Speaking of China, since ancient times, it has always been vast and abundant, and the development of all things in heaven and earth began here. The nine regions also rely on this land. Starting from the ancient times of Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor, they governed the world and arranged all things; during the Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor period, they divided territories and governed the land. We use crowns and sashes to differentiate the Han Chinese of the Central Plains and use borders to distinguish the distant tribes, distinguishing between the inner and outer regions. This has been a long-standing tradition. To the east are the Nine Yi tribes, to the west are the Seven Rong tribes, to the south are the Six Man tribes, and to the north are the Eight Di tribes. These tribes are scattered across vast lands, each with their own leaders. If they encounter a wise monarch, they will follow teachings, but if they encounter a foolish monarch, they will fight each other and cause trouble. This is their usual state. Emperors of all generations have made every effort to control them through various means to prevent them from invading the Central Plains.
Emperor Wu of Han inherited the foundation of the Wei state and conquered the Wu state. His reputation spread far and wide, attracting many countries. In order to showcase his reputation, appease old officials, and attract new subjects, he held annual tribute ceremonies, with twenty-three countries attending. However, later on, Emperor Hui and Emperor Zhongzong lost their virtue, causing chaos in the world, with various regions breaking away. The court's prestige was confined to the regions south of the Yangtze River, and tribute from barbarian countries was almost cut off. Our understanding of their customs and habits is quite limited. Therefore, I will only write about what I know. Regarding the Di tribes in the north, they once occupied the Central Plains, as recorded in historical books. As for their specific situation, I will briefly describe it.
First, let's discuss the Eastern Barbarians, which include the Fuyu Kingdom, Mahan, Chenhan, Sushen, Wa people, and Biligir.
The Fuyu country is located more than a thousand li north of Xuantu; to the south, it borders the Xianbei, while to the north lies the Ruoshui. The land area is over two thousand li, with a population of 80,000 households. There are cities and palaces, and the land is well-suited for agriculture. The Fuyu people are strong and brave, and their customs are similar to those of the Central Plains. When they embark on diplomatic missions, they wear clothes made of brocade and woolen blankets, adorned with gold and silver ornaments at their waists. Their laws state that murder is punishable by death and the confiscation of property; theft is punished by a twelve-fold fine; adultery or jealousy, particularly among women, is punishable by death. In times of war, they sacrifice oxen to the heavens, using the hooves of the sacrificed oxen for divination. A split hoof signifies bad luck, while an intact hoof signifies good luck. The dead are buried with live sacrifices, using coffins but lacking traditional coffins. During periods of mourning, both men and women wear white clothing and remove their jade ornaments. Fuyu is known for producing excellent horses, sable fur, and beautiful pearls, some as large as jujubes. The Fuyu country is very wealthy and has never been conquered since ancient times. The king's seal is inscribed with the words "Seal of the Unclean King." In the capital, there exists an ancient city known as Unclean, which was the capital of the ancient Huizhi country.
During Emperor Wu's reign, Fuyu frequently paid tribute. In the sixth year of Taikang, Murong Hui conquered it, and the Fuyu king took his own life. His descendants sought refuge in Woju. The emperor issued a decree stating, "The Fuyu king and his descendants have been loyal for generations but were destroyed by evil bandits. I feel deep sympathy. If any of their descendants can restore the country, strategies should be devised to ensure their survival." Some officials reported that Xianyu Ying, the Protector-General of the Eastern Yi, failed to come to Fuyu's aid and was subsequently relieved of his duties. He Kan was appointed as his replacement.
In the second year, King Yiluo of Fuyu sent envoys to meet with He Gan, asking He Gan to lead an army to help them reclaim their homeland and provide support. After he reported to the court, He Gan sent the officer Jia Shen to escort them with troops. Murong Hui intercepted them en route; Jia Shen fought, achieving a decisive victory. Murong Hui's army retreated, allowing Yiluo to successfully reclaim his kingdom. However, afterward, Murong Hui frequently raided the Fuyu people and sold them into the Central Plains. The emperor took pity on them, issued a decree to use state funds to redeem them, and ordered Sizhou and Jizhou provinces to ban the buying and selling of Fuyu people. The Han are divided into three groups: one called Mahan, one called Chenhan, and one called Bianhan. Chenhan lies to the south of Daifang, bordered by the sea to the east and west.
The place of Mahan is sandwiched between mountains and the sea, with no city walls at all. There are about fifty-six small countries; the larger ones have around ten thousand households, while the smaller ones have a few thousand. Each country has its own leader. Their customs are quite laid-back, with few rules, and they don’t even bother much with etiquette like bowing. They live in houses made from mud, resembling tombs, with doors on the roof. Every family, regardless of age or gender, crams into one room. They do not ride horses or oxen, only using them for funerals. They don’t care much for gold or silver; instead, they like beads for sewing clothes or making earrings. Men shave their heads except for a topknot, wear cloth robes, straw shoes, and have a fierce disposition. When the country needs labor or is building walls, the young men get a cut on their backs, a thick rope is inserted, and they are made to work all day without feeling pain. They are skilled in using bows, shields, spears, and oars, and while they do fight, they care more about the other side surrendering. They worship spirits and gods; they gather to sing and dance after the busy farming seasons in May and October. Each village has someone who worships the heavenly gods, called the Heavenly Lord. They also have a place called Sutu, kind of like Buddhist temples from the Western Regions, but their practices concerning good and evil are a bit different.
In the first and second years of Emperor Wu's Taikang reign, the king of Mahan often sent envoys to present local products. In the seventh, eighth, and tenth years, they came to pay tribute several times. In the first year of Taixi, they sent people to offer tribute to the Eastern Yi Colonel He Gan. In the third year of Xianning, they came back again, and the next year they asked to submit to the court.
Chen Han lies to the east of Ma Han. They claim that after the fall of the Qin Dynasty, some Qin people ran to the territory of Han to avoid forced labor, and Han ceded a tract of land to the east for them to settle on, where they constructed city walls. They spoke somewhat like the Qin people, so some people called them Qin Han. Initially, there were six countries, which gradually split into twelve over time, including Bian Chen, which also comprised twelve countries, with a total of around forty to fifty thousand households. Each country had its own leader, all of whom were subordinate to Chen Han. Chen Han always used people from Ma Han as their leaders, and although it was passed down from generation to generation, they could not be independent, indicating that they were all migrants under the control of Ma Han. The area was suitable for agriculture, known for its silk production, skilled in weaving silk and cloth, and the inhabitants could ride oxen and horses. Their customs were quite similar to those of Ma Han, and they wielded the same weapons. At birth, children's heads were pressed with stones to flatten them. They enjoyed dancing and were skilled at playing the se, which resembles a zither.
