A 100-word story about Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions

A short story about Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions:

In the first year of Jianyuan (140 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che came to the throne, and Zhang Qian was appointed as Langguan in the palace. In the third year of Jianyuan (138 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty recruited envoys to go to Dayuezhi in order to unite Dayuezhi troops to attack the Xiongnu. Zhang Qian was recruited as an envoy. He set out from Chang'an and passed through the Xiongnu. He was captured and trapped for ten years. Years later, he escaped.

He traveled west to Dayuan, passed through Kangju, arrived at Dayuezhi, and then to Daxia, where he stayed for more than a year before returning. On his way back, Zhang Qian changed his route to the south, in close proximity to Nanshan in order to avoid being discovered by the Huns. However, Zhang Qian was captured by the Huns and detained for more than a year.

In the third year of Yuanshuo (126 BC), the Huns were in civil strife. Zhang Qian took the opportunity to escape back to the Han Dynasty and reported in detail the situation in the Western Regions to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu granted him the title of Taizhong Dafu. Because of Zhang Qian's prestige in the Western Regions, the envoys sent by the Han Dynasty were often called Bowang Hou to win the trust of other countries. Extended information

Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions was originally to implement the strategic intention of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to unite with the Dayue clan to fight against the Xiongnu. However, after his mission to the Western Regions, there were frequent cultural exchanges between Han and Yi, and the civilization of the Central Plains spread rapidly to the surrounding areas through the "Silk Road" . Therefore, the historical event of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions has special historical significance. Zhang Qian made outstanding contributions to opening up the Silk Road from China to the Western Regions, and is still praised by the world.

Although the Han Dynasty's accession to the Western Regions was originally for military purposes, after the opening of the Western Regions, its influence far exceeded the military scope. From Dunhuang in the Western Han Dynasty, out of Yumen Pass, into Xinjiang, and from Xinjiang to Central Asia and West Asia, a transverse east-west passage was once again unimpeded. This passage became known as the "Silk Road" in later generations.

The "Silk Road" connected the Western Han Dynasty with many countries in Central Asia and promoted political, economic, military, and cultural exchanges between them. Since the feudal central governments of all dynasties in China have called the border ethnic minorities "barbarians", Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions promoted the first cultural integration between Han and barbarians.

More than a dozen types of plants from the Western Regions, including walnuts, grapes, pomegranates, broad beans and alfalfa, were gradually cultivated in the Central Plains. Qiuci music and musical instruments such as Huqin have enriched the cultural life of the Han people. When the Han army was stationed in Shanshan, Cheshi and other places, they used the technique of drilling underground wells, which was commonly known as "karez" and was gradually promoted in the local area.

In addition, Dawan's sweat-blooded horse was very famous in the Han Dynasty. It was called "Tianma" and "envoys looked at each other to seek for it." At that time, no silk was produced from the west of Dawan to Parthia, and they did not know how to cast iron. Later, Han envoys and skirmishers passed on these techniques. The westward expansion of China's silk and iron smelting techniques made a great contribution to the development of human civilization.

Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions was not only an extremely difficult and dangerous diplomatic trip, but also a fruitful scientific investigation. Zhang Qian conducted on-the-spot investigation and research work on the vast Western Regions. He not only personally visited the small countries in Xinjiang and the Dayuan, Kangju, Dayuezhi and Daxia countries in Central Asia.

And from these places we have a preliminary understanding of Wusun (south of Lake Balkhash and the Ili River Basin), Amcai (north of the Caspian Sea and Aral Sea), Parthia (ie Persia, today's Iran), Tiao There are many situations in countries such as Zhi (also known as Dashi, today's Iraq), Shendu (also known as Tianzhu, that is, India).

After returning to Chang'an, Zhang Qian reported what he saw and heard in detail to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, including the location, special products, population, cities, and military strength of the east and west of Congling, Central Asia, West Asia, and even Parthia and India. etc., all explained.

The basic content of this report was preserved by Sima Qian in "Historical Records·Dawan Biography". This is the first most detailed and reliable record of these areas in China and the world. It is still the most precious information in the world for studying the ancient geography and history of the above-mentioned regions and countries.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Zhang Qian