Volume 329 Biographies 217: Western Regions 1

西域一哈密卫柳城火州土鲁番

Western Regions, Part One: Hami Guard, Liucheng, Huozhou, and Turpan.

哈密卫

The Hami Guard.

哈密，东去嘉峪关一千六百里，汉伊吾卢地。明帝置宜禾都尉，领屯田。唐为伊州。宋入于回纥。元末以威武王纳忽里镇之，寻改为肃王，卒，弟安克帖木儿嗣。

Hami lies sixteen hundred li east of Jiayu Pass, on the site of the Han-era land of Yiwulu. Emperor Ming of the Han set up the Yihé Commandant to oversee military farming colonies there. Under the Tang dynasty it was known as Yizhou. In the Song period it fell under Uyghur control. At the end of the Yuan dynasty the Prince of Weiwu, Naqhuli, was posted there as governor; the title was soon changed to Prince of Su. When he died, his younger brother Anketiemuer succeeded him.

洪武中，太祖既定畏兀儿地，置安定等卫，渐逼哈密。安克帖木儿惧，将纳款。

During the Hongwu reign, after the founding emperor had pacified the Uyghur territories and established guards such as Anding, Ming power gradually closed in on Hami. Anketiemuer grew fearful and prepared to submit to the Ming court.

成祖初，遣官招谕之，许其以马市易，即遣使来朝，贡马百九十匹。永乐元年十一月至京，帝喜，赐赉有加，命有司给直收其马四千七百四十匹，择良者十匹入内厩，余以给守边骑士。

Early in the Yongle reign, the Chengzu sent officials to summon him and promised that he might trade horses at market. He at once dispatched envoys to court and presented one hundred ninety horses as tribute. They reached the capital in the eleventh month of Yongle 1. The emperor was delighted and lavished additional rewards upon them. He ordered the appropriate offices to pay fair price and take in four thousand seven hundred forty horses, selecting ten of the best for the imperial stables and distributing the rest to frontier cavalry.

明年六月复贡，请封，乃封为忠顺王，赐金印，复贡马谢恩。已而迤北可汗鬼力赤毒死之，其国人以病卒闻。三年二月遣官赐祭，以其兄子脱脱为王，赐玉带。脱脱自幼俘入中国，帝拔之奴隶中，俾列宿卫，欲令嗣爵。恐其国不从，遣官问之，不敢违，请还主其众。因赐其祖母及母彩币，旋遣使贡马谢恩。

In the sixth month of the following year they sent tribute again and requested formal enfeoffment. He was then created King of Loyalty and Obedience and given a gold seal, and sent horses once more in gratitude. Not long afterward the northern khan Guilichi poisoned him to death, while his people reported that he had died of natural causes. In the second month of Yongle 3 the court sent officials to perform sacrificial rites, installed his elder brother's son Tuo Tuo as king, and granted him a jade belt. Tuo Tuo had been taken captive into China as a child. The emperor plucked him from slavery, placed him in the palace guard, and intended him to inherit the kingship. Fearing that Hami would not accept the arrangement, the emperor sent officials to consult them. They dared not refuse and asked that Tuo Tuo be sent back to lead their people. The court then granted silks and brocades to his grandmother and mother, and Hami soon sent envoys with horses to express their gratitude.

四年春，甘肃总兵官宋晟奏，脱脱为祖母所逐。帝怒，敕责其头目曰：“脱脱朝廷所立，即有过，不奏而擅逐之，是慢朝廷也。老人昏耄，头目亦不知朝廷耶？即迎归，善匡辅，俾孝事祖母。 ”由是脱脱得还，祖母及头目各遣使谢罪。三月立哈密卫，以其头目马哈麻火者等为指挥、千百户等官，又以周安为忠顺王长史，刘行为纪善，辅导。冬，授头目十九人为都指挥等官。

In the spring of Yongle 4, Song Sheng, the overall military commander of Gansu, reported that Tuo Tuo had been expelled by his grandmother. The emperor was enraged and issued an edict rebuking the chieftains: "Tuo Tuo was installed by the court. Even if he had faults, to expel him without reporting to us shows contempt for the throne." The old woman may be senile, but do you chieftains also fail to recognize the authority of the court? Bring him back immediately, guide him properly, and see that he fulfills his filial duty to his grandmother. Tuo Tuo was thus restored, and both the grandmother and the chieftains sent envoys to apologize. In the third month the Hami Guard was established. Chieftains such as Mahama Huozhe were appointed commanders, chiliarchs, and centurions, while Zhou An was made chief secretary to the King of Loyalty and Obedience and Liu Xing tutor, to guide and assist the king. That winter nineteen chieftains were appointed to posts such as regional commander.

明年，宋晟奏，头目陆十等作乱，已诛，虑他变，请兵防御。帝命晟发兵应之，而以安克帖木儿妻子往依鬼力赤，恐诱贼侵哈密，敕晟谨备。晟卒，以何福代，又敕福开诚抚忠顺。会头目请设把总一人理国政，帝敕福曰：“置把总，是增一王也；政令不一，下安适从。 ”寝其议。自是，比岁朝贡，悉加优赐，其使臣皆增秩授官。

The following year Song Sheng reported that the chieftain Lu Shi and others had risen in rebellion and been executed, but fearing further unrest he requested troops for defense. The emperor ordered Song Sheng to dispatch troops in response. Because Anketiemuer's wife and children had taken refuge with Guilichi, the emperor feared they might incite raiders against Hami and instructed Song Sheng to remain on strict guard. When Song Sheng died, He Fu replaced him, and the emperor again instructed He Fu to treat the King of Loyalty and Obedience with sincerity and kindness. When the chieftains requested the appointment of a ba-zong to manage state affairs, the emperor instructed He Fu: "To establish a ba-zong is to create a second king; with divided authority, whom are the people below to obey?" The proposal was rejected. Thereafter Hami sent tribute every year and received generous rewards; its envoys were regularly promoted and granted official posts.

帝眷脱脱特厚，而脱脱顾凌侮朝使，沈湎昏聩，不恤国事，其下买柱等交谏不从。帝闻之怒，八年十一月遣官赐敕戒谕之。未至，而脱脱以暴疾卒。讣闻，遣官赐祭。擢都指挥同知哈剌哈纳为都督佥事，镇守其地，赐敕及白金、彩币。且封脱脱从弟兔力帖木儿为忠义王，赐印诰、玉带，世守哈密。十年，贡马谢恩，自是修贡惟谨，故王祖母亦数奉贡。

The emperor showed Tuo Tuo exceptional favor, yet Tuo Tuo insulted imperial envoys, sank into drunkenness and folly, and neglected state affairs. Subordinates such as Maizhu remonstrated with him repeatedly, but he would not listen. When the emperor learned of this he was furious. In the eleventh month of Yongle 8 he sent officials with an edict of admonition. Before the envoys arrived, Tuo Tuo died suddenly of illness. When news of his death reached the court, officials were sent to perform sacrificial rites. Assistant regional commander Halahana was promoted to assistant commissioner-in-chief and stationed to guard the region, receiving an edict together with silver and silks. Tuo Tuo's younger cousin Tulietiemuer was also enfeoffed as King of Loyalty and Righteousness, granted a seal, patent of appointment, and jade belt, with the charge to hold Hami in perpetuity. In Yongle 10 they sent horses in gratitude. Thereafter tribute was offered with scrupulous care, and the former king's grandmother also sent tribute on several occasions.

十七年，帝以朝使往来西域者，忠义王致礼延接，命中官赍绮帛劳之，赐其母妻金珠冠服、彩币，及其部下头目。其使臣及境内回回寻贡马三千五百余匹及貂皮诸物，诏赐钞三万二千锭、绮百、帛一千。二十一年贡驼三百三十、马千匹。

In Yongle 17, because the King of Loyalty and Righteousness had courteously received envoys traveling to and from the Western Regions, the emperor sent eunuchs bearing silks and brocades to reward him, granting his mother and wife gold-pearl crowns and robes, silks, and gifts to the chieftains under his command. His envoys and the Muslims within his territory soon presented more than three thousand five hundred horses along with sable furs and other goods. An edict granted thirty-two thousand strings of paper money, one hundred bolts of patterned silk, and one thousand bolts of plain silk. In Yongle 21 they presented three hundred thirty camels and one thousand horses.

仁宗践阼，诏谕其国。洪熙元年再入贡，贺即位。仁宗崩，宣宗继统，其王兔力帖木儿亦卒，使来告哀。

When the Renzong ascended the throne, an edict was sent to Hami. In Hongxi 1 they sent tribute again to congratulate him on his accession. When the Renzong died and the Xuanzong succeeded, King Tulietiemuer also died, and envoys came to announce the mourning.

宣德元年遣官赐祭，命故王脱脱子卜答失里嗣忠顺王，且以登极肆赦，命其国中亦赦，复贡马谢恩。明年遣弟北斗奴等来朝，贡驼马方物。授北斗奴都督佥事，因命中官谕王，遣故忠义王弟脱欢帖木儿赴京。三年以卜答失里年幼，命脱欢帖木儿嗣忠义王，同理国事。自是，二王并贡，岁或三四至，奏求婚娶礼币，命悉予之。

In Xuande 1 officials were sent to perform sacrificial rites, and the former king Tuo Tuo's son Budashili was appointed to succeed as King of Loyalty and Obedience. Because of the general amnesty proclaimed at the accession, the court ordered an amnesty in Hami as well, and they sent horses again in gratitude. The following year his younger brother Beidounu and others came to court, presenting camels, horses, and local products. Beidounu was appointed assistant commissioner-in-chief, and the emperor ordered a eunuch to instruct the king to send the former King of Loyalty and Righteousness's younger brother Tuohuantiemuer to the capital. In Xuande 3, because Budashili was still young, Tuohuantiemuer was appointed to succeed as King of Loyalty and Righteousness and to manage state affairs jointly with him. Thereafter both kings sent tribute together, sometimes three or four missions in a year. When they requested marriage gifts, the court ordered that all be granted.

正统二年，脱欢帖木儿卒，封其子脱脱塔木儿为忠义王，未几卒。已而忠顺王亦卒，封其子倒瓦答失里为忠顺王。五年遣使三贡，廷议以为烦，定令每年一贡。

In Zhengtong 2 Tuohuantiemuer died. His son Tuotuotiemuer was enfeoffed as King of Loyalty and Righteousness but soon died as well. Before long the King of Loyalty and Obedience also died, and his son Daowadashili was enfeoffed in his place. In Zhengtong 5 envoys came on three separate tribute missions. Court discussion deemed this excessive and fixed the rule at one mission per year.

初，成祖之封忠顺王也，以哈密为西域要道，欲其迎护朝使，统领诸番，为西陲屏蔽。而其王率庸懦，又其地种落杂居。一曰回回，一曰畏兀儿，一曰哈剌灰，其头目不相统属，王莫能节制。众心离涣，国势渐衰。及倒瓦答失里立，都督皮剌纳潜通瓦剌猛可卜花等谋杀王，不克。王父在时，纳沙州叛亡百余家，屡敕王令还，止遣其半，其贡使又数辱驿吏卒，呵叱通事，当四方贡使大宴日，恶言诟詈，天子不加罪，但令慎择使臣，以是益无忌。其地，北瓦剌，西土鲁番，东沙州、罕东、赤斤诸卫，悉与构怨。由是邻国交侵。罕东兵抵城外，掠人畜去。沙州、赤斤先后兵侵，皆大获。瓦剌酋也先，王母弩温答失里弟也，亦遣兵围哈密城，杀头目，俘男妇，掠牛马驼不可胜计，取王母及妻北还，胁王往见，王惧不敢往，数遣使告难。敕令诸部修好，迄不从，惟王母妻获还。

When the Chengzu first enfeoffed the King of Loyalty and Obedience, it was because Hami lay on a vital route into the Western Regions. He intended that the king receive and protect imperial envoys, command the various foreign peoples, and serve as a shield for the western frontier. Yet its kings proved generally weak and timid, and the tribes of the region lived intermixed. One group was called Huihui, another Uyghur, another Khalaghui. Their chieftains acknowledged no common authority, and the king could not control them. Loyalty fragmented and the kingdom's strength gradually waned. When Daowadashili came to the throne, commissioner Pilana secretly colluded with the Oirat Mengkebuhua and others in a plot to murder the king, but the attempt failed. During his father's reign the king had taken in more than one hundred fugitive households from Shazhou. The court repeatedly ordered their return, but only half were sent back. His tribute envoys repeatedly insulted postal clerks and runners and berated interpreters. At the grand banquet for envoys from all quarters they hurled vicious abuse. The emperor did not punish them but only ordered that envoys be chosen more carefully—and they grew all the more brazen. Hami bordered the Oirat to the north, Turpan to the west, and the guards of Shazhou, Handong, and Chijin to the east—and had earned the enmity of them all. Neighboring states therefore raided one another in turn. Handong troops reached the city walls and carried off people and livestock. Shazhou and Chijin invaded in succession and each reaped great spoils. The Oirat chieftain Esen, younger brother of Queen Mother Nuwendashili, also sent troops to besiege Hami. They killed chieftains, captured men and women, and plundered cattle, horses, and camels beyond count. Esen took the queen mother and the queen north and demanded that the king come before him. The king was terrified and dared not go, sending envoys repeatedly to report his plight. An edict ordered the various parties to restore friendly relations, but they never complied. Only the queen mother and queen were eventually recovered and returned.

