It is said that there is a country, just south of the Congling Mountains, where women have always held power. The reigning queen was named Su Pi, whose courtesy name was Mo Jie, and she ruled as queen for twenty years. Her husband was named Jin Ju, and he had no role in political affairs. The men in the country were primarily warriors. The capital was situated on a mountain, spanning approximately five to six miles, housing tens of thousands of residents. The queen resided in a nine-story palace, served by hundreds of palace maids, and held court only once every five days. There was also a vice queen who handled state affairs alongside her. The customs there highly respected women, held men in low regard, and the women did not get jealous. Both men and women liked to paint their faces, changing colors several times a day. Everyone had disheveled hair, wore leather shoes, and tax collection was arbitrary. The place had a cold climate and primarily depended on hunting for sustenance. It produced various treasures such as jade, cinnabar, musk, yaks, fine horses, and Shu horses. Notably, salt production was plentiful, often sold to Tianzhu, yielding significant profits! They frequently fought wars with Tianzhu and the Tanguts. After the queen's death, the entire nation would engage in large-scale fundraising, then choose two beautiful and capable young women from the queen's family, one to be the queen and the other to be the vice queen. If a noble died, the deceased's skin would be removed, combined with gold dust, and buried in a bottle with bones and flesh, then wrapped in iron and buried again after a year. They worshipped the Asura god and the tree god, and every year at the beginning of the year, they had to sacrifice to the tree god using either humans or monkeys. After the sacrifice, they would pray in the mountains, and at this time, a bird resembling a female pheasant would land on their hands. They would then open its belly to see if there were grains inside, representing a bountiful harvest, or sand and stones, representing disasters. This was a practice known as bird divination. In the sixth year of Kaihuang, they dispatched envoys to offer tribute, but communication was later severed.
Another country, Yanqi, is located 70 miles south of Baishan and dates back to the Han Dynasty. The king's surname is Long, with the style name Tuqi. The capital covers an area of two square miles, boasting nine cities and just over a thousand soldiers. This country has few established customs. They believe in Buddhism, somewhat akin to Brahmanism. Wedding ceremonies resemble those in the Central Plains. When someone dies, they are cremated, and the mourning period lasts seven days. All men shave their heads. Yanqi is abundant in fish, salt, and reeds. To the east, 900 miles away lies Gaochang, and 900 miles to the west is Kucha, both located in the desert. To the southeast, 2,200 miles away, is Guazhou. During the Daye period, they also dispatched envoys to pay tribute to both the east and west.
Kucha, situated 170 miles south of Baishan, is an ancient kingdom dating back to the Han Dynasty. The capital is a square city, each side measuring six miles. There are several thousand soldiers capable of fighting. Their customs dictate that murderers must pay with their lives, and robbers face the punishment of losing one arm and one foot. These customs are akin to those of Yanqi. The king wears a colorful ribbon tied around his head, trailing down his back, seated on a throne crafted from golden lions. The region is rich in rice, millet, soybeans, wheat, copper, iron, lead, deer hides, carpets, cymbals, malachite, orpiment, realgar, musk, fine horses, and fat cattle. To the east, Yanqi is 900 miles away; Yutian is 1,400 miles to the south; Shule is 1,500 miles to the west; Tujue lies over 600 miles to the northwest; and Guazhou is 3,100 miles to the southeast. During the Sui Dynasty, Kucha also dispatched envoys to present local products as tribute.
