Good Works Translation from Volume 54

This Good Works Translation renders the Northwestern Rong account in Liang Shu volume 54 from Classical Chinese into English.

For the Scythian shelf, the chapter is a Southern Dynasties witness to the Central Asian and steppe-frontier archive. It names Hua, Gaochang, Khotan, Persia, Tuyuhun/Henan, Rouran, and related Qiang polities without treating them as one people.

The Classical Chinese source text is printed below the translation.

Translation

The Northwestern Rong: In Han times Zhang Qian first opened the traces of the Western Regions, and Gan Ying then reached the Western Sea. Some states sent attendant sons; some offered tribute. At that time, though arms were exhausted and warfare pushed to the utmost, victory was barely achieved; compared with earlier ages, the policy was far more remote.

In Wei times, the three sides stood like a tripod and daily practiced war. After the Jin pacified Wu, there was a little rest and quiet. They merely established the Wuji officers, and the states were not yet guests and followers. Then the Central Plain fell into disorder and the Hu people rose in turn. The Western Regions and Jiangdong were blocked from one another, and even repeated interpreters did not pass. Lu Guang's crossing to Kucha also gained only a campaign by barbarians against barbarians; it was not the intention of China. From this time the states divided and annexed one another. Victory and defeat, strength and weakness, are hard to record in detail. Bright pearls and kingfisher plumes, though piled in the rear palace, rarely entered the outer offices; fine horses with dragon markings rarely arrived.

When Liang received the mandate, the states that honored its calendar and came to the palace court were Qiuchi, Dangchang, Gaochang, Dengzhi, Henan, Kucha, Khotan, and Hua. Now their customs are linked together and made into the Biography of the Northwestern Rong.

Henan

The king of Henan came originally from the Murong branch of the Xianbei. At first, Murong Yiluogan had two sons. The elder by a concubine was called Tuyuhun, and the son of the principal wife was called Gui. When Yiluogan died, Gui succeeded. Tuyuhun avoided him and moved west. Gui pursued him and urged him to stay, but the cattle and horses all ran west and refused to return. Because of this he moved up Long, crossed Baohan, came out southwest of Liangzhou, and settled at Chishui.

His land lay south of Zhangye and west of Longxi, south of the Yellow River, and therefore it was called Henan. Its boundary reached east to Leichuan, west to Khotan, north to Gaochang, and northeast to the Qinling road, more than a thousand li square. It was the old land of the flowing sands. It lacked grasses and trees and had little rainwater. In all four seasons there was always ice and snow; only in the sixth and seventh months were rain and hail very heavy. When the sky was clear, wind drove sand and stones and often covered the light and view. The land had wheat but no other grain. There was Qinghai, several hundred li square. When mares were released beside it, they immediately bore colts; the natives called them dragon stock, and for this reason the state had many fine horses. They had houses, mixed with hundred-son tents, that is, felt tents. They wore small-sleeved robes, narrow-mouthed trousers, and large-headed long-skirted caps. The women wore their hair loose and made braids.

Afterward Tuyuhun's grandson Yeyan had some knowledge of writing and records. He said to himself: "My great-grandfather Yiluogan was first enfeoffed as Duke of Changli; I am therefore the son of a duke's grandson. Ritual uses the father's father's name as the state surname." Because of this he took Tuyuhun as surname, and it also became the name of the state. By the time of his late descendant Achai, they first received Chinese offices and ranks. His nephew Muyan, at the end of Song Yuanjia, also styled himself King of Henan. When Muyan died, his younger cousin Shiyin came to the throne. He then used writing and documents, raised city walls and moats, and built palaces and halls. The lesser kings all established residences. In the state there was the Buddha's law.

When Shiyin died, his son Duyihou came to the throne; when Yihou died, his son Xiuliu Dai came to the throne. In the Yongming period of Qi, Dai was made envoy with credentials, commander-in-chief of the three prefectures West Qin, He, and Sha, general who guards the west, commandant protecting the Qiang, and governor of West Qin and He. When Liang arose, Dai was advanced to general who campaigns west. Dai died, and his son Xiuyunchou inherited the rank and position. In the thirteenth Tianjian year, he sent envoys presenting two gold-mounted agate cups, and also memorialized requesting permission to build a nine-story Buddhist temple in Yizhou. An edict allowed it. In the fifteenth year, he again sent envoys presenting red dancing dragon colts and local products. Their envoys sometimes came two or three times a year, or once every two years. Their land neighbored Yizhou and was always open to merchants. People admired the profits and many went to them, taught them writing, and made documents and translations for them. By degrees they became fierce and cunning. In the first Putong year they again presented local products. Chou died, and his son Heluozhen came to the throne. In the third Datong year an edict made him general who pacifies the west, commandant protecting the Qiang, and governor of West Qin and He. Zhen died, and his son Fofu inherited the rank and position. His heir again sent envoys presenting a white dragon colt to the crown prince.

