Good Works Translation from Volume 221A

This Good Works Translation renders selected passages from Xin Tang Shu volume 221A, the first Western Regions biography in the New Book of Tang.

For the Scythian shelf, these passages supply Tang evidence for the Tarim Basin, the Pamir road, the Western Turkic field, Anxi administration, Suyab, Khotan, Kapisa, and the road system between China and Central Asia.

The Classical Chinese source text is printed below the translation.

Translation

Gaochang and the Western Turkic Road

Gaochang

Gaochang lay directly west of the capital by more than four thousand li. Its width was eight hundred li and its length five hundred li. In all it had twenty-one cities. The king made his capital at Jiaohe city, which was the court of the Nearer Jushi king in Han times. Tiandi city was the seat governed by the Wuji commandant. It had ten thousand fighting men. The soil was fertile, and wheat and grain both ripened twice. There was a plant called white-folded; its flowers could be plucked and woven into cloth. Their custom braided the hair and let it hang down behind.

The king, Qu Boya, had in Sui times been given a wife from the Yuwen clan of imperial relatives, titled Princess Huarong. At the beginning of Wude, Boya died and his son Wentai came to the throne. He sent an envoy to report this, and Gaozu ordered an envoy to visit and mourn. Five years later, Gaochang presented a dog six inches high and a foot long, able to pull a horse and hold a candle. It was said to come from Fulin, and this was the first Fulin dog in China.

When Taizong came to the throne, Gaochang presented a black fox fur coat. The emperor gave Wentai's wife Yuwen a set of ornaments, and Yuwen also presented a jade dish. Whatever the states did was immediately reported by Gaochang. In the fourth Zhenguan year, Wentai came to court, and the rites and gifts were exceedingly generous. Yuwen requested to be entered in the imperial clan register. An edict granted her the surname Li and re-enfeoffed her as Princess Changle.

After some time, Wentai communicated with the Western Turks. Whenever tribute envoys from the Western Regions passed through his state, they were all blocked and plundered. Yiwu had once been subject to the Western Turks, but at this time it attached itself to the empire. Wentai and the yabghu jointly attacked it. The emperor issued an edict blaming him for his reversals and summoned the great minister and champion Ashina Ju to discuss affairs, but Wentai would not send him. Instead he sent his senior secretary Qu Yong to apologize.

At first, at the end of Daye, many Chinese people had fled to the Turks. After Xieli was defeated, some escaped into Gaochang. An edict ordered them escorted back, but Wentai harshly detained them. He also joined the Western Turkic Yibi She in breaking three cities of Yanqi and carrying off their people. The king of Yanqi complained to the court. The emperor sent Li Daoyu, a bureau gentleman of the Yu department, to inquire into the facts; Wentai again sent an envoy to apologize. The emperor drew out the accusation: "For several years your lord has not entered with tribute and has no rite of a vassal minister. He has set up offices on his own authority, imitating the hundred officials. This year, at New Year, ten thousand rulers and chiefs all came, but your lord did not arrive. When my envoy went, Wentai contemptibly said: 'The eagle flies in the sky, the pheasant flees in the mugwort, the cat wanders in the hall, and the mouse rests in its hole. Each has obtained its place. Is this not pleasant?' Envoys from the Western Regions enter with tribute, and your lord detains and obstructs them all. He also told Xueyantuo: 'Since you are yourself qaghan, equal to the Tang Son of Heaven, why should you bow before his envoy?' Next year I shall raise troops, capture your state, and return. Tell your lord to plan well for himself."

At that time the Xueyantuo qaghan requested to be guide for the army, and for that reason Tang Jian, former minister of the census, went to Yantuo to make the covenant firm. The emperor again sent a sealed letter to Wentai showing him disaster and fortune and pressing him to enter court. Wentai then claimed illness and did not come. Hou Junji was therefore appointed grand commander-in-chief of the Jiaohe route; Xue Wanjun, grand general of the left garrison guard, and Sagu Wuren were made his deputies; Qibi Heli was made deputy grand commander-in-chief of the Congshan route; and Niu Jinda, general of the martial guard, was made campaign commander. With several tens of thousands of Turkic and Khitan cavalry, they were sent to punish Gaochang. The assembled ministers remonstrated that when troops marched ten thousand li it was hard to gain the objective, and that since the place lay at Heaven's boundary and in a cut-off region, even if it were taken, it could not be held. The emperor did not listen.

Wentai said to those around him: "Formerly, when I entered court, I saw that the cities and towns north of Qin and Long were desolate and not comparable to Sui times. If they attack me now, when their troops are many, grain supply will not reach them; if they send fewer than thirty thousand, I can control them. Crossing the desert, they will be tired and dull. By awaiting the weary with rested troops, I need only lie down and collect the harm."

In the fourteenth year, when he heard that the royal army had reached the mouth of the desert, he was frightened and had no other plan. He fell ill and died, and his son Zhisheng came to the throne.

Hou Junji made a sudden attack on Tiandi city, and Qibi Heli fought fiercely with the vanguard. That night a star fell inside the city. The next day the city was taken, and more than seven thousand people were captured. The palace gentleman commander Xin Liao'er pressed against the capital by night with strong cavalry. Zhisheng sent a letter to Hou Junji: "The one who offended the Son of Heaven was the former king. His guilt was deep, punishment accumulated, and Heaven shook down his mandate. Zhisheng has only recently succeeded to the throne. May you pardon me." Hou Junji replied: "One who can repent of disaster should bind himself face-to-face at the army gate." Zhisheng did not answer.

The army advanced, filled the moat, drew up battering carts, and sent flying stones like rain. Inside the city there was great terror. Zhisheng ordered the great general Qu Shiyi to remain in defense. He himself, together with the cao official Qu Dejun, went to the army gate and requested to change and serve the Son of Heaven. Hou Junji instructed him to surrender, and his words showed yielding. Xue Wanjun angrily rose and said: "We should first take the city. Why talk with a child?" He waved the troops forward. Zhisheng sweated, lay prostrate on the ground, and said: "Only your command!" He then surrendered.

Hou Junji divided the army and brought the territory under control. In all there were three prefectures, five counties, twenty-two cities, eight thousand households, thirty thousand persons, and four thousand horses. Before this, the people of the state had a song: "The soldiers of Gaochang are like frost and snow; the soldiers of the Tang house are like sun and moon. When sun and moon shine on frost and snow, how long before they are destroyed by themselves?" Wentai tried to catch those from whom the song came, but could not find them.

