Gaochang Kingdom was originally the site of the palace of the former king of Cheshi during the Han Dynasty. It takes a thirteen-day journey to reach it from Dunhuang. It spans three hundred miles from east to west and five hundred miles from north to south, surrounded by mountains on all sides. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent troops on a western expedition, the army was exhausted, and many soldiers in dire straits chose to stay there. This camp gave the kingdom its name. Initially, the Rouran appointed Kan Bozhou as the king of Gaochang. After Bozhou died, his son Kan Yicheng succeeded him but was murdered by his cousin Shougui, who then took the throne. Shougui was later assassinated by the Gaoche, and then Zhang Mengming from Dunhuang was appointed king. Mengming was also killed by the Gaochang people, and Maru was appointed king, designating Gonggu and Qu Jia as the left and right chief historians. Maru reached out to Northern Wei to seek their allegiance. However, those who had submitted to Northern Wei longed for their hometowns and were reluctant to relocate eastward, so they united to kill Maru and appointed Qu Jia as king. Qu Jia, whose courtesy name was Lingfeng, hailed from Yuzhong in Jincheng. After ascending to the throne, he also pledged allegiance to the Juan. Later, when the leader of the Juan was killed by the Gaoche, Qu Jia submitted to the Gaoche. When Yanqi was defeated by Yidai, the people of Yanqi, unable to govern themselves, requested Qu Jia to become their king. Qu Jia sent his second son to rule Yanqi, and from that point on, the Gaochang Kingdom began to strengthen, and the people increasingly respected him. After Qu Jia passed away, his son Qu Jian took over the throne.
As for the capital city of the Tuyuhun, it has a perimeter of 1,840 steps, and the imperial palace features a painting of Duke Ai of Lu consulting Confucius on governance. There are a total of eighteen cities in this country. As for officials, the highest ranking is the Chief Minister, only one; followed by two Assistant Ministers; then there are the Left and Right Guards, eight Chief Officers, five Generals, eight Marshals, as well as Attendants, Registrars, Chief Clerks, Assistants, and Provincial Affairs officials. Major national matters are decided by the king himself, while minor matters are discussed and managed by the Crown Prince and the Assistant Ministers, who rarely write documents. The men there wear clothes typical of the Hu people, women wear skirts, and they all wear their hair in buns. Their customs and laws are similar to those of the Central Plains region.
The land in this area is full of stones and sand, with a warm climate where two crops can be harvested each year, which is also suitable for sericulture, and there are also many fruits. There is a type of grass called sheep's thorn that secretes honey, which has a particularly delicious taste. The red salt produced here is as red as cinnabar, the white salt is as white as jade, and there is also a lot of grape wine. The locals worship both celestial deities and follow Buddhism. Their sheep and horses are all raised in remote areas to evade foreign invasions, and unless you’re a high-ranking official, you wouldn’t know where these livestock are kept.
To the north of them lies Red Stone Mountain, and seventy miles north of Red Stone Mountain is Tanhan Mountain, where snow can still be found in summer. Beyond Tanhan Mountain lies the territory of Tiele. Going northwest from Wuwei, there is a shortcut that crosses the desert for over a thousand miles, with no signs of life and no roads in sight. "All around is desolate, with no trace of a path." Those who wish to travel this road must follow the bones of those who have perished before them. Along the way, you might hear the distant sounds of singing and weeping. If someone goes to search for the source of the sound, they often get lost and meet their demise, as it is said that ghosts and demons are at work, "for there are spirits lurking." Therefore, most merchants prefer the safer route through Yiwu when traveling back and forth. In the tenth year of Kaihuang, the Turks captured four cities of Tuyuhun, and two thousand people sought refuge in the Sui Dynasty. After the death of Tuyuhun King Jian, his son Boya ascended to the throne. His grandmother was the daughter of the Turkic Khan, and after his father's death, the Turks wanted him to follow their customs in handling the funeral, but Boya stubbornly refused, delaying for quite some time. "Boya refused for a long time." Later, when the Turks grew impatient, he had no choice but to yield.
