Achai is both Tuyuhun and Liaodong Xianbei. His father was called Yiluo Han, who had two sons: the elder son was Tuyuhun, and the younger son was Ruoluo Hui. Later, Ruoluo Hui established the Murong clan, Tuyuhun was born out of wedlock, while Ruoluo Hui was the legitimate son. When his father was alive, he allocated seven hundred households to Tuyuhun. Both the Tuyuhun and Ruoluo Hui families were grazing their horses, and the horses got into fights and injured one another. Ruoluo Hui became angry and sent a messenger to Tuyuhun to say, "Our father divided the family property. You brothers have different territories for grazing horses. Why don't you stay away and prevent the horses from fighting and hurting each other?" Tuyuhun said, "Horses are livestock; they eat grass and drink water. When spring comes, they are more likely to fight. What does it matter to us if the horses fight? Separating them is easy. I’ll take the horses and move far away from you!" Then he took the horses and went west, walking eighty li a day. After walking for a few days, Ruoluo Hui regretted it, felt really guilty, and sent the old man and the former Changshi Yinanlou to chase Tuyuhun and ask him to return. Tuyuhun said, "Our ancestors have been rooted in the Liaodong region for generations, and the fortune will be passed on to future generations at the same time. I was born out of wedlock; I am not qualified to be as strong as him. Now we are separated because of the horses fighting; maybe this is fate. Try to drive the horses back to the east; if the horses are willing to head east, I’ll come back with them." Yinanlou knelt down happily and said, "Kehan, please come back!" "Kehan" is Xianbei language, equivalent to "adult" or "you" in Chinese. So, Yinanlou, along with two thousand cavalry, drove the horses back to the east. Before they had walked three hundred steps, the horses suddenly neighed and ran westward, sounding like a mountain collapse. This happened over and over again, more than ten times, and the horses ran farther and farther. Yinanlou had no choice but to kneel again and say, "Kehan, this is beyond human control."
The Tuyuhun people told his tribe, "My descendants and my brother's descendants will flourish and thrive. If Luohui's descendants reach their great-great-grandchildren, probably over a hundred years, they will not prosper until the time of my great-great-grandchildren." So he took his people west to the foot of the Yin Mountains. When he encountered the turmoil of the Jin Dynasty, he made his way to the Shanglong area. Later, Luohui longed for Tuyuhun and wrote a song called "The Song of Agan." The Xianbei referred to their elder brother as "Agan." Luohui's descendants secretly performed this song as court music.
Speaking of Hun, he traveled north from Longshan to Hankai and Xiling. Xiling is present-day Xiping County, and Hankai is present-day Fuhang County. From Fuhang to the east for over a thousand miles, he arrived in Gansong, west to Henan, and south to Angcheng and Longhe. Traveling southwest from the Tao River, all the way to Bailan, several thousand miles away, they followed the water and grass to migrate, living in tents, eating meat and dairy products. The mixed tribes in the northwest referred to them as Achairu.
Hun lived to be seventy-two years old and had sixty sons. The eldest son, Tuyan, inherited his position. Tuyan was seven feet eight inches tall, especially brave and strong, but very hot-tempered. He was later assassinated by Jiang Cong, the leader of the Angcheng Qiang tribe. With the sword still embedded in his body, he called his son Yeyan and his general Jue Bawo and said, "I'm not going to make it. After you have me laid to rest, hurry to set up camp in Bailan. Bailan is far away, and the locals are weak and easily manageable. Yeyan is still young, and I'm afraid that if I hand over the position to someone else, they won't be able to manage the situation effectively. Now I entrust Yeyan to you; you must assist him with all your heart and effort, let him succeed smoothly, and I will die without any regrets!" After speaking, he committed suicide with a sword. Tuyan led for thirteen years and died at thirty-five, leaving behind twelve sons.
Ye Yan has been brave and decisive since he was a child. At the age of ten, he made a straw figure of his enemy Jiang Cong and shot it with a bow and arrow every morning. If he hit it, he felt happy; if he missed, he cried loudly. His mother said, "All the enemy generals have been killed; you are still young. Why do you torture yourself like this every day?" Ye Yan cried even harder, sobbing, "I know this is useless, but I feel so distressed; I can't control this pain." Ye Yan was especially filial. When his mother fell ill, he went without food or water for three days and nights. He also liked to read books. He said his great-grandfather was Yi Luo Han, who was titled Changli Duke, and he said, "I am a descendant of the Gong Sun clan. According to traditional customs, the descendants of Gong Sun can use the father's name as their surname." Thus, he changed his surname to Tuyuhun. Ye Yan was a leader for twenty-three years; he died at the age of thirty-three, leaving behind four sons.