十年，也先复取王母妻及弟，并撒马儿罕贡使百余人掠之，又数趣王往见。王外顺朝命，实惧也先。十三年夏，亲诣瓦剌，居数月方还；而遣使诳天子，谓守朝命不敢往。天子为赐敕褒嘉。已，知其诈，严旨诘责，然其王迄不能自振。会也先方东犯，不复还故土，以是哈密获少安。

In Zhengtong 10 Esen again seized the queen mother, queen, and the king's younger brother, and plundered more than one hundred tribute envoys from Samarqand. He again repeatedly demanded that the king come before him. Outwardly the king obeyed the court's orders, but in truth he feared Esen. In the summer of Zhengtong 13 he went in person to the Oirat and remained several months before returning; yet he sent envoys to deceive the emperor, claiming that he was obeying the court's command and dared not go. The emperor responded with an edict of praise and reward. When the deception was discovered, a stern edict rebuked him, yet the king never recovered his authority. Esen was then invading eastward and did not return to his old territory, and Hami thus enjoyed a brief respite.

景泰三年遣其臣捏列沙朝贡，请授官。先是，使臣至京必加恩命。是时于谦掌中枢，言哈密世受国恩，乃敢交通瓦剌。今虽归款，心犹谲诈。若加官秩，赏出无名。乃止。终景泰世，使臣无授官者。

In Jingtai 3 his minister Nieliesha came to court with tribute and requested an official appointment. Previously, envoys reaching the capital had invariably been granted honors and appointments. At this time Yu Qian held command of the central military administration and argued that Hami, long favored by the state, had dared to communicate with the Oirat. Though they had now returned to allegiance, their hearts remained deceitful. To grant them rank would be to reward them without cause. The appointment was denied. Throughout the Jingtai reign no Hami envoys received official appointments.

天顺元年，倒瓦答失里卒，弟卜列革遣使告哀，即封为忠顺王。时都指挥马云使西域，闻迤北酋加思兰梗道，不敢进。会哈蜜王报道已通，云乃行，至哈密。而贼兵实未退，且谋劫朝使。帝疑王与贼通，遣使切责。

In Tianshun 1 Daowadashili died. His younger brother Bolige sent envoys to announce the mourning and was immediately enfeoffed as King of Loyalty and Obedience. At that time regional commander Ma Yun was traveling as envoy to the Western Regions. Hearing that the northern chieftain Qie Qaslan was blocking the route, he did not dare proceed. When the Hami king reported that the route was clear, Ma Yun set out and reached Hami. But the raiders had in fact not withdrawn and were plotting to ambush the imperial envoy. The emperor suspected the king of colluding with the raiders and sent envoys to rebuke him sharply.

四年，王卒，无子，母弩温答失里主国事。初，也先被诛，其弟伯都王及从子兀忽纳走居哈密。王母为上书乞恩，授伯都王都督佥事，兀忽纳指挥佥事。自卜列革之亡，亲属无可继，命国人议当袭者。头目阿只等言脱欢帖木儿外孙把塔木儿官都督同知，可继。王母谓臣不可继君，而安定王阿儿察与忠顺王同祖，为请袭封。七年冬，奏上，礼官言：“加思兰见哈密无主，谋据其地，势危急，乞从其请。 ”帝命都指挥贺玉往。至西宁逗遛不进，哈密使臣苦儿鲁海牙请先行，又不许。帝逮玉下吏，改命都指挥李珍，而敕安定、罕东护使臣偕往。阿儿察以哈密多难，力辞不行，珍乃返。

In Tianshun 4 the king died without an heir, and his mother Nuwendashili assumed control of state affairs. Earlier, when Esen was executed, his younger brother the Prince of Berdu and his nephew Wuhuna had fled to Hami. The queen mother petitioned the throne for favor on their behalf. The Prince of Berdu was appointed assistant commissioner-in-chief and Wuhuna assistant commander. Since Bolige's death no kinsman was available to succeed. The court ordered the people of Hami to discuss who should inherit the kingship. Chieftain Aji and others argued that Batu Tiemuer, grandson of Tuohuantiemuer and holder of the rank of assistant regional commander, was fit to succeed. The queen mother argued that a subject could not succeed a sovereign, and because the Prince of Anding, A'ercha, shared ancestry with the King of Loyalty and Obedience, she petitioned for his enfeoffment instead. In the winter of Tianshun 7 the memorial reached the throne. The ritual officials argued: "Qie Qaslan, seeing Hami without a ruler, plans to seize its territory. The situation is critical—please grant her request." The emperor ordered regional commander He Yu to proceed. He reached Xining but lingered there without advancing. The Hami envoy Ku'erluhaiya requested permission to go ahead, but this was denied. The emperor had He Yu arrested and handed over to the judicial authorities, replaced him with regional commander Li Zhen, and ordered Anding and Handong to escort the envoys together. A'ercha, citing Hami's many troubles, firmly declined to go, and Li Zhen returned without completing the mission.

哈密素衰微，又妇人主国，众益离散。 加思兰乘隙袭破其城，大肆杀掠，王母率亲属部落走苦峪，犹数遣使朝贡，且告难。朝廷不能援，但敕其国人速议当继者而已。其国残以破故，来者日众。

Hami had long been in decline, and with a woman ruling the state its people grew ever more scattered. Qie Qaslan seized the opportunity to attack and capture the city, slaughtering and plundering on a great scale. The queen mother led her kinsmen and tribes in flight to Kuyu, yet still sent envoys repeatedly to court with tribute and pleas for help. The court could not send aid and could only instruct the people of Hami to quickly decide who should succeed. Because the kingdom lay in ruins, refugees arriving at the court grew daily in number.

成化元年，礼官姚夔等言：“哈密贡马二百匹，而使人乃二百六十人。以中国有限之财，供外蕃无益之费，非策。 ”帝下廷臣议，定岁一入贡，不得过二百人，制可。

In Chenghua 1 the ritual official Yao Kui and others argued: "Hami presented two hundred horses in tribute, yet its envoys numbered two hundred sixty persons." To expend China's limited resources on wasteful costs for foreign tribes is poor policy. The emperor referred the matter to court officials, who fixed the rule at one tribute mission per year with no more than two hundred persons. The regulation was approved.

明年，兵部言王母避苦峪久，今贼兵已退，宜令还故土，从之。已而贡使言其地饥寒，男妇二百余人随来丐食，不能归国。命人给米六斗、布二疋，遣之。

The following year the Ministry of War argued that the queen mother had long taken refuge at Kuyu and that now the raiders had withdrawn, she should be ordered to return to her old territory. The court agreed. Soon the tribute envoys reported that the region suffered famine and cold. More than two hundred men and women had come along begging food and could not return home. The court ordered that each person receive six dou of grain and two bolts of cloth, then be sent on their way.

初，国人请立把塔木儿，以王母不肯，无王者八年。至是头目交章请，词极哀。乃擢把塔木儿为右都督，摄行国王事，赐之诰印。五年，王母陈老病乞药物，帝即赐之。寻与瓦刺、土鲁番遣使三百余人来贡，边臣以闻。廷议贡有定期，今前使未回后使又至，且瓦剌强寇，今乃与哈密偕；非哈密挟其势以邀利，即瓦剌假其事以窥边。帝乃却其献，令边臣宴赉，遣还。贡使坚不受赐，必欲亲诣阙下，乃命遣十之一赴京。

Initially the people of Hami had requested that Batu Tiemuer be installed as king, but the queen mother refused, and Hami went eight years without a king. At this point the chieftains submitted memorial after memorial in the most piteous terms. Batu Tiemuer was then promoted to right regional commander, entrusted to act in the king's stead, and granted a patent of appointment and seal. In Chenghua 5 the queen mother reported old age and illness and begged for medicine. The emperor immediately granted her request. Soon more than three hundred envoys from the Oirat and Turpan arrived together with tribute, and border officials reported the matter. Court discussion noted that tribute missions had fixed schedules, yet the previous envoys had not returned before new ones arrived. The Oirat were powerful raiders, yet now they came together with Hami; either Hami was using their combined strength to seek profit, or the Oirat were using the occasion to probe the frontier. The emperor therefore rejected their tribute, ordered border officials to feast and reward them, and sent them back. The tribute envoys firmly refused the gifts and insisted on going in person to the palace. Only one in ten was permitted to proceed to the capital.

八年，把塔木儿子罕慎以父卒请嗣职。帝许之，而不命其主国事，国中政令无所出。土鲁番速檀阿力乘机袭破其城，执王母，夺金印，以忠顺王孙女为妾，据守其地。九年四月，事闻，命边臣谨戒备，敕罕东、赤斤诸卫协力战守。寻遣都督同知李文、右通政刘文赴甘肃经略。抵肃州，遣锦衣千户马俊奉敕往谕。时阿力留其妹婿牙兰守哈密，而己携王母、金印已返土鲁番。俊至，谕以朝命，抗词不逊，羁俊月余。一日，牙兰忽至，言大兵三万即日西来，阿力乃宴劳俊等，舁王母出见。王母惧不敢言，夜潜遣人来云：“为我奏天子，速发兵救哈密。 ”文等以闻，遂檄都督罕慎及赤斤、罕东、乜克力诸部集兵进讨。十年冬，兵至卜隆吉儿川，谍报阿力集众抗拒，且结别部谋掠罕东、赤斤二卫。文等不敢进，令二卫还守本土，罕慎及乜克力、畏兀儿之众退居苦峪，文等亦引还肃州。帝乃命罕慎权主国事，因其请给米布，且赐以谷种。文等无功而还。

In Chenghua 8 Batu Tiemuer's son Hanshen, upon his father's death, requested to succeed to his post. The emperor consented but did not authorize him to manage state affairs, and no effective authority issued from within Hami. The Turpan sultan Ali seized the opportunity to attack and capture the city. He seized the queen mother, took the gold seal, took the King of Loyalty and Obedience's granddaughter as concubine, and occupied the territory. When news reached the court in the fourth month of Chenghua 9, border officials were ordered to prepare carefully, and Handong, Chijin, and other guards were instructed to fight and defend together. The court soon dispatched assistant commissioner-in-chief Li Wen and right vice commissioner Liu Wen to Gansu to manage the campaign. Upon reaching Suzhou they dispatched brocade-clad guard chiliarch Ma Jun bearing an edict to deliver the court's instructions. At that time Ali had left his brother-in-law Yalan to hold Hami while he himself had already returned to Turpan with the queen mother and the gold seal. When Ma Jun arrived and conveyed the court's command, Yalan answered with defiant and disrespectful words and detained him for more than a month. One day Yalan suddenly appeared, claiming that a great army of thirty thousand would arrive from the west that very day. Ali then feasted Ma Jun and his party and had the queen mother brought out to meet them. The queen mother was terrified and dared not speak. That night she secretly sent someone with the message: "Memorialize the Son of Heaven for me—send troops quickly to save Hami." Liu Wen and his colleagues reported this, then issued orders to commissioner Hanshen and the Chijin, Handong, and Yikelie tribes to gather troops and advance against the enemy. In the winter of Chenghua 10 the army reached the Bolongji'er River. Spies reported that Ali had gathered forces to resist and had allied with other tribes to raid Handong and Chijin. Liu Wen and his colleagues did not dare advance. They ordered the two guards to return and defend their own territories, Hanshen and the Yikelie and Uyghur forces withdrew to Kuyu, and Liu Wen's party retreated to Suzhou. The emperor then authorized Hanshen to manage state affairs provisionally. At his request the court granted grain and cloth, and also provided seed grain. Liu Wen and his colleagues returned without achieving anything.

土鲁番久据哈密，朝命边臣筑苦峪城，移哈密卫于其地。十八年春，罕慎纠罕东、赤斤二卫，得兵一千三百人，与己所部共万人，夜袭哈密城破之，牙兰遁走；乘势连复八城，遂还居故土。巡抚王朝远以闻，帝喜，赐敕奖励，并奖二卫。朝远请封罕慎为王，且言土鲁番亦革心向化，与罕慎议和，宜乘时安抚，取还王孙女及金印，俾随王母共掌国事，哈密国人亦乞封罕慎。廷议不从，乃进左都督，赉白金百两、彩币十表里，特敕奖劳，将士升赏有差。

Turpan had long occupied Hami, and the court ordered border officials to build Kuyu city and relocate the Hami Guard there. In the spring of Chenghua 18 Hanshen rallied Handong and Chijin, obtaining thirteen hundred troops. Together with his own forces they numbered ten thousand and launched a night attack that captured Hami. Yalan fled; Seizing the momentum they recovered eight cities in succession and returned to their old territory. Grand coordinator Wang Chaoyuan reported the victory. The emperor was delighted, issued an edict of reward, and also commended the two guards. Wang Chaoyuan requested that Hanshen be enfeoffed as king. He also reported that Turpan had reformed and sought peace with Hanshen, and argued that the court should seize the moment to pacify the region, recover the king's granddaughter and the gold seal, and have her manage state affairs jointly with the queen mother. The people of Hami also petitioned for Hanshen's enfeoffment. Court discussion rejected the proposal. Hanshen was instead promoted to left regional commander, granted one hundred taels of silver and ten rolls of patterned silk, specially commended by edict, and officers and soldiers were promoted and rewarded according to merit.