After Sui Yangdi ascended the throne, he attracted many people from neighboring countries. In the fourth year of the Daye era, they dispatched envoys to pay tribute, and Yangdi received the envoys with exceptional hospitality. The following year, King Boya of Gaochang came to visit the emperor. He also joined the Sui army in their campaign against Goguryeo, and upon his return, he married Princess Huarong of the Sui Dynasty. In the winter of the eighth year of Daye, Boya returned to his country and then issued an order saying, "The most vital aspect of governing a country is to protect its people, and the key to stabilizing the country is ensuring that the people can live and work in peace. Previously, our country was on the fringes of remote territories, and while the people had no complaints, they wore foreign clothing. Now that the Great Sui has unified the country, the world is at peace, and all regions have submitted to us. As I am surrounded by the spirit of peace and prosperity, I hope everyone can enjoy this era of peace and prosperity; therefore, from commoners to all, everyone should abandon foreign attire and don Han clothing."
After hearing this, Emperor Yang was very happy and issued a decree: "Recognizing virtuous behavior and rewarding good deeds, this has always been the way of enlightened rulers, showing sincerity and achieving goodness; this is the model left by emperors of the past. Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Duke of Bian, King Boya of Gaochang, with broad knowledge and a generous heart, his loyalty to the Great Sui has long been evident, and his noble character is well-known. Originally a Han Chinese, he later established a kingdom in the Western Regions. Previously, due to wars, he was compelled to submit to the Turks, and was compelled to abandon Han clothing multiple times in favor of Hu clothing. Since our Sui Dynasty unified the country, peace has spread across the land, with blessings reaching every corner. Boya has traveled thousands of miles to the court, learning our etiquette and admiring our grand ceremonies. Therefore, he has abandoned Hu clothing, put on Han clothing, transforming from a barbarian to a Chinese subject; this marks a glorious chapter in history. He should be honored with Han clothing tailored to the court's specifications and escorted back. Let him don magnificent attire and once again showcase the splendor of chariots and horses, casting aside those fur garments and becoming a country that wears ceremonial robes again."
However, Boya had previously submitted to the Tiele, and the Tiele often stationed high officials in Gaochang, taxing the merchants who passed through and then handing the taxes over to the Tiele. Although Boya ordered the switch to Han clothing to curry favor with the Great Sui, he ultimately remained fearful of the Tiele and dared not truly change. Since then, he has annually sent tribute in the form of local specialties.
Kang Country is descended from the Kangju. They always move around, with no fixed place to live, but has existed since the Han Dynasty. Their king's surname is Wen, a Yuezhi. They used to live north of the Qilian Mountains in the city of Zhaowu, but were defeated by the Xiongnu and fled west of the Congling Mountains, thus establishing Kang Country. The king's relatives became rulers of smaller states, so the surrounding countries of Kang Country all use Zhaowu as their surname, indicating not forgetting their origins.
The current king is called Dai Shibi; he is kind-hearted and popular. His wife is the daughter of the Tujue Dado Khan. Their capital is situated by the Sabao River and is called Aludi City. Many people live in the city. The country's affairs are jointly managed by three ministers. The king wears a golden hat inlaid with seven gems and elegant garments made of silk and satin. The queen wears a hair bun and a black headscarf. Men sport short haircuts and don brocade robes. Although Kang country is known as a strong nation, many countries in the Western Regions pay homage to it. Countries like Mi, Shi, Cao, He, An, Xiaoan, Nasebo, Wunaho, and Mu all listen to Kang country.
They have their own laws stored in a Zoroastrian temple, which are taken out when a case needs to be judged. Severe crimes result in the extermination of entire families, lesser crimes punishable by death, and theft in amputation of the feet. The people of Kang country are characterized by deep-set eyes, prominent noses, and stubbly beards. They are adept at trade, and many ethnic groups in the Western Regions frequent Kang country for trade. They have drums, pipas, five-stringed instruments, konghou, and flutes as musical instruments. Their marriage and funeral customs resemble those of the Tujue people. They have ancestral temples, and every June they worship their ancestors, inviting neighboring countries to participate. They practice Buddhism and use Hu script.