When the dispatch announcing victory was heard, the Son of Heaven was greatly pleased. He feasted the assembled ministers, distributed rewards, evaluated merit, pardoned the people under Gaochang, opened its land and made all of it prefectures and counties, naming it Xichang prefecture. Wei Zheng, special advancement officer, remonstrated: "When Your Majesty came to the throne, Gaochang was first to come to court. Soon, because it plundered Hu merchants and blocked tribute, royal punishment was added. Wentai is dead; the guilt should stop. To soothe his people, establish his son, punish guilt and mourn the people: that is the Way. Now if you profit from the land and keep a standing garrison of a thousand men, the garrison soldiers will be changed every few years. Preparing equipment and funds, leaving relatives, in less than ten years Longyou will be empty. Your Majesty will not get a grain of millet or a foot of silk from Gaochang to help China's expense. This is called scattering what is useful to serve what is useless." The emperor did not accept it.

Xichang prefecture was renamed Xizhou, and the Anxi protectorate was set up there. Each year a thousand soldiers were levied, and criminals were exiled to garrison it. Chu Suiliang, attendant gentleman of the yellow gate, remonstrated: "In antiquity, the Chinese realm was first and the barbarians afterward. The work was to broaden virtue and transformation, not to contend for the wild and remote. Now Gaochang has been punished and destroyed, and awe has moved the four barbarians. Yet from the moment the royal army first campaigned, Hexi supplied service, flying grain and turning fodder, until nine households out of ten were exhausted. They cannot recover in five years. Now again garrisons will be sent yearly; baggage travels ten thousand li; those who go must prepare their own equipment, sell beans and grain, and empty their looms. Deaths on the roads are still not counted. Criminals begin by violating the law and end by neglecting work, with no benefit to the march. Among those sent there will also be fugitives; officials will pursue and arrest them, and roots and creepers will drag one another along. If dust flies from Zhangye or Jiuquan and beacon fires are raised, how could one cart or one soldier from Gaochang meet the emergency? It will certainly be Longyou and Hexi that are called up. Hexi is our belly and heart; Gaochang is another person's hands and feet. Why exhaust China to serve what is useless? Formerly Your Majesty pacified Xieli and Tuyuhun, and in both cases established rulers for them. To punish when guilty and set them up when submissive is why the hundred barbarians fear awe and admire virtue. Now it would be right to choose someone in Gaochang who can be established, establish him, and summon the chiefs all back to their native land, making them a lasting screen and fence, while China is not disturbed." The memorial was heard but not examined.

At first, Wentai had given rich gifts of gold to Yugushe of the Western Turks, agreeing that if there were an emergency they would be inside and outside support for one another. He caused the yabghu to garrison Khan Futucheng. When Hou Junji arrived, the yabghu was afraid and did not dare move. He then came and surrendered, and his land was made Tingzhou. Yanqi requested the return of the five cities Gaochang had seized, and troops were left to guard them.

Hou Junji carved stone to record the merit and returned victorious. Captive Zhisheng and his ministers were presented at Guande Hall. The rite of drinking on arrival was performed, and there was public feasting for three days. The powerful families of Gaochang were moved into China. Zhisheng was appointed general of the left martial guard and Duke of Jincheng commandery. His younger brother Zhizhan was made palace gentleman commander of the right martial guard and Duke of Tianshan commandery. The Qu clan had transmitted the state for nine generations and 134 years, and then perished.

Yanqi, Kucha, and the Road to Suyab

Yanqi

The state of Yanqi lay directly west of the capital by more than seven thousand li. Its width was six hundred li and its length four hundred li. To the east was Gaochang, to the west Kucha, to the south Yuli, and to the north Wusun. Canals diverted water to irrigate the fields. The soil was suitable for broomcorn millet and grapes, and there were profits from fish and salt. Their custom shaved the hair and wore felt clothing. There were four thousand households and two thousand fighting men. They were regularly subject to the Western Turks. Their custom honored amusement and roaming. On the new moon of the second month they went out into the fields to sacrifice. On the full moon of the fourth month they roamed in the forests. On the seventh day of the seventh month they sacrificed to the living ancestor. On the full moon of the tenth month, the king first went out to roam, and continued until the end of the year.

In the sixth Zhenguan year, their king Long Tuqizhi first sent envoys to court. Since the Sui disorders, the desert road had been closed, and for this reason all Western Regions tribute went by way of Gaochang. Tuqizhi requested that the great desert road be opened to make passage convenient for travelers, and the emperor allowed it. Gaochang was angry and greatly plundered Yanqi's border. Mohe She of the Western Turks and Duolu Nushibi made trouble; Mohe She came to submit, and Duolu Nushibi then attacked him. Yanqi sent envoys to report the situation and also offered famous horses. When Xielishi Qaghan was established, he had long been friendly with Yanqi, and for that reason relied on it as support. In the twelfth year, the Chuyue, Chumi, and Gaochang attacked and seized five of Yanqi's cities, plundered 1,500 people, and burned houses. When Hou Junji punished Gaochang, he sent envoys to communicate with Yanqi. Tuqizhi rejoiced and led troops to assist the Tang. After Gaochang was destroyed, he returned the captured people and cities and sent envoys to thank the court.

The Western Turkic minister Quli Chuo took a daughter of Tuqizhi as wife for his younger brother. They then agreed to be like the cheek and gums supporting one another and did not come with tribute. Guo Xiaoke, protector-general of Anxi, requested permission to punish them. At that time the king's younger brother Xiebi and Libozhun Yabghu, three men in all, came in surrender. The emperor thereupon appointed Xiaoke commander-in-chief of the Xizhou route, leading troops out by the Yinshan route, and made Libozhun and the others guides.

At first, Yanqi's capital measured thirty li around, with great mountains on all four sides and lake water winding around the outside, so they trusted that there would be no danger. Xiaoke doubled his marches, cut across the water, reached the battlements by night, waited until dawn, raised a shout, and climbed up. Drums and horns thundered. The Tang troops advanced freely; the people of the state were disturbed and defeated. More than a thousand were beheaded. Tuqizhi was seized, and Libozhun was made acting manager of state affairs. At the beginning, the emperor had told his near ministers: "Xiaoke will reach Yanqi on the eleventh day of the eighth month. Counting twenty days, he can arrive; he should break it on the twenty-second. The messenger will arrive now." Soon a courier reported the victory. Tuqizhi and his wife and children were imprisoned and sent to Luoyang. An edict pardoned the offense.

Quli Chuo led troops to rescue Yanqi, but Xiaoke had already returned three days earlier. Quli Chuo imprisoned Libozhun, made a tudun acting king, and sent an envoy to report it. The emperor said: "Yanqi is what I brought down. Are you then king over it?" The tudun was afraid and did not dare be king. Yanqi set up Libozhun, but his elder cousin Xuepo Anazhi made himself king, titled Xiegan, seized Libozhun, presented him to Kucha, and killed him. When Ashina She'er punished Kucha, Anazhi fled there, fortified the eastern border, and resisted the royal army. She'er captured him, counted his crimes, and beheaded him to display publicly. Tuqizhi's younger brother Bogali was established as king, and the land was made the Yanqi area command.