In 280 AD, during the first year of Emperor Wu's Taikang reign in the Western Jin Dynasty, envoys from the Sushen kingdom came to present a variety of treasures. The following year, they returned to pay tribute, and they came again in the seventh year.
The Sushen, or Yilou, live north of Mount Bukhan, approximately a sixty-day journey to the Buyeo Kingdom. To the east is the vast sea, to the west is the Koman Khan Kingdom, and to the north, stretching all the way to the northernmost Weak Water. Their territory is vast, spanning thousands of miles, and they live in deep mountains and old forests, with transportation being very inconvenient, making it impossible for carts and horses to navigate. In summer, they live in nests they build in trees, and in winter, they reside in underground caves. The kingship is passed down from father to son; they have no written language and rely solely on verbal agreements to manage their affairs. Although they have horses, they do not ride them; instead, they consider them as mere property. They do not have cattle or sheep, but they raise many pigs, consuming pork, wearing pigskin, and weaving cloth from pig bristles. They have a tree called luochang, which, it is said, can be used to make clothes if a wise emperor arises in China. They have no wells or stoves; thus, they burn clay to create pottery, and cooking four to five liters of rice is sufficient for each meal. When they sit down, they sit in a squatting position with their feet tucked underneath and eat meat by holding it with their feet. If the meat is frozen, they simply sit on it to warm it up. They have no salt or iron, so they burn wood to get ashes, soak them in water to extract the liquid, which they then drink. They all have long hair braided and made into a cloak-like garment of cloth, about one foot long, covering the front and back. During marriage, the groom places feathers in the bride's hair, and once she agrees, she follows him home, and then the wedding is officially held. They value women's chastity but are familiar with promiscuous behavior, admire strength, and disdain old age. When someone dies, they must be buried in the wild that day, with a makeshift coffin constructed from crossed wooden sticks, and a pig killed and placed on top as the deceased's food. They are fierce and take pride in not showing worry or grief. If a son does not cry upon his parents' death, he is scorned for not being manly enough. They steal from each other, and regardless of how much is stolen, the thief will be killed, thus, despite living in a savage land, conflicts are infrequent. They possess stone arrowheads, and armor crafted from leather and bone, bows made of sandalwood, three feet five inches long, and bamboo arrows over one foot long. In the northeast of their country, there is a mountain that yields a type of stone which becomes very sharp when ground, akin to iron. To extract this stone, they first perform rituals to honor the spirits.
During the time of King Wu of Zhou, the Wokou offered tribute of arrows and stone-tipped projectiles. When the Duke of Zhou assisted the Wei Emperor, the Wokou sent envoys to congratulate. Over a thousand years later, even during the prosperous times of the Qin and Han dynasties, no more tribute was received from the Wokou. It wasn't until the time of the Wei Emperor, towards the end of the Wei Jing Yuan era, that the Wokou once again offered tribute of arrows, stone-tipped projectiles, bows, armor, and fur. The Wei Emperor rewarded these tribute items to the prime minister's residence and returned the favor with silk and cotton cloth to the Wokou king. In the early years of Emperor Wu's Yuan Kang reign, the Wokou offered tribute again. During the revival period of Emperor Yuan, the Wokou sent tribute of stone-tipped projectiles to the Jiangzuo region. During the reign of Emperor Cheng, the Wokou offered tribute to Shi Le (Shi Jilong), which took them four years to reach. Shi Le asked them why they came, and they replied, "We observed cattle and horses for three years and found that they all slept facing southwest, so we knew there was a powerful country there, which is why we came to offer tribute."
The Wokou is located on islands in the southeast of the vast ocean, nestled between the mountains and the sea, with mostly mountainous terrain and limited arable land, relying mainly on seafood for sustenance. In the past, there were over a hundred small countries, but by the time of the Wei Dynasty, thirty countries had friendly relations with Wei, with a population of approximately seventy thousand. Men in the Wokou, regardless of age, have tattoos covering their faces and bodies. They claim to be descendants of Tai Bo and say that ancient envoys were sent to China, referring to themselves as nobles. In the past, the son of Xia Dynasty's Shaokang was enfeoffed in Kuaiji, and to escape the threat of dragons, he cut his hair and tattooed his body. Nowadays, people in the Wokou like to dive for fish and also tattoo themselves to ward off waterfowl. Based on the distance, the Wokou should be east of Dongye in Kuaiji. Men in the Wokou wear pieces of cloth tied horizontally, simply tied together with almost no sewing. Women wear clothes like blankets, threaded through the head, with their hair down and barefoot.
The climate of the land of Wa is warm, and the locals grow rice, hemp, practice sericulture, and weave cloth. They possess knives, shields, bows, and arrows with iron tips. They have houses where parents and siblings sleep in different rooms. They use wooden platters when eating. Marriages do not involve money; instead, the groom presents clothing to receive the bride. When someone dies, they have coffins, but no elaborate burial chambers, and graves are simply mounds of earth. Upon death, family members weep and refrain from eating meat. After the burial, the entire family bathes afterward to cleanse themselves and ward off misfortune. In times of major events, they burn bones to divine fortunes. They are unaware of the four seasons, calculating age solely by the autumn harvest. Many people in the land of Wa can live to be a hundred years old or in their eighties or nineties. Women in the land of Wa are abundant and exhibit neither promiscuity nor jealousy. There are no legal disputes; minor offenders have their wives and children taken away, while major offenders face total extermination of their families. Historically, the land of Wa was male-dominated. In the late Han Dynasty, the land of Wa experienced internal strife and continuous wars, so a woman named Himiko was appointed as queen.
After Emperor Xuan of Han vanquished the Gongsun clan, the queen of the Gongsun clan dispatched envoys to pay respects to the emperor, and thereafter, tribute and gifts were continuously sent. When Emperor Wen of Han ascended to the position of prime minister, envoys from the Gongsun clan visited multiple times. During the Taishi era, the Gongsun clan again dispatched envoys accompanied by interpreters to present tribute.
Next, let’s discuss several neighboring tribes. The realm of Piligu lies to the northwest of Sushen, requiring a journey of two hundred days on horseback, boasting a population of twenty thousand households. The realm of Yanyun is another fifty days' ride from Piligu, with a population of twenty thousand households. The realm of Koumohan is another hundred days' ride from Yanyun, with a population of over fifty thousand households. A cluster of nations lies another hundred and fifty days' ride from Koumohan, totaling over fifty thousand miles from Sushen. Our understanding of the customs and geographical conditions of these nations remains insufficient.