Gaochang

In Gaochang, the Kan clan had been rulers. Later Wu Hui, younger brother of Juqu Maoqian, King of Hexi, attacked and broke it, and King Kan Shuang fled to Rouran. Wu Hui occupied it and called himself king, but it perished after one generation. The people of the state then set up the Qu clan as king, named Jia. Northern Wei appointed him chariot-and-cavalry general, minister over the masses, commander-in-chief of Qinzhou's armies, governor of Qinzhou, and Duke of Jincheng commandery. He died after twenty-four years on the throne, and was given the posthumous title King Zhaowu. His son Zijian succeeded to the throne as envoy with credentials, grand general of swift cavalry, regular mounted attendant, commander-in-chief of Guazhou's armies, governor of Guazhou, Duke of Hexi commandery, equal to the three excellencies, and King of Gaochang.

The state was probably the old land of Jushi. To the south it touched Henan, to the east Dunhuang, to the west Kucha, and to the north the Chile. It set up forty-six garrisons, among them Jiaohe, Tiandi, Gaoning, Linchuan, Hengjie, Liupo, Wulin, Xinxing, Youning, Shichang, Dujin, and Baili. Its offices included generals of the four garrisons and various-title generals, senior secretary, sima, gate clerks, central-troop clerks, transmitting attendants, transmitting recorders, advisers, commandants, and registrars. The speech of the people of the state was roughly the same as that of China. They had the Five Classics, histories of the successive ages, and collections of the various masters. Their faces resembled those of Gaoli. They braided their hair and let it hang down the back. They wore long-bodied, small-sleeved robes and full-crotched trousers. The women braided their hair but did not let it hang down, and wore brocade patterned ornaments, necklaces, rings, and bracelets. Marriage had the six rites. The land was high and dry. They built city walls of earth, framed houses with wood, and covered them with earth. Cold and heat were like Yizhou. They planted all nine grains. The people mostly ate parched flour and sheep and cattle meat. The state produced fine horses, grape wine, and rock salt. It had many plants and trees. There was a grass fruit like a cocoon; inside the cocoon the fiber was like fine hemp. It was called white-folded seed, and the people of the state often gathered it and wove it into cloth. The cloth was very soft and white and was used in exchange. There was a morning bird which gathered every dawn before the king's hall, making ranks, unafraid of people; after sunrise it scattered.

In the Datong period, Zijian sent envoys presenting sounding salt pillows, grapes, fine horses, carpets, and other things.

Hua

The state of Hua was a separate stock of Jushi. In the first Yongjian year of Han, Bahua followed Ban Yong in striking the northern enemy and had merit. Ban Yong memorialized that Bahua should be made pro-Han marquis of the rear section. From Wei and Jin onward, it did not communicate with China. In the fifteenth Tianjian year, its king Yandai Yilituo first sent envoys presenting local products. In the first Putong year, he again sent envoys presenting yellow lions, white marten furs, Persian brocade, and other things. In the seventh year, he again presented a memorial and tribute.

When Northern Wei resided at Sanggan, Hua was still a small state and was subject to Rouran. Later it gradually grew strong and campaigned against nearby states: Persia, Panpan, Jibin, Yanqi, Kucha, Shule, Gumo, Khotan, Jupan, and others, opening more than a thousand li of land. The land was warm and had many mountains, rivers, and trees, with the five grains. The people of the state used flour and sheep meat for food. Among its animals were lions, two-legged camels, and wild donkeys with horns. The people were all good at archery and wore small-sleeved, long-bodied robes, using gold and jade for belts. The women wore fur coats, and on their heads carved wood into horns six feet long, adorned with gold and silver. Among young women, brothers shared a wife. They had no walls and lived in felt houses, opening the door to the east. The king sat on a golden couch, turning with the year-star, and received guests seated together with his wife. They had no writing and used wood for tallies. When communicating with nearby states, they used Hu from those states to write Hu script, with sheepskin as paper. They had no official posts. They served the Heaven spirit and the fire spirit. Every day they went out the door to sacrifice to the spirits before eating. In kneeling, they bowed once and stopped. In burial they used wood for coffins. When parents died, the son cut off one ear; after the burial he returned at once to ordinary life. Their speech had to be translated by men of Henan before it could be understood.