Bogali died, and the people of the state requested the return of the former king Tuqizhi. Gaozong allowed it, appointed him grand general of the left guard, and sent him back to the state. When he died, Long Nentu came to the throne. In Wu Zetian's Changan period, because the state was small and had few people and could not bear the labor of passing envoys and guests, an edict ordered the Four Garrisons strategy commissioner to forbid attendants and envoys with private horses and unranked persons from eating meat. In the seventh Kaiyuan year, Long Nentu died and Yantu Fuyan came to the throne. At this time the qaghan of the Ten Surnames requested residence at Suyab. Tang Jiahui, military commissioner of Anxi, memorialized that Yanqi should be included among the Four Garrisons. An edict ordered Yanqi, Kucha, Shule, and Khotan to tax Western Regions merchants, each eating its own levy; those who traveled by the northern road were taxed at Luntai. Until Tianbao they regularly came to court and offered congratulations.

Kucha

Kucha was also called Qiuci and Quzi. It lay more than seven thousand li east of the capital. From Yanqi one walked two hundred li southwest, crossed small mountains, passed two great rivers, and then walked seven hundred li to reach it. Its width was a thousand li and its length six hundred li. The soil was suitable for hemp, wheat, non-glutinous rice, and grapes, and produced gold. Their custom excelled at song and music. They wrote horizontally and honored the Buddha's law. When a child was born, they pressed its head with wood. Their custom cut the hair level with the top; only the ruler did not cut his hair. The royal surname was Bai. He lived in Yiluolu city, which leaned north on Hejietian Mountain, also called White Mountain, where there was always fire. The king covered his head with brocade and wore a brocade robe and jeweled belt. On the first day of the year they fought sheep, horses, and camels for seven days and watched victory or defeat to divine the abundance or lack of the year. East of the Congling, the customs delighted in sexual indulgence; Kucha and Khotan set up houses of women and levied money from them.

When Gaozu received the abdication, King Sufabojue sent envoys to court. He happened to die, and his son Sufadie came to the throne, titled Shijian Mohe Silifa. In the fourth Zhenguan year he offered horses. Taizong gave a sealed letter, soothing him with special favor. Later Kucha became subject to the Western Turks. When Guo Xiaoke attacked Yanqi, Kucha sent troops as support for Yanqi, and from this time did not come with tribute.

Sufadie died, and his younger brother Helibushibi came to the throne. In the twenty-first year he twice sent envoys with tribute, but the emperor was angry that he had assisted Yanqi's revolt and discussed punishing him. That night the moon eclipsed the Pleiades. An edict said: "The moon is the essence of yin and is an omen for using punishment; the star is the division of the Hu, whose number is about to end." Ashina She'er was therefore made grand commander-in-chief of the Kunqiu route, with Qibi Heli as deputy. With Guo Xiaoke, protector-general of Anxi, Yang Hongli, minister of the Court of the Imperial Granaries, Li Haian, general of the left martial guard, and others, he raised a hundred thousand soldiers from the thirteen Tiele tribes to punish Kucha.

She'er divided five armies to raid its north and seized Anazhi, king of Yanqi. Kucha was greatly afraid, and the chiefs all abandoned the cities and fled. She'er halted at Qishi, three hundred li from the royal city. He first sent Han Wei, governor of Yizhou, with a thousand cavalry in front, and Cao Jishu, general of the right fierce guard, next after him. At Duohe they met the king and his general Jieliedian with fifty thousand troops in battle. Han Wei pretended to retreat. Seeing that Wei's troops were few, the king waved his troops forward. Wei withdrew and joined Jishu, turned back to fight, and greatly defeated them, pursuing the fugitives for eighty li. The king clung to the city. When She'er was about to surround it, the king led Turkic cavalry west in flight, and the city was taken. Xiaoke remained to guard it.

Su Haizheng, governor of Shazhou, and Xue Wanbei, senior secretary of the marching army, pursued with picked cavalry for six hundred li. The king's plans were exhausted, and he protected himself at Bohuan city. She'er surrounded it. After a month he seized the king and Jieliedian. His minister Nali escaped by night and came with the Western Turks and more than ten thousand men of the state to fight. Xiaoke and his son died. The royal army was disturbed. Cui Yiqi, bureau gentleman of the granary department, recruited soldiers and fought inside the city; Jishu and Wei assisted in striking them, beheading three thousand. Nali was defeated, gathered the fugitives, revived them, and again attacked the royal army. Jishu took advantage of this and beheaded eight thousand. Nali fled, and someone seized him and brought him to the army.

She'er broke five great cities in all, with several tens of thousands of men and women. He sent envoys to instruct more than seven hundred small cities to surrender. The Western Regions shook with fear, and the Western Turks and the state of An sent supplies to the army. She'er set up the king's younger brother Yabghu as king of the state and carved stone to record the merit.

When the report was heard, the emperor rejoiced. Seeing the assembled ministers at ease, he said: "There are several kinds of joy. I have often spoken of them. Earth cities and bamboo horses are children's joy. Adorning gold, kingfisher feathers, gauze, and silk is women's joy. Exchanging what one has and lacks is merchants' joy. High office and generous rank are the joy of scholar-officials. Fighting with no enemy before one is the joy of generals. The four seas peaceful and unified is the joy of emperors. Today I am joyful." He then passed the cup around to all of them.

At first, when Xiaoke attacked Yanqi, there was a Kucha monk skilled in numbers who sighed and said: "The Tang house will eventually possess the Western Regions. In not many years our state too will perish." She'er presented the captives Helibushibi, Nali, and Jieliedian at the imperial ancestral temple, and the emperor received the captives in Ziwei Hall. The emperor reproached them; ruler and ministers all knocked their heads and lay prostrate. An edict pardoned the offense, moved them to the Court of State Ceremonial hostel, and appointed Bushibi palace gentleman commander of the left martial guard. The Anxi protectorate was first moved to his capital, governing Khotan, Suyab, and Shule, and was called the Four Garrisons.