Sui Xi became the eldest; he was upright and cautious. But his third brother was a domineering figure; Sui Xi couldn't control him, and he was eventually killed by the combined efforts of the generals. Sui Xi was deeply saddened by this; he became disinterested in political affairs, so he appointed his son Si Lian as the crown prince, entrusted all matters to him, and nicknamed him "Mo He Lang." "Mo He" means "father" in the Song Dynasty language. Sui Xi later succumbed to melancholy; he ruled for twenty-five years and died at the age of forty-one, leaving behind six sons.
His son Shi Lian was deeply grieved by his father's death, refusing to drink or engage in any entertainment all day long. He led the family for fifteen years before passing away at the age of forty-two. He left behind two sons, the elder, Shi Pi, and the younger, Wu He Ti. Shi Pi led the family for eleven years and also died at the age of forty-two; since his sons, Shu Luo and Gan, were still young, his younger brother Wu He Ti succeeded him. Wu He Ti served as the head of the family for eight years before dying at thirty-five. After that, Shi Pi's son Shu Luo Gan succeeded him, taking the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry during the Yongxi era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
After Shu Luo Gan's death, his brother A Chai claimed the title of General of Cavalry. At that time, Qiao Zong was causing trouble in the Shu region, and A Chai sent his nephew, Xi Qiang Gong Tuyuhun Chi, to lead troops against Longhe and Pingkang. During the reign of the Eastern Jin Emperor Jingping, A Chai also sent envoys to pay tribute and submit memorials to the court. The court issued a decree stating, "The Tuyuhun A Chai is far away on the border; responding to the court's call is truly commendable, and he should be entrusted with important responsibilities. He was rewarded and appointed as the Supervisor of Frontier Forces, General of the Pacification of the West, Inspector of Sha Prefecture, and Duke of Jiaohe." Before the formal appointment could be finalized, in the third year of the Yuanjia era of the Eastern Jin, the court issued another decree to promote him. However, before the decree could reach him, A Chai passed away, and his brother Mu Gui took over.
Six years later, Mu Gui submitted a memorial to the court, saying: "The Great Song Dynasty was established in accordance with the mandate of heaven, unifying the world. My brother, A Chai, admired the Heavenly Dynasty and maintained friendly relations. On the fifth day of the seventh month last year, the court's envoy Dong Zhan came to read the imperial edict, granting my brother a title. Unfortunately, my brother passed away. I have limited abilities, yet I have taken on this heavy responsibility. I feel immense pressure, but the grace of the court has already reached our family. If I were to decline, it could lead the court to doubt our sincerity. Therefore, I have accepted the court's appointment, following the imperial edict, and respectfully request the court to carefully consider and issue the formal appointment letter." Seven years later, the court issued a decree: "The Tuyuhun brothers Mu Gui and A Chai admire the court, demonstrating their rare sincerity, which is commendable. They should be granted titles to commend their loyalty. Appoint them as Inspector of the Frontier Troops, General Who Conquers the West, Governor of Shazhou, and Duke of Longxi."
It is said that during the end of the Jin Dynasty, there was a member of the Hu ethnic group named Qifu Gangui in Dongyun County of Jincheng Commandery. He raised a force and occupied the regions around the Tao River and Hankai, declaring himself Duke of Longxi. After Gangui passed away, his son Qifu Chipan took over and sent envoys to the Jin Dynasty to show submission. The Jin Dynasty appointed him as Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the Western River Armies, and General Who Pacifies the West, retaining his previous titles. Later, when the founding emperor ascended the throne, he promoted him to Grand General of Anxi. After Qifu Chipan's death, his son Qifu Maoman succeeded him.
Mu Gui led his troops several times to attack Qifu Maoman, which allowed Mu Gui to seize their territory. At that time, Helian Ding was being defeated by Tuoba Tao of Northern Wei in Chang'an, so he fled west with over a hundred thousand people from Qin to Hankai, seeking refuge in Liangzhou. Mu Gui intercepted them, decisively defeating and capturing Helian Ding. Tuoba Tao sent someone to retrieve Helian Ding, and Mu Gui handed him over. Nine years later, Mu Gui sent Sima Zhaoxu to pay tribute, reporting their victory and the capture of twenty thousand enemies. The emperor then promoted him to higher ranks, appointing him as a governor, an advisor, and the commander of military affairs across three provinces, and ultimately to the title of King of Longxi.
His younger brother Mu Yan was appointed General of the East, Mu Gui's nephew Shi Yin was appointed General of the North, and Helian Bo's son, Helian Wei, was appointed General of the Garrison. The emperor also ordered Mu Gui to identify and settle the families of soldiers who had died in previous battles. Mu Gui later returned Zhu Xin and others, totaling fifty-five households and one hundred fifty-four individuals.