弘治元年从其国人请，封罕慎为忠顺王。土鲁番阿力已死，而其子阿黑麻嗣为速檀，伪与罕慎结婚，诱而杀之，仍令牙兰据其地。哈密都指挥阿木郎来奔求救，廷臣请谕土鲁番贡使，令复还侵地，并敕赤斤、罕东，共图兴复。明年，哈密旧部绰卜都等率众攻牙兰，杀其弟，夺其叛臣者盼卜等人畜以归。事闻，进秩加赏。先是，罕慎遣使来贡，未还而遘难，其弟奄克孛剌率部众逃之边方，朝命以赐罕慎者还赐其弟。阿黑麻之去哈密也，止留六十人佐牙兰。阿木郎觇其单弱，请边臣调赤斤、罕东兵，夜袭破其城，牙兰遁去，斩获甚多，有诏奖赉。

In Hongzhi 1, acceding to the petition of the people of Hami, Hanshen was enfeoffed as King of Loyalty and Obedience. Turpan's Ali had died, and his son Aheima succeeded as sultan. Feigning a marriage alliance with Hanshen, he lured and killed him, and again placed Yalan in control of the territory. Hami's regional commander Amulang fled to the border begging for rescue. Court officials proposed instructing Turpan's tribute envoys to restore the seized territory and ordering Chijin and Handong to plan recovery together. The following year Chuo Baidu and others of Hami's old followers led troops against Yalan, killed his younger brother, and seized the people and livestock of the rebel minister Zhepanbu and his followers before returning. When news reached the court, ranks were advanced and additional rewards granted. Earlier Hanshen had sent envoys with tribute, but before they returned disaster struck. His younger brother Yanke Bolie led the tribes in flight to the border. The court ordered that what had been granted to Hanshen be given to his brother instead. When Aheima left Hami, he left only sixty men to assist Yalan. Amulang, seeing their weakness, requested that border officials mobilize Chijin and Handong troops. A night attack captured the city, Yalan fled, and many were killed or captured. An edict granted rewards.

当是时，阿黑麻桀傲甚，自以地远中国，屡抗天子命。及破哈密，贡使频至，朝廷仍善待之，由是益轻中国。帝乃薄其赐赉，或拘留使臣，却其贡物，敕责令悔罪。己，访获惠顺王族孙陕巴，将辅立之。阿黑麻渐警惧，三年遣使叩关，愿献还哈密及金印，释其拘留使臣。天子纳其贡，仍留前使者。明年，果以城印来归，乃从马文升言，还其所拘使臣。文升又言：“番人重种类，且素服蒙古，哈密故有回回、畏兀儿、哈剌灰三种，北山又有小列秃、乜克力相侵逼，非得蒙古后裔镇之不可。今安定王族人陕巴，乃故忠义王脱脱近属从孙，可主哈密。 ”天子以为然，而诸番亦共奏陕巴当立。五年春立陕巴为忠顺王，赐印诰、冠服及守城戎器，擢阿木郎都督佥事，与都督同知奄克孛剌共辅之。

At this time Aheima was extremely arrogant and rebellious. Considering his land far from China, he repeatedly defied the emperor's commands. After capturing Hami, tribute envoys came frequently, yet the court still treated them well—and he grew all the more contemptuous of China. The emperor then reduced their rewards, sometimes detained envoys, rejected their tribute goods, and issued edicts demanding repentance. Later the court located Shanba, a clansman of the King of Huishun, and planned to install him with assistance. Aheima gradually grew alarmed. In Hongzhi 3 he sent envoys to the frontier pass, offering to return Hami and the gold seal and release the detained envoys. The emperor accepted their tribute but still detained the previous envoys. The following year they indeed returned the city and seal. Following Ma Wensheng's advice, the court released the detained envoys. Ma Wensheng also argued: "The foreign tribes value lineage and have long submitted to the Mongols. Hami originally had three groups—Huihui, Uyghur, and Khalaghui—and in the northern mountains Xiaolietu and Yikelie also threaten one another. Only a Mongol descendant can govern them." Shanba of the Prince of Anding's clan is a close collateral great-grandson of the former King of Loyalty and Righteousness Tuo Tuo and is fit to rule Hami. The emperor agreed, and the various foreign tribes also jointly memorialized that Shanba should be installed. In the spring of Hongzhi 5 Shanba was installed as King of Loyalty and Obedience, granted seal, patent, crown and robes, and city-defense weapons. Amulang was promoted to assistant commissioner-in-chief and together with assistant commissioner Yanke Bolie was appointed to assist him.

已而诸番索陕巴犒赐不得，皆怨。阿木郎又引乜克力人掠土鲁番牛马，阿黑麻怒，六年春潜兵夜袭哈密，杀其人百余，逃及降者各半。陕巴与阿木郎据大土剌以守。大土剌，华言大土台也。围三日不下。阿木郎急调乜克力、瓦剌二部兵来援，俱败去。乃执陕巴，擒阿木郎支解之。牙兰复据守，并移书边臣诉阿木郎罪。时土鲁番先后贡使皆未还。边臣以其书不逊，且僭称可汗，乞命将遣兵先剿除牙兰，然后直抵土鲁番，馘阿黑麻之首，取还陕巴。否则降敕严责，令还陕巴，乃宥其罪。廷议从后策，令守臣拘贡使，纵数人还，赍敕晓示祸福。帝如其请，命廷推大臣赴甘肃经略。

Before long the various tribes, having received no rewards from Shanba, all grew resentful. Amulang also led Yikelie raiders to plunder Turpan's cattle and horses. Aheima was furious. In the spring of Hongzhi 6 he secretly sent troops in a night raid on Hami, killing more than a hundred people. Half fled and half surrendered. Shanba and Amulang held the Great Tula to defend themselves. The Great Tula—in Chinese, the Great Earthen Platform. The besiegers assaulted it for three days without success. Amulang urgently mobilized Yikelie and Oirat reinforcements, but all were defeated and driven off. They then seized Shanba and captured Amulang, whom they dismembered. Yalan again occupied the territory and sent a letter to border officials accusing Amulang of crimes. At this time Turpan's successive tribute envoys had not yet returned. Border officials, finding the letter disrespectful and noting that he presumptuously styled himself khan, requested that generals be ordered first to eliminate Yalan, then proceed straight to Turpan, cut off Aheima's head, and recover Shanba. Alternatively, issue a stern edict demanding the return of Shanba, and then pardon their crimes. Court discussion favored the latter plan: border officials were to detain the tribute envoys, release a few to return bearing an edict explaining the consequences. The emperor granted their request and ordered the court to recommend a senior minister to go to Gansu to manage the campaign.

初，哈密变闻，丘浚谓马文升曰：“西陲事重，须公一行。 ”文升曰：“国家有事，臣子义不辞难。然番人嗜利，不善骑射，自古未有西域能为中国患者，徐当靖之。 ”浚复以为言，文升请行。廷臣佥言北寇强，本兵未可远出，乃推兵部右侍郎张海、都督同知缑谦二人。帝赐敕指授二人，而二人皆庸才，但遣土鲁番人归谕其主，令献还侵地，驻甘州待之。明年，阿黑麻遣使叩关求贡，诡言愿还陕巴及哈密，乞朝廷亦还其使者。海等以闻，请再降敕宣谕。廷议言，先已降敕，今若再降，有伤国体，宜令海等自遣人往谕。不从命，则仍留前使，且尽驱新使出关，永不许贡，仍与守臣檄罕东、赤斤诸部兵，直捣哈密，袭斩牙兰。如无机可乘，则封嘉峪关，毋纳其使。陕巴虽封王，其还与否，于中国无损益，宜别择贤者代之。帝以陕巴既与中国无损益，则哈密城池已破，如献还，当若何处之。廷臣复言陕巴乃安定王千奔之侄，忠顺王之孙，向之封王，欲令镇抚一方尔。今被虏，孱弱可知，即使复还，势难复立。宜革其王爵，居之甘州，犒赉安定王，谕以不复立之故。令都督奄克孛剌总理哈密事，与回回都督写亦虎仙，哈剌灰都督拜迭力迷失等分领三种番人以辅之。且修浚苦峪城堑，凡番人散处甘、凉者，令悉还其地，给以牛具口粮。若陕巴未还，不必索取，我不急陕巴，彼将自还也。帝悉如其言，敕谕海等。海等见敕书将弃陕巴，甚喜，即逐其贡使，闭嘉峪关，缮修苦峪城，令流寓番人归其地，拜疏还朝。八年正月至京，言官交章劾其经略无功，并下吏贬秩，而哈密终不还。

When news of the Hami crisis reached the court, Qiu Jun said to Ma Wensheng: "Western frontier affairs are weighty—you must go in person." Ma Wensheng replied: "When the state has urgent business, ministers and subjects by duty do not shrink from difficulty." Yet the foreign tribes covet profit and are poor horsemen and archers. Since antiquity the Western Regions have never truly threatened China—they should be pacified gradually. Qiu Jun pressed the point again, and Ma Wensheng offered to go. Court officials unanimously argued that the northern raiders were strong and the minister of war could not leave the capital. Zhang Hai, right vice minister of war, and Gou Qian, assistant commissioner-in-chief, were recommended instead. The emperor granted edicts instructing the two men, but both proved mediocre. They merely sent Turpan envoys back to instruct their lord to return the seized territory and stationed themselves at Ganzhou to wait. The following year Aheima sent envoys to the frontier pass requesting tribute, falsely claiming willingness to return Shanba and Hami and begging that the court also release his envoys. Zhang Hai and his colleagues reported this and requested that another edict be issued. Court discussion noted that an edict had already been issued; to issue another would harm the dignity of the state. Zhang Hai and his colleagues should be ordered to send their own envoys. If they did not obey, the previous envoys should remain detained, all new envoys should be driven from the pass, tribute permanently forbidden, and border officials ordered to mobilize Handong, Chijin, and other tribal troops to strike Hami and assassinate Yalan. If no opportunity presented itself, Jiayu Pass should be closed and their envoys refused entry. Although Shanba had been enfeoffed as king, whether he returned or not was of no gain or loss to China. Another worthy person should be chosen to replace him. The emperor asked: if Shanba was of no gain or loss to China, and Hami's walls were already in ruins, where would the territory be placed if it were returned? Court officials replied that Shanba was nephew of the Prince of Anding's Qianben and grandson of the King of Loyalty and Obedience. The earlier enfeoffment had merely been intended to have him pacify and govern the region. Now captured, his weakness was evident. Even if recovered, he would be hard put to reestablish himself. His royal title should be revoked and he should be settled at Ganzhou. The Prince of Anding should be rewarded and told why he would not be reestablished. Commissioner Yanke Bolie should be ordered to manage Hami affairs overall, assisted by Huihui commissioner Xieyihuxian, Khalaghui commissioner Baidielimishi, and others commanding the three tribal groups respectively. Kuyu city's defenses should be repaired and strengthened. All foreign tribes scattered in Ganzhou and Liangzhou should be ordered to return to their territories and given oxen, tools, and rations. If Shanba has not been returned, there is no need to demand him. If we do not press for his return, they will send him back of their own accord. The emperor fully approved and issued edicts instructing Zhang Hai and his colleagues. Zhang Hai and his colleagues, delighted that the edict would abandon Shanba, immediately expelled the tribute envoys, closed Jiayu Pass, repaired Kuyu city, ordered displaced tribes to return to their territories, and memorialized before returning to court. They reached the capital in the first month of Hongzhi 8. Censorial officials submitted memorial after memorial impeaching them for achieving nothing. They were handed over to judicial authorities and demoted, and Hami was never recovered.

文升锐意谋兴复，用许进巡抚甘肃以图之。进偕大将刘宁等潜师夜袭，牙兰逸去，斩其遗卒，抚降余众而还。自明初以来，官军无涉其地者，诸番始知畏，阿黑麻亦欲还陕巴。然哈密屡破，遗民入居者旦暮虞寇。阿黑麻果复来攻，固守不下，讫散去。诸人自以穷窘难守，尽焚室庐，走肃州求济。边臣以闻，诏赐牛具、谷种，并发流寓三种番人及哈密之寄居赤斤者，尽赴苦峪及瓜、沙州，俾自耕牧，以图兴复。

Ma Wensheng remained determined to recover Hami and appointed Xu Jin grand coordinator of Gansu to pursue the goal. Xu Jin together with the great general Liu Ning and others led a secret night raid. Yalan escaped, his remaining soldiers were killed, the rest were pacified and surrendered, and the Ming forces withdrew. Since the founding of the Ming, government troops had not entered that territory. The various tribes then first learned fear, and Aheima also wished to return Shanba. Yet Hami had been repeatedly devastated, and the remnant people who returned lived in constant fear of attack. Aheima did attack again, but the defenders held firm and he eventually withdrew. Finding themselves destitute and unable to hold the city, the people burned their dwellings and fled to Suzhou seeking relief. Border officials reported this. An edict granted oxen, tools, and seed grain, and ordered the three displaced tribal groups and Hami people residing in Chijin all to proceed to Kuyu, Guazhou, and Shazhou to farm and herd for themselves, planning eventual recovery.

时哈密无王，奄克孛剌为之长。十年遣其党写亦虎仙等来贡，给币帛五千酬其直，使臣犹久留，大肆咆烋。礼官徐琼等极论其罪，乃驱之去。时诸番以朝廷闭关绝贡不得入，咸怨阿黑麻，阿黑麻悔，送还陕巴及哈密之众，乞通贡如故。廷议谓无番文不可骤许，必令具文乃从其请。陕巴前议废，今使暂居甘州，俟众头目俱归心，然后修复哈密城堑，令复旧业。帝悉从之。冬，起王越总制三边军务兼经理哈密。十一年秋，越言哈密不可弃，陕巴亦不可废，宜仍其旧封，令先还哈密，量给修城、筑室之费，犒赐三种番人及赤斤、罕东、小列秃、乜克力诸部，以奖前劳，且责后效。帝亦报可。自是哈密复安，土鲁番亦修贡惟谨。

At this time Hami had no king; Yanke Bolie served as its chief. In Hongzhi 10 he sent his followers Xieyihuxian and others with tribute. Five thousand strings in coins and silks were given as payment, yet the envoys lingered and raged violently. Ritual official Xu Qiong and others argued their crimes at length, and they were driven away. The various tribes, barred from tribute by the closed pass, all resented Aheima. Aheima repented, returned Shanba and the people of Hami, and begged to restore tribute as before. Court discussion held that without a formal written submission from the tribes the request could not be granted at once—they must submit proper documentation first. Shanba had earlier been considered for dismissal; the court now ordered him to stay temporarily at Ganzhou until the various chieftains had been won over, after which Hami's fortifications would be restored and he would resume his former rule. The emperor approved all of it. That winter Wang Yue was appointed grand coordinator of military affairs on the three frontiers, with responsibility for Hami as well. In the autumn of the eleventh year, Wang Yue argued that Hami must not be abandoned and Shanba must not be deposed. Their original titles should stand; Shanba should be sent back to Hami first, given sufficient funds to repair the city and build dwellings, and the three tribal peoples along with the Chijin, Handong, Xiaolietu, and Mikeli clans should be rewarded to honor past service and exact future loyalty. The emperor approved this as well. From then on Hami regained stability, and Turpan resumed tributary relations with scrupulous deference.