Gaozong again enfeoffed Helibushibi as king of Kucha and returned him to the state with Nali and Jieliedian. After a long time, the king came to court. Nali committed adultery with the king's Ashina wife, and the king could not restrain him. Those around him requested permission to kill Nali, and from this they grew suspicious of one another. An envoy reported the situation. The emperor summoned them both to the capital, imprisoned Nali, and sent the king back under escort. Jieliedian resisted and would not admit him, and sent envoys surrendering to Helu. The king did not dare enter and died in depression. An edict ordered Yang Zhou, grand general of the left garrison guard, to raise troops, seize Jieliedian, and completely punish his partisans. The land was made the Kucha area command, and Bushibi's son Suji was set up as king, appointed grand general of the right fierce guard and made area commander. That year the Anxi protectorate was moved to his state, and the former Anxi was made the Xizhou area command; Qu Zhizhan, grand general of the left fierce guard and concurrently protector-general of Anxi, was appointed its commander. The Western Regions were pacified. The emperor sent envoys separately through the states to inspect customs and products, and ordered Xu Jingzong and the historians to compose the Illustrations and Records of the Western Regions.

In the Shangyuan period, Suji presented a silver bowl and famous horses. In the third Tianshou year, King Yan Tiandie came to court. At the beginning, in the Yifeng period, Tibet attacked west of Yanqi and all four garrisons fell. In the first Changshou year, Wang Xiaojie, commander-in-chief of the Wuwei route, defeated Tibet, recovered the land of the Four Garrisons, and set up the Anxi protectorate at Kucha, stationing thirty thousand soldiers there. At this time the sandy deserts were wild and cut off; the people suffered greatly from supplying funds and grain. Discussants requested that the region be abandoned, but Wu Zetian would not listen. Among protectors-general whose government achievements were praised by Chinese and barbarians were Tian Yangming, Guo Yuanzhen, Zhang Xiaosong, and Du Xian. In the seventh Kaiyuan year, King Bai Mo died and his son Duobi came to the throne, changing his name to Xiaojie. In the eighteenth year he sent his younger brother Xiaoyi to court.

From Kucha, going more than six hundred li, one crossed a small sandy desert and reached Baluka, a small state also called Jimo, the Han state of Gumo. It was six hundred li wide and three hundred li long. Its customs and writing were the same as Kucha, with language slightly different. It produced fine felt and coarse cloth. Three hundred li west, across stony desert, one reached Ling Mountain, the northern plain of the Congling. The waters flowed east. In spring and summer snow accumulated in the mountains and valleys. Five hundred li northwest lay Suyab water city, where merchants and Hu from neighboring states lived mixed together. West of Suyab, several tens of cities all had rulers and were subject to the Turks. From Suyab water city to Jieshuangna, people wore felt, coarse cloth, leather, and haircloth, wrapped with silk. Four hundred li west of Suyab city lay Thousand Springs. The land was more than two hundred li around; to the south were snowy mountains, and on three sides level land, with many springs and pools, whence the name. The Turkish qaghan avoided summer there each year. Herds of deer were adorned with bells and rings and could be approached. More than a hundred li west lay Talas city, where merchants and Hu from neighboring states also lived mixed together. There was a small city of three hundred families; they were originally Chinese people, plundered by the Turks, who had gathered there for protection and still used Chinese speech. More than two hundred li southwest lay White Water city, with rich high and low fields. Fifty li south was Nuchijian state, a thousand li broad, with fertile land fit for sowing and many grapes. Another two hundred li brought one to Shi.

Shule and the Pamir Gate at Hapan

Shule

Shule, also called Qusha, measured five thousand li around and lay more than nine thousand li from the capital. It had much sand and stony desert and little good soil. The customs honored deceit. When children were born, they too clamped the head to make it flat. The people tattooed their bodies and had green-blue eyes. The king's surname was Pei, and he styled himself Amazhi. He lived in Jiashi city, and the Turks gave him a daughter in marriage. There were two thousand fighting men. The custom sacrificed to the fire god.

In the ninth Zhenguan year, Shule sent envoys to offer famous horses. Four years later, together with Zhujubo and Gantang, it offered local products. Taizong said to Fang Xuanling and the others: "Formerly, among those who unified all under Heaven and overcame the four barbarians, only the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han did so. I took up a three-foot sword and settled the four seas. The distant barbarians submit in order, and I am not less than those two rulers. Yet at their end they could not preserve themselves. You gentlemen should assist and counsel one another, not advance flattering words and place me in danger and ruin." In the Yifeng period, Tibet broke the state. In the sixteenth Kaiyuan year, Qiao Mengsong, acting minister of the Court of Judicial Review and acting vice minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, was first sent to invest its ruler Anding as king of Shule. In the twelfth Tianbao year, the chief Pei Guoliang came to court, was appointed commander who breaks and charges, and received a purple robe and golden fish.

Zhujubo

Zhujubo was also named Zhujupan. It was the Han state of Zihe. It possessed the former lands of four peoples, Xiye, Puli, Yinai, and Deruo. It was directly a thousand li west of Khotan and three hundred li north of the Congling. Westward it was separated from Hapan by distance; nine hundred li north it belonged to Shule, and three thousand li south was the Women's State. There were two thousand fighting men. It honored the Buddha's law, and its writing was the same as Brahman writing.

Gantang

Gantang was south of the sea, and its people were Kunlun.

Hapan

Hapan was also called Hantuo, Kehuantan, and Keluotuo. From Shule one entered southwest through Jianmo Valley and the Buren Pass for six hundred li, and this was its state. It was 4,500 li from Guazhou, directly west of Zhujubo, south to Xuandu Mountain, north touching Shule, west to Humi, and northwest to Panhan state. It was governed within the Congling, and the capital city leaned on the Duoduo River. There were a thousand fighting men. Its king was originally a man of Shule, and his line had held it generation after generation. Southwest was Headache Mountain. The Congling was customarily called Jiyi Mountain and encircled the state. The people were strong and fierce; their appearance and speech were like Khotan. According to their law, murderers and plunderers were put to death; other offenses could be redeemed. Taxes had to be paid in clothing and ornaments. The king sat on a human couch. In the Taiyan period of Later Wei they first communicated with China. In the ninth Zhenguan year they sent envoys to court. In Kaiyuan, the state was broken and pacified, and the Congling defense command was set up there, the farthest frontier garrison of Anxi.

Khotan and the Jade Road

Khotan

Khotan was also called Qusadanna, Huanna, and Qudan. The northern barbarians called it Yudun, and the various Hu called it Huodan. It lay 9,700 li from the capital and more than four thousand li from Guazhou. It possessed the former lands of five Han states: Ronglu, Ganmi, Qule, and Pishan among them. Its residence was called Xishan city, and it had four thousand fighting men. There was a Jade River. When the people of the state looked at night, wherever the moonlight was abundant they were sure to obtain fine jade. The king lived in a painted chamber. Their custom was clever and skillful, their speech roundabout and grand. They liked serving the fire god and the Buddha's law, yet their appearance was respectful and careful; when they met one another they all knelt. They used wood as pens and jade as seals. Whenever they received letters of inquiry or gifts, they placed them on the head before opening them. Since Emperor Wu of Han, Chinese edicts, tallies, and credentials had been handed down from king to king. The people liked song and dance and were skilled in spinning and weaving.

