Historical Records: Examination of Place Names

Author: Qian Mu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-07-01
Features: This book primarily examines the place names mentioned in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), supplemented by relevant passages from the Records of the Grand Historian, annotations by ancient scholars on the Records of the Grand Historian, and the author's own research findings, as well as the current administrative divisions where these places are located. The Records of the Grand Historian covers history from the Yellow Emperor to the Han dynasty, compiling the grand achievements of ancient history, yet the examination of geographical names in this work remains incomplete. During the early years of the War of Resistance against Japan, when Suzhou was occupied by Japan, the renowned scholar Qian Mu secluded himself in, using the twenty or thirty ancient historical geography books he possessed, to complete this work over the course of a year. The place names in the book are organized into chapters, largely following the original chapters of the Records of the Grand Historian, and the arrangement of place names can also roughly indicate their chronological order. Excerpt:
Volume 28: Northwest Border Place Names
Zhangye
1. The establishment of Zhangye and Jiayuan commanderies. (Records of the Equitable Standards)
2. Deploying 180,000 frontier troops from Jiayuan and Zhangye to the north. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
3. The Western Qiang King resided in the west. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
4. The Western Qiang King led his people to surrender to the Han, leaving the Jincheng and Hexi regions west of the southern mountains to the Yanzhi Lake empty of the Xiongnu.
5. The land of the Western Qiang was now empty and uninhabited. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Note] The Records of the Han Dynasty states: "Zhangye commandery was originally the land of the Western Qiang King." Its seat was Xunde, now in the northwest of Zhangye County. The former city of Zhangye is now in the south of Wuwei County. Ying Zhao said: "Zhangye stretches like an arm, hence the name 'Zhangye.'" Zhangye commandery was separated from Wuwei; alternatively, Zhangye County may have been named after the new commandery.
Jincheng
The Western Qiang King surrendered, leaving Jincheng, Hexi, and the southern mountains to the Yanzhi Lake empty of the Xiongnu. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Note] The Han Jincheng commandery was established in the sixth year of the Zhao Yuan period of Emperor Zhao. Its seat was Yunwu, now in the northwest of Gaolan County. The former city of Jincheng is now in the southwest of Gaolan County.
Lingju
1. Crossing the Yellow River to build Lingju. (Records of the Equitable Standards)
2. The Han began building west of Lingju, establishing Jiayuan commandery to connect with the northwest. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
3. The Han crossed the Yellow River from Shuofang to Lingju, often digging canals and appointing officials to oversee agriculture.
4. Zhao Bowu marched thousands of miles from Lingju to the Xiongnu's Yellow River and returned. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
[Collected Interpretations] Xu Guang said: "Located in Jincheng."
[Hidden Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Lingju County belonged to the Jincheng commandery. The Jian River flows out from the northwest frontier and enters Zhengbo Ford in the southwest of the county." The former city is now in the northwest of Yongdeng County, Gansu. The Jian River is the Zhuanglang River, and Zhengbo Ford is the Hejin Ford.
[Note] The Records of the Han Dynasty states: "Lingju belongs to the Jincheng commandery. The Jian River flows out from the northwest frontier and enters Zhengbo Ford in the southwest of the county." The former city is now in the northwest of Yongdeng County, Gansu. The Jian River is the Zhuanglang River, and Zhengbo Ford is the Hejin Ford.
Jiayuan
1. The Western Qiang King surrendered, opening the Jiayuan region of the Hexi corridor. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
2. Jiayuan commandery was established to connect with the northwest. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
3. Hundreds of thousands of people crossed the Yellow River to build Lingju. The establishment of Jiayuan and Jiayuan commanderies was initially set up to protect Jiayuan. (Records of the Equitable Standards)
4. Jiayuan commandery was established in the west to cut off the path between the Xiongnu and the Qiang.
5. The Chanyu moved further northwest, with the left flank army reaching Yunzhong and the right flank army reaching Jiayuan and Dunhuang commanderies.
6. The Han sent the Master of the Two Masters from Jiayuan to attack the Right on the Tianshan Mountains. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
7. Shuofang, Xihé, Hexi, and Jiayuan all used the Yellow River and river valleys to irrigate farmland. (Records of the River and Canal)
8. Thus, Jiayuan established watchtowers and fortifications, establishing the Yumen Pass.
9. Hundreds of thousands of frontier troops were deployed to Jiayuan and Zhangye to the north, establishing Juyan and Xiutu to protect Jiayuan. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Annotations] Jiayuan commandery is now in Suzhou. (Biography of the Xiongnu) The Records of the Western Regions states: "The General of the Flying Horse defeated the Xiongnu in the right region and established Jiayuan commandery, later dividing it to establish Wuwei, Zhangye, and Dunhuang commanderies." (Biography of Wei and Huo)
[Note] The Han Jiayuan commandery was governed from Lufu, now in Jiayuan County, Gansu.
Yumen
1. Thus, Jiayuan established watchtowers and fortifications up to Yumen.
2. The Han sent messengers to block Yumen, saying: "Anyone who dares to enter will be executed!"
3. Over ten thousand soldiers entered Yumen. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Collected Interpretations] Wei Zhao said: "The Yumen Pass is in Longle."
[Hidden Annotations] Wei Zhao also said: "Yumen is a county name, located in Jiayuan."