Mu Gui passed away, his younger sibling Mu Yan succeeded him, and sent messengers to the imperial court. In the fifteenth year, the court appointed Mu Yan as the Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of military affairs in the three provinces of Xi Qin, He Sha, and Sha, General Who Conquers the West, Protector of the Qiang Cavalry, Governor of Xi Qin and He, and Prince of Longxi. In the sixteenth year, he was granted the title of King of Henan. In the same year, the court also appointed Shi Yin, the younger brother of Shi Qian, as General Who Pacifies the West, Mu Yan's eldest son, Fan Ni, as General Who Pacifies the Army, and Mu Yan's legitimate son, Xiu, as Left General and Crown Prince of Henan. In the nineteenth year, the court posthumously honored A Chai with the title of Prince, posthumously appointing him as Commander of military affairs in Anxi, Qin Sha, and Sha, Governor of Sha, Protector of the Qiang Cavalry, and Prince of Longxi.
Later, Tuoba Tao sent troops to attack Mu Yan, resulting in a significant defeat for Mu Yan. Mu Yan and his tribe fled westward to Bailan and even captured the country of Yutian. Worried that Tuoba Tao's army might attack again, in the twenty-seventh year, Mu Yan sent envoys to the imperial court saying, "If we cannot defend ourselves, we want to take our followers into Longhe and Yue Xiu." He also offered some items and requested assistance from the imperial court, saying, "We request horses to pull our carts, including Wuman hats, gold wine vessels from the Women's Kingdom, and Hu king gold bracelets." Emperor Taizu rewarded him with horses to pull his carts and promised that if the enemy attacked and he was unable to defend, he would be allowed to enter Yue Xiu. Ultimately, the enemy never arrived.
After Mu Yan's death, Shi Yin declared himself king. In the twenty-ninth year, the court appointed Shi Yin as Commissioner, Commander of the military affairs of the three states of Xi Qinhe Sha, General of Anxi, Commander of the Qiang Protectorate, Governor of the two provinces of Xi Qinhe, and Prince of Henan. Shi Yin also defeated the army of Tuoba Tao, and as a result, the court granted him the title of Chancellor of the Palace of Equal Rank. In the fifth year of Emperor Shizong's reign in the Great Ming Dynasty, Shi Yin sent envoys to present horses skilled in dancing and four-horned sheep. The Crown Prince, princes, and officials all wrote a "Dance Horse Song" in response, totaling twenty-seven songs. In the third year of the reign of Emperor Taizong, Shi Yin was promoted to Grand General of the West. Five years later, Shi Yin offered various treasures and appointed his brother, Shi Pi, as General of Pingxi and Duke of Jincheng. The former Emperor further promoted him to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry.
In the western part of their country, there is a vast desert that stretches one hundred and twenty miles north to south and seventy miles east to west, where nothing grows. This is how Shazhou got its name. There are salt ponds in Quzhen River, and to the north of Ganggu Ridge, there are burrows where sparrows and rats coexist. Some are on the mountains, some are on the plains. The sparrows are white while the rats are yellow, and yellow and purple flowers bloom in the areas where the sparrows and rats burrow. Bailan is rich in gold, copper, and iron. Although they often migrate in search of water and pasture, they primarily live near Muhe River.
Historians note that the Tuyuhun people migrate in search of water and pasture, inhabiting border regions with significant strength. They eat meat, wear fur clothing, and depend on herding and farming for their livelihood, but they also like silk and satin, which are considered rare in their region. As a result, they trade with us, and the court extends the same respect to them as it does to the northern ethnic minorities regarding etiquette.
In the past, those wise emperors promoted the pacification of remote regions, but because the Tuyuhun region was remote and transportation was inconvenient, the court’s ceremonial practices could not be fully enforced there. At most, they would grant a title, as recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Annals." The Jin and Song dynasties followed this practice, not adhering to ancient customs, but instead elevating their titles to the highest rank, comparable to that of Taiguang (an official title). They kept their braids when coming to pay respects, showing no interest in wearing crowns; with no common language, the court was also disinclined to assign them formal positions. Although they would offer some tributes each year, the primary reason for their visits was trade. The gold, silk, and woolen blankets they offered as tribute were not especially needed by us. The back-and-forth exchanges were a waste of resources and money; it would be better if they just stayed away! If the Xiongnu and Yueshang were to come for tribute every year, they wouldn’t be recorded using the same standards; they would have to be viewed differently and learn from the successful practices of previous dynasties. The sages called them "barbarians," and that makes a lot of sense.