To the west was a sandy desert with mice as large as hedgehogs and colored like gold; when they came and went, crowds of mice followed them. At first there were no mulberries or silkworms. They begged a neighboring state for them, but the state was unwilling to let them leave. The Khotan king then sought marriage, and this was granted. When the bride was to be welcomed, she was told: "The state has no silk; you may carry silkworms yourself to make clothing." The woman heard this and placed silkworms in the floss of her hat. The frontier guards did not dare inspect it, and from this time Khotan first had silkworms. The woman carved a stone covenant that silkworms were not to be killed. Only when the moths had all flown away could the cocoons be worked.

The king's surname was Yuchi, and his personal name was Wumi. He was originally subject to the Turks. In the sixth Zhenguan year, he sent envoys with offerings. Three years later, he sent his son to serve in attendance. When Ashina She'er pacified Kucha, its king Fudaxin was greatly afraid and sent his son to offer three hundred camels. Xue Wanbei, senior secretary, said to She'er: "You have broken Kucha, and the Western Regions are all shaken with fear. I ask to borrow light cavalry, bridle the king of Khotan, and present him at the capital." She'er allowed it. When they reached Khotan, they displayed Tang awe and spiritual power and urged him to enter and see the Son of Heaven. Fudaxin then followed the envoy and came.

At that time Gaozong had come to the throne. He appointed Fudaxin grand general of the right guard, and his son Yabghu Dian general of the right fierce guard. He granted robes, belts, and six thousand bolts of cloth, and a first-rank residence. After several months he sent him away. Fudaxin requested that sons and younger brothers serve as palace guards. At the beginning of Shangyuan, he personally led sons, younger brothers, and chiefs, seventy men in all, to court. Because they had merit in fighting Tibet, the emperor made the land the Pisha area command, divided it into ten prefectures, and appointed Fudaxiong area commander. When Fudaxiong died, Wu Zetian established his son Jing. In Kaiyuan times he presented horses, camels, and swift animals. When Jing died, Yuchi Fushizhan was again made king. When he died, Fudada succeeded, and his wife Zhishi was also invested as consort. When he died, Yuchi Gui succeeded, with his wife Ma as consort. When Gui died, his son Sheng came to the throne. At the beginning of Zhide, he went with troops to the crisis and then requested to remain as a palace guard. In the third Qianyuan year, his younger brother Yabghu Yao, commandant of the left gate guard, was made supernumerary minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, concurrent deputy military commissioner of the Four Garrisons, and acting manager of state affairs. Sheng has his own biography.

Three hundred li east of Khotan was the Jiandeli River; seven hundred li east was Jingjue state. East of the river was Hanmi, residing in Dadeli city, also called Jumi city, the old city of Ningmi. These were all small states.

At first, when Dezong came to the throne, he sent Zhu Ruyu, inner supply officer, to Anxi to seek jade from Khotan. He obtained one tablet, five girdle pendants, one pillow, three hundred belt plates, forty hairpins, thirty caskets, ten bracelets, three pestles, one hundred jin of sese stones, and other treasures. On his return, he falsely said that he had taken the road through the Uighurs and had been robbed by them. After a long time the affair leaked out. The goods he had bought were recovered, and he was exiled and died in Enzhou.

Kapisa South of the Pamirs

Kapisa

Kapisa was the Cao state of Sui. It lay south of the Congling, more than twelve thousand li from the capital, and three thousand li south of Shewei. The king lived in Xiuxian city and was regularly subject to the Great Yuezhi. The land was hot and damp. The people rode elephants, and their custom practiced the Buddha's law.

In the second Wude year, it sent envoys to offer jeweled belts, golden chains, crystal cups, and glass shaped like sour dates. In Zhenguan it presented famous horses. Taizong proclaimed to the great ministers: "When I had just come to the throne, some said that the Son of Heaven wished to display troops and shake the four barbarians into submission. Only Wei Zheng urged me to cultivate civil virtue and pacify China. When China is pacified, distant people submit. Now all under Heaven is greatly at peace, and the rulers and chiefs of the four barbarians all come with offerings. This is Zheng's strength." He sent He Chuluoba, resolute commandant, and others with rich gifts to the state, and also to soothe India. When Chuluoba reached Kapisa, the king faced east, bowed his head to the ground, and bowed twice. He then sent men to guide and protect the envoy to India. In the sixteenth year, Kapisa presented a nuteru mouse, with pointed beak and red tail, able to eat snakes. If someone had been stung, it sniffed and urinated on the wound, and the sore immediately healed.

The people of the state all transmitted that the king's first ancestor was named Xinnie; by the time of Hexiezhi twelve generations had passed. In the third Xianqing year, the land was made the Xiuxian area command. At the beginning of Longshuo, its king was appointed military commander of Xiuxian and the other eleven prefectures and area commander of Xiuxian. In the seventh Kaiyuan year, envoys were sent presenting astronomy, secret recipes, and strange medicines. The Son of Heaven invested its king as Geluodazhi Tele. Later, when Wusan Tele Sa was old, he requested that his son Fulinjipo succeed him, and this was allowed. In the fourth Tianbao year, his son Bofuzhun was invested as succeeding king of Kapisa and Uddiyana. At the beginning of Qianyuan, envoys came to court with tribute.

Colophon

This Good Works Translation was made from the selected Classical Chinese source body of Xin Tang Shu volume 221A, Biographies 146A, Western Regions I, preserved in the local Scythian expansion source base.

The translation is complete for the source selection printed below. Proper names follow a readable mixture of common English historical names and transliterated Chinese forms where the source's own form is the safest guide.

