佛祖統紀 32.34

32.34

In the time of Emperor Xiaowu, communications were first opened with the Western Regions. The thirty-six kingdoms all lay west of the Xiongnu and south of the Wusun. In the northwest there are great mountains, and in the center there is a river. From east to west it extends over six thousand li, and from south to north over one thousand li. To the east it connects with the Han chokepoints, bounded by Yumen and Yangguan (both passes lie on the western border of Dunhuang); to the west it is bounded by the Congling (the mountains are lush and verdant, and are also said to have many onions, hence the name). Its Southern Mountains emerge eastward from Jincheng, connecting with the Southern Mountains of the Han (read *zhu*, meaning continuous). The river has two sources: one emerges from the Congling, and one from Yutian (read *tian*); Yutian lies beneath the Southern Mountains. Its river flows north to merge with the Congling River, emptying east into the Puchang Sea (also called the Salt Marsh). It is three hundred li from Yumen and Yangguan, and is three hundred li in breadth and length. Its waters neither increase nor decrease in winter or summer; all believe that it flows secretly underground, emerging south at Jishi as the source of the Yellow River for China. From Yumen and Yangguan leading into the Western Regions there are two routes. The one running from Shanshan alongside the Southern Mountains, following the river westward along its north to Shache, is the Southern Route. Crossing the Congling westward, the Southern Route leads to the Da Yuezhi and Anxi. The one starting from the court of the anterior king of Jushi, following the Northern Mountains, and proceeding westward along the river to Shule, is the Northern Route. Crossing the Congling westward, the Northern Route leads to Dayuan, Kangju, and Yancai. The various kingdoms of the Western Regions have walled cities, fields, and livestock, differing in customs from the Xiongnu and Wusun. All were subject to the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu Rizhu King of the western frontier installed a commandant to govern the Western Regions. Later, the General of Agile Cavalry defeated the old lands of the Xiongnu and received the surrender of the Hunxie and Xiutu Kings (the character *piao* is read *pin-miao*; *kun* is read *hun*; *tu* is read *chu*; they were two kings of the Xiongnu). He first built fortifications west of Lingju (read *ling*), and initially established Jiuquan Commandery (its water has a sweet taste). Later, Wuwei, Zhangye, and Dunhuang (read *tun*) were gradually partitioned and established. Arranging the four commanderies, they occupied the two passes. From the time the General of Ershi (Li Guangli) attacked Dayuan and obtained heavenly horses, the Western Regions were struck with awe and dread, sending many envoys with tribute. In the court of Emperor Xuan, the Rizhu King came to surrender. Thereupon the envoy Zheng Ji was ordered to supervise both routes concurrently, titled Protector-General, governing from the city of Wulei. It is two thousand seven hundred li from Yangguan, situated in the center of the Western Regions (from the 'Record of the Western Regions' in the *History of the Western Han*).