奄克孛剌者，罕慎弟也，与陕巴不相能。当事患之，令陕巴娶罕慎女，与之结好。陕巴嗜酒掊克，失众心，部下阿孛剌等咸怨。十七年春，阴构阿黑麻迎其幼子真帖木儿主哈密。陕巴惧，挈家走苦峪。奄克孛剌与写亦虎仙在肃州，边臣以二人为番众所服，令还辅陕巴，与百户董杰偕行。杰有胆略。既抵哈密，阿孛剌与其党五人约夜以兵来劫。杰知之，与奄克孛剌等谋，召阿孛剌等计事，立斩之，其下遂不敢叛。乃令陕巴还哈密，真帖木儿还土鲁番。真帖木儿年十三，其母即罕慎女也，闻父已死，兄满速儿嗣为速檀与诸弟相仇杀，惧不敢归，愿倚奄克孛剌，曰：“吾外祖也。 ”边臣虑与陕巴隙，居之甘州。十八年冬，陕巴卒，其子拜牙即自称速檀，命封为忠顺王。

Yanke Boluo was the younger brother of Hanshen and was on bad terms with Shanba. Officials concerned by the rift arranged for Shanba to marry Hanshen's daughter in hopes of mending relations. Shanba was fond of drinking and preyed on his people, alienating them; subordinates such as Aboluo grew resentful. In the spring of the seventeenth year, they secretly colluded with Aheima to install his young son Zhentiemu'er as ruler of Hami. Terrified, Shanba fled with his family to Kuyu. Yanke Boluo and Xieyihuxian were at Suzhou. Because frontier officials knew both commanded the tribes' respect, they were sent back to support Shanba, traveling together with Company Commander Dong Jie. Dong Jie was bold and capable. Once they reached Hami, Aboluo and five accomplices plotted a night attack. Dong Jie learned of the plot and, with Yanke Boluo and the others, summoned Aboluo and his conspirators on the pretext of consultation, then executed them on the spot. Their followers no longer dared rebel. Shanba was restored to Hami and Zhentiemu'er was sent back to Turpan. Zhentiemu'er was thirteen. His mother was Hanshen's daughter. When he learned his father was dead and his elder brother Mansuer had become sultan and was fighting his brothers, he was afraid to return home. He asked to stay with Yanke Boluo, saying, "He is my maternal grandfather." Frontier officials, worried this would strain relations with Shanba, settled him at Ganzhou. In the winter of the eighteenth year Shanba died. His son Baiyaji proclaimed himself sultan and was invested as Prince of Loyal Submission.

正德三年，写亦虎仙入贡，不与通事偕行，自携边臣文牒投进。大通事王永怒，疏请究治，写酋亦奏永需求。永供奉豹房，恃宠恣横。诏勿究治，两戒谕之。写酋自是益轻朝廷，潜怀异志。

In Zhengde 3, Xieyihuxian arrived to pay tribute without an accompanying interpreter, presenting frontier officials' documents on his own. Senior Interpreter Wang Yong was incensed and memorialized for an inquiry; the Xie chieftain in turn accused Yong of extortion. Wang Yong served in the Leopard Quarter and abused the emperor's favor with outrageous impunity. The court ordered that no inquiry proceed and issued warnings to both men. After this the Xie chieftain grew bolder in his contempt for the court and began secretly scheming against it.

初，拜牙即嗣职，满速儿与通和，且遣使求真帖木儿，边臣言与之便。枢臣谓土鲁番稔恶久，今见我扶植哈密，声势渐张，乃卑词求贡，以还弟为名。我留其弟，正合古人质其亲爱之意，不可遽遣。帝从之。六年始命写亦虎仙偕都督满哈剌三送之西还，至哈密，奄克孛剌欲止之，二人不可。护至土鲁番，遂以国情输满速儿，且诱拜牙即叛。拜牙即素昏愚，性又淫暴，心怵属部害已，而满速儿又甘言诱之，即欲偕奄克孛剌同往，不从，奔肃州。八年秋，拜牙即弃城叛入土鲁番。满速儿遣火者他只丁据哈密，又遣火者马黑木赴甘肃言拜牙即不能守国，满速儿遣将代守，乞犒赐。

When Baiyaji first took office, Mansuer reconciled with him and sent envoys asking for the return of Zhentiemu'er; frontier officials argued that returning the boy would be expedient. Ministers at court observed that Turpan had long been hostile. Seeing Ming support for Hami growing, it now sues for tributary access in humble terms, using the request to recover a brother as cover. Holding his brother hostage was exactly in the spirit of the ancient practice of guaranteeing loyalty through hostages; he should not be released prematurely. The emperor agreed. Not until the sixth year was Xieyihuxian sent, together with Commander Manhalasan, to escort the boy west. At Hami, Yanke Boluo tried to intervene, but the two men refused to stop. Once they reached Turpan, Xieyihuxian briefed Mansuer on conditions at court and urged Baiyaji to defect. Baiyaji was naturally dim and credulous, lecherous and brutal besides. Fearful that his own tribes might turn on him, and swayed by Mansuer's flattery, he wanted Yanke Boluo to accompany him but, when refused, fled to Suzhou. In the autumn of the eighth year Baiyaji abandoned his city and defected to Turpan. Mansuer sent Khwaja Taziding to seize Hami and dispatched Khwaja Maheimu to Gansu with word that Baiyaji could not hold the realm, that he had sent a general to occupy it in his stead, and a request for rewards.

九年四月，事闻，命都御史彭泽往经略。泽未至，贼遣兵分掠苦峪、沙州，声言予我金币万，即归城印。泽抵甘州，谓番人嗜利，可因而款也。遣通事马骥谕令还侵地及王，当予重赏。满速儿伪许之，泽即畀币帛二千及白金酒器一具。十一年五月，拜疏言：“臣遣通事往宣国威，要以重赏，其酋悔过效顺，即以金印及哈密城付之。满哈剌三、写亦虎仙二人召还他只丁，并还所夺赤斤卫印。惟忠顺王在他所，未还。请录效劳人役功，赐臣骸骨归田里。 ”帝即令还朝。忠顺王迄不返，他只丁亦不肯退，复要重赏，始以城来归。

When news reached court in the fourth month of the ninth year, Grand Coordinator Peng Ze was dispatched to manage the western frontier. Before Peng Ze arrived, the enemy raided Kuyu and Shazhou and demanded ten thousand in gold and cash in exchange for the city and its seal. Reaching Ganzhou, Peng Ze reasoned that the tribes were greedy and could be pacified through negotiation. He sent Interpreter Ma Ji to demand the return of seized territory and the loyal prince, promising generous rewards. Mansuer feigned agreement, and Peng Ze at once paid out two thousand bolts of silk and cloth and a white-gold wine set. In the fifth month of the eleventh year Peng Ze memorialized: "I sent an interpreter to proclaim imperial authority and promised rich rewards. The chieftain repented and submitted, and the gold seal and city of Hami were returned." Manhalasan and Xieyihuxian also recalled Taziding and restored the stolen seal of the Chijin Guard. Only the Prince of Loyal Submission remained elsewhere and had not been sent back. He asked that the merits of those who had served be recorded and that he be permitted to retire home. The emperor at once summoned him back to the capital. The Prince of Loyal Submission never came back. Taziding refused to withdraw and again demanded rich rewards before surrendering the city.

明年五月，甘肃巡抚李昆上言：“得满速儿牒，谓拜牙即不可复位，即还故土，已失人心，乞别立安定王千奔后裔。此言良然。如必欲其复国，乞敕满速儿兄弟送还，仍厚赐缯帛，冀其效顺。 ”廷议：“经略西陲已逾三载，而忠顺迄无还期，宜兴师绝贡，不可遂其要求，损我威重。但城印归，国体具在，宜敕责满速儿背负国恩，求取无厌。仍量赐其兄弟，令其速归忠顺。不从，则闭关绝贡，严兵为备。 ”从之。

The following May, Gansu Grand Coordinator Li Kun reported: "Mansuer writes that Baiyaji cannot be restored—that even if he returned he has lost all support—and asks that a descendant of Prince Anding Qianben be installed instead." This argument had merit. If the court insists on restoring him, it should order Mansuer and his brothers to send him back and reward them generously in hopes of winning their cooperation. The court debated: "The western frontier has been under management for more than three years, yet the Prince of Loyal Submission shows no sign of returning. We should mobilize troops and cut off tribute rather than yield to their demands and damage imperial prestige." With the city and seal restored, the form of our authority remains intact. Mansuer should be rebuked for betraying imperial grace and making insatiable demands. A measured gift should still be sent to his brothers, with orders to return the loyal prince at once. If they refuse, close the border, halt tribute, and prepare the army for defense. The court approved.

初，写亦虎仙与满速儿深相结，故首倡逆谋。已而有隙，满速儿欲杀之，大惧，求他只丁为解，许赂币千五百匹，期至肃州畀之，且啖之入寇，曰肃州可得也。满速儿喜，令与其婿马黑木俱入贡，以觇虚实，且徵其赂。边臣以同来火者撒者儿，乃火者他只丁弟，惧为变，并其党虎都写亦羁之甘州，而督写亦虎仙出关，惧不肯去。他只丁闻其弟被拘，怒，复又夺哈密城，请满速儿移居之，分兵胁据沙州，拥众入寇，至兔儿壩，游击芮宁与参将蒋存礼，都指挥黄荣、王琮各率兵往御。宁先抵娑子壩，遇贼。贼悉众围宁，而分兵缀诸将，宁所部七百人皆战没。贼薄肃州城，索所许币。副使陈九畴固守，且先绝其内应，贼知事泄，虑援兵至，大掠而去。

Xieyihuxian had been closely allied with Mansuer and had been the first to instigate rebellion. A rift later opened, and when Mansuer sought his life Xieyihuxian was terrified. He asked Taziding to intercede, promising fifteen hundred bolts of cloth to be delivered at Suzhou, and baited him with an invasion plan, claiming Suzhou could be seized. Delighted, Mansuer sent him and his son-in-law Maheimu to pay tribute, both to probe Ming defenses and collect the promised bribe. Frontier officials, fearing trouble when they learned that the accompanying Khwaja Sazhe'er was Taziding's brother, detained him and his accomplice Huduxieye at Ganzhou and ordered Xieyihuxian to leave the frontier—but he was too afraid to go. When Taziding learned his brother had been detained, he flew into a rage, seized Hami again, and invited Mansuer to move his seat there. He split his force to threaten Shazhou and led a large raid as far as Tu'erba. Mobile Corps Commander Rui Ning, Assistant General Jiang Cunli, and Regional Commanders Huang Rong and Wang Cong each marched out to meet them. Rui Ning reached Suoziba first and clashed with the enemy. The enemy concentrated their force against Rui Ning while detachments tied down the other commanders. All seven hundred of his men were killed. The raiders pressed Suzhou and demanded the promised bribe. Vice Commissioner Chen Jiuchi held firm and preemptively severed their internal contacts. Once the plot was exposed, the raiders, fearing reinforcements, pillaged heavily and withdrew.

十二年正月，羽书闻，廷议复命彭泽总制军务，偕中官张永、都督郤永率师西征。贼还至瓜州，副总兵郑廉合奄克孛剌兵击败之，斩七十九级。贼乃遁去，又与瓦剌相攻，力不敌，移书求款，泽等乃罢行。

In the first month of the twelfth year, urgent reports reached the capital. The court again appointed Peng Ze to overall command, with Eunuch Zhang Yong and Commander Xi Yong, for a western campaign. On their withdrawal to Guazhou, Vice Commander Zheng Lian, joining Yanke Boluo's forces, routed them and took seventy-nine heads. The enemy fled, then clashed with the Oirats and, overmatched, sued for peace by letter. Peng Ze and his column turned back.

先是，写亦虎仙与子米儿马黑木、婿火者马黑木及其党失拜烟答俱以内应系狱，失拜烟答被捶死。及事平，械写亦虎仙赴京，下刑部狱，其子仍系甘州。失拜烟答子米儿马黑麻者，写亦虎仙侄婿他，以入贡在京，探知王琼欲倾彭泽，突入长安门讼父冤，下锦衣狱。会兵部、法司请行甘肃讯报，琼欲因此兴大狱，奏遣科道二人往勘。明年，勘至，于泽无所坐。琼怒，劾泽欺罔辱国，斥为民。坐昆、九畴激变，逮下吏，并获重谴。明年，写亦虎仙亦减死，遂夤缘钱宁，与其婿得侍帝左右。帝悦之，赐国姓，授锦衣指挥，扈驾南征。

Earlier Xieyihuxian, his son Mi'ermaheimu, his son-in-law Khwaja Maheimu, and their accomplice Shibaiyanda had been jailed as collaborators. Shibaiyanda was beaten to death in custody. After the crisis subsided Xieyihuxian was shackled and sent to the capital for imprisonment in the Ministry of Justice; his son remained held at Ganzhou. Shibaiyanda's son Mi'ermaheima, who was married to Xieyihuxian's nephew, was in the capital on tribute business. Learning that Wang Qiong was moving against Peng Ze, he burst through Chang'an Gate to plead his father's innocence and was thrown into the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison. When the Ministry of War and the judiciary asked that the case be heard in Gansu, Wang Qiong sought to broaden it into a major prosecution and memorialized to send two supervisory censors to investigate. The following year the investigators reported back: Peng Ze was cleared of wrongdoing. Enraged, Wang Qiong impeached Peng Ze for deceiving the throne and disgracing the realm and had him reduced to commoner status. Li Kun and Chen Jiuchi were charged with provoking the crisis, arrested, and severely punished. The next year Xieyihuxian's death sentence was commuted. Through Qian Ning's patronage he and his son-in-law gained access to the emperor. The emperor took a liking to them, bestowed the imperial surname, appointed them commanders in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and they accompanied him on campaign in the south.