The Kingdom of Shule is situated over a hundred miles south of Baishan and is an ancient kingdom dating back to the Han Dynasty. The king of this kingdom is named Amijue. The people there have six fingers on both hands and feet. Children born without six fingers do not tend to survive long. The capital is a square city with each side measuring five miles. There are twelve large cities and dozens of small cities in the kingdom, with a fighting force of two thousand soldiers. The king wears a hat adorned with golden lions. The region is abundant in rice, millet, hemp, wheat, copper, iron, silk, and realgar, which are regularly sent as tribute to the Turks each year. To the south of the Kingdom of Shule lies the Yellow River, to the west lies the Khaganate, 1,000 miles away, to the east lies Qiuci, 1,500 miles distant, to the south lies Zhu Jubo, approximately 800 to 900 miles away, to the northeast lies the Turkic Yab, over a thousand miles distant, and to the southeast lies Guazhou, 4,600 miles away. During the Sui Dynasty, the Kingdom of Shule also dispatched envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
In the country of Khotan, the capital is located more than two hundred li north of the Tianshan Mountains. The king's surname is Wang, known as Beishi Bi Lian. The capital city spans about eight or nine li. There are five major cities in the country, as well as dozens of small cities and a few thousand elite soldiers. The common people believe in Buddhism, home to numerous monks and nuns, and the king often observes vegetarianism and recites scriptures. Fifty li south of the city, there is a Zanmo Monastery, said to have been built by the Arhat Bhikshu Bilu Zhan, with the footprints of the Buddha's disciple visible on the temple stones. Five hundred li to the west of Khotan is the Bimo Monastery, believed to be the place where Laozi transformed a barbarian into a Buddha. The locals are often seen as lacking morals and ethics, with many thieves and robbers who are often unruly and lawless. The king dons a brocade cap and a golden crown, while the queen wears golden flowers. The king's hair is not to be seen by anyone, as locals believe that seeing the king's hair will bring misfortune. The region is abundant in hemp, wheat, millet, rice, and fruits, with gardens sprawling across the land and an abundance of beautiful jade in the mountains. To the east, it is 1,500 li to Shanshan, 3,000 li to the Kingdom of Women (Nüguo) to the south, 1,000 li to Zhu Jupo to the west, 1,400 li to Kucha to the north, and 2,800 li to Guazhou to the northeast. During the Sui Dynasty, Khotan often sent envoys to present tributes.
In the country of Chaghan, the capital is located more than five hundred li to the west of the Tianshan Mountains, formerly known as the Qusou Kingdom. The king's surname is Zhaowu, known as Aliqi. The capital city spans about four li. There are also a few thousand elite soldiers. The king sits on a chair crafted from golden sheep, and the queen wears golden flowers. The region is rich in cinnabar, gold, and iron. To the east, it is 1,000 li to Shule, 500 li to the Kingdom of Sufengshana to the west, 500 li to the Kingdom of Shigu to the northwest, over 2,000 li to the Tujue Yazhou to the northeast, and 5,500 li to Guazhou to the east. During the Sui Dynasty, envoys also came to present various local specialties.
The Tuluo Kingdom, located 500 miles west of Congling, shares borders with the Yida Kingdom. The capital city covers an area of about two square miles. There are 100,000 elite soldiers, each one a trained warrior. The local population practices Buddhism. A unique custom exists here, where several brothers share one wife, taking turns to sleep with her, and whoever's turn it is hangs their clothes outside the door as a signal. "Brothers share one wife, take turns to sleep; each person entering the room hangs their clothes outside as a mark." Children born are considered the responsibility of the eldest brother. Divine horses inhabit the caves in the mountains, and every year people put mares in the caves, which produce high-quality foals. "In the mountain caves are divine horses; every year the mares are put in the caves, and they will produce famous foals." It is 1,700 miles south to Cao Kingdom and 5,800 miles east to Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
The Yida Kingdom, located south of the Wuxu River, about 200 miles away, descends from the Yuezhi. They have about five to six thousand trained soldiers, known for their fierce and skilled warriors. In the past, the country was not peaceful, and the Turks appointed a man named Tong Shezijiang as their king. Their capital spans about ten square miles, featuring numerous temples and pagodas decorated with gold. They have a custom that allows brothers to share a wife, and if a woman has only one husband, she wears a single-horned hat; if the husband has many brothers, the number of horns on the hat increases accordingly. The Yida Kingdom is 1,500 miles from Cao Kingdom and 6,500 miles from Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
The Miguo Kingdom, located west of the Namishui River, was once part of the Kangju territory. They do not have a king, and the city lord is named Zhaowu, a branch of the Kang royal family, known by the courtesy name Bizhuo. The capital covers an area of only two square miles, boasting only a few hundred soldiers. Miguo is 100 miles from Kang Kingdom, 500 miles from Suduoshana Kingdom, 200 miles from Siguo, and 6,400 miles from Guazhou. During the Daye period, they also frequently sent tribute.
The Kingdom of Shi, located ten li south of the Du Mo River, was formerly part of the Kangju territory. Their king, Zhaowu, styled Ti Zhe, was a distant relative of the Kang king. The capital spanned an area of two li, boasting a military force of over a thousand soldiers, and their customs were similar to those of the Kang kingdom. The Kingdom of Shi was 240 li from Kang, 500 li from the Tuhuoluo, 200 li from Nasebo, 200 li from Mi, and 6,500 li from Guazhou. During the Daye era, they too sent envoys to pay tribute.
