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.
Han Shu — The Western Regions Between Xiongnu and Wusun — The 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 Alliance — The 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 Yuezhi — The 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 Regions — Han 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 -- Southern Xiongnu -- Good Works Translation — A 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 Translation — A 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 Annals — Hou 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.
Jiu Tang Shu -- Western Rong -- Good Works Translation — A 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.
Shiji — Dawan and the Western Road — The 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 Wusun — The 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 Westward — The 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 Yancai — Zhang 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 Chiefs — The 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 Customs — Sima 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 War — The 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 Cup — The 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 Liezhuan — Sima 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 Liezhuan — Sima 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.