The climate in Kang country is warm and ideal for agriculture. They are hardworking in vegetable cultivation, and trees grow well. They produce horses, camels, mules, donkeys, a breed of cattle known as Fengniu, as well as gold, a mineral known as Yasha, incense, Asana incense, Serse (a type of spice), deer hides, felt blankets, and brocade. They produce a significant amount of wine, and wealthy households can store up to a thousand measures, with bountiful harvests each year. During the Daye period, Kang country began dispatching envoys to present tributes of local specialties, but later this practice was discontinued.
The Kingdom of Anxi during the Han Dynasty. The king's surname is Zhao, and he is of the same lineage as the king of the Kang Kingdom, with the courtesy title Zhaowu. His wife is the daughter of the king of the Kang Kingdom. Anxi is located south of the Misui River, which is surrounded by flowing water and has five layers of city walls. The palaces have flat roofs. The king sits on a camel-shaped seat made of gold, about seven to eight feet high. When handling state affairs, he and the queen sit face to face, with three ministers on the side consulting on state matters. The customs of Anxi are similar to those of the Kang Kingdom. However, they have a strange custom of mutual killing between sisters and mothers and sons, which is quite shocking. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he sent the official Du Xingman to the Western Regions. When he arrived in Anxi, he returned with five different types of colored salt.
Biguo is more than a hundred miles west of Anxi, with probably over a thousand households. This country has no monarch and is governed by Anxi. In the fifth year of the Daye era, Biguo once sent envoys to pay tribute, but later lost contact.
Shiguo is located by the Yaoshashui River, with a capital city covering more than ten miles in circumference. The king's surname is Shi, named Nie. To the southeast of the capital of Shiguo, there is a building with a seat inside. On the sixth day of the first lunar month and the fifteenth day of the seventh month each year, they place the ashes of the king's parents in a golden urn on a bed. Then, the king and his officials walk around the ashes, sprinkling floral incense and various fruits as offerings. After the sacrifice, the king and queen rest in another tent, the officials take their seats in order, celebrate together with food and drinks, and then disperse. Shiguo has rice, wheat, and many good horses. They are fierce warriors skilled in combat, once having submitted to the Turks. Later, the Khan of the Turks led his troops to destroy Shiguo, appointing an official named Teqindianzhi to govern Shiguo. Shiguo is six hundred miles from the Western Turks and six thousand miles from Guazhou. Teqindianzhi once sent envoys to pay tribute in the fifth year of the Daye era, but never came again.
Once upon a time, there was a matriarchal kingdom located south of Congling. The rulers there were all women. The reigning queen was named Su Pi, with the courtesy name Mo Jie, and she had been the queen for twenty years. The queen's husband was named Jin Ju, who had no role in political affairs. The men in the kingdom were solely focused on warfare. Their capital was situated on a mountain, spanning about five or six miles in circumference, with an estimated ten thousand households. 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 deputy queen who shared the responsibilities of state affairs. Their customs were quite distinctive, with women holding high status, holding men in disdain yet without jealousy. Both genders enjoyed painting their faces with various colors, changing their colors multiple times a day. Everyone wore their hair down and leather shoes, while tax collection was inconsistent. The climate was very cold, and they primarily depended on hunting for sustenance. They produced copper ore, cinnabar, musk, yaks, fine horses, Shu horses, and especially had a large salt production, frequently transporting salt to Tianzhu for sale, earning several times their investment. They frequently engaged in battles with Tianzhu and the Tanguts. After the queen died, the kingdom would conduct large-scale fundraising, then choose two exceptional women from the deceased's family, one to be the new queen and the other to be a junior queen. If a noble passed away, their skin would be ceremonially removed, interred in a vessel with gold dust and bones. A year later, the skin would be interred in an iron container. They revered the Asura god as well as the tree deity. Every year at the beginning of the year, they would offer sacrifices of humans or macaques to the tree deity. After the sacrifice, they would pray in the mountains. At that time, a bird resembling a female pheasant would perch on their hands, and by opening its belly to examine its contents, if it contained grains, it foretold a good harvest; if it contained sand and stones, it foretold disaster. This practice was known as bird divination. In the sixth year of Kaihuang, they had previously sent envoys to pay tribute, but subsequently lost contact.
