Speaking of which, Goguryeo, Baekje, Mohe, Silla, Duman, Didouyu, Kumoxi, Khitan, and Wulohou, these are all ancient countries. Let's start with Goguryeo, which originated from the kingdom of Fuyu. The Goguryeo people themselves say that their ancestors were Jumong. Jumong's mother was the daughter of the River God, locked in a room by the Fuyu king, and ended up getting sunburned. She tried to avoid the sunlight, but it kept following her. Eventually, she became pregnant and gave birth to an egg the size of a five-liter bag of rice! The Fuyu king first threw it to the dogs, but the dogs didn't eat it; nor did the pigs. When it was thrown on the road, even the cows and horses steered clear of it; finally, when thrown into the wild, a group of birds even kept it warm with their feathers and helped hatch it! The Fuyu king tried to break it open, but he couldn't break it, so he had to return it to Jumong's mother. She wrapped it up and placed it in a warm spot, and a boy hatched out of it! When he grew up, people named him Jumong, because in their language, "Jumong" means skilled in archery. The Fuyu people sensed that Jumong was no ordinary child and might have rebellious intentions in the future, so they wanted to kill him, but the king disagreed but allowed him to raise horses. Jumong secretly tested the horses, knowing which horses were good and which were not. He fed the good ones less to keep them lean while fattening up the bad ones. The Fuyu king rode the fat horses, while the lean ones were given to Jumong. Later, during a hunt, the king only permitted Jumong to use one arrow. Even with just one arrow, Jumong managed to kill many wild animals. The king's advisors plotted to assassinate him again. Jumong's mother found out and discreetly warned him, "The country wants to harm you; with your skills, you should go far away to make your mark!"
So, Zhu Mong set off with Wu Yin and Wu Wei, leaving Fuyu and running southeast. On the way, they encountered a large river and found there was no bridge! The Fuyu people were hot on their heels. Zhu Mong then called out to the river, saying, "I am the child of the sun, the grandson of the River God. Today, I am fleeing for my life, and the pursuers are about to catch up. How can I get across?" At that moment, fish and turtles in the river surfaced and formed a bridge for him! Zhu Mong crossed over successfully, and the fish and turtles dispersed, preventing the pursuers from crossing. Zhu Mong later arrived at Pushui, where he encountered three individuals in different attire: one in hemp garments, one in ramie garments, and one in garments made of waterweed. These three people accompanied Zhu Mong to the city of Geshenggu, where they settled and named it Goguryeo, adopting it as their family name.
At first, when Zhu Mong was still in Fuyu, his wife was expecting a child, and later gave birth to a son named Shilu Xie. When the boy grew up and learned that Zhu Mong was the king, he returned with his mother and changed his name to Ludai, taking over the governance of the country. After Zhu Mong died, Ludai ascended to the throne. When Ruli passed away, his son Molai ascended to the throne, and then Molai attacked Fuyu, defeating them greatly. From then on, Fuyu submitted to Goguryeo.
The descendants of Molai continued through the generations, and when his descendant Gong was born, he opened his eyes immediately, which people at the time considered very inauspicious. As he grew up, he became fierce and cruel, plunging the country into chaos and making life miserable for its people. Gong's great-grandson Wei Gong was also able to see things as soon as he was born. Due to his resemblance to his great-grandfather Gong, he was named Wei Gong. The Goguryeo people referred to those who bore a resemblance as "Wei." Wei Gong was also very brave and skilled in archery and horseback riding. During the Zhengshi era of the Wei state, he led troops to invade Anping in Liaoxi, but was defeated by Gan Qiu Jian, the Inspector of Youzhou.
His great-grandson was named Yifuli, and Yifuli's son was called Zhao, who fought against the Murong clan during the reign of Emperor Lie of the [specific dynasty, if known]. In the fourth year of the founding of the nation, Murong Yuanzhen led an army to attack Goguryeo, entering Goguryeo territory from the southern region of Shaanxi. They fought a battle at Mudi (木底) and defeated Zhao's forces. Murong Yuanzhen pursued them relentlessly, all the way to Wanducheng, where Zhao made a solitary escape on horseback. Murong Yuanzhen also dug up Zhao's father's grave, removed the corpse, and seized Zhao's mother, wife, treasures, and over fifty thousand men, women, and children, burned their palaces and destroyed Wanducheng before returning. Later, Zhao sent envoys to offer tribute, but due to the great distance between the two countries and frequent wars, they could not make contact. In the end, Zhao was killed by Baekje.