Zhouguke

Zhouguke was a small state beside Hua. In the first Putong year, it sent envoys following Hua to present local products.

Hebatan

Hebatan was also a small state beside Hua. In general the states beside Hua had clothing and appearance like Hua. In the first Putong year, they sent envoys following the Hua envoys to present local products.

Humidan

Humidan was also a small state beside Hua. In the first Putong year, it sent envoys following the Hua envoys to present local products.

Baiti

In Baiti, the king's surname was Zhi and his personal name was Shijiyi. His ancestors were probably a Hu separate stock of the Xiongnu. When Guan Ying of Han fought the Xiongnu, he beheaded one Baiti cavalryman. Now the state was east of Hua, six days' journey from Hua, and westward reached to Persia. The land produced millet, wheat, melons, and fruits. Food was roughly the same as in Hua. In the third Putong year it sent envoys presenting local products.

Kucha

Kucha was an old state of the Western Regions. In the time of Emperor Guangwu of Later Han, its king, named Hong, was killed by Xian, king of Shache, who destroyed his clan. Xian made his son Zelo king of Kucha, and the people of the state killed Zelo in turn. The Xiongnu set up Shendu, a noble of Kucha, as king, and from this time it was subject to the Xiongnu. Yet in Han times Kucha had always been a great state. Its capital was called Yan city. At the beginning of Emperor Wen of Wei's reign, it sent envoys with tribute. In Jin Taikang, it sent a son to serve in attendance. In the seventh Taiyuan year, Fu Jian, lord of Qin, sent his general Lu Guang to attack the Western Regions. When he reached Kucha, King Bo Chun of Kucha loaded treasure and fled. Lu Guang entered the city. The city had three walls, and the outer city equaled Changan. Its houses were splendid and were adorned with langgan, gold, and jade. Lu Guang set up Bo Chun's younger brother Zhen as king and returned. From this time it was cut off from China and did not communicate. In the second Putong year, King Nirui Mozhuna Sheng sent envoys with memorials and tribute.

Khotan

Khotan was one of the Western Regions dependencies. At the end of Later Han Jianwu, King Yu was defeated by Xian, king of Shache, and moved to be king of Ligui, while Xian made Yu's younger brother Junde king of Khotan. Junde was violent and abusive, and the hundred surnames suffered under him. In Yongping, a man of his stock, Dumo, killed Junde, and the great man Xiumoba then killed Dumo and set himself up as king. When Ba died, his elder brother's son Guangde came to the throne. Later he attacked, captured Xian, king of Shache, brought him back, and killed him. Thereupon Khotan became a strong state, and the small states to the northwest all submitted and followed.

The land had much water, marsh, sand, and stone. The climate was warm and suitable for rice, wheat, and grapes. There was a river that produced jade, named the Jade River. The people of the state were good at casting bronze vessels. Its seat was called Xishan city and had houses and markets. Fruits, gourds, vegetables, and greens were like those in China. It especially revered the Buddha's law. The room where the king lived was painted in vermilion. The king wore a golden scarf, like the cap of a Hu duke today, and received guests seated together with his wife. The women in the state all braided their hair and wore fur and trousers. The people were reverent; when they met, they knelt, and in kneeling one knee reached the ground. For writing they used wood as brush and tablet, and jade as seal. When people of the state received a letter, they put it on the head and only afterward opened the tablet. In the time of Emperor Wen of Wei, King Shanxi presented famous horses. In the ninth Tianjian year, Khotan sent envoys presenting local products. In the thirteenth year, it again presented a Boluopo screen. In the eighteenth year, it again presented a glass jar. In the seventh Datong year, it again presented a foreign carved jade Buddha.