The Kingdom of Cao, located a few li south of the Namishi River, was also formerly part of the Kangju territory. This country did not have its own king, but was governed by the son of the Kang king, named Wu Jian. The capital covered an area of three li, boasting a military force of over a thousand soldiers. The Kingdom of Cao had a very powerful god, worshipped by nations east of the Western Sea. This god had a golden statue, five feet wide with harmonious proportions. Every day, sacrifices were made with five camel humps, ten horses, and a hundred sheep, with leftovers that could feed over a thousand people. The Kingdom of Cao was 100 li from Kang, 150 li from He, and 6,600 li from Guazhou. During the Daye era, they too sent envoys to pay tribute.
The Kingdom of He, located a few li south of the Namishi River, was also formerly part of the Kangju territory. Their king was named Zhaowu, a relative of the Kang king, styled Dun. The capital covered an area of two li, with a military force of a thousand soldiers. Their king sat on a throne fashioned from a golden ram. The Kingdom of He was 150 li from Cao, 300 li from Xiao'an, and 6,750 li from Guazhou. During the Daye era, they too sent envoys to pay tribute.
Wunahuo, its capital lies to the west of the Wuhu River and was formerly the territory of the Anxi Kingdom. The king's family name is Zhaowu, a descendant of the Kang Kingdom royal family, whose courtesy name is Foshi. The capital city stretches two miles. It has only a few hundred elite soldiers. The king's throne is a sheep-shaped chair crafted from gold. Anguo is four hundred miles northeast of Wunahuo, Muguo lies over two hundred miles to the northwest, and Guazhou is seven thousand five hundred miles to the east. During the Sui Dynasty, Wunahuo sent envoys to offer tributes of local products.
As for Muguo, its capital is also located to the west of the Wuhu River, the former territory of the Anxi Kingdom, and shares a border with Wunahuo. The king's family name is also Zhaowu, a descendant of the Kang Kingdom king, whose courtesy name is Alanmi. The capital city stretches three miles, boasting two thousand elite soldiers. Anguo lies five hundred miles northeast of Muguo, Wunahuo is over two hundred miles to the east, Persia is over four thousand miles to the west, and Guazhou is seven thousand seven hundred miles to the east. During the Sui Dynasty, Muguo also sent envoys to present tributes of local products.
Speaking of Persia, it is located to the west of the Dahe River, in the place of Sulincheng, which is ancient Tiaozhi. Their king is called Kusahe. The capital city is approximately ten miles in circumference. They boast over twenty thousand formidable soldiers who ride elephants into battle. This country does not have the death penalty; for crimes, the most severe punishment is the amputation of hands or feet, confiscation of property, shaving their beards, or wearing a sign around the neck for differentiation. Everyone over the age of three must pay a tax of four coins. They also practice marrying their own sisters. When someone dies, the body is thrown into the mountains, and the family is required to observe a month of mourning. The king dons a golden flower crown, sits on a throne crafted from golden lions, adorns his beard with gold powder, wears brocade robes, and embellishes himself with jade accessories.
Persia is abundant in fine horses, large donkeys, lions, white elephants, as well as large bird eggs, pearls, porphyry (a gemstone), beast spirit (a type of gemstone), coral, glazed pottery, agate, crystal, sese (a gemstone), huluoji (a gemstone), luteng (a gemstone), huoqi (a gemstone), diamonds, gold, silver, a stone called jinyu, copper, bintie (a type of steel), tin, brocade, fine cloth, wool blankets, fur, huna (a type of fabric), yuenobu (a type of fabric), sandalwood, gold-threaded fabric, red deer skin, cinnabar, mercury, as well as various spices such as aloeswood, tulips, suhe incense, and sandalwood, as well as pepper, bibo (a spice), honey, semihoney (a type of sugar), jujubes, aconite (a medicinal herb), helile (a fruit), wushizi (a fruit), green vitriol, and orpiment, and so on. The Turks were unable to defeat them and could only maintain a loose form of control over them. Persia frequently sent envoys to pay tribute to the Central Plains dynasty. To the west of Persia lies the sea, to the east lies Mu country, to the northwest lies Byzantium, and to the east lies Guazhou. Sui Emperor Yang sent Li Yu of the Cloud Riders to establish diplomatic relations with Persia, and later sent envoys with Li Yu to offer various local specialties as tribute. Cao Kingdom, located just north of the Congling Mountains, was known as Jibin during the Han Dynasty. Ah, speaking of Cao Kingdom, which was located just north of the Congling Mountains, it was known as Jibin during the Han Dynasty.
