛王延留迎降，贤因將還國，徙拘彌王桥塞提為大宛王。 而康居數攻之，桥塞提在國歲餘，亡歸，贤復以為拘彌王，而遣延留還大宛，使貢獻如常。 贤又徙于窴王俞林為骊歸王，立其弟位侍為于窴王。 歲餘，贤疑諸國欲畔，召位侍及拘彌、姑墨、子合王，尽杀之，不復置王，但遣將镇守其國。 位侍子戎亡降汉。 封為守节侯。
Angered by falling tribute from Ferghana, Xian led a coalition army west; Yanliu surrendered at once, so Xian marched home and transferred Jumi's king Qiaosaiti onto the Ferghana throne. Kangju raids drove Qiaosaiti out within a year; Xian restored him in Jumi, returned Yanliu to Ferghana, and resumed tribute. He demoted Khotan's Yulin to Ligui and enthroned Weishi in his place. A year later, suspecting revolt, Xian summoned Weishi and the kings of Jumi, Gumo, and Zihe and executed them all, replacing royal rule with military governors. Weishi's son Rong escaped to Han. The court enfeoffed him as Marquis Shoujie.
64
莎車將君得在于窴暴虐，百姓患之。 明帝永平三年，其大人都末出城，见野豕，欲射之。 豕乃言曰：「无射我，我乃為汝杀君得。」 都末因此即與兄弟共杀君得。 而大人休莫霸復與汉人韩融等杀都末兄弟，自立為于窴王，復與拘彌國人攻杀莎車將在皮山者，引兵歸。 於是贤遣其太子、國相，將諸國兵二萬人擊休莫霸，霸迎與战，莎車兵败走，杀萬餘人。 贤復發諸國數萬人，自將擊休莫霸，霸復破之，斩杀过半，贤脱身走歸國。 休莫霸進圍莎車，中流矢死，兵乃退。
Junde, Yarkand's garrison commander in Khotan, tyrannized the people. In Yongping 3 of Emperor Ming the chief Dumo left the city, spotted a wild boar, and drew his bow. The boar spoke: “Spare me and I will rid you of Junde.” Dumo and his brothers then slew Junde. The chief Xiumoba then murdered Dumo and his kin with Han Rong's help, crowned himself king of Khotan, joined Jumi troops to wipe out Yarkand's garrison at Pishan, and marched home. Xian sent his heir and chancellor with twenty thousand allies against Xiumoba, who met them in battle and routed Yarkand, taking more than ten thousand heads. Xian raised another host and led it himself; Xiumoba shattered the army, slaughtering more than half before Xian fled home alone. Xiumoba pressed the siege of Yarkand but fell to an arrow; his army retreated.
65
于窴國相蘇榆勒等共立休莫霸兄子广德為王。 匈奴與龜兹諸國共攻莎車，不能下。 广德承莎車之敝，使弟辅國侯仁將兵攻贤。 贤連被兵革，乃遣使與广德和。 先是广德父拘在莎車數歲，於是贤歸其父，而以女妻之，结為昆弟，广德引兵去。 明年，莎車相且运等患贤骄暴，密谋反城降于窴。 于窴王广德乃將諸國兵三萬人攻莎車。 贤城守，使使谓广德曰：「我還汝父，與汝妇，汝來擊我，何為？」 广德曰：「王，我妇父也，久不相见，愿各从两人会城外结盟。」 贤以问且运，且运曰：「广德女婿，至亲，宜出见之。」 贤乃轻出，广德遂执贤。 而且运等因内于窴兵，虜贤妻子而并其國。 锁贤將歸，歲餘杀之。
Khotan's ministers, led by Suyule, raised Xiumoba's nephew Guangde to the throne. The Xiongnu and Kucha-led coalition failed to storm Yarkand. Guangde exploited Yarkand's exhaustion and sent his brother Ren, Marquis Fuguo, against Xian. Hard-pressed by continuous war, Xian sued for peace. Guangde's father had long been held at Yarkand; Xian now released him, married Guangde to his daughter, swore brotherhood, and Guangde withdrew. The following year ministers such as Qieyun, weary of Xian's cruelty, plotted to open the gates to Khotan. Guangde then marched thirty thousand allied troops against Yarkand. From behind the walls Xian demanded of Guangde: “I freed your father and gave you my daughter—why attack me now?” Guangde answered: “You are my wife's father; we have been apart too long—let each of us bring two companions and swear an oath beyond the walls.” Xian asked Qieyun; Qieyun said: “Guangde is son-in-law; utmost kin—it is fitting to go out and see him.” Trusting the advice, Xian rode out lightly and Guangde seized him. Qieyun admitted Khotanese troops, seized Xian's family, and annexed Yarkand. They marched Xian away in chains and executed him after a year.