Khabandha

Khabandha was a small state west of Khotan. It neighbored Hua on the west, touched Jibin on the south, and joined Shale on the north. Its seat was in a mountain valley, and the city measured more than ten li around. The state had twelve cities. Its customs resembled those of Khotan. They wore cotton cloth, long-bodied small-sleeved robes, and narrow-mouthed trousers. The land was suitable for wheat, which they used for food. There were many cattle, horses, camels, and sheep. It produced fine felt, gold, and jade. The king's surname was Gesha. In the first Zhongdatong year it sent envoys presenting local products.

Mo

The state of Mo was the Qiemo state of Han times. It had more than ten thousand households of fighting men. To the north it bordered Dingling; to the east, Baiti; to the west, Persia. The natives cut their hair, wore felt hats and small-sleeved clothes; when making a shirt, they opened the neck and sewed the front. There were many cattle, sheep, mules, and donkeys. Its king Anmo Shenpan sent envoys to offer tribute in the fifth Putong year.

Persia

In Persia, formerly there was a king named Bosini. The descendants used the king's personal name as their surname, and because of this it became the name of the state. The state had a city thirty-two li around. The city was four zhang high and all of it had towers and galleries. Within the city there were hundreds and thousands of houses; outside the city there were two or three hundred Buddhist temples. Fifteen li west of the city was an earthen mountain. The mountain was not exceedingly high, but its mass extended far. In it were vultures that ate sheep, and the natives considered them a great trouble. In the state there was the udumbara flower, fresh, bright, and lovely. It produced dragon-colt horses. Coral trees grew in the salt pools, one or two feet high. There were also amber, agate, pearls, rose stones, and the like, but within the state these were not considered precious. Buying and selling used gold and silver.

The marriage law was as follows: after the betrothal gifts were given, the son-in-law led several tens of men to welcome the woman. The son-in-law wore a gold-thread brocade robe, lion-brocade trousers, and a heavenly crown; the woman dressed the same. The woman's brothers then came, grasped her hand, and handed her over. The rites of husband and wife were completed forever at this. The state touched Hua to the east, Brahman states to the west and south, and Fanli to the north. In the second Zhongdatong year it sent envoys presenting a Buddha tooth.

Dangchang

Dangchang lay southeast of Henan, northwest of Yizhou, and west of Longxi. It was Qiang stock. In the time of Emperor Xiaowu of Song, its king Liang Huanhu first presented local products. In the fourth Tianjian year, King Liang Mibo came and presented licorice and angelica. An edict made him envoy with credentials, commander-in-chief of the He and Liang armies, general who pacifies the west, commandant of the eastern Qiang, governor of He and Liang, Duke of Longxi, and King of Dangchang, and gave him a gold seal. Mibo died and his son Mitai came to the throne; in the seventh Datong year he was again granted his father's rank and position. Their clothing and customs were roughly the same as Henan.

Dengzhi

Dengzhi occupied the boundary of West Liangzhou and was a separate Qiang stock. For generations its ruler held the titles envoy with credentials, general who pacifies the north, and governor of West Liangzhou. In the time of Emperor Wen of Song, King Xiang Qudan sent envoys presenting horses. In the first Tianjian year, an edict made Xiang Shupeng, King of Dengzhi, commander of the West Liangzhou armies, with the title general who pacifies the north. In the fifth year, Shupeng sent envoys presenting four hundred jin of milk-vetch, angelica, and four horses. Their custom called a cap tuhe, and their clothing was the same as Dangchang.

Wuxing

Wuxing was originally Qiuchi. Yang Nandang set himself up as King of Qin. Emperor Wen of Song sent Pei Fangming to punish him, and Nandang fled to Wei. His elder brother's son Wende again gathered people at Qielu; Song therefore granted him rank, and Wei again attacked him. Wende fled to Hanzhong. His younger cousin Sengsi again set himself up and again garrisoned Qielu. When he died, Wende's younger brother Wendu came to the throne and made his younger brother Wenhong administrator of Baishui, stationed at Wuxing. In the Song age he was considered King of Wudu. The state of Wuxing began from this.