The king's surname is Zhaowu, and his courtesy name is Shunda, and he is a relative of the King of Kang. The capital's city wall stretches four li around, and there are over ten thousand fierce soldiers. The laws in this country are very strict, where murder and theft are punishable by death. However, their customs are rather peculiar, especially their superstitions about all sorts of chaotic spirits.
The capital city walls of Cao country are only four li long, with just over ten thousand soldiers. However, their laws are very strict, with the death penalty for murder or theft! The people there are particularly superstitious, worshiping all kinds of gods and spirits.
On Congling Mountain, there is a temple honoring the Shuntian God, boasting roofs of gold, silver, and copper, and a floor covered in silver! Every day, there are at least a thousand visitors paying their respects daily! In front of the temple, there's a large fish spine with a hole in the center, that even a horse can pass through! The king wears a hat made of a goldfish head and sits on a throne made of a golden horse, which is quite a sight to behold!
This place produces rice, millet, beans, wheat, elephants, horses, a type of cattle called Feng cattle, as well as gold, silver, bintie (a type of steel), carpets, cinnabar, indigo, frankincense, sandalwood, stone honey, semi-honey, black salt, asafoetida, myrrh, white aconite, and more. Northward, it's seven hundred li to Fanyan City, six hundred li to the east to Jue country, and six thousand six hundred li to the northeast to Guazhou. Back in the Sui Dynasty, they even sent envoys to present a variety of special products as tribute.
In this place called Cao Guo, it boasts an abundance of rice, millet, beans, and wheat. There are also many elephants, horses, and a type of livestock known as "fengniu." Not to mention precious gold and silver, as well as bing iron, carpets, cinnabar, indigo, and various spices, such as frankincense and sandalwood, along with stone honey, black salt, asafoetida, myrrh, white fuzi, and so on. It truly has it all! From Cao Guo, heading north for seven hundred li to Fanyan, east for six hundred li to Jue country, and northeast for six thousand six hundred li to Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they even dispatched envoys to pay tribute!
It is said that, in the state of Fuguo, located over two thousand li northwest of Shu County, was known as the southwestern barbarian region during the Han Dynasty. There is a tribe called Jialiang Yi to the east of Fuguo, where they govern themselves, with customs similar to Fuguo, but their language differs somewhat and lacks unification. They have no surnames. The king of Fuguo is called Yi Zeng. Their country measures eight hundred li long from north to south and one thousand five hundred li wide from southeast to northwest, living near valleys and cliffs without city walls. The people there have a strong sense of revenge, so they build "stone nests" as a refuge from disasters. The "stone nests" can reach heights of over ten zhang and as low as five or six zhang, with each layer about one zhang high, separated by wood. The base measures only three or four steps in width, and the top is two or three steps wide, resembling Buddhist pagodas. There is a small door on the lower level, which must be locked at night to deter thieves. There are more than twenty thousand households in the country, all of whom adhere to the king's orders. The Jialiang Yi tribe listens to their chieftains, and serious crimes are punishable by death, while minor offenses result in a penalty of a cow. They are all quick and adept in swordsmanship, wearing armor crafted from lacquered leather, with six-foot-long bows and bowstrings made of bamboo. They have a custom of marrying multiple wives and their sisters-in-law, and if a brother dies, the surviving brother may marry his deceased brother's widow. They enjoy singing and dancing, accompanied by drums, reed instruments, and flutes. When someone dies, there is no specific mourning attire; the body is placed on a high bed, washed, dressed, covered with lacquered armor, and finally draped with animal skins. The children refrain from crying, instead donning armor and dancing with swords, shouting, "My father was taken by a ghost, I will avenge and kill the ghost!" Other relatives cry three times before stopping. Women must cry with their faces covered. When someone dies, they slaughter cattle, and friends and relatives bring pork and wine; everyone gathers to drink and eat together before burying the deceased. After ten years, a grand burial ceremony is held, inviting relatives and friends, slaughtering horses, often numbering in the dozens. They also set up ancestral shrines for worship. They wear round leather hats resembling bowls, some adorned with face masks. Most of their clothing consists of fur and leather, and their shoes are boots crafted from whole cowhide. They adorn themselves with iron chains around their necks and iron bracelets on their wrists. The king and chieftains wear gold jewelry, including a gold flower pendant three inches in diameter hanging from their chests. The region has high terrain, a cool climate, strong winds, and little rain, making it suitable for growing wheat and barley. The mountains are rich in gold and silver mines, and home to many white pheasants. The rivers are home to excellent fish, measuring four feet long, with very fine scales.