In the third year of the Tai Shi period, these countries all sent small delegations to present local specialties as tribute. During the Taixi era, the leader of Mouguo, Yizhi Weili, the leader of Molu, Shazhichen Zhi, the leader of Yulimoli, Jamouchen Zhi, the leader of Pudu, Yinmo, the leader of Shengyu, Malu, and the leader of Shalou, Shajia, all sent envoys to meet with the Eastern Yi Colonel He Gan, expressing their willingness to submit to the imperial court.
Several minority states in the west, such as Tuyuhun, Yutian, Kucha, Dawan, Kangju, Daqin, Tuyan, Yeyan, Bixi, Shilian, Shipi, Shuluogan, and others.
Let’s talk about Tuoba Hun; he was Murong Hui's elder half-brother. Their father, Shegui, allocated 1,700 households of the tribe to him. After Shegui died, the horse herds of the two brothers got into a fight. Murong Hui was furious and exclaimed, "Father divided the tribe before he died; why can't you live in peace and instead let the horse herds fight?" Tuoba Hun replied, "Horses are livestock; fighting is in their nature. Why are you so upset? It's easy to separate; I might as well just go far away!" So he left. Murong Hui regretted his actions and sent his chief historian, Shilou Feng, along with his father's old officials to bring him back. Tuoba Hun said, "My father once predicted that two sons would prosper and their descendants would flourish. I hold a lowly status, so there’s no reason for me to compete with my brother for power. Now we’re separated because of the horse herds fighting; it must be fate! Try driving the horse herds towards the east; if they run east, I will follow you back." Feng sent two thousand cavalry to drive the horse herds eastward for a few hundred steps, but the horse herds neighed and ran west. After trying several times, Feng knelt down and said, "This is beyond what we can do!" So he stopped chasing. The Xianbei people referred to the elder brother as Agan, and Murong Hui always missed his brother, even composing the "Song of Agan" because of it. Every year-end, he would sing this song.
The Tuyuhun told his tribesmen, "Several of us brothers can all enjoy the experience of being an emperor, but for my grandfather's generation, it has only lasted about a hundred years. Who knows, maybe my great-grandchildren will thrive!" So he led the tribe to head towards the Yinshan Mountains in the west. Encountering the chaos of the Yongjia period, they started crossing the Long Mountains to the west. Later, his descendants occupied the area west of Xiling to Gansong, with their territory stretching several thousand miles all the way to Bailan! Even though they had city walls, they didn't live in the cities, constantly moving with the water and grass, living in tents, feasting on meat and drinking milk. They had officials like Chief Historian, Sima, and General in their ranks, and some of them could read and write a bit. Men wore long skirts and hats, with some even donning face masks. Women enjoyed using golden flowers as hair ornaments, braiding their hair and decorating them with beads and shells. In marriage, wealthy families gave a lot of dowry, while some women were taken by force. If a father died, his wife would marry his brothers; if a brother died, his wife would marry his younger brothers. Once the funeral was over, they would remove their mourning clothes. The country had no fixed taxes, and when money was needed, they collected from wealthy families and merchants until they had enough. Murderers or horse thieves were sentenced to death, while other offenses could be settled with goods. The region was ideal for growing barley, turnips, soybeans, and millet. They also bred Sichuan horses and yaks. The mixed tribes in the northwest referred to them as Achairu, and some called them wild barbarians. Tuyuhun lived to the age of seventy-two and had sixty sons, with the eldest, named Tuyan, inheriting his position.
Tu Yan was seven feet eight inches tall and robust. The Qiang tribe and other tribes were all afraid of him, calling him Xiang Yu. He had a bold and unrestrained character and once passionately told his subordinates, "The greatness of a man does not depend on whether he was born in the Central Plains, but on whether he can rise to meet a glorious era, pacify the world alongside people like Han Xin, Peng Yue, Wu Qi, and Deng Ai, let his name be remembered for generations to come, instead of hiding in remote mountains and rivers, associating with outsiders, unable to hear the civilized music of the capital, having no chance to shine in the court, living with deer as companions, and turning into a ghost wrapped in fur after death. Even if you can catch a glimpse of the sun and moon, can you truly have a clear conscience?" He was cruel yet showed little regard for the common people, and he was eventually assassinated by the Qiang tribal leader Jiang Cong. With the sword still embedded in his body, he said to his general Ge Ban Ni, "It was my fault that this young man assassinated me. I apologize to my ancestors, the soldiers, and the people. It all relies on me to control those Qiang tribes. After I die, support Ye Yan and ensure Bai Lan's safety." After saying that, he died. He ruled for thirteen years and had twelve sons, with his eldest son Ye Yan inheriting his position.
When Ye Yan was ten years old, his father was killed by the Qiang tribal leader Jiang Cong. Every morning, he would fashion a straw effigy of Jiang Cong from grass and then cry while shooting arrows at it. If he hit it, he would wail loudly; if he missed, he would shout in frustration. His mother would advise him, "Jiang Cong has already been dealt with by our army; why do you still act this way?" Ye Yan tearfully said, "I know shooting a straw man does not help my deceased father; I just want to express my deep, indescribable longing and hatred!" He was always very filial since he was young. When his mother fell ill, he went without food or water for five consecutive days, mirroring her suffering.
When he grew up, Ye Yannian was steady and determined, especially fond of studying the laws governing the universe, as well as the rise and fall of emperors throughout history. An official named Sima Boluo once said, "We officials have not studied well enough. We really can't tell which immortal fathered the Three Emperors and which immortal mothered the Five Emperors." Ye Yannian immediately responded, "From Fuxi and Nuwa onwards, the mandates of heaven and various auspicious signs are well-documented in history, while you are like blind fools, truly misguided! The ancients said, 'Summer insects do not know the winter ice,' and that is absolutely correct!" He also said, "The Book of Rites states that the descendants of Gongsun can use the name of their paternal grandfather as their surname. Our ancestors migrated from Changli and settled here, so we now bear Tuyuhun as our surname to honor our ancestors!" Ye Yannian served as an official for twenty-three years and died at just thirty-three, leaving behind four sons, with the eldest named Bixi inheriting his title.