During the reign of Emperor Yuan Shizu, Wang Lian, the great-grandson of the Wang clan of Goryeo, sent envoys to the court in Andong to pay tribute and asked the emperor to bestow a state name. Emperor Shizu saw Wang Lian's attitude as genuinely sincere, so he ordered that the royal title be bestowed upon Goryeo and sent the official Li Ao to appoint Wang Lian as: Commander of Military Affairs of Liaohai, General of the Eastern Expedition, Protector of the Eastern Yi, Duke of Liaodong, and King of Goguryeo.
Li Ao arrived at Wang Lian's residence in Pyongyang, inspected the situation in Goryeo, and reported: The eastern border of Goryeo reaches Zha Cheng, the southern border reaches Xiao Hai, and the northern border reaches Jiu Fuyu, covering an area of about two thousand miles east to west and over a thousand miles north to south, which is more than double the size compared to the Northern Wei period. The Goryeo people are all indigenous locals, living along the valleys, and their clothing is made from cloth and leather. The land there is barren, and they cannot produce enough silk or food for themselves, so the common people are generally frugal. The Goryeo people's customs are quite liberal; they enjoy singing and dancing, and in the evenings, people of all ages gather together to play regardless of social class, although they do value cleanliness. The Goryeo king enjoys building palaces, and their official titles are quite interesting, including names like Ye Sha, Tai Sha, Da Xiong, and Xiao Xiong. The hats worn by the Goryeo people are known as "Zhe Feng," shaped like ancient caps, with bird feathers inserted in the brim, with variations depending on social status. When standing, they cross their hands behind their backs, and when kneeling, they only bend one leg, walking with a slight jog. Every October, the Goryeo people hold a grand ceremony for worshiping the heavens, attended by people from all over the country. During the ceremony, everyone wears clothes embroidered with gold and silver threads which sparkle, and they like to sit cross-legged, using ancient dining utensils. Goryeo also paid tribute with a horse three feet tall, claiming it to be a descendant of the horse once ridden by Zhu Mong, and this breed has continued to this day. Later, Goryeo paid annual tribute of two hundred pounds of gold and four hundred pounds of silver.
At this time, a man named Feng Wentong led his men to defect to Goryeo. Emperor Yuan Shizu sent Cavalier Attendant Fei Bo to issue an edict to Wang Lian, ordering him to return Feng Wentong to the court. However, Wang Lian submitted a memorial stating that he wished to return to the court alongside Feng Wentong and refused to comply. When Emperor Shizu heard this, he was furious and wanted to personally lead troops to punish Wang Lian. However, ministers, including Prince Le Ping and Asuji, advised him to wait and see, so Emperor Shizu relented. Shortly thereafter, Wang Lian killed Feng Wentong.
Later on, Empress Dowager Wenming felt that there were not enough people in the imperial harem, so she ordered Xiao Zé, the son of Xiao Daocheng, to have his uncle Xiao Luan recommend a daughter to enter the palace. Xiao Luan reported that his daughter was already married and instead recommended his niece. The court agreed and sent Prince Anle along with Minister Li Fu to deliver the betrothal gifts.
However, Xiao Luan was persuaded by those around him, who said that the court had previously formed a marriage alliance with the Feng family, and shortly after, the Feng family was destroyed. This served as a cautionary tale, so it would be wise to find a reason to back out of this arrangement. Therefore, Xiao Luan wrote a memorial claiming that his daughter had died, which was a fabrication. The court found this explanation too suspicious and sent Cheng Jun to strongly criticize him, saying that if his daughter had truly died, then another suitable royal family princess would be chosen. Xiao Luan then said, "If the emperor can forgive my previous mistakes, I will definitely follow the decree." Coincidentally, around this time, Empress Dowager Xianzu passed away, leaving the matter unresolved.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu (Xiao Daocheng), Xiao Luan sent even more tribute than before, and the court rewarded him more as well. Once, the officials in Guangzhou caught several servants sent by Xiao Luan to deliver offerings to Xiao Daocheng. Gaozu criticized Xiao Luan in an edict, saying, "Xiao Daocheng has usurped the throne and seized control of Jiangzuo. I was planning to restore the old state and continue the lineage of Liu Song. You are engaging with this usurper across borders. This is not the conduct expected of a vassal. Due to your past contributions, I will overlook this this time and send you back to your fief. Reflect on your actions, obey the court's orders, pacify your territory, and report any developments promptly."