Second paragraph: In conclusion, the Fuguo and Jialiang Yi regions have unique geographical environments, bold customs, and lifestyles that are vastly different from those in the Central Plains. Their unique "stone nest" architecture and funeral customs reflect their adaptation to the natural environment and their unique understanding of life and death. Although they do not have surnames, their social organization is well-ordered, with kings and chieftains respectively governing different areas, leading to a relatively stable social order. From their clothing, weapons, and way of life, it can be seen that they are a people skilled in hunting and fighting, while also retaining some primitive tribal customs. Although their lives are simple, they also exhibit a unique charm.
In the year 608 AD, during the fourth year of the Daye era under Emperor Yang of Sui, the king known as "the king" sent eight people to Chang'an to meet the emperor.
The following year, he sent his student Yilin with sixty Jialiang Yi people to offer tribute. They wanted to present fine horses, but because the road was too treacherous, they could not make the journey, so they requested Emperor Yang of Sui to open a mountain road to facilitate future tribute. However, Emperor Yang of Sui found it too much trouble, so he did not agree.
There is a river in the Jialiang Yi region, around sixty to seventy zhang wide, and another river in the Fuguo region, which is over a hundred zhang wide, both flowing southward, and the locals use animal skins to make boats to cross the river.
To the south of the Kingdom of Fu, there is a tribe called Boyuanyi, whose customs are similar to those of the Jialiangyi tribe. To the west of the Kingdom of Fu, there is a matriarchal kingdom. To the northeast of the Kingdom of Fu, the undulating mountain ranges stretch for thousands of miles, all the way to the Dangxiang region. The mountains are home to numerous Qiang tribes, such as: Dazuofeng, Xiaozuofeng, Xiwei, Geyan, Baigou, Xiangren, Wangzu, Lintai, Chunsang, Lidou, Misang, Biyao, Daxia, Bailan, Chilimotu, Nae, Dangmi, Qubu, Sangwu, Qiandiao, and so on. These tribes all live in deep mountain valleys, lacking a strong leader. Their customs are similar to those of the Dangxiang people; some submit to the Tuyuhun, while others depend on the Kingdom of Fu. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, these Qiang tribes all came to Chang'an to offer tribute. In order to manage these areas, the Sui Dynasty established several general offices on the southwestern border to exercise remote governance.
Historical records indicate that since ancient times, to expand the frontier and engage in trade with distant lands, there must be an emperor with a broad mind, as well as a few dedicated ministers. Zhang Qian opened the road to the Western Regions, and Ban Chao later joined the military to continue the Western Regions cause. They either made friends with treasures or used force to intimidate, willing to sacrifice their lives to fulfill the nation's grand ambitions, all because the emperor prioritized frontier expansion, and the ministers were willing to go through fire and water. Therefore, what those in power favor, those below will certainly be more willing to pursue.
Emperor Yang of Sui was notorious for his extravagance and lavishness, even more so than the Qin and Han dynasties. Pei Ju presented the "Records of the Western Regions" to align with his interests. Therefore, Emperor Yang personally went outside the Yumen Pass and established places like Yiwu and Qiemo. As a result, the people in the Guanzhong region stretching to the desert's edge were in a state of panic and unbearable suffering. If the northern nomadic tribes hadn't harassed them and if victories in the east hadn't been secured, Emperor Yang would definitely have strengthened the Lun Tai military camp, built the Wulei city, and found ways to bring in pearls from Da Qin and bird eggs from Tiaozhi for transportation back and forth. The country would have been exhausted!
The wise emperors of ancient times ruled over territories of only about five thousand miles in circumference, and their sole aim was to stabilize the Central Plains, without concerning themselves with the remote and uncivilized regions. Were their prestige not strong enough, or their virtues not widely recognized? No, they simply did not want the barbarians on the borders to exhaust the common folk of the Central Plains or harm the interests of the country. So you see, the Qin Dynasty stationed troops in Lingnan, the Han Dynasty fought on the borders, leading to either widespread famine or a drastic population decline. The Sui Dynasty, believing itself to be powerful, faced significant losses even in Qinghai. All of this was because the emperor took the wrong path, causing the common folk to suffer.
If Emperor Yang of Sui had seriously considered the situation's pros and cons, rejected the suggestions to establish protectorates, sent the horses back, and refused the gifts of white wolves, then even if the western minority tribes did not pay tribute, and even without the victory in Liaodong, how could it have led to the tragic events in Jiangdu?