Speaking of the country of Yanqi, it is located seventy li south of the White Mountain and has existed since the Han Dynasty. Their king's surname is Long, with the courtesy name Tuqi. The capital city covers an area of two li. The country has few established customs. The people there practice Buddhism, which has some similarities to Brahmanism. Their marriage customs resemble those of the Central Plains. When a person dies, they are cremated, and mourning lasts for seven days. Men all have their hair cut. The region is abundant in fish, salt, and reeds. Traveling nine hundred li eastward takes you to Gaochang, while traveling nine hundred li westward takes you to Kucha, both located in desert regions. Going two thousand two hundred li to the southeast leads to Guazhou. During the Dali period, they once sent envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
The country of Kucha, located one hundred and seventy li south of the White Mountain, is an ancient kingdom that dates back to the Han Dynasty. They boast several thousand formidable soldiers. The customs in that region are quite strict—murderers face the death penalty, while robbers lose one arm and one leg. These customs are similar to those in Yanqi. The king wears a colorful ribbon tied around his head, cascading down his back, while seated on a throne crafted from golden lions. The region is abundant in rice, millet, soybeans, and wheat, along with copper, iron, lead, deer hides, blankets, gold dust, malachite, orpiment, cinnabar, frankincense, fine horses, and fat cattle. Traveling nine hundred li eastward brings you to Yanqi, and traveling one thousand four hundred li southward takes you to Yutian, while traveling one thousand five hundred li westward brings you to Shule. Traveling over six hundred li northwestward takes you to the Tujue tribe, and going three thousand one hundred li southeastward leads to Guazhou. During the Dali period of the Sui Dynasty, Kucha also sent envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
Shule State, located more than a hundred miles south of Baishan, was an old state during the Han Dynasty. The king was named Amijue. He and his people had six fingers on both hands and feet. If a child was born without six fingers, it could not survive. The capital was a square, each side measuring five miles. The country had twelve large cities and dozens of smaller ones, boasting a formidable army of two thousand soldiers. The king wore a hat fashioned from gold in the shape of lions. The region produced rice, millet, hemp, wheat, copper, iron, silk, realgar (a type of arsenic sulfide used in traditional Chinese medicine), and was required to pay tribute to the Turks annually. To the south of Shule State flowed the Yellow River, to the west lay the Congling Mountains, to the east lay Qiuci, located 1,500 miles away, to the west lay the Xihan Kingdom, 1,000 miles distant, to the south lay Zhu Jubo, about 800 to 900 miles away, to the northeast lay Tujueya, more than 1,000 miles distant, and to the southeast lay Guazhou, approximately 4,600 miles away. During the Sui Dynasty, Shule State also dispatched envoys to present local products as tribute.
In the country of Khotan, located a little over two hundred li north of the Congling Mountains, the king's surname is Wang, and his courtesy name is Beishibi Lian. The capital city is approximately eight or nine li in circumference. There are five major cities in the country, as well as dozens of smaller cities, with only a few thousand soldiers. The common people follow Buddhism, with a particularly large number of monks and nuns. The king often follows a vegetarian diet and chants scriptures. Fifty li south of the city is Zhamo Temple, said to have been built by Arhat Bhikshu Bilujian. The temple stones bear the footprints of the Bhikshu. "Zhamo Temple, said to be built by Arhat Bhikshu Bilujian, with the footprints of the Bhikshu on the stone." Five hundred li to the west is another temple called Bimo, said to be where Laozi turned the barbarians into Buddhists. "Five hundred li to the west of Khotan is the Bimo Temple, said to be where Laozi turned the barbarians into Buddhists." However, the locals are known for their lack of integrity and morality, with many thieves and promiscuous individuals. The king wears a brocade hat and a crown decorated with a golden rat, while the queen wears a golden flower. The king's hair is not to be seen by others, as locals believe that seeing the king's hair brings bad luck for the year. The region produces hemp, wheat, millet, rice, various fruits, and a wealth of jade from the mountains. To the east is Shanshan, fifteen hundred li away; to the south is the country of women, three thousand li away; to the west is Zhuqubo, one thousand li away; to the north is Kucha, fourteen hundred li away; and to the northeast is Guazhou, twenty-eight hundred li away. During the Sui Dynasty, they frequently sent envoys to pay tribute.