66
匈奴聞广德灭莎車，遣五將發焉耆、尉黎、龜兹十五國兵三萬餘人圍于窴，广德乞降，以其太子為質，约歲给罽絮。 冬，匈奴復遣兵將贤質子不居徵立為莎車王，广德又攻杀之，更立其弟齐黎為莎車王，章帝元和三年也。 時，長史班超發諸國兵擊莎車，大破之，由是遂降汉。 事已惧《班超傳》。
Learning that Guangde had destroyed Yarkand, the Xiongnu sent five generals with thirty thousand men from fifteen states to besiege Khotan; Guangde capitulated, surrendered his heir, and promised annual tribute of woolens. That winter the Xiongnu placed Xian's hostage Bujuzheng on the Yarkand throne; Guangde stormed the city, killed him, and enthroned Bujuzheng's brother Qili—this was Yuanhe 3 of Emperor Zhang. Chief Clerk Ban Chao then rallied the allies, shattered Yarkand, and brought it back under Han. The rest of the story appears in Ban Chao's biography.
67
莎車東北至疏勒。
Yarkand lies northeast of Kashgar.
68
疏勒國
The kingdom of Shule (Kashgar).
69
疏勒國，去長史所居五千里，去洛陽萬三百里。 領户二萬一千，胜兵三萬餘人。
Kashgar stood 5,000 li from the chief clerk's headquarters and 10,300 li from Luoyang. It numbered 21,000 households and more than 30,000 troops under arms.
70
明帝永平十六年，龜兹王建攻杀疏勒王成，自以龜兹左侯兜题為疏勒王。 冬，汉遣軍司馬班超劫缚兜题，而立成之兄子忠為疏勒王。 忠後反畔，超擊斩之。 事已具《超傳》。
In Yongping 16 Jian of Kucha killed Kashgar's king Cheng and installed his officer Douti as puppet ruler. That winter Army Major Ban Chao seized Douti and enthroned Zhong, a nephew of the murdered king Cheng. When Zhong later rebelled, Ban Chao executed him. The full account appears in Ban Chao's biography.
71
安帝元初中，疏勒王安國以舅臣磐有罪，徙于月氏。 月氏王亲爱之。 後安國死，无子，母持國政，與國人共立臣磐同产弟子遗腹為疏勒王。 臣磐聞之，請月氏王曰：「安國无子，种人微弱，若立母氏，我乃遗腹叔父也，我当為王。」 月氏乃遣兵送還疏勒。 國人素敬爱臣磐，又畏惮月氏，即共夺遗腹印绶，迎臣磐立為王，更以遗腹為磐稿城侯。 後莎車連畔于窴，屬疏勒，疏勒以强，故得與龜兹、于窴為敌國焉。
Early in the Yuanchu years, King Anguo of Kashgar exiled his uncle Chenpan to the Yuezhi for a crime. The Kushan king favored Chenpan. When Anguo died without an heir, the queen mother ruled and the nobles enthroned Yifu, Chenpan's nephew by the same mother. Chenpan petitioned the Kushan king: “Anguo left no son; the royal line is weak. If a queen's faction rules, I am Yifu's uncle and the rightful king.” The Kushans sent troops to restore Chenpan to Kashgar. The nobles, who honored Chenpan and feared the Kushans, stripped Yifu of his seal, enthroned Chenpan, and reduced Yifu to Marquis of Gaocheng. When Yarkand broke with Khotan and entered Kashgar's orbit, Kashgar grew strong enough to stand as a third power against Kucha and Khotan.
72
東北經尉头、温宿、姑墨、龜兹至焉耆。
Northeastward the road runs through Weitou, Aksu, Gumo, and Kucha to Karashahr.
73
焉耆國
The kingdom of Yanqi (Karashahr).
74
焉耆國王居南河城，北去長史所居八百里，東去洛陽八千二百里。 户萬五千，口五萬二千，胜兵二萬餘人。 其國四面有大山，與龜兹相連，道險厄，易守。 有海水曲入四山之内，周匝其城三十餘里。
The king ruled from Nanhe—800 li north of the chief clerk's camp and 8,200 li west of Luoyang. It counted 15,000 households, 52,000 people, and more than 20,000 soldiers. Ringed by mountains and linked by dangerous roads to Kucha, it was easy to defend. A lake curls among the peaks and belts the capital for more than thirty li.