Bixi was a kind-hearted and exceptionally compassionate person. Upon hearing of the great power of Fu Jian, he sent fifty horses and five hundred jin of gold and silver coins as gifts. Fu Jian was delighted and immediately appointed him as the General of Anyuan. At that time, Bixi's three younger brothers were arrogant and domineering, full of themselves. The Chief Minister, Zhong E, worried that they would harm the country, and said to Sima Qisu Yun, "In the past, Duke Zhuang of Zheng and King Zhao of Qin almost extinguished the ancestral line due to favoring a younger brother. Now, with three younger brothers causing trouble together, they will surely bring disaster to the country in the future. We are both important ministers of the state. If we lose our lives because we cannot protect the country, how will we explain ourselves to our ancestors when we meet them in the afterlife? I have to take them out now!"
Su Yun suggested that they first inform Bi Xi, but Zhong E Di replied, "Our king is indecisive; we cannot tell him about this." So, during a gathering, they captured and executed Bi Xi's three younger brothers. Upon hearing this news, Bi Xi was so shocked that he collapsed onto his bed. Zhong E Di and the others hurried over to help him, saying, "I had a dream last night; the former king told me, 'Your three brothers are planning a rebellion; you must kill them immediately.' I am merely carrying out the former king's orders!" Bi Xi had always cherished his younger brothers, so when they died, he was devastated and soon fell ill. He said to his son Shi Lian, "I have killed my own brothers; how can I face them in the afterlife? You must take care of the affairs of the state; I will simply pass my remaining years in idleness." Consequently, Bi Xi died from overwhelming grief, having ruled for twenty-five years; he died at the age of forty-two, leaving the throne to Shi Lian. After Shi Lian became the King of Bailan, he formally established diplomatic relations with Qifu Gangui, recognizing him as the King of Bailan. Shi Lian was known for his integrity, caution, and ambition. After his father's death, he was so consumed by grief that he neglected state affairs, refrained from drinking, hunting, or any leisure activities for seven years.
During this period, a minister named Zhong E Di could no longer stand by and advised, "Great King, in governing the realm, one should influence the people with virtue, lead the masses with authority, relish delicious food, and appreciate music and dance. Throughout history, wise rulers have attached great importance to these four things, yet you have neglected all of them. In the past, Duke Zhao was overly frugal, yet his state still fell; King Yan was benevolent, yet his realm also perished. This shows that while benevolence and righteousness may preserve oneself, they can also lead to ruin. Effective governance relies on morality and rituals, while saving the realm depends on laws. If these two aspects are not handled properly, the country will fall into chaos. You have inherited the great achievements of your ancestors and have formed a friendly relationship with the Western Xia. Although your benevolence and filial piety are sincere, you still need to learn the ways of governance from Duke Zhou and Confucius, not merely from King Yan, while overlooking the establishment of laws and virtuous governance."
Shi Lian cried after hearing this, "The late king's death has long weighed heavily on my heart, and my overwhelming grief contributed to his demise. Though I have inherited the throne, I feel like nothing more than an empty shell. How can I find the heart to enjoy life's pleasures? As for the country's affairs, laws, and rituals, let future generations take care of them!"
Before his death, Shi Lian said to his son Shi Pi, "My ancestor Tu Yu Hun Gong once foretold that our descendants would prosper and remain a vassal of China, bringing blessings for countless generations. I may not witness it in my lifetime, and you might not either. This matter rests with your descendants." Shi Lian passed away after fifteen years on the throne, leaving behind two sons: the eldest, Shi Pi, and the second, Wu He Di.
Take a look at Shipi; he is a person of courage and strategy! He once calmly said to Dr. Jinqingbao, "The I Ching says: 'There's a natural order to movement and stillness, and only with strength and softness can there be determination.' In ancient times, wise rulers governed the world with benevolence and righteousness, not with severe punishment; thus, a balance of strength and softness can easily overcome the enemy. When the time comes to act, how can we just stand by? I'm currently gearing up for war to seize control of the Central Plains. What do you think?" Jinqingbao replied, "Your Highness, what you said is a timeless strategy; it's exactly what the heroes of the Qinlong region have been eager to hear!" So Shipi humbly accepted the advice, and everyone responded enthusiastically, feeling as if they had come home.
Qifu Gan Gui sent envoys to visit Pi Wei as the envoy to hold the imperial decree, the military commander of the western Longhe region, the governor of Shazhou, and the King of Bailan. Pi Wei did not accept and said to the envoy: "Since the corruption of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the villains have been fighting each other. Liu Yao and Shi Le have ruled brutally, while Qin and Yan have each held their own. The King of Henan occupies a superior geographical position and should unite the righteous army to punish those who do not obey. How can they privately appoint officials to each other, like those treacherous ministers who act arrogantly? I have inherited my ancestors' legacy, commanding 20,000 elite soldiers and strong generals. I am planning to pacify the rebellion in the Qinlong area, eliminate the enemies of Shazhou and Liangzhou, and then cross the Jing and Wei Rivers, killing those who are trying to seize power. I will block the eastern pass with a mound of earth, closing off the route to Yan and Zhao, welcoming the Emperor back to the Western Capital, and fulfilling my responsibilities as a distant vassal. I do not presume to be as arrogant as Jimeng and Ziyang. Tell the King of Henan for me, why not make achievements in the court, leave your name in the royal palace, establish an everlasting legacy, and be remembered for generations!" Qifu Gan Gui was furious when he heard this, but also afraid of Pi Wei's powerful forces. He initially maintained a friendly relationship with Pi Wei but later sent troops to attack him. Pi Wei suffered a major defeat and retreated to Bailan. He reigned for eleven years and died at the age of thirty-three. His son Shuluogan succeeded to the throne at a young age.
Shuluogan's younger brother Wu Juedi succeeded to the throne. Wu Juedi, also known as Da Hai, was weak-willed and indulged in drink and debauchery, not caring about state affairs. When Qifu Gan Gui invaded Chang'an, Wu Juedi repeatedly attacked his territory. Qifu Gan Gui was furious and led a cavalry force to confront him. Wu Juedi was defeated, losing more than ten thousand men, and fled to Nanliang, where he ultimately died in the Hu state. He reigned for eight years and died at the age of thirty-five. Following this, Pi Wei's son Shuluogan ascended to the throne.