In the year 15 AD, the palace of King Zang (Lian) of Goguryeo passed away at over a hundred years old. Emperor Gaozu held a grand mourning ceremony in the eastern suburbs and sent Li An, the Minister of Rites, to report to the court, posthumously honoring Zang with the title of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Tutor, Duke of Liaodong Commandery, King of Goguryeo, and posthumously bestowing him with the title "Kang." The Emperor also sent the Grand Herald to visit Zang's grandson, the King of Goguryeo, Palace Yun, appointing him as Commander of Liaohai Forces, General of the East, and Leader of the Eastern Barbarians, along with other official titles. He was given clothing, headgear, carriages, banners, and a decree inviting Yun's son to the court to receive the same level of honor as that of vassals. Yun declined, citing his illness, and sent his uncle Sheng with the envoys to the capital. The Emperor firmly reprimanded him for this. Since then, Goguryeo has consistently paid tribute on time each year.
During the Zhengshi period, Emperor Shizong received the Goguryeo envoy Ruixifu in the East Hall. Ruixifu spoke, saying, "Goguryeo has always been loyal to the Great Wei, for generations loyal, and tribute has been paid on time without delay. However, gold comes from the Buyeo country, and gems come from the Silla country. Now Buyeo has been defeated by the Mohe country, and Silla has been annexed by Baekje. Our king only moved the people from these areas to Goguryeo in order to inherit the will of the former kings. Therefore, the lack of these two precious items in the tribute is not the fault of Goguryeo, but the result of the destruction of Buyeo and Silla." Emperor Shizong said, "Goguryeo has been appointed as the top general for generations, solely in charge of overseas military affairs, governing the nine tribes and various ethnic minorities in the north. You should be skilled in battle. Now that the tribute is insufficient, who is responsible? In the past, when the tribute was insufficient, the responsibility lay with your administrators. You should convey my intentions to your king, to show the majesty of Great Wei, to extend goodwill, eliminate threats, stabilize the eastern border, help Buyeo and Silla recover their homeland, and ensure that tribute can be paid normally."
Oh, speaking of the Shengui period, when Yun (referring to the Goguryeo king) died, Empress Dowager Ling held a grand mourning ceremony for him in the East Hall! She even sent a number of gifts and bestowed upon him the titles of Grand General, Protector General of the Eastern Barbarians, Duke of Liaodong Commandery, and King of Goguryeo. That’s quite prestigious, isn't it? Later on, his son was appointed as General of the East, Protector General of the Eastern Barbarians, Duke of Liaodong Commandery, and King of Goguryeo. Both father and son became kings of Goguryeo, impressive! In the Zhengguang period, an even more miraculous event occurred. They actually retrieved the sword and belt of General An Ningdong, which Xiao Yan had sent to An, from the sea near Guangzhou. Even the envoys sent by Xiao Yan, including Jiang Fasheng, were brought to the capital. Later, An died, and his son Yan inherited the throne.
During the reign of Emperor Chu, the court promoted Yan to various positions, including Imperial Envoy, Cavalry Attendant, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Colonel of the Guard for the Chariots of the Yiqu, Duke of Liaodong, and King of Goguryeo. They also presented him with numerous clothes, vehicles, flags, and other items; the spectacle was truly remarkable! In the Tianping years, he received further promotions to Palace Attendant and General of Agile Cavalry, while retaining his other titles. After Yan's death, his son succeeded him. Up until the Wuding era, Goguryeo's tribute envoys came every year without fail.
Baekje was originally split off from Buyeo. It is located over a thousand li north of Goguryeo, south of the Small Sea. The locals are all indigenous, who live in low-lying, humid areas, with most of them living on the hills. They also grow grains, and their customs of clothing and food are similar to those of Goguryeo.