满速儿犯边后，屡求通贡，不得。十五年归先所掠将卒及忠顺王家属，复求贡。廷议许之，而王迄不还。巡按御史潘仿力言贡不当许，不听。明年，世宗嗣位，杨廷和以写亦虎仙稔中国情实，归必为边患，于遗诏中数其罪，并其子婿伏诛，而用陈九畴为甘肃巡抚。

After his border raids Mansuer repeatedly petitioned to resume tribute but was refused. In the fifteenth year he returned captured Ming officers and soldiers along with the loyal prince's family and again petitioned for tributary access. The court agreed, but the prince never returned. Investigating Censor Pan Fang argued forcefully against resuming tribute, but his advice was ignored. The following year, when the Jiajing emperor succeeded, Yang Tinghe—believing that Xieyihuxian knew too much about Ming affairs and would become a border menace if spared—listed his crimes in the succession edict. Xieyihuxian and his son and son-in-law were executed, and Chen Jiuchi was appointed Gansu Grand Coordinator.

时满速儿比岁来贡，朝廷待之若故，亦不复问忠顺王事。嘉靖三年秋，拥二万骑围肃州，分兵犯甘州。九畴及总兵官姜奭等力战败之，斩他只丁，贼乃却去。事闻，命兵部尚书金献民西讨，抵兰州，贼已久退，乃引还。九畴因力言贼不可抚，乞闭关绝贡，专固边防，可之。明年秋，贼复犯肃州，分兵围参将云冒，而以大众抵南山。九畴时已解职，他将援兵至，贼始遁。

Mansuer continued sending tribute yearly, and the court received him as before, no longer pressing the question of the loyal prince. In the autumn of Jiajing 3 he led twenty thousand cavalry to besiege Suzhou while detachments struck at Ganzhou. Chen Jiuchi and Commander Jiang Yi fought hard, defeated the invaders, and killed Taziding, after which the enemy withdrew. On receiving word of the victory, the court dispatched Minister of War Jin Xianmin westward. He reached Lanzhou after the enemy had already fled and turned back. Chen Jiuchi urged that the enemy could not be conciliated and petitioned to close the border and halt tribute in favor of hard frontier defense. The court agreed. The following autumn the enemy again raided Suzhou, pinning down Assistant General Yun Mao with a detachment while the main body pushed toward Nanshan. Chen Jiuchi had by then left office, but other generals' reinforcements arrived and the raiders withdrew.

当是时，番屡犯边城，当局者无能振国威，为边疆复仇雪耻，而一二新进用事者反借以修怨。由是，封疆之狱起。百户王邦奇者，素憾杨廷和、彭泽，六年春，上言：“今哈密失国，番贼内侵，由泽赂番求和，廷和论杀写亦虎仙所致。诛此两人，庶哈密可复，边境无虞。 ”桂萼、张璁辈欲藉此兴大狱，斥廷和、泽为民，尽置其子弟亲党于理，有自杀者。复遣给事、锦衣官往按。番酋牙兰言非敢获罪天朝，所以犯边，由冤杀写亦虎仙、失拜烟答二人故。今愿献还城印赎前罪。事下兵部，尚书王时中等言：“番酋乞贡数四，先已下总制尚书王宪，因其贡使镌责。所请当不妄，第其词出牙兰，非真求贡之文，或诈以款我。若果悔罪，必先归城印及所掠人畜，械送首恶，稽首关门，方可听许。 ”帝纳之。萼以前狱未竟，必欲重兴大狱，请留质牙兰，遣译者谕其主还侵地。而与礼、兵二部尚书方献夫、王时中等协议，为挑激之词，言番人上书者四辈，皆委咎前吏，虽词多诋饰，亦事发有因。宜遣官严核激变虚实，用服其心，其他具如前议。九畴报捷时，言满速儿、牙兰已毙砲石下，二人实未死。帝固疑之。览萼等议，益疑边臣欺罔，手诏数百言，切责九畴，欲置之死，而戒首辅杨一清勿党庇，遂遣官逮九畴。尚书金献民、侍郎李昆以下，坐累者四十余人。

In those years the tribes raided repeatedly, yet those in power could neither restore imperial prestige nor avenge the frontier. Instead, a handful of newly risen officials turned the crisis into a weapon for personal vendettas. Thus began the great border-affairs prosecutions. Company Commander Wang Bangqi, who had long hated Yang Tinghe and Peng Ze, memorialized in the spring of the sixth year: "Hami's fall and the tribal incursions stem from Peng Ze's bribes for peace and Yang Tinghe's role in executing Xieyihuxian." Execute these two men, and Hami may yet be recovered and the frontier secured. Gui E, Zhang Cong, and their allies seized on this to launch a sweeping prosecution. Yang Tinghe and Peng Ze were stripped of rank, and their families and associates were put on trial—some took their own lives. Supervisory censors and Embroidered Uniform Guard officers were again sent to investigate. Tribal chieftain Yalan declared that he had not wished to offend the Ming court; his raids were provoked by the unjust executions of Xieyihuxian and Shibaiyanda. He now offered to return the city and seal in atonement. The matter went to the Ministry of War. Minister Wang Shizhong argued: "The chieftain has petitioned for tribute four times. Grand Coordinator Wang Xian already rebuked him through his envoys." His request may be sincere, but the message came from Yalan rather than a formal tribute petition—possibly a ruse to appease us. If he truly repents, he must first restore the city and seal, return seized people and livestock, deliver the ringleaders in chains, and prostrate himself at the border gate. Only then should tribute be considered. The emperor approved. Gui E, determined to reopen prosecutions from the earlier affair, asked that Yalan be held as a hostage while an interpreter was sent to demand the return of seized territory. He colluded with the Ministers of Rites and War, Fang Xianfu and Wang Shizhong, drafting inflammatory language alleging that four separate tribal petitions all blamed former officials—embellished though the accounts were, they claimed, the complaints had some basis. An official commission should rigorously investigate whether frontier officials had provoked the crisis, to win over the tribes; all other conditions should follow the prior recommendation. When Chen Jiuchi reported his victory, he claimed that Mansuer and Yalan had been killed by artillery—but both men were still alive. The emperor was already skeptical. After reading the recommendations of Gui E and his allies, the emperor grew convinced that frontier officials had lied to him. He drafted a handwritten edict of several hundred words fiercely condemning Jiuchi and calling for his execution, while warning Grand Secretary Yang Yiqing not to protect him. Officials were sent to arrest Jiuchi. More than forty officials were implicated, including Minister Jin Xianmin and Vice Minister Li Kun.

七年正月，九畴逮至下狱。萼等必欲杀之，并株连廷和、泽。刑部尚书胡世宁力救，帝稍悟，免死戍边，泽、献民等皆落职。番酋气益骄，而萼又荐王琼督三边，尽释还九畴所系番使，许之通贡。番酋迄不悔罪，侮玩如故。时以牙兰获罪其主，率部帐来归，边臣受之。满速儿怒，其部下虎力纳咱儿引瓦剌二千余骑犯肃州，至老鹳堡，值撒马儿罕贡使在堡中，贼呼与语，游击彭浚急引兵击之。贼言欲问信通和，浚不听，进战，破之。贼遁走赤斤，使人持番文求贡，委罪瓦剌，词多悖谩。琼希时贵指，必欲议抚，因言番人且悔，宜原情赦罪，以罢兵息民，并上浚及副使赵载功状。章下兵部。

In the first month of the seventh year, Jiuchi was arrested and thrown into prison. Gui E and his faction were determined to have him executed and sought to drag Yang Tinghe and Peng Ze into the case as well. Minister of Punishments Hu Shining fought hard to save him. The emperor partially relented, commuting the death sentence to frontier exile. Peng Ze, Jin Xianmin, and the others were all stripped of their posts. The tribal chieftains grew bolder still. Gui E then recommended Wang Qiong to oversee the Three Frontiers, ordered the release of all tribal envoys detained by Jiuchi, and permitted tribute missions to resume. The chieftain never repented and continued to treat the court with the same insolent contempt as before. About this time Yalan, having fallen out with his lord, led his clan and followers to defect. Frontier officials accepted them. Mansuer was furious. His subordinate Huli Naz'aer led more than two thousand Oirat horsemen against Suzhou as far as Lao Guan Fort, where Samarkand tribute envoys happened to be lodged. The raiders shouted over to parley. Mobile-detachment commander Peng Jun rushed troops forward and attacked. The raiders claimed they only wished to open talks for peace. Peng Jun refused to listen, pressed the attack, and routed them. The raiders fled to Chijin and dispatched an envoy with a tribal petition requesting tribute, blaming the Oirats while using language that was mostly defiant and insulting. Wang Qiong, eager to align himself with the court's powerful faction, pressed for appeasement. He argued that the tribes were already repentant and should be pardoned so that fighting could cease and the people find relief, and he submitted reports on the achievements of Peng Jun and Vice Commissioner Zhao Zai. The memorial was referred to the Ministry of War.

初，胡世宁之救陈九畴也，欲弃哈密不守，言：“拜牙即久归土鲁番，即还故土，亦其臣属，其他族裔无可继者。回回一种，早已归之。哈剌灰、畏兀儿二族逃附肃州已久，不可驱之出关。然则哈密将安兴复哉？纵得忠顺嫡派，畀之金印，助之兵食，谁与为守？不过一二年，复为所夺，益彼富强，辱我皇命，徒使再得城印，为后日要挟之地。乞圣明熟筹，如先朝和宁交址故事，置哈密勿间。如其不侵扰，则许之通贡。否则，闭关绝之，庶不以外番疲中国。 ”詹事霍韬力驳其非。至是，世宁改掌兵部，上言：“番酋变诈多端，欲取我肃州，则渐置奸回于内地。事觉，则多纵反间，倾我辅臣。乃者许之朝贡，使方入关，而贼兵已至，河西几危。此闭关与通贡，利害较然。今琼等既言贼薄我城堡，缚我士卒，声言大举，以恐吓天朝，而又言贼方惧悔，宜仍许通贡，何自相牴牾。霍韬又以贼无印信番文为疑，臣谓即有印信，亦安足据。第毋堕其术中，以间我忠臣，弛我边备，斯可矣。牙兰本我属番，为彼掠去，今束身来归，事属反正，宜即抚而用之。招彼携贰，益我籓篱。至于兴复哈密，臣等窃以为非中国所急也。夫哈密三立三绝，今其王已为贼用，民尽流亡。借使更立他种，彼强则入寇，弱则从贼，难保为不侵不叛之臣。故臣以为立之无益，适令番酋挟为奸利耳。乞赐琼玺书，令会同甘肃守臣，遣番使归谕满速儿，诘以入寇状。倘委为不知，则令械送虎力纳咱儿。或事出瓦剌，则缚其人以自赎。否则羁其使臣，发兵往讨，庶威信并行，贼知敛戢。更敕琼为国忠谋，力求善后之策，以通番纳贡为权宜，足食固圉为久计，封疆幸甚。 ”疏入，帝深然之，命琼熟计详处，毋轻信番言。

Earlier, when Hu Shining had intervened to save Chen Jiuchi, he had argued for abandoning Hami altogether: "Baiyaji has long since returned to Turpan. Even if he came back to his old territory, he would still be their subject, and among the other clans there is no one fit to succeed him." The Hui people as a whole submitted to them long ago. The Karakhui and Uyghur peoples have long since fled to Suzhou for refuge and cannot now be driven back beyond the pass. In that case, how could Hami ever be restored? Even if a legitimate heir of the Prince of Loyalty and Obedience were found, given the gold seal, and supplied with troops and provisions—who would stand guard with him? Within a year or two it would be seized again, making the enemy richer and stronger while disgracing imperial authority—and merely giving them the city and seal once more as leverage for future extortion. I beg Your Majesty to weigh this carefully and, following the precedent of earlier reigns with Hening and Jiaozhi, leave Hami alone. If they refrain from raiding, permit tribute missions. Otherwise, close the passes and cut them off, so that outer tribes do not drain the empire's strength. Junior Mentor Huo Tao forcefully rejected this argument. By this time Shining had moved to head the Ministry of War and memorialized: "The tribal chieftain is endlessly treacherous. When he aims at Suzhou, he gradually plants disloyal Hui agents inside the frontier." When exposed, he spreads counter-intelligence to bring down our chief ministers. Recently, tribute was permitted—but the envoys had barely entered the pass when raiders arrived, and Hexi nearly fell. The contrast between closing the passes and permitting tribute could not be clearer. Wang Qiong and his allies report that the raiders pressed our fortresses, bound our soldiers, and threatened a major invasion to intimidate the court—yet they also claim the enemy is now fearful and repentant and that tribute should resume. How can these accounts be reconciled? Huo Tao also doubts them because the petition bore no official tribal seal. I say that even with a seal, it would prove nothing. We need only avoid falling into their trap—turning loyal ministers against one another and relaxing frontier defenses. Yalan was originally our subject tribesman before being carried off by the enemy. Now he has come of his own accord—a legitimate return to allegiance. He should be conciliated and put to use at once. Win over those who waver in their loyalty and strengthen our frontier bulwark. As for restoring Hami, we privately believe it is not an urgent priority for the empire. Hami has been established and lost three times over. Its king now serves the enemy, and the people have all fled. Even if another tribe were installed, when strong they would raid, when weak they would follow the enemy—there is no guarantee of loyal, non-aggressive subjects. Establishing a ruler there, I believe, would serve no purpose except to give the chieftain another lever for extortion. I beg that an imperial missive under seal be sent to Wang Qiong, ordering him to work with Gansu defense officials to send the tribal envoy back and demand that Mansuer account for the raids. If he pleads ignorance, order him to deliver Huli Naz'aer in chains. If the Oirats were responsible, he should deliver the culprits to redeem himself. Otherwise, detain their envoys and send troops to punish them—so that authority and credibility go hand in hand and the raiders learn restraint. Further instruct Wang Qiong to serve the state's interests faithfully, devise a sound long-term policy, treat tribal tribute as a temporary expedient, and make securing provisions and fortifying defenses the enduring strategy—the frontier will be greatly strengthened. When the memorial arrived, the emperor strongly approved it and ordered Wang Qiong to deliberate carefully and handle the matter thoroughly, and not to trust tribal assurances lightly.