Nandang's clansman Guangxiang again attacked and killed Wendu and set himself up as King of Yinping and garrison commander of Qielu. When he died, his son Jiong came to the throne; when Jiong died, his son Chongzu came to the throne; when Chongzu died, his son Mengsun came to the throne. In Qi Yongming, Yang Lingzhen, Wei governor of South Liangzhou and Duke of Qiuchi, occupied Nigong Mountain and submitted. In the Qi age Lingzhen was made governor of North Liangzhou and Duke of Qiuchi. When Wenhong died, a clansman Jishi was made governor of North Qinzhou and King of Wudu. At the beginning of Tianjian, Jishi was made envoy with credentials, commander-in-chief of the Qin and Yong armies, general who assists the state, commandant pacifying the Qiang, governor of North Qinzhou, and King of Wudu; Lingzhen was made champion general, and Mengsun acting envoy with credentials, governor of Shazhou, and King of Yinping. When Jishi died, his son Shaoxian inherited the rank and position. In the second year, Lingzhen was made envoy with credentials, commander of the Longyou armies, general of the left, governor of North Liangzhou, and King of Qiuchi. In the tenth year, Mengsun died, and an edict posthumously granted him general who pacifies Sha and governor of North Yongzhou. His son Ding inherited the enfeoffment. When Shaoxian died, his son Zhihui came to the throne. In the first Datong year, Hanzhong was recovered, and Zhihui sent envoys presenting a memorial, requesting to lead four thousand households back to the state. An edict allowed it, and the territory was then made East Yizhou.

The state touched Qinling to the east and Dangchang to the west. It was eight hundred li from Dangchang, four hundred li south of Hanzhong, three hundred li north of Qizhou, and nine hundred li east of Changan. Originally it had a hundred thousand households, but generation by generation these were divided and reduced. Its great surnames included Fu and Jiang. Its speech was the same as China. They wore black caps, long-bodied small-sleeved robes, narrow-mouthed trousers, and leather boots. The land planted the nine grains. Marriage had the six rites. They knew writing and correspondence. They planted mulberry and hemp. They produced coarse silk, fine silk, fine cloth, lacquer, wax, pepper, and other things. The mountains produced copper and iron.

Rouran

Rouran was probably a separate stock of the Xiongnu. In Wei and Jin times the Xiongnu divided into hundreds and thousands of sections, each with a name, and Rouran was one section. Since Northern Wei moved south, Rouran had taken possession of their old land. They had no walls, followed water and pasture with their herds, and used felt tents for dwelling. They braided the hair and wore brocade, small-sleeved robes, narrow-mouthed trousers, and deep boots. Their land was bitterly cold. In the seventh month, drifting ice stretched across the rivers.

In the Shengming period of Song, Wang Honggui was sent as envoy to them, drawing them in to attack Wei together. In the first Jianyuan year of Qi, Honggui first reached the state. The king led three hundred thousand cavalry out of Yanran Mountain more than three thousand li to the southeast, and the Wei people closed their passes and did not dare fight. Later the state gradually weakened. In the Yongming period it was defeated by the Dingling, again became a small state, and moved its residence south. In the Tianjian period it first defeated the Dingling and recovered its old land. It began building walls and named the city Mumo. In the fourteenth year it sent envoys presenting black marten furs. In the first Putong year, it again sent envoys presenting local products. After this it came once every several years. In the seventh Datong year, it again presented one horse and one jin of gold.

The state was able, by arts, to sacrifice to Heaven and bring on wind and snow. In front there would be bright sun; behind there would be mud and flowing water. Therefore, when they were defeated in battle, no one could pursue them. If they performed this in China, it became overcast but did not rain. When asked the reason, they said it was because it was warm.

Colophon

This Good Works Translation was made from the Classical Chinese text of Liang Shu volume 54, Biographies 48, Northwestern Rong, preserved in the local Scythian expansion source base.

The translation is complete for the source body printed below. Proper names follow the source's Chinese forms where a secure English historical equivalent is not necessary for reading the passage.

Compiled for the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: Classical Chinese

西北諸戎，漢世張騫始發西域之迹，甘英遂臨西海，或遣侍子，或奉貢獻，于時雖窮兵極武，僅而克捷，比之前代，其略遠矣。魏時三方鼎跱，日事干戈，晉氏平吳以後，少獲寧息，徒置戊己之官，諸國亦未賓從也。繼以中原喪亂，胡人遞起，西域與江東隔礙，重譯不交。呂光之涉龜茲，亦獲蠻夷之伐蠻夷，非中國之意也。自是諸國分幷，勝負強弱，難得詳載。明珠翠羽，雖仞於後宮；蒲梢龍文，希入於外署。有梁受命，其奉正朔而朝闕庭者，則仇池、宕昌、高昌、鄧至、河南、龜茲、于闐、滑諸國焉。今綴其風俗，爲《西北戎傳》云。