Shu Luogan became an orphan at the age of nine. His mother, Nian, was beautiful and intelligent, and was married to Wuheti, who doted on her and put her in charge of state affairs. Shu Luogan declared himself the crown prince at the age of ten, and at sixteen, he inherited the throne. He led thousands of households to Mohe River, where he declared himself Grand Marshal, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Great Chanyu, and King of Tuyuhun. The people in his territories lived happy and fulfilling lives, and he was known as Wuyin Khan, with surrounding tribes pledging allegiance to him. He publicly announced, "My ancestors fled here to escape war, and I am the seventh generation here. I've always dreamed of sharing peace and prosperity with all of you. Now that we have a strong army and tens of thousands of soldiers skilled in archery, I plan to dominate Liangzhou and Yizhou, then showcase our power in Sanyin, and finally visit the emperor. What do you think?" Everyone responded, "This is a great undertaking, we hope you can achieve it!"
Qifu Gangui greatly feared him, so he led twenty thousand cavalry to attack Shu Luogan at Chishui. Shu Luogan was defeated and surrendered to Qifu Gangui, who appointed him as General of Pingdi and Prefect of Chishui, and his brother, Tuhu Zhen, as General of Captives and Commandant of Cengcheng. Shu Luogan was defeated by Qifu Chipan multiple times, and eventually fled to Bailan, where he died of illness and shame at the age of twenty-four, after ruling for nine years. Qifu Chipan, when he heard about his death, gleefully said, "This guy was always so arrogant, truly fitting the saying 'like a pig with white hooves.'" He left four sons, and his eldest, Shi Qian, took over the throne. His lineage continued on.
The Kingdom of Yanqi is located 8,200 li west of Luoyang, with its southern border being Yuli and the northern border adjacent to Wusun. Its territory measures about four hundred li on each side. It is surrounded by mountains, with rugged and steep roads that even a hundred guards cannot prevent a thousand from crossing. Locals have the custom of men wearing short hair and women donning short tops with long pants. Marriage customs are similar to those in the Central Plains. They are known for their shrewdness and penchant for intrigue. The king is surrounded by dozens of guards, all of whom are arrogant and show no respect, with no distinction between superior and inferior.
Speaking of the Western Regions, the Kingdom of Kucha, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Tai Kang era, King Long'an sent his son to the palace as a guard. Long'an's wife was of Hu descent, and she carried the pregnancy for twelve months. She underwent a caesarean section to give birth and named the child Hui. He was later designated as the crown prince. Hui displayed bravery and talent from a young age. Before his death, Long'an said to his son, "I was once humiliated by Baishan, the King of Kucha, and I have always remembered it. You will only be my true son if you can avenge me!" After becoming king, Hui immediately attacked Baishan, destroyed his kingdom, and installed his own son, Xian, as the king of Kucha. Hui was both courageous and cunning, swiftly unifying the Hu people across the Western Regions, with territories east of the Congling Mountains falling under his rule. However, his pride and recklessness would be his downfall. Once, while camping outside, he was slain by a man named Luoyun from Kucha.
Later, Zhang Jun sent the Governor of Shazhou, Yang Xuan, to lead troops to govern the Western Territories. Yang Xuan appointed his general Zhang Zhi as the vanguard, and they advanced with unstoppable momentum. When the army reached the Kingdom of Kucha, King Xi of Kucha resisted in Benlun City but was defeated by Zhang Zhi. At that time, Zhang Zhi was stationed at Tiemen, still less than ten miles away. Xi, with his men and horses, ambushed in Zhealiu Valley, intending to catch Zhang Zhi off guard. When Zhang Zhi was about to arrive, someone said, "Emperor Gaozu of Han was once frightened in Bairen, and Cen Peng died in Pengwang. Now this valley is called Zhealiu; could there be an ambush?" Zhang Zhi went alone to investigate and indeed discovered an ambush! Zhang Zhi immediately rushed in and defeated them, then occupied Yuli. Xi, with more than forty thousand people, surrendered to Yang Xuan, raising his arms in surrender. Later, Lü Guang attacked the Western Territories, and Xi surrendered to Lü Guang again. After Lü Guang proclaimed himself emperor, Xi sent his son to the palace to serve as a guard.
The Kingdom of Kucha lies 8,280 miles from Luoyang. There are city walls with three layers, and many pagodas and temples, numbering in the thousands. The local people make a living from farming and animal husbandry, with both men and women sporting short hair that hangs down to their necks. The royal palace is incredibly grand, like a place where immortals reside.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Tai Kang era, the King of Kucha also sent his son to serve as a guard in the palace. By the end of the reign of Emperor Hui of the Huai, due to chaos in the Central Plains, the King of Kucha sent envoys to pay tribute to Zhang Chonghua. During the reign of Fu Jian, Fu Jian sent the general Lü Guang with seventy thousand troops to attack Kucha. King Bai Chun of Kucha resisted at the border and refused to surrender and was ultimately defeated by Lü Guang.
Dawan is 13,350 li from Luoyang. To the south lies Dayuezhi, to the north is Kangju, with over seventy cities in total. The area is suitable for growing rice and wheat, and is known for producing grapes for wine, and has many good horses, especially the Ferghana horses. The locals have deep-set eyes and thick eyebrows. Their customs involve giving a gold ring as a wedding token and sending three maids to assess the bride’s character before marriage. If the bride is deemed unchaste, the marriage is called off. If a child is born from adultery, the mother's status is significantly lowered. If a person falls off a horse and dies because the horse misbehaved, the horse owner is liable for the funeral expenses. The Dawan people are shrewd in business, meticulous in their calculations, and make modest profits. They use the gold and silver brought from China to make utensils instead of using it as currency.
In the sixth year of Taikang, Emperor Wu dispatched an envoy named Yang Hao to bestow the title of King of Dawan upon Lanyu. After Lanyu's death, his son Mo took the throne and also sent tributes of Ferghana horses.
Kangju lies about two thousand li northwest of Dawan, bordering the states of Suyi and Yile. The customs and appearance of the Kangju people are quite similar to those of the Dawan, as is their clothing. The climate is warm and conducive to the growth of paulownia, willow, and grapes, with many cattle, sheep, and good horses. During the Taishi period, the King of Kangju sent envoys to offer tributes, including fine horses.