至明年，甘肃巡抚唐泽亦以哈密未易兴复，请专图自治之策。琼善之，据以上闻，帝报可。自是置哈密不问，土鲁番许之通贡，西陲藉以息肩。而哈密后为失拜烟答子米儿马黑木所有，服属土鲁番。朝廷犹令其比岁一贡，异于诸番，迄隆庆、万历朝犹入贡不绝，然非忠顺王苗裔矣。

The following year, Gansu Grand Coordinator Tang Ze also argued that Hami could not easily be restored and urged a policy focused on strengthening local defenses. Wang Qiong approved and forwarded the proposal; the emperor assented. From then on Hami was left alone. Turpan was permitted to send tribute, and the western frontier gained a measure of relief. Hami later fell to Shibaiyanda's son Mi'ermahaimu, who acknowledged Turpan's authority. The court still required annual tribute—a privilege distinct from other tribes—and missions continued through the Longqing and Wanli reigns, though the rulers were no longer descendants of the Prince of Loyalty and Obedience.

柳城，一名鲁陈，又名柳陈城，即后汉柳中地，西域长史所治。唐置柳中县。西去火州七十里，东去哈密千里。经一大川，道旁多骸骨，相传有鬼魅，行旅早暮失侣多迷死。出大川，渡流沙，在火山下，有城屹然广二三里，即柳城也。四面皆田园，流不环绕，树木阴翳。土宜穄麦豆麻，有桃李枣瓜胡芦之属。而葡萄最多，小而甘，无核，名锁子葡萄。畜有牛羊马驼。节候常和。土人纯朴，男子椎结，妇人蒙皁布，其语音类畏兀儿。

Liucheng—also called Luchen or Liuchen city—occupies the Liuzhong region of Later Han, where the Chief Commandant of the Western Regions had his seat. Under the Tang it was established as Liuzhong county. It lies seventy li west of Huozhou and a thousand li east of Hami. Travelers pass through a great river valley where skeletons line the road. Ghosts and demons are said to haunt the place, and wayfarers who lose their companions at dawn or dusk often wander to their deaths. Beyond the great valley, after crossing drifting sands at the foot of the Volcano, a city rises two or three li across—Liucheng itself. Fields and gardens surround it on every side; streams wind through the land and trees cast deep shade. The soil supports millet, wheat, beans, and hemp, along with peaches, plums, jujubes, melons, gourds, and the like. Grapes are especially abundant—small, sweet, and seedless, known as lock-grapes. Livestock include cattle, sheep, horses, and camels. The climate is generally mild. The people are plain and honest. Men wear topknots; women veil themselves in black cloth. Their speech resembles Uyghur.

永乐四年，刘帖木儿使别失八里，因命赍彩币赐柳城酋长。明年，其万户瓦赤剌即遣使来贡。七年，傅安自西域还，其酋复遣使随入贡。帝即命安赍绮帛报之。十一年夏，遣使随白阿儿忻台入贡。冬，万户观音奴再遣使随安入贡。二十年与哈密共贡羊二千。

In Yongle 4, Liu Timuer was dispatched to Beshbalik and ordered to carry colored silks as gifts for the Liucheng chieftain. The following year its commander of ten thousand households, Wachila, sent envoys to present tribute. In the seventh year, when Fu An returned from the Western Regions, the chieftain again sent envoys to accompany him in presenting tribute. The emperor ordered Fu An to carry brocades and silks in return. In the summer of the eleventh year, envoys accompanied Bai A'erxintai in presenting tribute. That winter, commander Guanyinnu again sent envoys to accompany Fu An in presenting tribute. In the twentieth year they jointly presented two thousand sheep with Hami.

宣德五年，头目阿黑把失来贡。正统五年、十三年并入贡。自后不复至。

In Xuande 5 the headman Aheibashi came to present tribute. In Zhengtong 5 and 13 they again presented tribute. After that they came no more.

柳城密尔火州、土鲁番，凡天朝遣使及其酋长入贡，多与之偕。后土鲁番强，二国并为所灭。

Liucheng lies close to Huozhou and Turpan. Whenever the court dispatched envoys or its chieftains came to present tribute, they usually traveled together. Later Turpan grew powerful and absorbed both states.

火州，又名哈剌，在柳城西七十里，土鲁番东三十里，即汉车师前王地。隋时为高昌国。唐太宗灭高昌，以其地为西州。宋时回鹘居之，尝入贡。元名火州，与安定、曲先诸卫统号畏兀儿，置达鲁花赤监治之。

Huozhou—also called Hala—lies seventy li west of Liucheng and thirty li east of Turpan, on the territory of the Han-era Front Kingdom of Cheshi. Under the Sui it was the kingdom of Gaochang. Emperor Taizong of Tang destroyed Gaochang and made its territory the prefecture of Xizhou. Under the Song the Uyghurs lived there and sometimes sent tribute. Under the Yuan it was named Huozhou. Together with the guards of Anding, Quxian, and others it was collectively known as Uyghur, with a darughachi stationed to govern it.

永乐四年五月命鸿胪丞刘帖木儿护别失八里使者归，因赍彩币赐其王子哈散。明年遣使贡玉璞方物。使臣言，回回行贾京师者，甘、凉军士多私送出境，泄漏边务。帝命御史往按，且敕总兵官宋晟严束之。七年遣使偕哈烈、撒马儿罕来贡。十一年夏，都指挥白阿儿忻台遣使偕俺的干、失剌思等九国来贡。秋，命陈诚、李暹等以玺书、文绮、纱罗、布帛往劳。十三年冬，遣使随诚来贡。自是久不至。正统十三年复贡，后遂绝。

In the fifth month of Yongle 4 the emperor ordered Honglu Assistant Liu Timuer to escort the Beshbalik envoys home and, en route, carry colored silks as gifts for Prince Hasan. The following year envoys presented jade rough and local products as tribute. The envoy reported that garrison soldiers in Ganzhou and Liangzhou often smuggled Muslim merchants bound for the capital across the border, leaking frontier intelligence. The emperor ordered censors to investigate and commanded regional commander Song Sheng to enforce strict discipline. In the seventh year envoys came to present tribute together with Herat and Samarkand. In the summer of the eleventh year Regional Commander Bai A'erxintai dispatched envoys from Andigan, Shiraz, and eight other states to present tribute. That autumn Chen Cheng, Li Xian, and others were dispatched with imperial missives, patterned silks, gauze, silk, and cloth to convey the court's favor. In the winter of the thirteenth year envoys accompanied Chen Cheng in presenting tribute. After that they did not come for a long time. In Zhengtong 13 they presented tribute again; afterward missions ceased entirely.

其地多山，青红若火，故名火州。气候热。五谷、畜产与柳城同。城方十余里，僧寺多于民居。东有荒城，即高昌国都，汉戊己校尉所治。西北连别失八里。国小，不能自立，后为土鲁番所并。

The land is mostly mountainous, its blue and red hues like fire—hence the name Fire Prefecture. The climate is hot. Its grains and livestock are the same as Liucheng's. The city covers more than ten li square; Buddhist temples outnumber dwellings. To the east lies a ruined city—the former capital of Gaochang, where the Han Wuji Colonel had his headquarters. To the northwest it borders Beshbalik. The state was small and could not stand alone; later Turpan annexed it.

土鲁番

Turpan.

土鲁番，在火州西百里，去哈密千余里，嘉峪关二千六百里。汉车师前王地。隋高昌国。唐灭高昌，置西州及交河县，此则交河县安乐城也。宋复名高昌，为回鹘所据，尝入贡。元设万户府。

Turpan lies a hundred li west of Huozhou, more than a thousand li from Hami and twenty-six hundred li from Jiayu Pass. It occupies the Han-era territory of the Front Kingdom of Cheshi. Under the Sui it was the kingdom of Gaochang. When the Tang destroyed Gaochang they established Xizhou and Jiaohe county; this is Anle city in Jiaohe county. Under the Song the name Gaochang was restored. The Uyghurs held it and sometimes sent tribute. Under the Yuan a myriarch administration was established there.

永乐四年遣官使别失八里，道其地，以彩币赐之。其万户赛因帖木儿遣使贡玉璞，明年达京师。六年，其国番僧清来率徒法泉等朝贡。天子欲令化导番俗，即授为灌顶慈慧圆智普通国师，徒七人并为土鲁番僧纲司官，赐赉甚厚。由是其徒来者不绝，贡名马、海青及他物。天子亦数遣官奖劳之。

In Yongle 4 (1406), the court sent envoys to Beshbalik; traveling through Turpan, they bestowed silk gifts upon the local ruler. The wanhu Sayin Timur sent envoys with offerings of uncut jade, which reached the capital the following year. In the sixth year the Buddhist monk Qinglai of Turpan led disciples including Faquan to the capital to present tribute. The emperor, wishing to transform local customs through Buddhism, invested Qinglai as State Preceptor of Abhiseka, Compassionate Wisdom, Perfect Knowledge, and Universal Teaching, appointed all seven disciples to the Turpan monastic registry, and lavished gifts upon them. Thereafter his disciples kept arriving, offering fine horses, gyrfalcons, and other tribute. The emperor in turn repeatedly sent officials to commend and reward them.

二十年，其酋尹吉儿察与哈密共贡马千三百匹，赐赉有加。已而尹吉儿察为别失八里酋歪思所逐，走归京师。天子悯之，命为都督佥事，遣还故土。尹吉儿察德中国，洪熙元年躬率部落来朝。宣德元年亦如之。天子待之甚厚，还国病卒。三年，其子满哥帖木儿来朝。正统六年，朝议土鲁番久失贡，因米昔儿使臣还，令赍钞币赐其酋巴剌麻儿。明年遣使入贡。

In the twentieth year the chieftain Yinji'ercha and Hami together presented thirteen hundred horses; the court increased its gifts in return. Before long Yinji'ercha was expelled by Wasi, chieftain of Beshbalik, and fled to the capital. The emperor took pity on him, made him assistant regional commander, and sent him back to his homeland. Yinji'ercha came to esteem the Ming court; in Hongxi 1 (1425) he led his people to the capital in person. He did the same again in Xuande 1 (1426). The emperor treated him with great generosity; he returned home and died of illness. Three years later his son Manggetiemuer came to court. In Zhengtong 6 (1441), noting that Turpan had long ceased tribute, the court sent gifts of paper money and silks with returning Mamluk envoys to the chieftain Balama'er. The following year Turpan sent envoys with tribute.

初，其地介于阗、别失八里诸大国间，势甚微弱。后侵掠火州、柳城，皆为所并，国日强，其酋也密力火者遂僭称王。以景泰三年，偕其妻及部下头目各遣使入贡。天顺三年复贡，其使臣进秩者二十有四人。先后命指挥白全、都指挥桑斌等使其国。

At first Turpan lay wedged between Khotan, Beshbalik, and other powerful states, and was very weak. Later it invaded Huozhou and Liucheng and annexed them both; growing ever stronger, its chieftain Yamilihuozhe took to calling himself king. In Jingtai 3 (1452), he, his wife, and subordinate chieftains each sent envoys with tribute. In Tianshun 3 (1459) tribute came again; twenty-four of the envoys were promoted in rank. The court successively dispatched the commander Bai Quan and the regional commander Sang Bin as envoys to Turpan.

成化元年，礼官姚夔等定议，土鲁番三年或五年一贡，贡不得过十人。五年遣使来贡，其酋阿力自称速檀，奏求海青、鞍马、蟒服、彩币、器用。礼官言物多违禁，不可尽从，命赐彩币、布帛。明年复贡，奏求忽拨思筝、鼓罗、占镫、高丽布诸物。廷议不许。

In Chenghua 1 (1465), the Ministry of Rites under Yao Kui set rules limiting Turpan to tribute once every three or five years, with no more than ten envoys per mission. In the fifth year envoys arrived; the chieftain Ali styled himself sultan and petitioned for gyrfalcons, saddled horses, python-pattern robes, silks, and furnishings. The Ministry of Rites noted that many items violated regulations and could not all be granted; the court ordered colored silks and cloth given instead. The following year they sent tribute again, requesting Persian zithers, drums, lamps, Goryeo cloth, and other goods. The court refused.