Compiled for the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

🌲

Source Text: Classical Chinese

### Gaochang and the Western Turkic Road

### 高昌
高昌，直京師西四千里而贏，其橫八百里，縱五百里，凡二十一城。王都交河城，漢車師前王廷也。田地城，戊己校尉所治也。勝兵萬人。土沃，麥、禾皆再熟。有草名白疊，擷花可織為布。俗辮髻垂後。
其王曲伯雅，隋時嘗妻以戚屬宇文氏女，號華容公主。武德初，伯雅死，子文泰立，遣使來告，高祖命使者臨吊。後五年，獻狗高六寸，長尺，能曳馬銜燭，雲出拂菻，中國始有拂菻狗。
太宗即位，獻玄狐裘，帝賜妻宇文華钅奠一具，宇文亦上玉盤。凡諸國施為輒以聞。貞觀四年，文泰遂來朝，禮賜厚甚。宇文求預宗籍，有詔賜氏李，更封常樂公主。
久之，文泰與西突厥通，凡西域朝貢道其國，鹹見壅掠。伊吾嘗臣西突厥，至是內屬，文泰與葉護共擊之。帝下詔讓其反覆，召大臣冠軍阿史那矩計事，文泰不遣，使長史曲雍來謝罪。初，大業末，華民多奔突厥，及頡利敗，有逃入高昌者，有詔護送，文泰苛留之。又與西突厥乙毗設破焉耆三城，虜其人，焉耆王訴諸朝。帝遣虞部郎中李道裕問狀，復遣使謝。帝引責曰：「而主數年朝貢不入，無藩臣禮，擅置官，擬效百僚。今歲首萬君長悉來，而主不至。日我使人往，文泰猥曰：『鷹飛於天，雉竄於蒿，貓遊於堂，鼠安於穴，各得其所，豈不快邪！』西域使者入貢，而主悉拘梗之。又諗薛延陀曰：『既自為可汗，與唐天子等，何事拜謁其使？』明年我當發兵虜而國，歸謂而君善自圖。」時薛延陀可汗請為軍向導，故民部尚書唐儉至延陀堅約。
帝復下璽書示文泰禍福，促使入朝，文泰遂稱疾不至。乃拜侯君集為交河道大總管，左屯衛大將軍薛萬均、薩孤吳仁副之，契何力為蔥山道副大總管，武衛將軍牛進達為行軍總管，率突厥、契騎數萬討之。群臣諫以行萬里兵難得誌，且天界絕域，雖得之，不可守。帝不聽。文泰謂左右曰：「曩吾入朝，見秦、隴北城邑蕭條，非有隋比。今伐我，兵多則糧付不逮；若下三萬，我能制之。度磧疲鈍，以逸待勞，臥收其弊耳。」十四年，聞王師至磧口，悸駭無它計，發病死，子智盛立。
君集奄攻田地城，契何力以前軍鏖戰。是夜星墜城中，明日拔其城，虜七千餘人。中郎將辛獠兒以勁騎夜逼其都。智盛以書遺君集曰：「得罪於天子者，先王也，咎深譴積，震墜厥命。智盛嗣位未幾，公其見赦。」君集曰：「能悔禍者，當面縛軍門。」智盛不答。軍進，填隍引沖車，飛石如雨，城中大震。智盛令大將曲士義居守，身與綰曹曲德俊謁軍門，請改事天子。君集諭使降，辭示屈，薛萬均勃然起曰：「當先取城，小兒何與語！」麾而進，智盛流汗伏地曰：「唯公命！」乃降。君集分兵略定，凡三州、五縣、二十二城，戶八千，口三萬，馬四千。先是，其國人謠曰：「高昌兵，如霜雪；唐家兵，如日月。日月照霜雪，幾何自殄滅。」文泰捕謠所發，不能得也。
捷書聞，天子大悅，宴群臣，班賜策功，赦高昌所部，披其地皆州縣之，號西昌州。特進魏徵諫曰：「陛下即位，高昌最先朝謁。俄以掠商胡，遏貢獻，故王誅加焉。文泰死，罪止矣。撫其人，立其子，伐罪吊民，道也。今利其土，屯守常千人，屯士數年一易，辦裝資，離親戚，不十年隴右且空。陛下終不得高昌圭粒咫帛助中國費，所謂散有用事無用。」不納。改西昌州曰西州，更置安西都護府，歲調千兵，謫罪人以戍。黃門侍郎褚遂良諫曰：「古者先函夏，後夷狄，務廣德化，不爭荒逖。今高昌誅滅，威動四夷，然自王師始征，河西供役，飛米轉芻，十室九匱，五年未可復。今又歲遣屯戍，行李萬里，去者資裝使自營辦，賣菽粟，傾機杼，道路死亡尚不計。罪人始於犯法，終於惰業，無益於行。所遣復有亡命，官司捕逮，株蔓相牽。有如張掖、酒泉塵飛烽舉，豈得高昌一乘一卒及事乎？必發隴右、河西耳。然則河西為我腹心，高昌，他人手足也，何必耗中華，事無用？昔陛下平頡利、吐谷渾，皆為立君，蓋罪而誅之，伏而立之，百蠻所以畏威慕德也。今宜擇高昌可立者立之，召首領悉還本土，長為藩翰，中國不擾。」書聞不省。
初，文泰以金厚餉西突厥欲谷設，約有急為表裏；使葉護屯可汗浮圖城。及君集至，懼不敢發，遂來降，以其地為庭州。焉耆請歸高昌所奪五城，留兵以守。
君集勒石紀功，凱而旋，俘智盛君臣獻觀德殿。行飲至禮，酺三日。徙高昌豪桀於中國，智盛拜左武衛將軍、金城郡公，弟智湛右武衛中郎將、天山郡公。曲氏傳國九世，百三十四年而亡。