75
永平末，焉耆與龜兹共攻沒都護陳睦、副校尉郭恂，杀吏士二千餘人。 至永元六年，都護班超發諸國兵讨焉耆、危须、尉黎、山國，遂斩焉耆、尉黎二王首，傳送京師，縣蛮夷邸。 超乃立焉耆左候元孟為王，尉黎、危须、山國皆更立其王。 至安帝時，西域背畔。 延光中，超子勇為西域長史，復讨定諸國。 元孟與尉黎、危须不降。 永建二年，勇與敦煌太守張朗擊破之，元孟乃遣子詣阙貢獻。
Late in Yongping, Yanqi and Kucha jointly destroyed Protector-General Chen Mu and Vice Colonel Guo Xun and slew over two thousand Han troops. In Yongyuan 6 Ban Chao led an allied army against Yanqi, Weixu, Korla, and the mountain states; he sent the heads of the kings of Yanqi and Korla to Luoyang for display. Ban Chao enthroned Yuan Meng in Yanqi and installed new rulers in Korla, Weixu, and the mountain chiefdoms. Under Emperor An the Tarim states rebelled. During Yanguang, Ban Yong as chief clerk reconquered the oases. Yuan Meng held Korla and Weixu against Han. In Yongjian 2 Ban Yong and Zhang Lang of Dunhuang crushed the coalition; Yuan Meng then sent his son to court with tribute.
76
蒲類國
The kingdom of Pulei (Barkol).
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蒲類國，居天山西疏榆谷，東南去長史所居千二百九十里，去洛陽萬四百九十里。 户八百餘，口二千餘，胜兵七百餘人。 庐帐而居，逐水草，颇知田作。 有牛、馬、骆驼、羊畜。 能作弓矢。 國出好馬。
Pulei occupied Shuyu west of the Tianshan—1,290 li southeast of the chief clerk's headquarters and 10,490 li from Luoyang. It mustered some 800 households, 2,000 people, and 700 troops. They lived in yurts, followed pasture, and practiced limited farming. They kept cattle, horses, camels, and sheep. They forged bows and arrows. The land bred excellent horses.
78
蒲類本大國也，前西域屬匈奴，而其王得罪单于，单于怒，徙蒲類人六千餘口，内之匈奴右部阿恶地，因号曰阿恶國。 南去車師後部馬行九十餘日。 人口贫羸，逃亡山谷间，故留為國云。
Pulei had once been large; when its king offended the Chanyu, the court resettled six thousand people in Awu on the right wing of the Xiongnu confederation, hence the name Awu. From Awu it was ninety days' ride south to Rear Cheshi. The remnant poor hid in the hills—this is how the petty polity survived.
79
移支國
The kingdom of Yizhi.
80
移支國，居蒲類地。 户千餘，口三千餘，胜兵千餘人。 其人勇猛敢战，以寇鈔為事。 皆被發，随畜逐水草，不知田作。 所出皆與蒲類同。
Yizhi occupied the Barkol region. It counted upward of 1,000 households, 3,000 people, and 1,000 warriors. They were fierce raiders who lived by plunder. They wore their hair loose, followed the herds, and did not farm. Their produce matched Pulei's.
81
東且彌國
The kingdom of Eastern Juemi.
82
東且彌國，東去長史所居八百里，去洛陽九千二百五十里。 户三千餘，口五千餘，胜兵二千餘人。 庐帐居，逐水草，颇田作。 其所出有亦與蒲類同。 所居无常。
Eastern Juemi lay 800 li east of the chief clerk's seat and 9,250 li from Luoyang. It had over 3,000 households, 5,000 people, and more than 2,000 soldiers. They lived in yurts, followed pasture, and farmed a little. Their exports were the same as Pulei's. They had no fixed settlements.
83
車師前王居交河城。 河水分流绕城，故号交河。 去長史所居柳中八十里，東去洛陽九千一百二十里。 領户千五百餘，口四千餘，胜兵二千人。
The king of Front Cheshi ruled from Jiaohe. Two rivers bracket the town—hence “Jiaohe,” the Confluence. It was 80 li from Liuzhong and 9,120 li west of Luoyang. It numbered some 1,500 households, 4,000 people, and 2,000 troops.
84
後王居务涂谷，去長史所居五百里，去洛陽九千六百二十里。 領户四千餘，口萬五千餘，胜兵三千餘人。
The rear king held court at Wutugu—500 li from the chief clerk's headquarters and 9,620 li from Luoyang. It mustered over 4,000 households, 15,000 people, and more than 3,000 soldiers.
85
前後部及東且彌、卑陆、蒲類、移支，是為車師六國，北與匈奴接，前部西通焉耆北道，後部西通烏孙。
Front and Rear Cheshi plus Eastern Juemi, Beilu, Pulei, and Yizhi formed the six Cheshi polities—bordering the Xiongnu on the north, Front Cheshi opening the northern road to Yanqi, Rear Cheshi linking west to Wusun.