时土鲁番愈强，而哈密以无主削弱，阿力欲并之。九年春，袭破其城，执王母，夺金印，分兵守之而去。朝廷命李文等经略，无功而还。阿力修贡如故，一岁中，使来者三，朝廷仍善待之，未尝一语严诘。贡使益傲，求驯象。兵部言象以备仪卫，礼有进献，无求索，乃却其请。使臣复言已得哈密城池及瓦剌奄檀王人马一万，又收捕曲先并亦思渴头目倒刺火只，乞朝廷遣使通道，往来和好。帝曰：“迤西道无阻，不须遣官。阿力果诚心修贡，朝廷不计前愆，仍以礼待。 ”使臣复言赤斤诸卫素与有仇，乞遣将士护行，且谓阿力虽得哈密，止以物产充贡，愿质使臣家属于边，赐敕归谕其王，献还城印。帝从其护行之请，而赐敕谕阿力献王母及城印，即和好如初。使臣还，复遣他使再入贡，而不还哈密。

Turpan was growing stronger; Hami, left without a ruler, was weakening; Ali sought to annex it. In the spring of the ninth year he stormed Hami, captured the queen mother, seized the gold seal, posted troops to hold the city, and withdrew. The court dispatched Li Wen and others to reclaim the territory, but they achieved nothing and returned. Ali continued sending tribute as before—three missions in a single year—yet the court still treated them graciously and never uttered a word of stern reproach. The envoys grew bolder and asked for trained elephants. The Ministry of War replied that elephants were reserved for ceremonial guard—that tribute might be offered but not demanded—and refused the request. The envoys further claimed to have seized Hami's city, ten thousand Oirat troops under the Yantan king, and the chieftain Daocihuozhi of Quxian and Yisike; they asked the court to dispatch envoys to secure the route and establish friendly relations. The emperor replied: "The western route is clear; there is no need to send officials. If Ali is sincere in resuming tribute, the court will overlook past offenses and continue to receive him with full ceremony. The envoys added that the Chijin guards had long been their enemies and requested a military escort; they said that though Ali held Hami, he would continue tribute in local goods only, offered to leave envoys' families at the border as hostages, and asked for an imperial edict instructing their lord to return the city and seal. The emperor granted the escort but also ordered Ali, by imperial edict, to return the queen mother and city seal, promising that relations would then be restored. After the envoys departed, Turpan sent fresh missions with tribute but did not return Hami.

十二年八月，甘州守臣言，番使谓王母已死，城印俱存，俟朝廷往谕即献还。帝已却其贡使，复俾入京。时大臣专务姑息，致遐方小丑无顾忌。

In the eighth month of the twelfth year the Ganzhou commander reported that Turpan's envoys claimed the queen mother was dead, that the city and seal were intact, and that both would be surrendered when the court so directed. Though the emperor had already turned back their tribute mission, he again permitted them to enter the capital. By then senior ministers pursued only appeasement, leaving petty border chieftains utterly unafraid.

十四年，阿力死，其子阿黑麻嗣为速檀，遣使来贡。十八年，哈密都督罕慎潜师捣哈密，克之。贼将牙兰遁走。阿黑麻颇惧。朝议罕慎有功，将立为王。阿黑麻闻之，怒曰：“罕慎非忠顺族，安得立！ ”乃伪与结婚。

In the fourteenth year Ali died; his son Aheima succeeded as sultan and sent tribute envoys. In the eighteenth year Han Shen, regional commander of Hami, led a covert force against Hami and recaptured it. The Turpan general Yalan fled. Aheima was deeply alarmed. The court deemed Han Shen's service meritorious and prepared to install him as king. Hearing this, Aheima fumed: "Han Shen is not of the royal line of Loyalty and Obedience—he cannot be made king! He then pretended to propose a marriage alliance.

弘治元年躬至哈密城下，诱罕慎盟，执杀之，复据其城，而遣使入贡；称与罕慎缔姻，乞赐蟒服及九龙浑金膝襕诸物。使至甘州，而罕慎之变已闻，朝廷亦不罪，但令还谕其主，归我侵地。番贼知中国易与，不奉命，复遣使来贡。礼官议薄其赏，拘使臣，番贼稍惧。

In Hongzhi 1 (1488) he came in person to Hami, lured Han Shen into a sworn alliance, seized and killed him, reoccupied the city, and sent envoys with tribute; claiming kinship through marriage with Han Shen and requesting python robes, nine-dragon gilt knee-guards, and other gifts. By the time the envoys reached Ganzhou, news of Han Shen's murder had arrived; the court did not punish them, merely instructing them to tell their master to return seized Ming territory. Turpan's leaders, sensing the court was pliant, ignored the command and sent tribute again. The Ministry of Rites recommended curtailing rewards and detaining the envoys; Turpan grew somewhat fearful.

三年春，偕撒马儿罕贡狮子，愿献还城印，朝廷亦还其使臣。礼官请却勿纳，帝不从。及使还，命内官张芾护行，谕内阁草敕。阁臣刘吉等言：“阿黑麻背负天恩，杀我所立罕慎，宜遣大将直捣巢穴，灭其种类，始足雪中国之愤。或不即讨，亦当如古帝王封玉门关，绝其贡使，犹不失大体。今宠其使臣，厚加优待，又遣中使伴送，此何理哉！陛下事遵成宪，乃无故召番人入大内看戏狮子，大赉御品，夸耀而出。都下闻之，咸为骇叹，谓祖宗以来，从无此事。奈何屈万乘之尊，为奇兽之玩，俾异言异服之人，杂遝清严之地。况使臣满剌土儿即罕慎外舅，忘主事仇，逆天无道。而阿黑麻聚集人马，谋犯肃州，名虽奉贡，意实叵测。兵部议羁其使臣，正合事宜。若不停张芾之行，彼使臣还国，阿黑麻必谓中土帝王可通情希宠，大臣谋国，天子不听，其奈我何。长番贼之志，损天朝之威，莫甚于此。 ”疏入，帝止芾行，而问阁臣兴师、绝贡二事。吉等以时势未能，但请薄其赐赉。因言饲狮日用二羊，十岁则七千二百羊矣，守狮日役校尉五十人，一岁则一万八千人矣。若绝其餧养，听其自毙，传之千载，实为美谈。帝不能用。

In the spring of the third year they sent lions as tribute jointly with Samarkand, offering to return the city and seal; the court in turn released their envoys. The Ministry of Rites urged rejection of the tribute; the emperor refused. When the envoys departed, the eunuch Zhang Fei was ordered to escort them home, and the Grand Secretariat was told to draft an edict. Grand Secretary Liu Ji and others wrote: "Aheima has betrayed imperial favor and murdered Han Shen, whom we enthroned. We should send a major force straight against their stronghold and destroy them utterly—only then will the empire's outrage be satisfied. Failing immediate reprisal, we should at least follow the ancient precedent of sealing the Jade Gate and cutting off their tribute missions—that would still preserve our dignity. Yet now we shower their envoys with favor, treat them lavishly, and send palace eunuchs to escort them home—what sense does this make! Your Majesty governs by established precedent—yet you summoned these foreigners into the Inner Palace to watch the lions perform, heaped imperial gifts upon them, and sent them out to parade their favor. All the capital was stunned; since the founding of the dynasty, nothing like it had ever occurred. Why should the Son of Heaven demean his throne for the sake of exotic beasts, letting men in foreign dress and tongue swarm the sacred inner court? Worse, the envoy Manlatu'er was Han Shen's uncle by marriage—he had forsaken loyalty, nursed a blood feud, and defied all decency. Meanwhile Aheima was massing troops to strike Suzhou; though he came in the guise of tribute, his intentions were deeply suspect. The Ministry of War's recommendation to detain the envoys was entirely proper. If Zhang Fei's escort is not stopped, when those envoys return Aheima will conclude that the Ming emperor can be cultivated for favor—that though his ministers counsel wisely, the throne will not heed them, and Turpan need fear nothing. Nothing could more embolden these border raiders or more diminish imperial prestige. When the memorial arrived, the emperor halted Zhang Fei's mission and asked the Grand Secretaries about military action and severing tribute. Liu Ji and his colleagues, deeming the times unsuitable for war, could only recommend reducing gifts. They added that the lions consumed two sheep daily—seven thousand two hundred over ten years—and required fifty guards each day, eighteen thousand men over a year. If we ceased feeding them and let them die naturally, the story would echo honorably through the ages. The emperor rejected the advice.

秋，又遣使从海道贡狮子，朝命却之，其使乃潜诣京师。礼官请治沿途有司罪，仍却其使，从之。当是时，中外乂安，大臣马文升、耿裕辈，咸知国体，于贡使多所裁损，阿黑麻稍知中国有人。四年秋，遣使再贡狮子，愿还金印，及所据十一城。边臣以闻，许之，果以城印来归。明年封陕巴为忠顺王，纳之哈密，厚赐阿黑麻使臣，先所拘者尽释还。

That autumn they sent envoys by sea with lions; ordered turned back at the border, they slipped through to the capital. The Ministry of Rites called for punishing officials along the route and again rejecting the mission; the emperor agreed. By then the realm was at peace at home and abroad; statesmen such as Ma Wensheng and Geng Yu, well versed in national dignity, repeatedly scaled back Turpan's tribute privileges, and Aheima gradually learned that the Ming had men of substance. In the autumn of the fourth year they sent lions again, offering to return the gold seal and the eleven cities they held. Border officials relayed the offer; the court agreed; the city and seal were duly returned. The following year Shaba was enthroned as King of Loyalty and Obedience and installed at Hami; Aheima's envoys were richly rewarded and all previously detained envoys were released.

六年春，其前使二十七人还，未出境，后使三十九人犹在京师，阿黑麻复袭陷哈密，执陕巴以去。帝命侍郎张海等经略，优待其使，俾得进见。礼官耿裕等谏曰：“朝廷驭外番，宜惜大体。番使自去年入都，久不宣召，今春三月以来，宣召至再，且赐币帛羊酒，正当谩书投入之时，小人何知，将谓朝廷恩礼视昔有加，乃畏我而然。事干国体，不可不慎。况此贼倔强无礼，久蓄不庭之心。所遣使臣，必其亲信腹心，乃令出入禁掖，略无防闲。万一奸宄窥伺，潜逞逆谋，虽悔何及。今其使写亦满速儿等宴赉已竣，犹不肯行，曰恐朝廷复宣召。夫不宝远物，则远人格。狮本野兽，不足为奇，何至上烦銮舆，屡加临视，致荒徼小丑，得觐圣颜，藉为口实。 ”疏入，帝即遣还。张海等抵甘肃，遵朝议，却其贡物，羁前后使臣一百七十二人于边，闭嘉峪关，永绝贡道。而巡抚许进等，又潜兵直捣哈密，走牙兰，阿黑麻渐惧。其邻邦不获贡，胥怨阿黑麻。十年冬，送还陕巴，款关求贡，廷议许之。十二年，其使再求，命前使安置广东者悉释还。

In the spring of the sixth year twenty-seven earlier envoys departed; before they had cleared the border, thirty-nine later envoys still lingered in the capital when Aheima again stormed Hami and carried Shaba away captive. The emperor dispatched Vice Minister Zhang Hai to manage the crisis—but still treated Turpan's envoys generously and granted them audiences. Geng Yu of the Ministry of Rites remonstrated: "In dealing with foreign peoples the court must preserve its larger dignity. These envoys entered the capital last year and went long without summons; since the third month they have been summoned twice and given silks, sheep, and wine—just as deceptive overtures are being exchanged. Such men will conclude the court's favor has grown because Turpan now fears us. This touches the dignity of the state and must be handled with care. Moreover this rebel is truculent and insolent, long disloyal in heart. His envoys are surely his closest confidants—yet they are permitted to move freely in the imperial precincts with scarcely any restraint. Should assassins or conspirators seize the chance, it would be too late for regret. Envoys such as Xieyimansu'er, their feasts and gifts complete, still refuse to leave, saying they fear another imperial summons. "He who does not cherish exotic goods from afar will win submission from afar." Lions are merely wild beasts, nothing to marvel at—why should the emperor repeatedly go to see them, letting petty frontier chieftains gaze upon the imperial face and brag of the honor? When the memorial arrived, the emperor at once ordered the envoys dismissed. Zhang Hai reached Gansu, rejected their tribute as the court had ordered, detained all 172 envoys at the frontier, closed Jiayu Pass, and permanently severed the tribute route. Meanwhile Grand Coordinator Xu Jin led a covert strike against Hami, driving off Yalan; Aheima grew increasingly fearful. Neighboring states, barred from the tribute route, all blamed Aheima. In the winter of the tenth year they returned Shaba, came to the pass seeking renewed tribute, and the court agreed. In the twelfth year they petitioned again; all envoys previously held in Guangdong were released.

十七年，阿黑麻死，诸子争立，相仇杀。已而长子满速儿嗣为速檀，修贡如故。明年，忠顺王陕巴卒，子拜牙即袭，昏愚失道，国内益乱。而满速儿桀点变诈逾于父，复有吞哈密之志。

In the seventeenth year Aheima died; his sons fought over the succession and slaughtered one another. Eventually his eldest son Mansu'er succeeded as sultan and resumed tribute as before. The following year King Shaba of Loyalty and Obedience died; his son Baiya succeeded at once—a dull, dissolute ruler under whom Hami descended further into chaos. Mansu'er, more cunning and treacherous than his father, again coveted Hami.

