Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
Chinese Frontier Sources
Chinese historical and frontier-administrative witnesses for Xiongnu, Wusun, Yuezhi, Kangju, Sai/Saka, Dawan, oasis states, and the eastern side of the Scythian source-world.
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Texts
Han Shu -- Zhang Qian, Wusun, Dawan, and the Heavenly Horses -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Han Shu volume 61, the Zhang Qian and Li Guangli biography, including the mission to the Yuezhi, Wusun diplomacy, Dawan, Kangju, and the War of the Heavenly Horses.Han Shu — The Western Regions Between Xiongnu and WusunThe Han Shu opens its Western Regions account by placing the oasis states west of the Xiongnu and south of the Wusun, between mountains, rivers, passes, and the Salt Marsh.Han Shu — The Wusun Marriage AllianceThe Han Shu records the Wusun-Han marriage alliance, made to bind Wusun to Han against the Xiongnu and marked by the Wusun gift of a thousand horses.Han Shu — Wusun, Sai, and the YuezhiThe Han Shu records Wusun territory as formerly Sai land, says the Da Yuezhi drove out the Sai king, and preserves Wusun descent from Sai and Yuezhi groups.Han Shu 96 — Western RegionsHan Shu 96, the Western Regions chapter, newly translated from Classical Chinese, covering the oasis roads, Xiongnu administration, Han Protector-General, Shanshan, Khotan, Jibin, Anxi, Great Yuezhi, Kangju, Dawan, Sai/Saka country, Wusun, Cheshi, and Ban Gu's judgment on Han frontier policy.Hou Han Shu -- Ban Chao, Ban Yong, and Liang Jin -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Hou Han Shu volume 47, the Ban and Liang biography, covering Ban Chao, Ban Yong, Liang Jin, Shanshan, Khotan, Shule, Kucha, Yuezhi pressure, Cheshi, Yanqi, and Later Han western policy.Hou Han Shu -- Southern Xiongnu -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Hou Han Shu, Southern Xiongnu Biography, covering the division of the Xiongnu, Southern Shanyu settlement, Han frontier offices, northern campaigns, Wuhuan and Xianbei pressure, and late Han steppe politics.Hou Han Shu -- Wuhuan and Xianbei -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Hou Han Shu, Wuhuan and Xianbei Biography, covering northeastern steppe custom, Han frontier offices, Wuhuan service and revolt, Xianbei expansion, Tanshihuai, and Cai Yong's warning against distant war.Hou Han Shu 88 — Western Regions AnnalsHou Han Shu 88, the Western Regions annals, newly translated from Classical Chinese, covering the Later Han reopening of the Western Regions, the southern road to Da Qin, Kushan and India, Alanliao, Shache, Shule, Yanqi, Cheshi, and the final judgment on frontier policy.Jin Shu -- Liu Yuan and the Xiongnu-Han Lineage -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Jin Shu volume 101 on Liu Yuan, Liu He, Liu Xuan, southern Xiongnu settlement memory, and the Xiongnu-Han genealogy behind Han-Zhao.Jin Shu -- Yanqi, Kucha, Dawan, Kangju, and Daqin -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Jin Shu volume 97 Western Rong notices on Yanqi, Kucha, Dawan, Kangju, and Daqin.Jiu Tang Shu -- Western Rong -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Jiu Tang Shu volume 198, the Western Rong biography, covering Tang records of Gaochang, Tuyuhun, Yanqi, Kucha, Khotan, Kang, Persia, Fulin, Dashi, and western frontier policy.Liang Shu -- Hua, Persia, Khotan, Gaochang, and Rouran -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Liang Shu volume 54's Northwestern Rong account, including Tuyuhun/Henan, Gaochang, Hua, Khotan, Persia, Qiang polities, and Rouran.Nan Shi -- Gaochang, Hephthalites, Persia, and Rouran -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Nan Shi volume 79 selections on Gaochang, Hua or the Hephthalites, Baiti, Kucha, Khotan, Khabandha, Qiemo, Persia, and Rouran.Shiji — Dawan and the Western RoadThe Shiji describes Dawan west of Han and southwest of the Xiongnu, with cities, agriculture, blood-sweating horses, mounted archery, and roads toward Kangju, Yuezhi, Wusun, and Daxia.Shiji — Kunmo of the WusunThe Shiji preserves the foundation legend and political value of Kunmo of the Wusun: abandoned at birth, fed by birds and a wolf, raised by the Chanyu, then used as a western counterweight to the Xiongnu.Shiji — The Great Yuezhi WestwardThe Shiji describes the Great Yuezhi as a powerful nomad people, broken by the Xiongnu, driven west past Dawan, and settled north of the Gui River