86
建武二十一年，與鄯善、焉耆遣子入侍，光武遣還之，乃附屬匈奴。 明帝永平十六年，汉取伊吾盧，通西域，車師始復内屬。 匈奴遣兵擊之，復降北虜。 和帝永元二年，大將軍竇憲破北匈奴，車師震慑，前後王各遣子奉貢入侍，并赐印绶金帛。 八年，戊己校尉索頵欲废後部王涿鞮，立破虜侯细致。 涿鞮忿前王尉卑大卖己，因反擊尉卑大，获其妻子。 明年，汉遣將兵長史王林，發凉州六郡兵及羌胡二萬餘人，以讨涿鞮，获首虜千餘人。 涿鞮入北匈奴，汉軍追擊，斩之，立涿鞮弟农奇為王。 至永寧元年，後王軍就及母沙麻反畔，杀後部司馬及敦煌行事。 至安帝延光四年，長史班勇擊軍就，大破，斩之。
In Jianwu 21 Cheshi joined Shanshan and Yanqi in sending hostages; Guangwu returned them, and Cheshi submitted to the Xiongnu. When Han seized Yiwu in Yongping 16 and reopened the western roads, Cheshi renewed its ties to the interior. Xiongnu attacks forced them to yield again. After Dou Xian crushed the northern Xiongnu in Yongyuan 2, both Cheshi kings sent hostages and received seals and gifts. In the eighth year of the era Colonel Suo Xun tried to replace Rear King Zhuodi with Xizhi, Marquis Polu. Zhuodi, furious that the former king Weibeida had betrayed him, struck Front Cheshi, taking his family captive. The following year Wang Lin led twenty thousand troops from Liangzhou against Zhuodi and took more than a thousand prisoners. Zhuodi fled to the northern Xiongnu; Han troops ran him down and killed him, enthroning his brother Nongqi. In Yongning 1 Rear King Junjiu and his mother Shama rebelled, murdering the colonel of Rear Cheshi and the Dunhuang deputy. In Yanguang 4 of Emperor An, Ban Yong shattered Junjiu's army and executed him.
87
顺帝永建元年，勇率後王农奇子加特奴及八滑等，發精兵擊北虜呼衍王，破之。 勇於是上立加特奴為後王，八滑為後部亲汉侯。 陽嘉三年夏，車師後部司馬率加特奴等千五百人，掩擊北匈奴于阊吾陆谷，坏其庐落，斩數百级，获单于母、季母及妇女數百人，牛、羊十餘萬头，車千餘两，兵器什物甚眾。 四年春，北匈奴呼衍王率兵侵後部，帝以車師六國接近北虜，為西域蔽扞，乃令敦煌太守發諸國兵，及玉門關候、伊吾司馬，合六千三百騎救之，掩擊北虜于勒山，汉軍不利。 秋，呼衍王復將二千人攻後部，破之。 桓帝元嘉元年，呼衍王將三千餘騎寇伊吾，伊吾司馬毛恺遣吏兵五百人于蒲類海東與呼衍王战，悉為所沒，呼衍王遂攻伊吾屯城。 夏，遣敦煌太守司馬达將敦煌、酒泉，張掖屬國吏士四千餘人救之，出塞至蒲類海，呼衍王聞而引去，汉軍无功而還。
In Yongjian 1 Ban Yong led Jiatenu, Bahua, and picked troops against the Xiongnu King Huyan and defeated him. Ban Yong then invested Jiatenu as rear king and Bahua as marquis of the Pro-Han rear division. That summer the Rear Cheshi major led fifteen hundred men under Jiatenu in a raid on Huyan's camp at Changwulu, wrecked the nomad settlements, killed hundreds, captured the Chanyu's mother and other women, drove off a hundred thousand head of stock and a thousand carts, and seized heaps of arms. The next spring Huyan struck Rear Cheshi; treating the six Cheshi states as Han's shield on the steppe, the court ordered Dunhuang to rally 6,300 cavalry from the oases, Yumen, and Yiwu for a spoiling attack at Mount Le—the Han force fared badly. That autumn Huyan returned with two thousand riders and crushed Rear Cheshi. In Yuanjia 1 of Emperor Huan, Huyan swept down on Yiwu with three thousand riders; Major Mao Kai lost five hundred men east of Barkol Lake—every man killed—and Huyan pressed the Han fort. That summer Sima Da led four thousand men from Dunhuang, Jiuquan, and Zhangye beyond the wall to Barkol Sea; Huyan withdrew and the Han column returned empty-handed.