The country of Chaghan, more than five hundred li west of the Congling Mountains, was formerly known as Qusou. The king's surname is Zhaowu, and his courtesy name is Aliqi. The capital city is four li in circumference. There are also several thousand soldiers. The king sits on a chair crafted from gold and shaped like a sheep, and the queen wears a golden flower. The region abundantly produces cinnabar, gold, and iron. To the east is Shule, one thousand li away; to the west is Sufengshan, five hundred li away; to the northwest is the Stone Country, five hundred li away; to the northeast is Tujueya, more than two thousand li away; and to the east is Guazhou, five thousand five hundred li away. During the Sui Dynasty, they also sent envoys to pay tribute in both directions.
The Tocharian Kingdom is located 500 miles west of the Congling Mountains and shares its territory with Yida. The capital city covers only two square miles. However, they have an army of 100,000 skilled fighters. They also follow Buddhism. There is a unique custom where several brothers share a single wife, taking turns to sleep with her. The brother who spends the night hangs his clothes outside the door as a marker, and all children born are recognized as belonging to the eldest brother. Legend has it that divine horses reside in the caves of their mountains, and every spring, they put the mares in the caves, which leads to the birth of exceptional foals. It is 1,700 miles south to Cao country and 5,800 miles east to Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they regularly sent envoys to offer tribute.
Yida country is located approximately 200 miles south of the Wuhu River and is a descendant of the Yuezhi. They have about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers who are brave and skilled in combat. Historically, the region faced instability, and the Turks sent people to manage them. Their capital city spans about ten square miles, with many temples and pagodas adorned with gold. They also have a custom of brothers sharing wives, where a woman wears a hat with multiple points if she has several husbands. Yida country is 1,500 miles from Cao country and 6,500 miles from Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
Miguo lies west of the Namishui River, formerly part of the Kangju territory. They do not have a king, and the city is governed by a man named Zhaowu, who is a distant relative of the Kangju king, known by the nickname Bizhuo. Their capital city is only two miles in circumference, and their military consists of only a few hundred soldiers. Miguo is 100 miles from Kangju, 500 miles from Suduoshana country, 200 miles from Shiguo, and 6,400 miles from Guazhou. During the Daye era, they consistently offered tribute.
Shi Guo, ten miles south of the Dumo River, used to be the territory of the Kangju. Their king, whose surname was Zhaowu and was also a distant relative of the Kangju king, had the courtesy name Tizhe. Their capital city was only about two li square, with an army of about a thousand soldiers, and their customs were similar to those of Kangju. Shi Guo was 240 miles from Kangju, 500 miles from Tuhuo, 200 miles from Nasebo, 200 miles from Mi, and 6,500 miles from Guazhou. During the Daye period, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
Cao Guo, several miles south of the Na Mi River, used to be the territory of the Kangju as well. This country had no ruler of its own and was governed by Wu Jian, the son of the Kangju king. Their capital city was about three square miles, with an army of about a thousand soldiers. Cao Guo had a very powerful deity, worshipped by nations from east of the Western Sea. This deity had a golden statue, over five feet wide and tall, requiring five peaks of camels, ten horses, and one hundred sheep for sacrifice each day. The leftovers from the sacrifices were too much for a thousand people to finish. Cao Guo was 100 miles from Kangju, 150 miles from He Guo, and 6,600 miles from Guazhou. During the Daye period, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
He Guo, several miles south of the Na Mi River, used to be the territory of the Kangju as well. Their king, whose surname was Zhaowu and was also a relative of the Kangju king, had the courtesy name Dun. Their capital city was only about two square miles, with an army of probably a thousand soldiers. Their king even sat on a throne made of golden sheep! He Guo was 150 miles from Cao Guo, 300 miles from Xiao'an Guo, and 6,750 miles from Guazhou. During the Daye period, they also sent envoys to pay tribute.