after conquering Daxia.Shiji — Wusun, Kangju, and YancaiZhang Qian's report in the Shiji describes three northern and western powers: Wusun, Kangju, and Yancai, all tied to nomadism, archers, and the steppe beyond Dawan.Shiji — Xiongnu Kingship and the Twenty-Four ChiefsThe Shiji records the Xiongnu political order: left and right kings, the Chanyu's court, hereditary noble clans, and twenty-four commanders of ten thousand horse.Shiji — Xiongnu Origins and Nomad CustomsSima Qian's Shiji gives the classic Han account of Xiongnu ancestry, pastoral movement, mounted archery, law, food, clothing, and marriage custom.Shiji — Xiongnu Sacrifice, Moon, and WarThe Shiji records Xiongnu assemblies, sacrifices to ancestors, heaven, earth, gods, and spirits, moon-timed campaigning, burial wealth, and war rewards.Shiji — Zhang Qian and the Yuezhi Skull CupThe Shiji says Han first sought the Yuezhi because surrendered Xiongnu reported that the Xiongnu had killed the Yuezhi king and used his head as a drinking vessel.Shiji 110 — Xiongnu LiezhuanSima Qian's Shiji 110, the Xiongnu Liezhuan, newly translated from Classical Chinese, covering Xiongnu origins, Maodun, mounted warfare, heqin diplomacy, Zhonghang Yue, Mayi, Emperor Wu's northern wars, envoys, Surrender City, and the Grand Historian's judgment.Shiji 123 — Dawan LiezhuanSima Qian's Shiji 123, the Dawan Liezhuan, newly translated from Classical Chinese, covering Zhang Qian, Dawan, Dayuezhi, Kangju, Wusun, Anxi, the western embassy road, and the Han war for the heavenly horses.Shui Jing Zhu -- Western Rivers, Yuezhi, Anxi, and Khotan -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Shui Jing Zhu volume 2 passages on western rivers, Jibin, the Yuezhi, Anxi, Tiaozhi, Khotan, Shule, Kangju, and the Lesser Yuezhi.Song Shu -- Rouran and the Western Regions -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Song Shu volume 95 selections on Suotou/Northern Wei origins, Rouran, the old Xiongnu northern court, Yanqi, Shanshan, Kucha, Gumo, Dingling, and Sogd.Sui Shu -- Tuyuhun, Gaochang, Kang, and the Western Regions -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of Sui Shu volume 83, the Western Regions biography, including Tuyuhun, Gaochang, Kang, the Zhaowu states, Tokharistan, Hephthalites, Persia, and the Sui historian's warning about distant expansion.Tongdian -- Kangju, Yancai, Hephthalites, Tokharistan, and Dashi -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Tongdian notices on Kangju, Zhaowu Sogdian states, Yancai/Alanliao, Hephthalites, Tokharistan, and Dashi.Wei Shu -- Wusun, Yueban, Sogd, Yuezhi, Hephthalites, and Kang -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Wei Shu Western Regions notices on Wusun, Yueban, Sogd/Yancai, Kangju, Great and Lesser Yuezhi, Anxi, Hephthalites, and Kang.Weilue -- Western Roads, Wusun, Kangju, Yancai, Alan, and Dingling -- Good Works TranslationA selected Good Works Translation from Yu Huan's Weilue Western Rong note on Western Regions roads, Wusun, Kangju, Yancai/Alan, Hude, Jiankun, Dingling, northern marvel reports, and Yu Huan's reflection.Xin Tang Shu -- Gaochang, Yanqi, Kucha, Khotan, and Kapisa -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Xin Tang Shu volume 221A passages on Gaochang, Yanqi, Kucha, Suyab, Shule, Hapan, Khotan, and Kapisa.Xin Tang Shu -- Samarkand, Tashkent, Tokharistan, Hephthalites, and Dashi -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Xin Tang Shu 221b notices on Samarkand, Zhaowu states, Tashkent, Suyab, Khwarazm, Kesh, Tokharistan, Hephthalites, Dashi, and Daman.Yan Tie Lun -- Western Regions, Marriage Alliance, and Frontier Defense -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Yan Tie Lun chapters on Western Regions expansion, Xiongnu marriage alliance, and frontier defense.Yuan Shi -- Asud Guards and Kipchak Frontier Notices -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Yuan Shi biographies and notices on Asud officers, Asud guards, and a Kipchak guard parallel.Zhou Shu -- Tujue, Hephthalites, Sogd, Anxi, and Persia -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Zhou Shu notices on Tujue expansion, Tujue customs, Hephthalites, Sogd/Yancai, Anxi, and Persia.Zizhi Tongjian -- Zhang Qian, Wusun, Kangju, Dawan, and Luntai -- Good Works TranslationA Good Works Translation of selected Zizhi Tongjian Han frontier passages on Zhang Qian, Yuezhi, Wusun, Kangju, Yancai, Dawan, Hexi, Western Regions administration, and the Luntai edict.