In the second year of Yanxing, their king Yoo-gyeong sent envoys to submit a memorial: "Our country is founded in the farthest eastern region, with wolf-like enemies standing in our way. Although we have always received imperial favor through the generations, we cannot come to pay tribute and show our respect. We look up to the imperial palace with endless longing. As the cool breeze blows softly, we earnestly request Your Majesty to bless and protect us. Our gratitude is beyond words. I have specially dispatched my personal officials, the Champion General, the Marquis of Fusu, the Chief of Staff, Yuli, the General of Dragon Cavalry, the Prefect of Daifang, and the Marshal Zhang Mao, to brave the storms, seeking the way to the Central Plains, entrusting our fate to Your Majesty's grace, expressing our unwavering loyalty. We hope for divine mercy, imperial favor to shine upon us, and for a smooth journey to the court, to convey my heartfelt wishes. Even if we hear bad news every day, we will have no regrets."
He also said, "We come from the same roots as Goguryeo and are both descendants of Buyeo. During our ancestors' time, we maintained a strong bond. Their ancestor Zhao disregarded our friendly ties and personally led an army to invade our territory. My ancestor had to quickly mobilize the troops for a counterattack, and after a brief battle, they beheaded Zhao's head. Since then, they have not dared to set their sights southward. After the downfall of the Feng family, the remnants fled in all directions, and the number of malefactors increased. They came to invade us again, spreading hatred and inciting chaos. For more than thirty years, we have watched our wealth dwindle, our strength has dwindled, and we have become increasingly weak. If the emperor could show us mercy and extend his grace to us all, and quickly send a general to save our country, I would gladly offer my daughter to you, to serve you in your harem, and send my sons to look after your horses. The people of our land dare not act selfishly."
He also said: "Now that Lian has committed a crime, the country has become a fish at the mercy of others, with ministers and powerful clans killing each other, sins accumulating, and the common people growing disloyal and divided. This is our moment of demise, and it is also the time when we urgently need your help. Moreover, the Feng family's army has a strong attachment to their homeland; the people of the various counties of Lelang also harbor feelings of homesickness. If you just show a little strength, you can subdue the enemy without fighting. Although my abilities are limited, I’m committed to doing my best and will definitely rally my army at your call. Furthermore, Goguryeo is unjust, and their deceitful actions are numerous. On the surface, they pretend to pay tribute to the court like Wei Xiao, but in reality, they are secretly plotting mischief and preparing for a large-scale attack. They sometimes collude with the Liu family's southern forces, and other times they ally with the northern Rouran forces, conspiring together to invade our king's territory. In the past, Emperor Yao was wise and punished the wrongdoers by the Dan River; Lord Mengchang, known for his benevolence and righteousness, did not spare those who insulted him. Small troubles, like trickling streams, should be dealt with early; if not stopped now, we will surely regret it in the future. Since the year of Gengchen, I have discovered more than ten corpses in the sea north of the small stone mountain on the western side of our country, along with their clothes, belongings, saddles, and bridles. Upon inspection, these items were found not to belong to Goguryeo, and later I heard that these were people sent by the Goguryeo king to surrender to us. Because the enemy army blocked the road like a long snake, they sank into the sea. Though we don’t know the full truth yet, we are filled with anger. In the past, the Song state killed Shen Zhou, and King Zhuang of Chu walked barefoot; the hawk caught the dove, and Lord Xinling went without food. Defeating the enemy and achieving glory will earn us a lasting reputation. As a small, remote country, we still long for a legacy that will be remembered; especially for Your Majesty, who embodies the power of heaven and earth. Would you let these petty thugs run wild and obstruct the operation of the heavenly way? The saddle and bridle Your Majesty has received are the best proof."