88
论曰：西域風土之載，前古未聞也。 汉世張骞懷致遠之略，班超奋封侯之志，终能立功西遐，羈服外域。 自兵威之所肃服，財赂之所懷诱，莫不獻方奇，納爱質，露顶肘行，東向而朝天子。 故設戊己之官，分任其事； 建都護之帥，总領其权。 先驯則赏籯金以赐龜绶，後服則系头颡而衅北阙。 立屯田于膏腴之野，列邮置于要害之路。 驰命走驿，不絕于時月； 商胡贩客，日款于塞下。 其後甘英乃抵條支而历安息，臨西海以望大秦，拒玉門、陽關者四萬餘里，靡不周尽焉。 若其境俗性智之优薄，产載物類之区品，川河領障之基源，气节凉暑之通隔，梯山栈谷、绳行沙度之道，身热首痛、風灾鬼難之域，莫不備写情形，审求根实。 至于佛道神化，兴自身毒，而二汉方志，莫有称焉。 張骞但著地多暑湿，乘象而战，班勇虽列其奉浮图，不杀伐，而精文善法、导达之功，靡所傳述。 餘聞之後说也，其國則殷乎中土，玉烛和气。 灵圣之所降集，贤懿之所挺生，神迹诡怪，則理絕人区，感验明显，則事出天外。 而骞、超无聞者，岂其道閉往运，數开叔叶乎？ 不然，何诬異之甚也！ 汉自楚英始盛斋戒之祀，桓帝又修华盖之饰。 將微义未譯，而但神明之邪？ 詳其清心释累之训，空有兼遣之宗，道書之流也。 且好仁恶杀，蠲敝崇善，所以贤达君子多爱其法焉。 然好大不經，奇谲无已，虽邹衍谈天之辩，庄周蜗角之论，尚未足以概其萬一。 又精灵起灭，因報相寻。 若晓而昧者，故通人多惑焉。 盖导俗无方，适物異会，取諸同歸，措夫疑说，則大道通矣。
Commentary: Accounts of the Western Regions had no precedent in earlier ages. In Han, Zhang Qian conceived the outreach to the west and Ban Chao strove for noble honors; both earned merit on the frontier and brought distant realms to heel. Whether coerced by arms or coaxed with treasure, every oasis sent rarities and hostages, crawling eastward in submission to bow before the throne. Hence Han posted Gengji colonels to divide frontier duties; and installed Protectors-General to hold supreme western authority. Early allies received gold and tortoise seals; late rebels were bound for execution beneath the palace gate. Garrison farms covered the fertile valleys and courier relays guarded every choke point. Dispatch riders thundered along the posts without pause; while Sogdian traders crowded the frontier gates each day. Later Gan Ying traveled from Mesopotamia through Parthia to the Mediterranean rim—more than forty thousand li beyond the Jade and Yang Passes—and brought back nearly everything worth knowing. Customs and temperaments, exports and beasts, watersheds and climates, cliff roads and desert tracks, fevers and haunted wastes—the annals record each with care. Yet Buddhism, born in India, goes unmentioned in the Han regional histories. Zhang Qian spoke only of elephants and monsoon heat; Ban Yong noted stupas and ahimsa—but neither conveyed doctrine or translation. Later tradition paints India as prosperous as China itself—temperate and blessed. Spirits and sages walk there; marvels exceed mortal reason when visions prove true they seem to fall from beyond the sky. Why did Zhang Qian and Ban Chao miss it—because the teaching waited for a later age? Otherwise later lore wildly overstates the exotic. Prince Ying of Chu opened Han to Buddhist-style abstinence; Emperor Huan decked the palace for ritual. Perhaps because sutras had not yet been translated, converts worshipped only vague spirits? Its counsel on purity and release from karma belongs with Daoist discourse on emptying both extremes. Its mercy toward life won many thoughtful patrons. Yet its cosmic tales outrun even Zou Yan's cosmology or Zhuangzi's parables. Spirits wax and wane; karma follows deed after deed. Doctrine seems clear yet slips away—even scholars grew doubtful. Because customs vary, wise teachers meet each audience halfway—harmonize divergent glosses and the great truth opens.
89
赞曰：逷矣西胡，天之外区。 土物琛丽，人性淫虚。 不率华礼，莫有典書。 若微神道，何恤何拘！
Encomium: Far dwell the western barbarians beyond Heaven's rim. Their lands yield splendid treasures; their temperaments run to extravagance and guile. They keep no Chinese rites nor classical canon. Without transcendent teaching to steady them, how could they be ruled or pitied?