### 河南國

河南王者，其先出自鮮卑慕容氏。初，慕容奕洛干有二子，庶長曰吐谷渾，嫡曰廆。洛干卒，廆嗣位，吐谷渾避之西徙。廆追留之，而牛馬皆西走，不肯還，因遂徙上隴，度枹罕，出涼州西南，至赤水而居之。其地則張掖之南，隴西之西，在河之南，故以爲號。其界東至壘川，西鄰于闐，北接高昌，東北通秦嶺，方千餘里，蓋古之流沙地焉。乏草木，少水潦，四時恒有冰雪，唯六七月雨雹甚盛；若晴則風飄沙礫，常蔽光景。其地有麥無穀。有青海方數百里，放牝馬其側，輒生駒，土人謂之龍種，故其國多善馬。有屋宇，雜以百子帳，卽穹廬也。著小袖袍、小口袴、大頭長裙帽。女子披髮爲辮。

其後吐谷渾孫葉延，頗識書記，自謂曾祖奕洛干始封昌黎公，吾蓋公孫之子也。禮以王父字爲國氏，因姓吐谷渾，亦爲國號。至其末孫阿豺，始受中國官爵。弟子慕延，宋元嘉末又自號河南王。慕延死，從弟拾寅立，乃用書契，起城池，築宮殿，其小王並立宅。國中有佛法。拾寅死，子度易侯立；易侯死，子休留代立。齊永明中，以代爲使持節、都督西秦、河、沙三州、鎮西將軍、護羌校尉、西秦、河二州刺史。

梁興，進代爲征西將軍。代死，子休運籌襲爵位。天監十三年，遣使獻金裝馬腦鐘二口，又表於益州立九層佛寺，詔許焉。十五年，又遣使獻赤舞龍駒及方物。其使或歲再三至，或再歲一至。其地與益州鄰，常通商賈，民慕其利，多往從之，教其書記，爲之辭譯，稍桀黠矣。普通元年，又奉獻方物。籌死，子呵羅真立。大通三年，詔以爲寧西將軍、護羌校尉、西秦、河二州刺史。真死，子佛輔襲爵位，其世子又遣使獻白龍駒於皇太子。

### 高昌國

高昌國，闞氏爲主，其後爲河西王沮渠茂虔弟無諱襲破之，其王闞爽奔于芮芮。無諱據之稱王，一世而滅。國人又立麹氏爲王，名嘉，元魏授車騎將軍、司空公、都督秦州諸軍事、秦州刺史、金城郡開國公。在位二十四年卒，諡曰昭武王。子子堅，使持節、驃騎大將軍、散騎常侍、都督瓜州諸軍事、瓜州刺史、河西郡開國公、儀同三司高昌王嗣位。

其國蓋車師之故地也。南接河南，東連燉煌，西次龜茲，北鄰敕勒。置四十六鎮，交河、田地、高寧、臨川、橫截、柳婆、洿林、新興、由寧、始昌、篤進、白力等，皆其鎮名。官有四鎮將軍及雜號將軍、長史、司馬、門下校郎、中兵校郎、通事舍人、通事令史、諮議、校尉、主簿。國人言語與中國略同。有《五經》、歷代史、諸子集。面貌類高驪，辮髮垂之於背，著長身小袖袍、縵襠袴。女子頭髮辮而不垂，著錦纈纓珞環釧。姻有六禮。其地高燥，築土爲城，架木爲屋，土覆其上。寒暑與益州相似。備植九穀，人多噉麨及羊牛肉。出良馬、蒲陶酒、石鹽。多草木，草實如繭，繭中絲如細纑，名爲白疊子，國人多取織以爲布。布甚軟白，交市用焉。有朝烏者，旦旦集王殿前，爲行列，不畏人，日出然後散去。

大同中，子堅遣使獻鳴鹽枕、蒲陶、良馬、氍毹等物。

### 滑國

滑國者，車師之別種也。漢永建元年，八滑從班勇擊北虜有功，勇上八滑爲後部親漢侯。自魏、晉以來，不通中國。至天監十五年，其王厭帶夷栗陁始遣使獻方物。普通元年，又遣使獻黃師子、白貂裘、波斯錦等物。七年，又奉表貢獻。