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Because of its remote location, Xianzu took the risk to pay tribute, and the court treated him with great respect, sending the envoy Shao An to return with him. The emperor issued a decree saying: "Upon receiving your memorial, I am glad to know that you are safe and sound! You are located by the East China Sea, beyond the Five Ranks, and have traveled thousands of miles to return to the Central Plains and submit to the court. I am very pleased and filled with joy. I have inherited the ancestral foundation for generations, ruling over the world and governing the people. Now that the world is unified and all directions have submitted to the Great Wei, countless countries have come to pay tribute. The social environment is wholesome, and the army is strong; these are all seen by the envoys personally. You have had a strained relationship with Goryeo, which has repeatedly invaded your territory. If you can follow the greater righteousness and treat others with benevolence, there's nothing to worry about, right? The envoys we sent out to calm the remote areas have been gone for many years; we do not know if they are still alive. The saddles you sent don't match the Central Plains style as they used to. We can't jump to conclusions about errors based on some questionable circumstances. Regarding specific strategies, I have provided different instructions."
The emperor issued another decree saying: "I know that Goryeo is powerful and has invaded your land, continuing the longstanding grievances from previous reigns and abandoning the great virtue of benevolence towards the people. The war between both sides has lasted for many years, making it difficult to quell the border turmoil. If we sincerely help you like Shen Bao Xu, and your country is in a crisis like Chu, then we should extend our hand and act quickly. However, Goryeo is after all a vassal state of the previous dynasty, having long paid tribute to the court. Although there have been some conflicts in history, they have not disobeyed the court's orders. You have just established diplomatic relations with the court and are requesting military action; the timing and rationale are not quite right. Therefore, a few years ago, I sent envoys to Pyongyang to understand the truth of the matter. However, Goryeo's requests were frequent and well-founded, making it difficult for the envoys to refuse their requests, and the judicial department could not fulfill their duties, so we complied with their requests and allowed the envoys to return home. If you defy the decree again now, then the offense would be even greater, and in the future, no matter how you explain, you will not be able to escape the blame. At that time, sending troops to punish will also be justified. The countries of the Nine Barbarians have people living overseas; when the roads are clear, they come to pay tribute, and the court's grace ensures peace in their territories. Therefore, the policy of subjugation is documented in ancient texts, yet their tribute has been intermittent. You have detailed your strengths and weaknesses, cited historical facts from various dynasties, and wish to do something different, seeking rewards that are beyond reason. Your grand plan is aimed at this. Now that the Central Plains are unified and the world is peaceful, I have always wanted to project my authority to the shores of the East Sea, plant my banner on the borders, rescue the people in remote areas, and bestow imperial grace far and wide. However, because Goryeo has not made a clear statement, I have not yet decided to send troops. If you do not obey the decree now, then your request for military action this time coincides with my intentions, and the commander will set out, not too far away. You can lead the troops in advance, prepare well, and send someone to report the situation at any time to quickly understand Goryeo's intentions. On the day of departure, you will act as a guide, and after a great victory, you will receive generous rewards. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Although the brocade and seafood you offered have not all arrived, they still reflect your sincerity. Now I grant you some miscellaneous items; the details will be communicated later." The emperor also ordered Lian to escort Shao An and others back.
It is said that Envoy An and his party arrived in Goguryeo. King Lian of Goguryeo heard that Envoy An had previous conflicts with Yu Qing, so he ordered that An and his party be forbidden to proceed eastward, which led to their return. The Emperor was outraged by this and issued a decree sternly reprimanding them. Five years later, the Emperor sent Envoy An and others to set out from Donglai, crossing the sea by boat to deliver a decree to Yu Qing, praising his loyalty and integrity. However, when Envoy An and his group reached the shore, they encountered a great storm, and their ship was tossed about by the storm, ultimately failing to reach their destination and returning home instead.
Wujiguo, located to the north of Goguryeo, was formerly part of the Sushen territory. It consists of many villages, each led by its own chief, lacking a unified ruler. The Wujiren are brave and good at fighting, the fiercest of the Dongyi tribes. Their language is different from other ethnic groups, and they often hold smaller countries like Doumolu in contempt, who also fear them greatly. Wujiguo is approximately five thousand li from Luoyang. From Helong, going north for more than two hundred li, there is a mountain called Shanyu. A thirteen-day journey north from Shanyu leads to Qili Mountain, and another seven days north will reach the Ruluo River, which spans over a li in width. Continuing north for fifteen days will bring one to Tailu River, and another eighteen days northeast will reach Wujiguo. Within Wujiguo, there is a large river called Sumo River, which is over three li wide. The soil there is quite moist, so they construct cities and dwell in caves, with houses resembling tombs, with an opening at the top for people to enter and exit using ladders.
