Zhang Qian's Embassy to the Usuns
The question of the second embassy to the West — now to the Usuns — was resolved. At its head was Zhang Qian. The great Chinese historian Sima Qian writes: “The Son of Heaven appointed him as a Hun magistrate, with 300 workers, two horses for each, and up to 10,000 heads of cattle and sheep... and subordinated to him many assistants with banners — to send them as envoys to various territories along the route traveled.
The chief court astrologer Sima Qian, after long observations of the stars, said: the expedition will be extraordinarily successful, Zhang Qian will achieve complete success in all his undertakings. This further inspired those who were departing. Sima Qian was a respected man, with encyclopedic knowledge. It seems there was no field of science, literature, or human relations where he was not the greatest authority.
In addition to his main occupation — astrology — Sima Qian wrote historical works. Thanks to his grand work — the "Historical Records" — we know much that would have otherwise been lost to history.
It was he, the great historian Sima Qian, the founder of Chinese historiography, who told of Zhang Qian's exploits...
They reached the Heavenly Mountains without incident, and then — to the shores of the Warm Lake.
Zhang Qian sometimes thought: is this not the Lake of Delight from the legends of the journey of My Wang?..
The supreme ruler of the Usuns — a kunbag named Lejiao Mi — warmly welcomed the Chinese embassy. He remembered Zhang Qian well from their first meeting thirteen years ago.
The kunbag had a sharp memory. At that time, Zhang Qian appeared before him with a small entourage of exhausted people, without any gifts, with only one banner — a sign of diplomatic dignity. And how they ate then! Lejiao Mi, himself an excellent eater, could only marvel.
Now, however, the envoy was accompanied by three hundred fighters with crossbows, many assistants and servants, and behind them trailed a herd of ten thousand cattle and sheep. And how many gifts! The ruler had never seen such beautiful things in his life. What can I say — a very solid guest.
By the kunbag's order, a large tent was erected for the envoy in an empty space beyond the city walls of the Usun capital, Chigu. For a long time, this tent became Zhang Qian's headquarters.
From here he sent envoys with banners to the nearby and distant lands: to Yutian (Hotan), Dawan, Kangju to the Great Yuezhi, to Daxia (Bactria), Anxi (Parthia), even to the unknown Shendi (India).
Zhang Qian soon earned the respect of the nomads. He impressed them with his daring horsemanship (having mastered it during ten years of captivity among the Huns), drank kumis, and ate enough fatty lamb for three.
Demonstrating Chinese wrestling techniques, he knocked down selected strongmen. His friendliness, hospitality, ability to understand others' needs, and, of course, generous gifts — all this opened the hearts and souls of the nomads to him.
And yet, some of the most cautious tribal leaders and elders said to their supreme ruler:
— The Han man sends his envoys to neighboring countries. They gather all sorts of information. Are they not spies? Will an army of the Han ruler not follow them?
The kunbag, dressed in a silk robe adorned with woven pheasants, replied cheerfully:
— Why would an army come? The spies are asking about trade routes and who sells what and buys what... These are merchants, not warriors.
— Do not forget, my lord, the Han have a strong army. They drove the powerful Huns, like rats, into distant northern burrows, seized vast lands...
— And they did the right thing! No one had peace from the Huns, now they have calmed down. And we have nothing to divide with the Han.
On the contrary: we are needed as allies. And we will benefit from them when they establish their trade... Caravans will pass through our lands. Do you understand?
At ceremonial feasts, Zhang Qian always occupied an honored place near the ruler. And between them, lively conversations often ensued. The Chinese envoy never tired of insisting on the great benefits for the Usuns if friendship between them was strengthened. He even hinted once: in case of a successful conclusion of the matter, there is hope for the kunbag to become related to the Han House itself, to the great Son of Heaven! And that is the same as becoming related to a living god. And the princesses from Chang'an — truly heavenly maidens. He described the feminine charms, love, and beauty of Chinese women so vividly that the Usun generals could only lick their lips...
In the kunbag's mind, this idea or joke of the Chinese envoy firmly took root.
Myths and Legends