正德四年，其弟真帖木儿在甘州，贡使乞放还。朝议不许，乃以甘州守臣奏送还。还即以边情告其兄，共谋为逆。九年诱拜牙即叛，复据哈密。朝廷遣彭泽经略，赎还城印。其部下他只丁复据之，且导满速儿犯肃州。自是，哈密不可复得，而患且中于甘肃。会中朝大臣自相倾陷，番酋觇知之，益肆谗构，贼腹心得侍天子，中国体大亏，贼气焰益盛。

In Zhengde 4 (1509), his younger brother Zhentiemuer was held at Ganzhou; Turpan's envoys petitioned for his release. The court refused, but the defending officer at Ganzhou petitioned and had him sent back. Once home, he at once told his brother what he had learned of frontier affairs, and together they plotted rebellion. In the ninth year he enticed Baiya into revolt; Baiya at once turned traitor and Hami was seized again. The court sent Peng Ze to handle frontier affairs and bought back Hami's city and official seal. His follower Taziding seized Hami again and guided Mansu'er in a raid on Suzhou. After this Hami was lost for good, and the threat moved deep into Gansu. At the same time court ministers were tearing one another down. The Turpan chief saw his opening and redoubled his intrigues; Mansu'er's agent won access to the emperor's ear; China's standing was gravely diminished; and the rebels grew bolder still.

十五年复许通贡。甘肃巡按潘仿言：“番贼犯顺，杀戮摽掠，惨不可胜言。今虽悔罪，果足赎前日万一乎？数年以来，虽尝闭关，未能问罪。今彼以困惫求通，且将窥我意向，探我虚实，缓我后图，诱我重利。不于此时稍正其罪，将益启轻慢之心，招反覆之衅，非所以尊中国驭外番也。况彼番文执难从之词，示敢拒之状，当悔罪求通之日，为侮慢不恭之语，其变诈已见。若曰来者不拒，驭戎之常，尽略彼事之非，纳求和之使，必将叨冒恩礼，饱餍赏饩，和市私贩，满载而归。所欲既足，骄志复萌，少不慊心，动则藉口，反复之衅，且在目前。叛则未尝加罪，而反获钞掠之利，来则未必见拒，而更有赐赉之荣，何惮不为。臣谓宜乘窘迫之时，聊为慑伏之计，虽纳其悔过之词，姑阻其来贡之使，降敕责其犯顺，仍索归还未尽之人。其番文可疑者，详加诘问，使彼知中国尊严，天威难犯，庶几反侧不萌，归服可久。 ”时王琼力主款议，不纳其言。

In the fifteenth year the court again allowed tribute missions. Gansu touring censor Pan Fang wrote: "These frontier rebels have repeatedly risen against us—killing, pillaging, and laying waste beyond description. Even if they now profess repentance, can that truly atone for even a fraction of what they have done? For years we closed the passes, yet never held them to account. They come now because they are weary and broken—but they will watch our intentions, test our defenses, buy time for their next move, and bait us with promises of profit. If we do not impose some reckoning now, we will only encourage their contempt and invite further treachery. That is no way for China to command the frontier peoples. Moreover their memorial clings to intractable language and barely disguises defiance; even as they plead repentance they speak with insolent disrespect. Their duplicity is plain. To say we must never turn away supplicants is one thing; but if we ignore their past crimes and welcome their envoys, they will drain our courtesies and rewards, trade at the markets, smuggle as they please, and go home laden with profit. Once they have had their fill, pride will return; the least disappointment will become their excuse—and the next betrayal is already at hand. Rebellion brings no punishment, only the spoils of raid; submission brings gifts and honor. Why should they not do both? I propose we use their present weakness to frighten them into compliance: accept their words of contrition in form only, block their envoys for now, send an edict condemning their rebellion, and demand the return of every captive still held. Interrogate them closely wherever their memorials seem suspect, that they may learn the majesty of China and the cost of crossing Heaven's wrath—so that they may submit in earnest and stay at peace. Wang Qiong vigorously pushed for accommodation, and the court ignored Pan's advice.

明年，世宗立，贼腹心写亦虎仙伏诛，失所恃，再谋犯边。嘉靖三年寇肃州，掠甘州，四年复寇肃州，皆失利去，于是卑词求贡。会璁、萼等起封疆之狱，遂阴庇满速儿再许之贡，议已定。贼党牙兰者，本曲先人，幼为番掠，长而黠健，阿力以妹妻之，握兵用事，久为西陲患，至是获罪其主，七年夏，率所部二千人来降。有帖木儿哥、土巴者，俱沙州番族，土鲁番役属之，岁徵妇女牛马，不胜侵暴，亦率其族属数千帐来归。边臣悉处之内地。

The following year the Jiajing emperor took the throne; Mansu'er's agent Xieyihuxian was executed; stripped of his patron at court, Mansu'er again plotted border raids. In Jiajing 3 they raided Suzhou and plundered Ganzhou; in Jiajing 4 they attacked Suzhou again, but both campaigns failed. Then they sued for tribute in submissive tones. Just then Zhang Ao, Gui E, and their allies opened the border-affairs prosecutions and quietly secured renewed tribute for Mansu'er; the matter was decided. One of Mansu'er's men was Yalan, a Qu clansman seized by Turpan raiders as a boy and raised to be clever and fierce. Ali gave him his sister in marriage; he took command and for years plagued the western frontier. Having fallen out with his master, in the summer of the seventh year he led two thousand followers to defect. Tiemuerge and Tuba, chieftains of Shazhou tribes subordinated to Turpan, could no longer endure the annual levies of women, cattle, and horses. They too led several thousand families to the Ming side. Frontier officials resettled them all in the interior.

满速儿怒，使其部下虎力纳咱儿引瓦剌寇肃州，不胜，则复遣使求贡。总督王琼请许之，詹事霍韬言：“番人攻陷哈密以来，议者或请通贡，或请绝贡，圣谕必有悔罪番文然后许。今王琼译进之文，皆其部下小丑之语，无印信足凭。我遽许之，恐戎心益骄，后难驾驭。可虞者一。哈密城池虽称献还，然无实据，何以兴复。或者遂有弃置不问之议，彼愈得志，必且劫我罕东，诱我赤斤，掠我瓜、沙，外连瓦剌，内扰河西，而边警无时息矣。可虞者二。牙兰为番酋腹心，拥众来奔，而彼云不知所向，安知非诈降以诱我。他日犯边，曰纳我叛臣也。我不归彼叛臣，彼不归我哈密。自是西陲益多事，而哈密终无兴复之期。可虞者三。牙半之来，日给廪饩，所费实多，犹曰羁縻之策不获已也。倘番酋拥众叩关，索彼叛人，将予之耶，抑拒之耶？又或牙兰包藏祸心，构变于内，内外协应，何以御之？可虞者四。或曰今陕西饥困，甘肃孤危，哈密可弃也。臣则曰，保哈密所以保甘、陕也，保甘肃所以保陕西也。若以哈密难守即弃哈密，然则甘肃难守亦弃甘肃乎？昔文皇之立哈密也，因元遗孽力能自立，因而立之。彼假其名，我享其利。今忠顺之嗣三绝矣，天之所废，孰能兴之？今于诸夷中，求其雄杰能守哈密者，即畀金印，俾和辑诸番，为我籓蔽，斯可矣，必求忠顺之裔而立焉，多见其固也。 ”疏入，帝嘉其留心边计，下兵部确议。尚书胡世宁等力言牙兰不可弃，哈密不必兴复，请专图自治之策，帝深纳其言。自是番酋许通贡，而哈密城印及忠顺王存亡置不复问，河西稍获休息，而满速儿桀傲益甚矣。

Mansu'er sent his follower Hulinazaer to lead Oirat raiders against Suzhou. When that failed, he again sent envoys suing for tribute. Governor-general Wang Qiong recommended acceptance. Junior Mentor Huo Tao objected: "Since Turpan took Hami, some have argued for resuming tribute and others for cutting it off. The emperor ruled that tribute may resume only when a proper memorial of repentance is received. The document Wang Qiong has submitted is the work of petty subordinates, bearing no seal or credential we can trust. If we yield at once, the frontier peoples will only grow bolder and harder to restrain. First concern: Turpan claims to have returned Hami's city and walls, but offers no proof—how can Hami be restored? Some will say to abandon Hami entirely. Emboldened, Turpan will raid Handong, win over Chijin, plunder Guazhou and Shazhou, ally with the Oirats without and stir trouble in the Hexi corridor within—and the frontier will never know peace. Second concern: Yalan was Mansu'er's trusted lieutenant; he defected at the head of a host, yet Turpan claims not to know where he went. Who is to say this is not a ruse? Later, when they raid the frontier, they will declare that we harbored their defector. If we keep Yalan, they will keep Hami. The western frontier would only grow more volatile, and Hami would never be restored. Third concern: Since Yaban's arrival we have fed his followers daily at great expense—yet we call this unavoidable appeasement. If Mansu'er comes to the pass at the head of an army demanding their return, do we surrender them or refuse? Or Yalan himself may plot treachery within while Mansu'er strikes from without—how then do we defend? Fourth concern: Some argue that with Shaanxi starving and Gansu exposed, Hami should be abandoned. I say: to hold Hami is to hold Ganzhou and Shaanxi; to hold Gansu is to hold Shaanxi. If we abandon Hami because it is hard to defend, shall we abandon Gansu when that too proves difficult? When the Yongle emperor first established Hami, he did so because Yuan loyalists there could still hold their own—and he made use of them. They lent us the name; we reaped the profit. The loyal-and-obedient line is now extinct three times over. What Heaven has abandoned, who can restore? Find among the tribes a strongman capable of holding Hami, invest him with the gold seal, and let him pacify the frontier peoples as our buffer—that is enough. To insist on a descendant of the loyal-and-obedient house is mere stubbornness. When the memorial arrived, the emperor praised Huo Tao's concern for frontier affairs and referred it to the Ministry of War for a formal ruling. Minister Hu Shining and his colleagues argued that Yalan must be kept, Hami need not be restored, and the court should focus on securing its own borders. The emperor embraced their advice. Thereafter Turpan was allowed tribute again, while Hami's city seal and the fate of the loyal-and-obedient king were dropped from concern. The Hexi corridor enjoyed a brief calm—but Mansu'er grew ever more insolent.

十二年遣臣奏三事。一，请追治巡抚陈九畴罪。一，请遣官议和。一，请还叛人牙兰。词多悖慢，朝廷不能罪，但戒以修职贡无妄言。然自写亦虎仙诛，他只丁阵殁，牙兰又降，失其所倚赖，势亦渐孤，部下各自雄长，称王入贡者多至十五人，政权亦不一。

In the twelfth year he sent an envoy memorializing on three points. First, that Grand Coordinator Chen Jiuchou be prosecuted for his offenses. Second, that officials be sent to negotiate peace. Third, that the defector Yalan be returned. The language was brazenly insolent; the court could not punish him, but warned him to keep to his tribute duties and speak no reckless words. Yet with Xieyihuxian executed, Taziding dead in battle, and Yalan gone over to the Ming, Mansu'er lost his pillars of support. He grew increasingly isolated; his subordinates each ruled as petty kings; as many as fifteen styled themselves sultans and sent tribute, and authority in Turpan was fractured.

十五年，甘肃巡抚赵载陈边事，言：“番酋屡服屡叛，我抚之太厚，信之太深，愈长其奸狡。今后入犯，宜戮其使臣，徙其从人于两粤，闭关拒绝。即彼悔罪，亦但许奉贡，不得辄还从人。彼内有所牵，外有所畏，自不敢轻犯。 ”帝颇采其言。

In the fifteenth year Grand Coordinator Zhao Zai of Gansu memorialized on frontier affairs: "The Turpan chief has submitted and rebelled again and again. We have indulged him too generously and trusted him too far, only feeding his cunning. When they raid again, their envoys should be executed, their attendants sent to the Two Guangs, and the passes shut. Even if they repent, only tribute missions should be admitted—their attendants must not be sent home at once. With hostages at home and fear abroad, they will not dare raid lightly. The emperor largely accepted his advice.

二十四年，满速儿死，长子沙嗣为速檀，其弟马黑麻亦称速檀，分据哈密。已而兄弟仇杀，马黑麻乃结婚瓦剌以抗其兄，且垦田沙州，谋入犯。其部下来告，马黑麻乃叩关求贡，复求内地安置。边臣谕止之，乃还故土，与兄同处。总督张珩以闻，诏许其入贡。二十六年定令五岁一贡。其后贡期如令，而来使益多。逮世宗末年，番文至二百四十八道。朝廷重违其情，咸为给赐。

In the twenty-fourth year Mansu'er died. His eldest son Sha succeeded as sultan; his younger brother Maheimma also claimed the title, and the two divided Hami between them. Soon the brothers turned on each other. Maheimma allied with the Oirats by marriage to oppose his elder brother, opened fields at Shazhou, and plotted raids. When his followers reported this to the Ming, Maheimma came to the pass suing for tribute and again asked to be resettled inland. Frontier officials dissuaded him; he returned to his homeland and lived alongside his elder brother. Governor-general Zhang Heng reported the matter; the court authorized his tribute mission. In the twenty-sixth year a decree fixed tribute at once every five years. Thereafter the tribute schedule held, but the number of envoys steadily increased. By the end of the Jiajing reign, Turpan memorials numbered two hundred forty-eight. Unwilling to refuse them, the court granted rewards to every mission.

隆庆四年，马黑麻嗣兄职，遣使谢恩。其弟琐非等三人，亦各称速檀，遣使来贡。礼官请裁其犒赐，许附马黑麻随从之数，可之。迄万历朝，奉贡不绝。

In Longqing 4 Maheimma succeeded his brother and sent envoys to offer thanks. His younger brothers Suofei and two others also styled themselves sultans and sent tribute envoys. The Ministry of Rites proposed cutting their rewards and counting them only as part of Maheimma's retinue; the court agreed. Through the Wanli reign, tribute missions never ceased.

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