The Wuji Kingdom does not have cattle, but it has horse-drawn carriages. When plowing the fields, they use two horses together, and when driving the cart, a person has to push it along. They grow millet, wheat, and rice, and the only vegetable they grow is sunflower greens. The humidity there is quite high, and salt can accumulate on the trees; there are also salt ponds. Wuji Kingdom has many pigs but no sheep. They brew wine from rice, and they have a high tolerance for alcohol and can easily get drunk. Women wear cloth skirts, while men wear garments made from pigskin or dog leather. On the night of the wedding, the groom goes to the bride's house, gently touches the bride's breasts, and then leaves; this is considered the marriage consummation, and from then on, they are husband and wife. They have a custom of washing their hands and faces with urine. They also wear the tails of tigers and leopards in their hair. The Wuji people are skilled hunters, with bows three feet long and arrows one foot two inches long, with stone-tipped arrows. If parents die in spring or summer, they bury them immediately and build a shelter over the grave to protect it from rain; if they die in autumn or winter, they use the corpses to lure minks, which feed on the bodies, helping them catch many minks. They usually make poison in July or August, applying it to the tips of their arrows to hunt animals; any animal hit by the arrow will die instantly, and the toxic gas released while boiling the poison can also kill people. To the south of Wuji Kingdom lies Tutaishan, which the Wei people refer to as "Dahuangshan." Although there are tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves on the mountain, they generally do not harm people. People are not allowed to defecate on the mountain, and anyone passing by must carry something to dispose of it.
In the Yanxing era, the Yilizhi Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute. In the early Taihe years, they sent five hundred horses. The Yilizhi envoy said: We set out from our country, sailing upstream against the Nan River, but when we reached the Taihe River, our boat sank! We had no choice but to go ashore and travel overland, crossing the Luoguo River and detouring around the western border of Khitan to arrive here. He also mentioned that their country had previously defeated ten tribes of Goguryeo and was conspiring with Baekje to launch a joint attack on Goguryeo by water, so they sent him to ask us whether this plan would succeed. The emperor issued a decree declaring that these three kingdoms were our vassal states and should coexist peacefully without fighting each other. Thus, the Yilizhi envoy returned. On their way back, they managed to retrieve the sunken boat and returned home successfully.
After nine years, they sent envoy Hounizhi to pay tribute once more. The following year, they came to pay tribute again. Besides the Yilizhi Kingdom, there were also nearby countries such as the Damo Lu Kingdom, Fuzhong Kingdom, Modohui Kingdom, Kulou Kingdom, Suhe Kingdom, Jufufu Kingdom, Pili'er Kingdom, Badahuo Kingdom, Yuyuling Kingdom, Kufu Zhen Kingdom, Lulou Kingdom, and Yuzhen Hou Kingdom; these countries also sent envoys to pay tribute in succession.
In the twelfth year of Taihe, the Wujig Kingdom sent envoys bearing bamboo arrows and local specialties to the capital. In the seventeenth year, they sent over five hundred people led by Yifei to pay tribute. In the fourth year of Jingming, they sent envoys led by Houligui and others to pay tribute. From that time until the Zhengguang years, the tribute envoys from these countries continued to arrive regularly. Later, due to internal turmoil in China, these countries were sometimes unable to send tributes. In June of the second year of Xinghe, they sent envoys Shijiu Yun and others bearing local specialties as tribute, and the tribute continued uninterrupted until the Wuding years.