Wunahé, with its capital built on the west bank of the Wuhu River, was once part of the Kingdom of Anxi. The king's last name was Zhaowu, also a descendant of the Kingdom of Kang, with the style name Foshi. The city walls were two li long. There were only a few hundred elite troops. The king's seat was a gold chair shaped like a sheep. Four hundred li to the northeast was the Kingdom of An, over two hundred li to the northwest was the Kingdom of Mu, and seven thousand five hundred li to the east was Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they sent envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
The Kingdom of Mu, whose capital was also located on the west bank of the Wuhu River, was also the former territory of the Kingdom of Anxi, neighboring Wunahé. The king's last name was also Zhaowu, a descendant of the King of Kang, with the style name Alanmi. The city walls were three li long, with two thousand soldiers. Five hundred li to the northeast was the Kingdom of An, over two hundred li to the east was Wunahé, over four thousand li to the west was the Kingdom of Persia, and seven thousand seven hundred li to the east was Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they also sent envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
As for the Kingdom of Persia, it was located in the city of Sulindu on the west bank of the Douda River, also known as ancient Tiaozhi. Their king was named Kusawo. The capital was over ten li in circumference, boasting over twenty thousand soldiers who fought on elephants. This country did not impose the death penalty; instead, offenders could have their hands or feet severed, property confiscated, beards shaved, or wooden boards placed around their necks for distinction. People over three years old were required to pay a tax of four wen. They had a custom of marrying their sisters. When someone died, they were thrown onto the mountain, and family members had to observe mourning for a month. The king wore a golden crown adorned with flowers and sat on a throne carved from gold in the shape of lions, and dusted his beard with gold. He wore brocade robes and various types of necklaces.
Persia is abundant in fine horses, large donkeys, lions, white elephants, large bird eggs, pearls, porphyry (a type of gemstone), beast spirit (a type of gemstone), coral, lapis lazuli, agate, crystal, sese (a type of gemstone), huluo (a type of gemstone), lvteng (a type of gemstone), huoqi stone (a type of gemstone), diamonds, gold, silver, golden jade (a type of mineral), copper, brittle iron (a type of steel), tin, brocade, fine cloth, felt (a type of blanket), tasi (a type of blanket), huna (a type of fabric), yuenobu (a type of fabric), sandalwood, fabric woven with gold thread, red deer skin, cinnabar, mercury, as well as various spices such as aloeswood, saffron, benzoin, and agarwood, pepper, bibo (a type of spice), honeycomb (a type of sugar), jujube dates, aconite (a type of medicinal herb), helile (a type of fruit), wushizi (a type of fruit), malachite (a type of mineral), and arsenic sulfide (a type of mineral). The Turks could not defeat them, so they could only maintain a form of indirect rule over them. Persia often sent envoys to pay tribute to the Central Plains.
Heading west from Persia, after a few hundred miles is the sea; heading east for over four thousand miles is Mu country; heading northwest for four thousand five hundred miles is Byzantium; and heading east for eleven thousand seven hundred miles is Guazhou. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Li Yu, a Yunqi captain, as an envoy to Persia, and later sent envoys to accompany Li Yu in presenting various specialties as tribute.
Cao country, north of the Cang Mountains, was known as Jibin during the Han Dynasty. The king of this country, Zhaowu, also known by his courtesy name Shunda, is a relative of the Kangju king.