### Yanqi, Kucha, and the Road to Suyab

### 焉耆國
焉耆國直京師西七千里而贏，橫六百里，縱四百里。東高昌，西龜茲，南尉犁，北烏孫。逗渠溉田，土宜黍、蒲陶，有魚鹽利。俗祝髮氈衣。戶四千，勝兵二千，常役屬西突厥。俗尚娛遨，二月朏出野祀，四月望日遊林，七月七日祀生祖，十月望日王始出遊，至歲盡止。
太原貞觀六年，其王龍突騎支始遣使來朝。自隋亂，磧路閉，故西域朝貢皆道高昌。突騎支請開大磧道以便行人，帝許之。高昌怒，大掠其邊。西突厥莫賀設與咄陸弩失畢作難，來奔，咄陸弩失畢復攻之，遣使言狀，並貢名馬。咥利失可汗立，素善焉耆，故倚為援。十二年，處月、處蜜與高昌攻陷其五城，掠千五百人，焚廬舍。侯君集討高昌，遣使與相聞，突騎支喜，引兵佐唐。高昌破，歸向所俘及城，遣使者入謝。
西突厥臣屈利啜為弟娶突騎支女，遂相約為輔車勢，不朝貢。安西都護郭孝恪請討之。會王弟頡鼻、栗婆準葉護等三人來降，帝即命孝恪為西州道總管，率兵出銀山道，以栗婆準等為向導。初，焉耆所都周三十里，四面大山，海水繚其外，故恃不為虞。孝恪倍道絕水，夜傅堞，遲曙噪而登，鼓角轟哄，唐兵縱，國人擾敗，斬千餘級，執突騎支，更以栗婆準攝國事。始，帝語近臣曰：「孝恪以八月十一日詣焉耆，閱二旬可至，當以二十二日破之，使者今至矣！」俄而遽人以捷布聞。囚突騎支及妻子送洛陽，有詔赦罪。
屈利啜以兵救焉耆，而孝恪還三日矣。屈利啜囚栗婆準，更使吐屯攝王，遣使以告。帝曰：「焉耆我所下，爾乃王之邪？」吐屯懼，不敢王。焉耆立栗婆準，而從兄薛婆阿那支自為王，號瞎幹，執栗婆準獻龜茲，殺之。阿史那社爾討龜茲，阿那支奔之，壁東境抗王師，為社爾所禽，數其罪，斬以徇。立突騎支弟婆伽利為王，以其地為焉耆都督府。
婆伽利死，國人請還前王突騎支，高宗許之，拜左衛大將軍，歸國。死，龍嫩突立。武後長安時，以其國小人寡，過使客不堪其勞，詔四鎮經略使禁止傔使私馬、無品者肉食。開元七年，龍嫩突死，焉吐拂延立。於是十姓可汗請居碎葉，安西節度使湯嘉惠表以焉耆備四鎮。詔焉耆、龜茲、疏勒、於闐征西域賈，各食其征，由北道者輪臺征之。訖天寶常朝賀。
### 龜茲
龜茲，一曰丘茲，一曰屈茲，東距京師七千里而贏，自焉耆西南步二百里，度小山，經大河二，又步七百里乃至。橫千里，縱六百里。土宜麻、麥、粳稻、蒲陶，出黃金。俗善歌樂，旁行書，貴浮圖法。產子以木壓首。俗斷髮齊頂，惟君不翦發。姓白氏。居伊邏廬城，北倚河羯田山，亦曰白山，常有火。王以錦冒頂，錦袍、寶帶。歲朔，鬥羊馬橐它七日，觀勝負以卜歲盈耗雲。蔥嶺以東俗喜淫，龜茲、於闐置女肆，征其錢。
高祖受禪，王蘇伐勃駃遣使入朝。會死，子蘇伐疊立，號時健莫賀俟利發。貞觀四年獻馬，太宗賜璽書，撫慰加等。後臣西突厥。郭孝恪伐焉耆，乃遣兵與焉耆影援，自是不朝貢。
蘇伐疊死，弟訶黎布失畢立。二十一年，兩遣使朝貢，然帝怒其佐焉耆叛，議討之。是夜月食昴，詔曰：「月陰精，用刑兆也；星胡分，數且終。」乃以阿史那社爾為昆丘道行軍大總管，契何力副之，率安西都護郭孝恪、司農卿楊弘禮、左武衛將軍李海岸等發鐵勒十三部兵十萬討之。社爾分五軍掠其北，執焉耆王阿那支。龜茲大恐，酋長皆棄城走。社爾次磧石，去王城三百里。先遣伊州刺史韓威以千騎居前，右驍衛將軍曹繼叔次之。至多褐，與王遇，其將羯獵顛兵五萬合戰。威偽北，王見威兵少，麾而進，威退與繼叔合，還戰，大破之，追奔八十里。王嬰城，社爾將圍之，王引突騎西走，城遂拔，孝恪居守。沙州刺史蘇海政、行軍長史薛萬備以精騎窮躡六百里。王計窮，保撥換城，社爾圍之。閱月，執王及羯獵顛。其相那利夜逸，以西突厥並國人萬餘來戰，孝恪及子死之。王師擾，倉部郎中崔義起募兵戰城中，繼叔、威助擊之，斬首三千級。那利敗，裒亡散復振，還襲王師，繼叔乘之，斬八千級。那利走，或執以詣軍。社爾凡破五大城，男女數萬，遣使者諭降小城七百餘，西域震懼，西突厥、安兩國歸軍餉焉。社爾立王弟葉護王其國，勒石紀功。
書聞，帝喜，見群臣從容曰：「夫樂有幾，朕嘗言之：土城竹馬，童兒樂也；飭金翠羅紈，婦人樂也；貿遷有無，商賈樂也；高官厚秩，士大夫樂也；戰無前敵，將帥樂也；四海寧一，帝王樂也。朕今樂矣！」遂遍觴之。初，孝恪之擊焉耆也，龜茲有浮屠善數，嘆曰：「唐家終有西域，不數年吾國亦亡。」社爾執訶黎布失畢、那利、羯獵顛獻太廟，帝受俘紫微殿。帝責謂，君臣皆頓首伏。詔赦罪，改館鴻臚寺，拜布失畢左武衛中朗將。始徙安西都護於其都，統於闐、碎葉、疏勒，號「四鎮。」
高宗復封訶黎布失畢為龜茲王，與那利、羯獵顛還國。久之，王來朝。那利烝其妻阿史那，王不能禁，左右請殺之，由是更猜忌。使者言狀，帝並召至京師，囚那利，護遣王還。羯獵顛拒不內，遣使降賀魯，王不敢進，悒悒死。詔左屯衛大將軍楊胄發兵禽羯獵顛，窮誅部黨，以其地為龜茲都督府，更立子素稽為王，授右驍衛大將軍，為都督。是歲，徙安西都護府於其國，以故安西為西州都督府，即拜左驍衛大將軍兼安西都護曲智湛為都督。西域平。帝遣使者分行諸國風俗物產，詔許敬宗與史官撰《西域圖志》。
上元中，素稽獻銀頗羅、名馬。天授三年，王延田跌來朝。始，儀鳳時，吐蕃攻焉耆以西，四鎮皆沒。長壽元年，武威道總管王孝傑破吐蕃，復四鎮地，置安西都護府於龜茲，以兵三萬鎮守。於是沙磧荒絕，民供貲糧苦甚，議者請棄之，武後不聽。都護以政勣稱華狄者，田揚名、郭元振、張孝嵩、杜暹雲。開元七年，王白莫死，子多幣立，改名孝節。十八年，遣弟孝義來朝。
自龜茲贏六百里，窬小沙磧，有跋祿迦，小國也，一曰亟墨，即漢姑墨國，橫六百里，縱三百里。風俗文字與龜茲同，言語少異。出細氈褐。西三百里度石磧至淩山，蔥嶺北原也，水東流，春夏山谷積雪。西北五百里至素葉水城，比國商胡雜居。素葉以西數十城，皆立君長，役頟屬突厥。自素葉水城至羯霜那國，衣氈褐皮氎，以繒繚。素葉城西四百里至千泉，地贏二百里，南雪山，三垂平陸，多泉池，因名之，突厥可汗歲避暑其中。群鹿飾鈴镮，可狎也。西贏百里至呾邏私城，亦比國商胡雜居。有小城，三百，本華人，為突厥所掠，群保此，尚華語。西南贏二百里至白水城，原隰膏腴。南五十里有笯赤建國，廣千里，地沃宜稼，多蒲陶。又二百里即石國。