The Shiwai State is more than a thousand miles north of the Wujiji Kingdom and over six thousand miles from Luoyang; it's quite a trek! First, head more than a thousand miles north from Helong to enter the Khitan Kingdom, then go north for ten days to Chuoshu, continue for three days to Gaishui, and then walk for another three days to Dule Mountain, which is quite impressive, with a circumference of over three hundred miles! Continuing north for three days, you will encounter a large river called Quli, then travel for another three days to Renshui, and finally walk for five more days to arrive at Shiwai State. A large river flows in from the north, over four miles wide, called Gengshui. The land in Shiwai State is quite damp, and their language is similar to that of the Kumo Xi, Khitan, and Doumo Lou kingdoms. They cultivate millet, wheat, and rice, mainly eat pork and fish, and raise cattle and horses, but do not keep sheep. In summer, they stay in the city, and in winter, they move with the water and grass. They have plenty of sable furs. Men keep long hair, use horn bows, and their arrows are particularly long. Women tie their hair up in a cross-bun. People in Shiwai State rarely steal; if they do, the penalty is three times the value of what was taken; for murder, the offender must pay in three hundred horses. Men and women both wear clothing made from white deer skin. They brew their own wine and favor red beads, which women wear as decoration around their necks; the more beads they wear, the more prestigious they appear, and without them, young women struggle to find husbands. When parents die, their children must mourn for three years, and the body is laid to rest in the woods. In April of the second year of Wuding, Shiwai State sent envoys, including Zhang Yandou, to pay tribute for the first time, and this continued without interruption until the end of the Wuding period.
The Kingdom of Doumolu is over a thousand miles north of Wujiguo and more than six thousand miles from Luoyang. It was once part of Northern Fuyu's territory. It lies east of Shiwegu and extends all the way to the coast, with a land area of about two thousand miles. The local inhabitants are indigenous and have palaces and granaries. There are many mountains and swamps, but the terrain is relatively flat compared to the Dongyi region. The land is suitable for growing grains, but it does not produce any fruit. The Doumolu people are tall, strong, brave, cautious, and honest people, and they never engage in invasion or plunder. Their officials are given names based on livestock, and each village has a leader. They use relatively formal utensils for meals. They weave linen, and their clothing styles resemble those of Goryeo, but the fabric is wider. The nobility's clothing is often adorned with gold and silver. Their laws are strict; murderers face the death penalty, and their families are enslaved. The customs of the Doumolu people are fairly open, particularly disdainful of jealous women, who are executed and left to rot on the mountains south of the capital. If a family wants to marry off their daughter, they must send cattle or horses as a bride price. Some say that the Kingdom of Doumolu was once part of Huimo's territory.
The Kingdom of Doudou is far from here, more than a thousand miles west of Shiwegu. That place is known for having many cattle and sheep and is known for producing good horses. The common folk wear clothing made from animal hides; they do not grow grains and subsist on meat and dairy products. Beginning in August of the second year of Yanxing, they began sending envoys to pay tribute, and this continued uninterrupted until the sixth year of Taihe. Later, by the fourteenth year, they began frequently harassing the borders, prompting Emperor Gaozu to order General Xi to drive them away. After that, they occasionally came to the capital to offer tribute until the end of Wuding, when the tribute envoys continued to arrive without interruption.
The Kumo Xi people are said to be descendants of the Yuwen clan. They were previously defeated by Murong Yuanzhen, and the survivors fled to the Songmo area. They were not very particular about hygiene, but they were skilled in archery and enjoyed raiding. In the third year of the Deng dynasty, Emperor Taizu personally led troops to attack them, defeating them decisively south of the Ruoluo River, capturing members of four of their tribes, along with over a hundred thousand cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs. The emperor remarked, "These tribes do not understand benevolence, righteousness, and morality; they keep robbing each other and infringing on our territory, which is why we went to subdue them. Their petty thievery is not worth worrying about. Now that the Central Plains are in chaos, I will first pacify them, and then showcase our strength and benevolence, so that no one in the world will dare to defy us." Later, the emperor returned to Yunchong, and the Yan and Zhao regions pledged allegiance. More than a decade later, the Kumo Xi and some other tribes also developed and grew stronger. When we opened up Liaodong and established a garrison in Helong, those tribes became frightened and began to pay tribute with various goods. During the reigns of Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Xianzhu, Kumo Xi paid tribute of fine horses and leather every year. In the early years of Emperor Gaozu's reign, they also sent envoys to pay tribute. In the fourth year of Taihe, they entered the border without permission, claiming to fear the raids from the Doudi state, and the emperor issued a decree severely criticizing them. In the twenty-second year of Taihe, they attacked Anzhou again, and Yan and Youzhou sent thousands of troops to drive them away. Later, they sought peace, constantly seeking to cross the border for trade with us. Emperor Shizong issued a decree saying, "Before the twenty-first year of Taihe, Kumo Xi lived and traded with the people of Anzhou and Yingzhou without any issues. After the rebellion in the twenty-second year, they retreated far away. Now, although they come to seek peace, they are still outside the border, always wanting to enter and trade with us. If we do not let them in, it will hurt their loyalty; if we completely ignore them, what if they stir up trouble again? We cannot allow them to trade freely as before; we need to impose some control. During trading, we should send high-ranking officials from the province to oversee." Since then, they have paid tribute annually until the end of the Wuding era.