元魏之居桑乾也，滑猶爲小國，屬芮芮。後稍強大，征其旁國波斯、盤盤、罽賓、焉耆、龜茲、疏勒、姑墨、于闐、句盤等國，開地千餘里。土地溫暖，多山川樹木，有五穀。國人以罝及羊肉爲糧。其獸有師子、兩腳駱駝，野驢有角。人皆善射，著小袖長身袍，用金玉爲帶。女人被裘，頭上刻木爲角，長六尺，以金銀飾之。少女子，兄弟共妻。無城郭，氊屋爲居，東向開戶。其王坐金床，隨太歲轉，與妻並坐接客。無文字，以木爲契。與旁國通，則使旁國胡爲胡書，羊皮爲紙。無職官。事天神、火神，每日則出戶祀神而後食。其跪一拜而止。葬以木爲槨。父母死，其子截一耳，葬訖卽吉。其言語待河南人譯然後通。

### 周古柯國

周古柯國，滑旁小國也。普通元年，使使隨滑來獻方物。

### 呵跋檀國

呵跋檀國，亦滑旁小國也。凡滑旁之國，衣服容貌皆與滑同。普通元年，使使隨滑使來獻方物。

### 胡蜜丹國

胡蜜丹國，亦滑旁小國也。普通元年，使使隨滑使來獻方物。

### 白題國

白題國，王姓支名史稽毅，其先蓋匈奴之別種胡也。漢灌嬰與匈奴戰，斬白題騎一人。今在滑國東，去滑六日行，西極波斯。土地出粟、麥、瓜果，食物略與滑同。普通三年，遣使獻方物。

### 龜茲

龜茲者，西域之舊國也。後漢光武時，其王名弘，爲莎車王賢所殺，滅其族。賢使其子則羅爲龜茲王，國人又殺則羅。匈奴立龜茲貴人身毒爲王，由是屬匈奴。然龜茲在漢世常爲大國，所都曰延城。魏文帝初卽位，遣使貢獻。晉太康中，遣子入侍。太元七年，秦主苻堅遣將呂光伐西域。至龜茲，龜茲王帛純載寶出奔，光入其城。城有三重，外城與長安城等，室屋壯麗，飾以琅玕金玉。光立帛純弟震爲王而歸，自此與中國絕不通。普通二年，王尼瑞摩珠那勝遣使奉表貢獻。

### 于闐

于闐國，西域之屬也。後漢建武末，王俞爲莎車王賢所破，徙爲驪歸王，以其弟君得爲于闐王，暴虐，百姓患之。永平中，其種人都末殺君得，大人休莫霸又殺都末，自立爲王。霸死，兄子廣得立，後擊虜莎車王賢以歸，殺之，遂爲強國，西北諸小國皆服從。

其地多水潦沙石，氣溫，宜稻、麥、蒲桃。有水出玉，名曰玉河。國人善鑄銅器。其治曰西山城，有屋室市井。果蓏菜蔬與中國等。尤敬佛法。王所居室，加以朱畫。王冠金幘，如今胡公帽；與妻並坐接客。國中婦人皆辮髮，衣裘袴。其人恭，相見則跪，其跪則一膝至地。書則以木爲筆劄，以玉爲印。國人得書，戴於首而後開劄。魏文帝時，王山習獻名馬。天監九年，遣使獻方物。十三年，又獻波羅婆步鄣。十八年，又獻琉璃罌。大同七年，又獻外國刻玉佛。

### 渴盤陁國

渴盤陁國，于闐西小國也。西鄰滑國，南接罽賓國，北連沙勒國。所治在山谷中，城周回十餘里，國有十二城。風俗與于闐相類。衣吉貝布，著長身小袖袍、小口袴。地宜小麥，資以爲糧。多牛馬駱駝羊等。出好氈、金、玉。王姓葛沙氏。中大同元年，遣使獻方物。