The capital city is four miles long around the city. There are over ten thousand formidable soldiers. The country's laws are very strict, and anyone who kills or steals is subject to death. Their customs involve engaging in lewd rituals. On Cengling Mountain, there is a temple dedicated to Shuntian, with extravagant rituals. The temple is built with gold, silver, and bronze, with silver covering the ground. Thousands of people visit the temple for worship daily. In front of the temple, there is a fish spine that is hollowed out so that horses can pass through. The king wears a gold fish-shaped crown and sits on a throne shaped like a horse, made of gold.
This region produces rice, maize, beans, wheat, elephants, horses, and a breed of cattle known as Fengniu, including gold, silver, copper, carpets, cinnabar, indigo, incense, sandalwood, and various spices, such as honey, black salt, asafoetida, myrrh, and white aconite. To the north lies Fanyan City, seven hundred li away; six hundred li eastward to Jueguo; and six thousand six hundred li to the northeast to Guazhou. During the Sui Dynasty, they even dispatched envoys to present local specialties as tribute.
Fu Country, situated over two thousand li northwest of Shu County, was inhabited by the southwestern tribes during the Han Dynasty. There was a tribe called Jialiang Yi to the east of Fu Country, governing their own people, sharing customs similar to Fu Country, though their language varied and lacked standardization. They did not use surnames. The king of Fu Country was named Yi Zeng. Their country was eight hundred li long from north to south and fifteen hundred li long from east to southeast, lacking city walls, nestled near river valleys, and flanked by mountains. They liked revenge, so they constructed "stone nests" from stacked stones to evade their enemies. These "stone nests" stood over ten zhang tall, with some as low as five or six zhang, each layer roughly one zhang high, divided by wooden partitions. The base was about three to four steps wide, while the top of the "stone nest" narrowed to two or three steps wide, resembling a pagoda. A small door was located on the bottom level, which needed to be closed at night to deter thieves. There were over twenty thousand households in the country, all obeying the king's commands. The laws of the Jialiang Yi were issued by the chieftain, with severe crimes punishable by death and minor offenses resulting in a fine of a cow. They were agile and good at fencing. They wore lacquered leather armor, with bows six feet long and bowstrings made of bamboo. They took their cousins and sisters-in-law as wives, and if a brother or son died, the brother or father would marry the widow. They enjoyed singing and dancing, accompanied by drums and reed instruments, along with flutes. When someone died, they did not wear mourning clothes. The body was laid on a high bed, washed, dressed, adorned with lacquered leather armor, and wrapped in animal skins. Descendants refrained from crying and instead danced with swords in armor, shouting, "My father was taken by spirits, and I will seek vengeance!" Other relatives cried three times and then stopped. When women mourned, they were required to cover their faces with their hands. The family of the deceased slaughtered cows, while relatives exchanged pigs and wine to offer consolation. They drank and ate meat together, then buried the deceased. A grand funeral was held ten years later, inviting relatives and friends, often involving the sacrifice of dozens of horses. They set up ancestral shrines to honor their ancestors. Their custom included wearing leather hats, round like bowls, with some donning veils over them. Most of their clothing consisted of fur and leather, with boots crafted from whole cow hides. They wore iron chains around their necks and iron rings on their hands. The king and chieftain adorned themselves with gold decorations, featuring a gold flower about three inches in diameter hanging on their chests. The terrain was elevated, characterized by a cool climate with little rain and wind. The land was well-suited for cultivating wheat and barley. The mountains yielded gold and silver, and numerous white pheasants could be found. The river was home to a type of excellent fish, measuring four feet long, with very fine scales.
Second paragraph:
In general, the lifestyles of the Fu Kingdom and the Jialiang Yi people are quite unique. They live in stone dwellings resembling towers, and they have to shut their doors at night to avoid enemies. Their customs are very different from those in the Central Plains region, such as taking a sister-in-law as a wife, conducting a grand burial ten years after a person's death, and performing horse sacrifices. They are skilled in singing and dancing, craft armor from lacquered leather, and have special bows and arrows. Judging from their clothing and jewelry, they also have some metalworking skills, and their living environment is likely relatively cool, suitable for growing wheat and barley, with gold and silver mines in the mountains. Overall, they are an ancient and enigmatic ethnic group, and their way of life and cultural customs are worth studying and understanding.