### Shule and the Pamir Gate at Hapan

### 疏勒
疏勒，一曰佉沙，環五千里，距京師九千里而贏。多沙磧，少壤土。俗尚詭詐，生子亦夾頭取褊，其人文身碧瞳。王姓裴氏，自號「阿摩支」，居迦師城，突厥以女妻之。勝兵二千人。俗祠祅神。
貞觀九年，遣使者獻名馬，又四年，與朱俱波、甘棠貢方物。太宗謂房玄齡等曰：「曩之一天下，克勝四夷，惟秦皇、漢武耳。朕提三尺劍定四海，遠夷率服，不減二君者。然彼末路不自保，公等宜相輔弼，毋進諛言，置朕於危亡也。」儀鳳時，吐蕃破其國。開元十六年，始遣大理正喬夢松攝鴻臚少卿，冊其君安定為疏勒王。天寶十二載，首領裴國良來朝，授折沖都尉，賜紫袍、金魚。
### 朱俱波
朱俱波亦名朱俱槃，漢子合國也。並有西夜、蒲犁、依耐、得若四種地，直於闐西千里，蔥嶺北三百里，西距喝盤陀，北九百里屬疏勒，南三千里女國也。勝兵二千人。尚浮屠法，文字同婆羅門。
### 甘棠
甘棠，在海南，昆侖人也。
### 喝盤陀
喝盤陀，或曰漢陀，曰渴館檀，亦謂渴羅陀，由疏勒西南入劍末谷、不忍領六百里，其國也。距瓜州四千五百里，直朱俱波西，南距懸度山，北抵疏勒，西護密，西北判汗國也。治蔥嶺中，都城負徙多河。勝兵千人。其王本疏勒人，世相承為之。西南即頭痛山也。蔥嶺俗號極嶷山，環其國。人勁悍，貌、言如於闐。其法，殺人剽劫者死，餘得贖。賦必輸服飾，王坐人床。後魏太延中，始通中國。貞觀九年，遣使者來朝。開元中破平其國，置蔥嶺守捉，安西極邊戍也。

### Khotan and the Jade Road

### 於闐
於闐，或曰瞿薩旦那，亦曰渙那，曰屈丹，北狄曰於遁，諸胡曰豁旦。距京師九千七百里，瓜州贏四千里，並有漢戎廬、桿彌、渠勒、皮山五國故地。其居曰西山城，勝兵四千人。有玉河，國人夜視月光盛處必得美玉。王居繪室。俗機巧，言迂大，喜事祅神、浮屠法，然貌恭謹，相見皆跪。以木為筆，玉為印，凡得問遺書，戴於首乃發之。自漢武帝以來，中國詔書符節，其王傳以相授。人喜歌舞，工紡勣。西有沙磧，鼠大如猬，色類金，出入群鼠為從。初無桑蠶，丐鄰國，不肯出，其王即求婚，許之。將迎，乃告曰：「國無帛，可持蠶自為衣。」女聞，置蠶帽絮中，關守不敢驗，自是始有蠶。女刻石約無殺蠶，蛾飛盡得治繭。
王姓尉遲氏，名屋密，本臣突厥，貞觀六年，遣使者入獻。後三年，遣子入侍。阿史那社爾之平龜茲也，其王伏阇信大懼，使子獻橐它三百。長史薛萬備謂社爾曰：「公破龜茲，西域皆震恐，願假輕騎羈於闐王獻京師。」社爾許之。至於闐，陳唐威靈，勸入見天子，伏阇信乃隨使者來。會高宗立，授右衛大將軍，子葉護玷為右驍衛將軍，賜袍帶，布帛六千段，第一區，留數月遣之，請以子弟宿衛。上元初，身率子弟酋領七十人來朝。擊吐蕃有功，帝以其地為毗沙都督府，析十州，授伏阇雄都督。死，武後立其子敬。開元時獻馬、駝、豽。敬死，復立尉遲伏師戰為王。死，伏阇達嗣，並冊其妻執失為妃。死，尉遲圭嗣，妻馬為妃。圭死，子勝立。至德初，以兵赴難，因請留宿衛。乾元三年，以其弟左監門衛率葉護曜為大仆員外卿、同四鎮節度副使，權知本國事。勝自有傳。
於闐東三百里有建德力河，七百里有精絕國；河之東有汗彌，居達德力城，亦曰拘彌城，即寧彌故城。皆小國也。
初，德宗即位，遣內給事朱如玉之安西，求玉於於闐，得圭一，珂佩五，枕一，帶胯三百，簪四十，奩三十，釧十，杵三，瑟瑟百斤，並它寶等。及還，詐言假道回紇為所奪。久之事泄，得所市，流死恩州。

### Kapisa South of the Pamirs

### 罽賓
罽賓，隋漕國也，居蔥嶺南，距京師萬二千里而贏，南距舍衛三千里。王居脩鮮城，常役屬大月氏。地暑濕，人乘象，俗治浮屠法。
武德二年，遣使貢寶帶、金鎖、水精盞、頗黎狀若酸棗。貞觀中獻名馬。太宗詔大臣曰：「朕始即位，或言天子欲耀兵，振伏四夷，惟魏徵勸我脩文德，安中夏；中夏安，遠人伏矣。今天下大安，四夷君長皆來獻，此徵力也。」遣果毅何處羅拔等厚賫賜其國，並撫尉天竺。處羅拔至罽賓，王東向稽首再拜，仍遣人導護使者至天竺。十六年，獻褥特鼠，喙尖尾赤，能食蛇，螫者嗅且尿，瘡即愈。
國人共傳王始祖曰馨孽，至曷擷支傳十二世。顯慶三年，以其地為脩鮮都督府。龍朔初，拜其王脩鮮等十一州諸軍事、脩鮮都督。開元七年，遣使獻天文及秘方奇藥，天子冊其王為葛邏達支特勒。後烏散特勒灑年老，請以子拂菻罽婆嗣，聽之。天寶四載，冊其子勃匐準為襲罽賓及烏萇國王。乾元初使者朝貢。

Source Colophon

The Classical Chinese source body was extracted from the local source-text page Good Works Library Ready/Scythian/Expansion Bench 2026-05-11/Xin Tang Shu -- Gaochang, Kucha, Khotan, and Kapisa -- Classical Chinese Source Text.md and copied for this translation pass at Tulku/Tools/scythian/sources/expansion_bench_2026-05-11/xintangshu_221a_tarim_pamir_chinese_source_manual92.txt.

The local source page identifies its inspection route as a Wikisource raw capture for Xin Tang Shu volume 221A.

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