### 末國

末國，漢世且末國也。勝兵萬餘戶。北與丁零，東與白題，西與波斯接。土人剪髮，著氈帽、小袖衣，爲衫則開頸而縫前。多牛羊騾驢。其王安末深盤，普通五年，遣使來貢獻。

### 波斯國

波斯國，其先有波斯匿王者，子孫以王父字爲氏，因爲國號。國有城，周回三十二里，城高四丈，皆有樓觀，城內屋宇數百千間，城外佛寺二三百所。西去城十五里有土山，山非過高，其勢連接甚遠，中有鷲鳥噉羊，土人極以爲患。國中有優缽曇花，鮮華可愛。出龍駒馬。咸池生珊瑚樹，長一二尺。亦有琥珀、馬腦、真珠、玫㻁等，國內不以爲珍。市買用金銀。婚姻法：下聘訖，女婿將數十人迎婦，婿著金線錦袍、師子錦袴，戴天冠，婦亦如之。婦兄弟便來捉手付度，夫婦之禮，于茲永畢。國東與滑國，西及南俱與婆羅門國，北與汎慄國接。中大通二年，遣使獻佛牙。

### 宕昌國

宕昌國，在河南之東南，益州之西北，隴西之西，羌種也。宋孝武世，其王梁瓘忽始獻方物。天監四年，王梁彌博來獻甘草、當歸，詔以爲使持節、都督河、涼二州諸軍事、安西將軍、東羌校尉、河、涼二州刺史、隴西公、宕昌王，佩以金章。彌博死，子彌泰立；大同七年，復授以父爵位。其衣服、風俗與河南略同。

### 鄧至國

鄧至國，居西涼州界，羌別種也。世號持節、平北將軍、西涼州刺史。宋文帝時，王象屈耽遣使獻馬。天監元年，詔以鄧至王象舒彭爲督西涼州諸軍事，號安北將軍。五年，舒彭遣使獻黃耆四百斤、馬四匹。其俗呼帽曰突何，其衣服與宕昌同。

### 武興國

武興國，本仇池。楊難當自立爲秦王，宋文帝遣裴方明討之，難當奔魏。其兄子文德又聚衆茄盧，宋因授以爵位，魏又攻之，文德奔漢中。從弟僧嗣又自立，復戍茄盧。卒，文德弟文度立，以弟文洪爲白水太守，屯武興，宋世以爲武都王。武興之國，自於此矣。難當族弟廣香又攻殺文度，自立爲陰平王、茄盧鎮主。卒，子炅立；炅死，子崇祖立；崇祖死，子孟孫立。齊永明中，魏氏南梁州刺史、仇池公楊靈珍據泥功山歸款，齊世以靈珍爲北梁州刺史、仇池公。文洪死，以族人集始爲北秦州刺史、武都王。天監初，以集始爲使持節、都督秦、雍二州諸軍事、輔國將軍、平羌校尉、北秦州刺史、武都王，靈珍爲冠軍將軍，孟孫爲假節、督沙州刺史、陰平王。集始死，子紹先襲爵位。二年，以靈珍爲持節、督隴右諸軍事、左將軍、北梁州刺史、仇池王。十年，孟孫死，詔贈安沙將軍、北雍州刺史。子定襲封爵。紹先死，子智慧立。大同元年，剋復漢中，智慧遣使上表，求率四千戶歸國，詔許焉，卽以爲東益州。

其國東連秦嶺，西接宕昌，去宕昌八百里，南去漢中四百里，北去岐州三百里，東去長安九百里。本有十萬戶，世世分減。其大姓有符氏、薑氏。言語與中國同。著烏皁突騎帽、長身小袖袍、小口袴、皮靴。地植九穀。婚姻備六禮。知書疏。種桑麻。出紬、絹、精布、漆、蠟、椒等。山出銅鐵。

### 芮芮國

芮芮國，蓋匈奴別種。魏、晉世，匈奴分爲數百千部，各有名號，芮芮其一部也。自元魏南遷，因擅其故地。無城郭，隨水草畜牧，以穹廬爲居。辮髮，衣錦，小袖袍，小口袴，深雍靴。其地苦寒，七月流澌亘河。宋升明中，遣王洪軌使焉，引之共伐魏。齊建元元年，洪軌始至其國，國王率三十萬騎，出燕然山東南三千餘里，魏人閉關不敢戰。後稍侵弱。永明中，爲丁零所破，更爲小國而南移其居。天監中，始破丁零，復其舊土。始築城郭，名曰木末城。十四年，遣使獻烏貂裘。普通元年，又遣使獻方物。是後數歲一至焉。大同七年，又獻馬一匹、金一斤。

其國能以術祭天而致風雪，前對皎日，後則泥潦橫流，故其戰敗莫能追及。或於中夏爲之，則曀而不雨，問其故，以㬉云。

Source Colophon

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