In the year 608 AD, during the fourth year of the Sui Emperor Yangdi's Daye era, their king sent eight people from the Fu Kingdom to the imperial court to pay their respects.
The following year, he sent his student Yilin with sixty Jialiang Yi people to offer tribute. They intended to offer fine horses, but they were unable to navigate the rugged terrain, so they requested the opening of a mountain road for future tributes. Emperor Yangdi found it too much of a hassle and declined.
The place where the Jialiang Yi people live has a river that flows through their territory and is sixty to seventy yards wide; in the Fu Kingdom, there is also a river that is over a hundred yards wide. Both rivers flow south, and the people use animal skins to make boats for crossing them.
To the south of the state of Fu live the Baiyue people, whose customs are similar. To the west of Fu is a matriarchal society. To the northeast of Fu is a mountain range that stretches thousands of miles, all the way to the Dangxiang region. The mountains are home to numerous Qiang tribes: Dazuo Feng, Xiaozuo Feng, Xiwei, Geyan, Baigou, Xiangren, Wangzu, Lintai, Chunsang, Lidou, Misang, Biyao, Dahuo, Bailan, Chilimotu, Naoe, Dangmi, Qubu, Sangwu, Qiandiao. These tribes all live in deep mountain valleys, lacking a central leader. Their customs are similar to those of the Dangxiang, with some tribes submitting to the Tuyuhun tribe, while others are dependent on the state of Fu. During the Sui Dynasty, these Qiang tribes all came to the court to pay tribute. In order to manage these areas, the court appointed several regional governors on the southwestern border to govern them from afar.
Historical records state: From ancient times to the present, to explore remote areas and strengthen ties with border regions, it requires a broad-minded monarch, along with enthusiastic officials. Before Zhang Qian's expedition to the Western Regions, Ban Chao later joined the military, whether by forging alliances with treasures or intimidating with swords, risking their lives for fleeting glory, all because the emperor valued the reputation of opening up the border regions, and the officials were willing to dedicate themselves to the country. Therefore, what pleases those in power often leads to excess among the common people.
Emperor Yang of Sui sought to replicate the grandeur of the Qin and Han dynasties, but did so on an even more extravagant scale, far exceeding them. At that time, Pei Ju presented the "Record of the Western Regions" to align with his ambitions, so Emperor Yang of Sui personally traveled beyond Yumen Pass, set up Yiwu, Qiemo, and other places, and the Guanzhong region all the way to the Luoshan area were in turmoil, and the people suffered greatly. If the northern nomadic tribes posed no threat, and the eastern tribes had also been victorious, then Emperor Yang of Sui would certainly reinforce the garrison at Luntai and construct the city of Wulei, search for the precious pearls of Great Qin, and bring back the bird eggs of Tiaozhi. In that case, how could the transportation of goods be maintained? The wise emperors of ancient times ruled over territories no larger than five thousand miles, devoted to stabilizing the Central Plains region, ignoring the remote and desolate areas. Is it that their prestige is not strong enough, their grace not widely accepted? No, they simply did not wish for the remote areas to drain resources from the Central Plains, and they did not want to harm useful things for useless ones. Therefore, the Qin Dynasty defended the Five Ridges, the Han Dynasty used troops on the three sides, resulting in either fields strewn with corpses or a population reduced by half. The Sui Dynasty, despite its formidable power, also found itself in a dire situation in the Qinghai region. All of this stemmed from the rulers losing their way, resulting in the common people suffering calamities. If Emperor Yang of Sui could genuinely reflect on the significance of territorial expansion, steadfastly reject the demands of the regional commanders, return the thousand-mile horses and refrain from demanding tribute from the White Wolves, then even without any military successes in Liaodong, how could the tragic disaster at Jiangdu have happened?