The Qin Dynasty, also known as Li Qian, is located on the western side of the Western Sea, which stretches thousands of miles to the east, west, south, and north. There are cities of various sizes, with city walls that exceed a hundred miles in circumference. The beams and pillars of the houses are made of coral, the walls are made of glazed tiles, and the foundations are made of crystal. The king has five palaces, each ten miles apart. The king works in one palace every morning, rotating and starting over after completing a round. If a disaster occurs, they would appoint a capable person as the new king, and the old king is removed without daring to complain. The Qin Dynasty has officials and written records, but the writing system used is that of foreign peoples. They also have white-topped carts, banners, and a postal system akin to that of the Central Plains. The people of Qin are tall, similar in appearance to Chinese people, but they wear clothes typical of foreign cultures. They produce gold, silver, jewels, pearls, large shells, luminous jewels, rhinoceros horns, and fire-woven fabric, as well as fine metalwork, embroidery, and brocade. They use gold and silver as currency, where one tael of silver is equivalent to ten taels of gold. Merchants from Anxi and Tianzhu trade with them across the sea, making profits up to a hundredfold. Envoys from neighboring countries are presented with gold and silver treasures. The journey to Qin requires crossing the sea, where the water is both salty and bitter, which means that very few people make it to Qin. During the Han Dynasty, General Ban Chao sent his subordinate Gan Ying as an envoy to a country that required traveling by sea. The crew on the ship remarked, "In the sea, there are things that make people miss their homeland, and everyone who has gone there before has felt sorrow. Only a Han envoy who doesn't long for their family can make it through." Gan Ying ultimately did not cross the sea. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wu during the Taikang era that the king of that country finally sent envoys to pay tribute.
Next, let’s discuss the Nanman region, which comprises the kingdoms of Linyi and Funan. Linyi was originally known as Xianglin County during the Han Dynasty, where General Ma Yuan erected a pillar, situated 3,000 miles from the South China Sea. Towards the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a man named Qu in Xianglin County murdered the county magistrate and proclaimed himself king. His son, Qu Lian, and subsequent descendants continued to rule. The locals are known for their fierce disposition, exceptional combat skills, and preference for residing in mountainous areas near water, as they are unaccustomed to flat terrain. The climate is warm year-round, without frost or snow, leading people to walk barefoot and unclothed, with a preference for dark skin. In their society, high-ranking women may marry low-ranking men of the same surname, with women taking the initiative to propose. When women marry, they don a garment called Jia Pan, which is cut and sewn horizontally like a well fence, and they adorn their heads with beautiful floral decorations. Upon someone’s death, women cut their hair as a sign of filial piety, and the body is cremated in the wilderness, which serves as a burial practice. The king of Linyi dons a celestial crown and garments embellished with tassels. During official duties, his sons, brothers, and ministers are prohibited from approaching him.
Since the time of Sun Quan, Lin Yi had not paid tribute to China. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wu during the Taikang era that tribute resumed. In the second year of Xiankang, Fan Yi died, and Fan Wen usurped the position. Fan Wen was originally the leader of the Yi tribe in Xijuan County in southern China, who used to herd cattle by a mountain stream when he discovered two carp. The carp transformed into iron, which he then forged into two knives. After forging the knives, he swore before the Great Stone Mountain, "If this stone can be split, then it must be a divine sign!" He then struck the stone with the knives, and to his amazement, it shattered. Convinced of the knives' divine power, Fan Wen carried them everywhere he went. Later, he traveled with merchants, learning about the governance of the Central Plains, and after arriving in Lin Yi, he taught Fan Yi to build palaces, cities, and various equipment. Fan Yi trusted him very much and even made him a general. Fan Wen framed Fan Yi's sons; some were exiled, and some ran away. Following Fan Yi's death, with no heir to take his place, Fan Wen declared himself king. He imprisoned Fan Yi's concubines in a tall tower, accepting those who agreed to stay with him while cutting off food supplies to those who refused. He then launched attacks on nations like Daqijie, Xiaoqijie, Shipu, Xulang, Qudu, Ganlu, and Fudan, annexing them with an army of four to five thousand. He also dispatched envoys to the court to pay tribute, using documents written in the language of the Hu people. In the third year of Yonghe, Fan Wen led a large army to conquer Rinnan County, killing Governor Xiahou Lan and approximately five to six thousand others, while the remaining survivors fled to Jiuzhen County. Fan Wen also offered Xiahou Lan's body as a sacrifice to the heavens, razed the city of Xijuan County, and took control of Rinnan County. He also wrote to the governor of Jiaozhou, Zhu Fan, requesting that the Hengshan Mountains serve as the northern boundary of Rinnan.
At the beginning, those countries outside of Jiaozhi County often brought treasures by sea to trade with us, but the Governor of Jiaozhou and the Prefect of Ruan Nan were greedy and exploited them. Only two or three out of every ten trades were completed. When Governor Jiang Zhuang came, he appointed Han Ji as the Prefect of Ruan Nan. Han Ji withheld the majority of the goods, and even levied ships and wood, claiming it was for military campaigns. Those countries were angered. Moreover, Linyi had limited land but a large population, always coveting the land of Ruan Nan. After Han Ji's death, Xie Zhuo took over, still greedy and harsh as before. When Xiahou Lan became the Prefect, he was consumed by indulgence in wine and women, neglecting his duties, which led to his defeat by Fan Wen.
Later, Fan Wen returned to Linyi. That year, Zhu Fan sent Inspector Liu Xiong to guard Ruan Nan, but Fan Wen captured Ruan Nan again. Four years later, Fan Wen attacked Jiuzhen County, killing nearly ninety percent of the people. The following year, Inspector Teng Jun led the forces from Jiaozhou and Guangzhou to confront Fan Wen at Lu Rong, but was defeated and forced to retreat to Jiuzhen County. That year, Fan Wen died, and his son Fan Fo succeeded him.
During the Shengping years, Guangzhou Governor Teng Han led troops to attack Linyi. King Fotuo of Linyi was afraid and quickly begged for mercy and surrendered. Teng Han signed a peace treaty with them before returning. During the Ningkang period of Emperor Xiaowu, Linyi sent envoys to offer tribute. During the Yixi period, Linyi raided Ruan Nan, Jiuzhen, Jiude, and other counties each year, killing many people and weakening the Jiaozhou region, which left Linyi in a state of exhaustion.
After Fotuo's death, his son Huda succeeded him and specially offered treasures like golden plates, bowls, and cymbals as tribute.
Funan is located more than three thousand li to the west of Linyi, situated in the inner bay of the sea, spanning a vast area of about a thousand li, with cities, towns, and palaces. The people there are dark-skinned and not conventionally attractive, with curly hair, walking barefoot and dressed lightly. They are straightforward in character, not engaging in banditry, but rather farming the land diligently, planting for one year and harvesting for three. They also enjoy carving, with most of their tableware made of silver, and they offer gold, silver, jewelry, and spices as tribute. They have their own archives of documents, with a script that bears some resemblance to that of the Hu people. Their funeral and marriage customs are similar to those of Linyi.