The Khitan state, situated to the east of the Kumo Xi, also consisted of foreign tribes that took refuge in the Songmo region. Later, our Northern Wei army achieved a great victory, forcing them to scatter in all directions and sever ties with the Kumo Xi. After several decades, they gradually grew stronger, forming several tribes that often resorted to banditry several hundred miles north of Helong.
Since the reign of Emperor Zhenjun, they began paying tribute, presenting fine horses each year. By the time of Emperor Xianzhu, they sent an envoy named Mo Fuhe Hechen to pay tribute, but he ranked last among the envoys from other nations. After returning, they praised the prosperity and strength of our nation, feeling quite envious. As a result, the tribes in the northeast, upon hearing this news, they all contemplated submitting to us.
Tribes such as the Xiwandan, He Dahe, Fufuyu, Yuling, Rilian, Pijie, Li, and Tuliyu all offered fine horses and furs as tribute to the court, requesting to do so every year. They also sought to trade with us in the Helong and Miyun areas, with tribute continuously flowing.
In the third year of Taihe, Goguryeo secretly conspired with the Ruanruan to seize our land in the Doudou region. The Khitan, fearing they might be caught up in it, sent their leader Mo Fuhe Wuyu to lead three thousand carts and over ten thousand people, bringing livestock to request allegiance to the court, and settled down east of the Bailang River. Since then, they have come to pay tribute every year. Later, when they faced famine, Emperor Gaozu showed compassion and allowed them to cross the pass to buy grain.
During the reigns of Emperors Shizong and Suzong, the Khitan people continued to send envoys with various tributes. During the Xiping era, a group of thirty Khitan envoys led by Zu Zhen returned to their country. Empress Ling, considering their customs, knew that they wore green felt as wedding attire, so she rewarded each of them with two pieces of green felt as a sign of goodwill, while the rest of the rewards were given according to the usual customs. The tribute from the Khitan continued until the Qi dynasty overthrew the Wei dynasty.
Wuluo Hou, located north of Douyu, is more than four thousand five hundred li away from the city of Dai. The area is damp underground, with heavy fog and cold weather. In winter, the locals live in underground burrows, while in summer, they graze their livestock on the grassy slopes. There are many pigs there, as well as crops such as grains and wheat. There’s no single leader; each tribe has been living this way for generations. Their customs include tying their hair, wearing animal skin clothes, and decking themselves out with beads. The people are very brave and do not engage in theft, so things left out in the open are safe. They enjoy hunting and archery, and for fun, they play the konghou, a wooden instrument with a leather face and nine strings. To the northwest of Wuluo Hou, there is a river that flows northeast and eventually joins the Nanshui River, where smaller rivers and streams flow into before emptying into the sea to the east. Heading northwest for about twenty days, you would reach the Yueri Ni River, also known as the North Sea.
In the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Shizhen, Wuluo Hou came to pay tribute. They mentioned a place in the northwest of their country, which was the old tomb of their former emperor. The stone chamber was ninety paces long north to south, forty paces wide east to west, and seventy feet high. Inside the stone chamber, there were spirits, and the locals often go there to pray. Emperor Shizhen sent the Minister of the Palace Library, Li Chang, to make sacrifices and carve texts on the stone chamber walls before heading back.
The historian said: those barbarian lands are only lightly governed by the Central Plains. Goryeo pays its tribute punctually every year, and it is the most formidable nation along the eastern frontier. The court treats them with considerable favor. Other smaller nations are also aware of the need to pay tribute, but they are not simply led around like cattle, merely following the whims of the east wind.