The king of Funan was originally a woman named Yelü. At that time, a foreigner named Hunkui appeared who first visited a temple to worship the gods, dreamed that the gods gave him a bow, and taught him to sail out to sea. The next day, Hunkui rushed to the temple, obtained the bow, and then followed the merchants on a boat to a small border town in Funan. Yelü led soldiers to resist; Hunkui raised his bow and arrow, and Yelü, feeling fearful, surrendered. So Hunkui married Yelü, thereby seizing control of her kingdom. Later, Hunkui's descendants fell into decline, and none inherited the throne. His general Fan Xun became the king of Funan.
During the reign of Emperor Wu in the Tai Shi era, Funan sent envoys to offer tribute. During the reign of Emperor Taikang, they came to offer tribute several times. During the reign of Emperor Mu, a man named Zhu Zhantai claimed to be king and sent an envoy to offer a tamed elephant as tribute. The emperor thought it was a peculiar creature from a distant land, feared it would harm people, and ordered it to be sent back.
Finally, we turn our attention to the Northern Di, commonly referred to as the Xiongnu.
The Xiongnu and other similar ethnic groups are generally referred to as the Northern Di. The territory of the Xiongnu borders Yan and Zhao to the south, stretches to the desert in the north, borders the Nine Yi tribes to the east, and borders the Six Rong to the west. They have always ruled themselves as monarchs and subjects from generation to generation, never accepting the legitimacy of the Chinese authority. The Xia dynasty called them Xunyu, the Shang dynasty called them Guifang, the Zhou dynasty called them Xianyun, and the Han dynasty called them Xiongnu. Their rise and fall, customs, likes and dislikes, as well as their geographical location, are all recorded in the historical books of past dynasties.
During the decline of the Western Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu were in chaos internally, with five chieftains vying for power. Huhanye Chanyu lost his territory and fled with his people to seek refuge with the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty found him to be quite agreeable and granted him a piece of land in the northern border of Bingzhou to settle down.
More than five thousand Xiongnu households moved to various counties in the Shuofang area and settled alongside the Han people. In gratitude to the Han Dynasty, Huhanye Chanyu specifically came to visit the emperor, who was quite pleased and allowed him to stay in Chang'an, continuing to use the title of *Chanyu* and receiving annual supplies of cloth, silk, money, and food, similar to the treatment of Han nobles. His descendants also inherited this title without interruption. Their tribes were settled in place and managed by Han officials, exempt from tribute just like the Han people.
As time went on, the population of the Xiongnu grew and spread in the northern regions, becoming increasingly difficult to manage. By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, with chaos in the realm, the court officials began to worry about the growing number of Xiongnu and feared rebellion, advising the court to take preventive measures. During the Jian'an period, Cao Cao rose to power as the ruler of Wei and divided the Xiongnu into five tribes, each electing a person of status as their leader, with Han officials supervising them as deputies. By the end of the Wei Dynasty, the title of leader was revised to Commandant.
Among them, the Left Commandery governs over over 10,000 households residing in what is now Gujiao District of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province; the Right Commandery governs over more than 6,000 households residing in Qixian County, Shanxi Province; the Southern Commandery governs over more than 3,000 households residing in Puxian County, Shanxi Province; the Northern Commandery governs over more than 4,000 households residing in Xinxing County, Shanxi Province; the Central Commandery governs over more than 6,000 households residing in Daling County, Shanxi Province.
After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, the Northern Xiongnu experienced a devastating flood, and tens of thousands of Xiongnu people, including tribes like the Seni and Heinan, surrendered to the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu settled them near the ruins of old Yiyang City in Hexi. Later, these Xiongnu people mixed with the people of the Han Dynasty, so the counties of Pingyang, Xihe, Taiyuan, Xinxing, Shangdang, and Leping saw the presence of the Xiongnu people everywhere.
In the seventh year of the Taishi era, the Xiongnu Chanyu Meng instigated a rebellion and established his camp at Kongxie City. Emperor Wu sent Louhou He Zhen to lead the army to suppress the rebellion. He Zhen was known for his strategic acumen. He knew that Meng's army was fierce and not a force that a small army could contend with. So he secretly persuaded Li Ke, Meng's left commander, to assassinate him. In this way, the Xiongnu became compliant and refrained from rebellion for many years. However, later on, due to lingering grievances, the Xiongnu people killed the chief historian of the Han Dynasty and gradually became a border threat once more.
The Censor Guo Qin of Xihe submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying: "The Rong and Di tribes are fierce and have always been a border threat. In the early period of the Wei Dynasty, the Han Dynasty had a small population, and all the counties in the northwest were occupied by the Rong and Di tribes. Although they have surrendered at present, if a war breaks out a hundred years later, the Hu cavalry can depart from Pingyang and Shangdang and reach Mengjin in three days. Beidi, Xihe, Taiyuan, Fengyi, Anding, and Shangjun will all be occupied by the Hu people. We should take advantage of the momentum of pacifying the state of Wu, use the strategies of wise ministers and brave generals, send troops to Beidi, Xihe, and Anding, recapture Shangjun, strengthen Fengyi, recruit death row prisoners in the counties north of Pingyang, and relocate forty thousand able-bodied households from the Sanhe and Sanwei regions to guard the border. We must prevent the Hu people from living together with the Han people, gradually relocate the Hu people from Pingyang, Hongnong, Weijun, Jingzhao, and Shangdang areas, strengthen control over the entry and exit of ethnic minorities, and implement the ancient kings' border governance system. This is a long-term strategy for generations to come!" However, the Emperor did not accept his suggestion.
In the fifth year of Taikang, another Xiongnu tribal leader named Tai Ahou surrendered with twenty-nine thousand three hundred people. Seven years later, the Xiongnu leaders Hu Du, Da Bo, Weisha Hu, and other tribes, totaling over one hundred thousand people, surrendered to the Governor of Yongzhou, Wang Jun. The following year, Xiongnu Governor Doudou Deyiyu and his followers led eleven thousand five hundred people, twenty-two thousand cattle, one hundred and five thousand sheep, as well as a large number of vehicles, tents, and various items to surrender, and also presented local products. The Emperor accepted their surrender.
Regarding the Northern Di, they are categorized into tribes. Those living on the border include the Tuge, Xianzhi, Koutou, Wutan, Chile, Hanzhi, Heilang, Chisha, Yubi, Weisha, Tutong, Bomei, Qiangqu, Helai, Zhongqi, Dalou, Yongqu, Zhenshu, and Lijia, totaling nineteen tribes, with each tribe remaining distinct from the others. The Tuge tribe is the strongest, which allows their leaders to become the Chanyu and oversee all other tribes.
Their country's titles include Left Virtuous King, Right Virtuous King, Left Yi Li King, Right Yi Li King, Left Du Lu King, Right Du Lu King, Left Jian Shang King, Right Jian Shang King, Left Shuofang King, Right Shuofang King, Left Dulu King, Right Dulu King, Left Xian Lu King, Right Xian Lu King, Left An Le King, Right An Le King, totaling sixteen levels, only relatives of the Chanyu can hold these positions. Among them, the Left Virtuous King is the most prestigious; only the Crown Prince can hold this position. They also have four major clans: Huyan, Bu, Lan, and Qiao. The Huyan clan is the most influential, serving as Left Chieftain and Right Chieftain for generations, which is roughly equivalent to the role of a Prime Minister; the Bu clan serves as Left Juqu and Right Juqu; the Lan clan serves as Left Danghu and Right Danghu; the Qiao clan serves as Left Duke and Right Duke. There are also several other positions such as Cheyang, Juqu, and Yudi, similar to the officials in our Central Plains.
Among the Northern Di people, the Qi Wu and Le clans are fiercely brave and prone to rebellion. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, there was a Qi Wu commander named Qi Wu Xie who defeated the Wu country and was even appointed as the Red Sand Commander. During the reign of Emperor Hui of Han, the Xiongnu leader, Haosan, attacked Shangdang, killed local officials, and occupied Shangjun. The following year, Haosan's brother Duyuan, along with the Qiang and Hu people from Fengyi and Beidi, attacked and took two counties. Since then, the Northern Di people have become increasingly powerful, resulting in turmoil in the Central Plains.
Historical records state: Humans are gifted with a spiritual essence, being the essence of all living things, but due to different regions, there are differences among people. Those who follow benevolence, righteousness, and morality are the people of our Central Plains; those who are cruel and ruthless are the so-called "barbarians" on the fringes. Just like plants, each variety is unique.
These barbarians do not adhere to civilized etiquette at all; they always lurk on the borders, waiting for their chance to invade. There are countless examples throughout history. From the Yellow Emperor's expulsion of the Xiongnu to the Tang Dynasty emperor's southern expedition, the Shang Dynasty emperor's eastern expedition, and the Zhou Dynasty emperor's western expedition, all were to resist their aggression.
During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Xiongnu were the most powerful; by the time of the Yuan Cheng period, the Chanyu Huhanye surrendered to the Han Dynasty, which accepted his surrender and allowed him to live in the Central Plains. Later, as time went on, the types of barbarians became increasingly diverse, with a variety of names that are too numerous to count.
During the Taishi period of the Western Jin Dynasty, the court did not change its previous mistakes, but instead massively built border defenses, pacified various tribes, accepted surrendered tribes, resettled newly surrendered tribes, and the tents along the border stretched endlessly.
However, before long, these barbarians began causing trouble once more, invading in groups, and disasters struck one after another. He Zhen, although he strategized, could not thwart their schemes; Guo Qin, although he warned in memorials, could not prevent the spread of chaos. Before long, the capital fell, the people were displaced, and the barbarian forces were rampant.
The root cause was the mistake of Emperor Wu. The Tuyuhun tribe, a branch of the pseudo-Yan Kingdom, was not descended from the legitimate royal family, but led the remnants of the Donghu to occupy the old land of the Western Qiang. At that time, the Western Jin government was negligent, the territory was vast, and the military strength was insufficient. Tuyuhun took advantage of the situation to grow and develop, serving as a reminder to future generations of the importance of loyalty and righteousness, and the actions of Tuyuhun are commendable as well.
Tuyan, a man of great talent and vision, reminiscent of Xiang Yu, initially pledged allegiance to the court, but later died at the hands of Jiang Cong. His noble character distinguished him as one of the prominent figures among the border's minority ethnic groups.
Ye Yan was very filial, observing mourning rites for his father; Pi Xi valued loyalty and righteousness, like the loyal figures of ancient times; the brothers served their ancestors wholeheartedly; Shi Pi was very shrewd; Luo Gan was talented at a young age, but unfortunately died young, and those who remained loyal to the court ultimately met with failure. Could it be that heaven intended to bring about the downfall of the Jin Dynasty?
Speaking of the descendants of Hun Hui, they were all born on the border, each contemplating how to secure a future for their descendants and seeking to align with the Central Plains dynasty. Among the descendants of Hun Hui, there were those who were cunning and brutal, usurping the throne through treachery; and there were those who were loyal and cautious, giving up independence and submitting to the court. Those who harbored deceit eventually perished; those who were loyal, their families prospered from generation to generation, accumulating good deeds and blessings; this is indeed the case!
It is said that in ancient times, people praised in this way: "Praise: Ti Yi former kings, distinguish among the regions. Rebellion arises from moral decay, while prosperity stems from virtuous governance." This means that those ancient emperors were able to distinguish and govern different regions; the prosperity of the country was due to their good governance, the decline of the country was due to moral decay, and the prosperity of the government was due to the flourishing of education.
What is the implication of this? It tells the story of the rise and fall of a dynasty. This dynasty initially thrived, governing efficiently, with all regions in submission. But later, the emperor grew negligent, leading to a decline in virtue, which resulted in unrest in the country and rebellions in various regions.
"Wu Hou ascended the throne, intelligence obscured by barbarism." This poem mentions a story of Empress Wu, who, with her intelligence, relocated the nomadic tribes, but the specifics of how this relocation occurred are not elaborated upon in the poem. What were the repercussions of this relocation?
"Thank you for the wise counsel." As a result, the country rapidly declined and was nearly destroyed. Fortunately, there were wise counselors who provided advice and strategies, thus averting even greater disasters. This illustrates that for a country to thrive, leaders need to embody virtue and implement sound policies; otherwise, failure is inevitable.
Later, a man named Gu Hun emerged, who was exceptionally talented and aimed to turn the dire situation around. "Gu Hun was brave and resolute, determined to change the country's fate; inheriting and building upon the legacy established by his predecessors, all thanks to the teachings of those loyal officials!" Thus, a country's rise and fall depend not only on its leaders but also on the loyalty and dedication of its officials. They can assist a wise ruler and correct the mistakes of a foolish ruler, playing a vital role in shaping the country's destiny.