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Yumen Pass is in Longle County, Dunhuang commandery." The former city of Longle is now in the west of Anxi County, Gansu. Longle County was renamed Shouchang in the Tang Dynasty and belonged to Shazhou. Longle Mountain is three hundred miles southwest of Anxi County, and the Han county was named after the mountain. The Han Yumen Pass is now one hundred fifty miles west of Anxi County.
Dunhuang
1. The Chanyu moved further northwest, with the right flank army reaching Jiayuan and Dunhuang commanderies. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
2. The Yuezhi originally lived between Dunhuang and Qilian.
3. The Han sent messengers to block Yumen, and the Master of the Two Masters stayed in Dunhuang. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Annotations] Dunhuang commandery is now in Shazhou. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Note] The Records of the Great Yuan states: "The Yuezhi found divine horses in the Wuwa River."
[Collected Interpretations] The border of Dunhuang.
Qilian and Tianshan
1. The Yuezhi originally lived between Dunhuang and Qilian.
2. The Han sent the Master of the Flying Horse to defeat tens of thousands of Xiongnu in the west and reach Qilian Mountain. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
3. In the second year of the Yuan Shou period, Huo Qubing defeated the Xiongnu and reached Qilian. (Chronological Table of Famous Ministers and Officials Since the Han Dynasty)
4. Marching from Longxi and Beidi for two thousand miles, passing Juyan, and attacking Qilian Mountain. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
5. Crossing Juyan and passing the small Yuezhi to attack Qilian Mountain. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
6. In the second year of the Tianhan period, Li Guangli attacked the Right on Qilian Mountain. (Biography of Li Guang)
7. Li Guangli marched from Jiayuan to attack the Right on Tianshan Mountain. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
[Collected Interpretations] Xu Guang said: "From Dunhuang to Tianshan." (Biography of Li Guang)
[Hidden Annotations] The Old Records of the Western River states: "The mountain is on the border of Zhangye and Jiayuan, over two hundred miles east-west and one hundred miles north-south, with pine, cypress, and five kinds of trees, beautiful water and grass, warm in winter and cool in summer, suitable for pastoralism." Qilian is also known as Tianshan and Baima. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
Also: Xiao Yan said: "It is the same as Tianshan. The Xiongnu call heaven Qilian." The Old Records of the Western River states: "Baima Mountain has snow all year round. The Xiongnu call it (these eight characters are missing in the Biography of Li Guang)." Qilian may not be correct. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
[Annotations] Jin Zhuo said: "In the Western Regions, near Pulie." (Biography of Li Guang)
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Qilian Mountain is two hundred miles southwest of Zhangye County in Gansu. Tianshan is also known as Baima, now known as the Qilaman Mountains, located one hundred twenty miles north of Yiwu County. Yizhou is four thousand four hundred and sixteen miles northwest of the capital." (Biography of Li Guang)
[Note] Qilian Mountain is now southwest of Zhangye County and south of Jiayuan County in Gansu. Tianshan is in Xinjiang. Jin Zhuo is correct, and Yan is incorrect.
Qitugou
Qitugou attacked Qilian Mountain and captured the Qitugou King. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
[Collected Interpretations] Zhang Yan said: "A Xiongnu king."
[Hidden Annotations] "Qitugou" is pronounced "Cai You Fan." "Tu" is pronounced "Tu." The Records of the Han Dynasty states: "Yangwu was in Xunde (De), the Chanyu Danhuang and Qitugou King," this text is abbreviated.
[Note] Xunde is the seat of Zhangye commandery, now northwest of Zhangye County.
Yanzhi Mountain
1. Marching from Longxi, passing Yanzhi Mountain. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
2. Crossing the, passing through five kingdoms, fighting for six days, and passing Yanzhi Mountain. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Yanzhi Mountain is also known as Sandan Mountain, fifty miles southeast of Sandan County in Gansu. The Old Records of the Western River states: 'When the Xiongnu lost Qilian and Yanzhi mountains, they sang: "I have lost my Qilian Mountain, so my livestock cannot thrive; I have lost my Yanzhi Mountain, so my women have no color."'" (Biography of the Xiongnu)
[Note] The former city of Sandan is now the seat of Shandan County, Gansu. Yanzhi Mountain is southeast of Shandan County, bordering the border of Yongchang County.
Juyan
1. Marching from Longxi and Beidi for two thousand miles to attack the Xiongnu. Passing Juyan, attacking Qilian Mountain.
2. The Han sent Lu Bode to build Juyan Lake. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
3. The Master of the Flying Horse crossed Juyan and passed the small Yuezhi to attack Qilian Mountain. (Biography of Wei and Huo)
4. Hundreds of thousands of frontier troops were deployed to Jiayuan and Zhangye to the north, establishing Juyan and Xiutu to protect Jiayuan. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
5. Li Ling marched over two thousand miles into the Xiongnu and passed Juyan.
6. Li Ling led five thousand archers and infantry out of Juyan north for over a thousand miles. (Biography of Li Guang)
[Collected Interpretations] Xu Guang said: "Belonging to Zhangye." (Biography of Li Guang)
Zhang Yan said: "A water name." (Biography of Wei and Huo)
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Juyan Lake is sixty-four miles northeast of Zhangye County in Gansu." (There is a typo here.) The Geographical Records states: "Juyan Lake, known as flowing sand in ancient texts." Gansu is four thousand and sixty miles northwest of the capital. The Biography of Li Guang states that the former city of Juyan in Gansu is one thousand five hundred thirty miles northeast of Zhangye County, with a Han watchtower. Elders say the watchtower is one hundred miles straight northwest of Juyan, which is the battlefield of Li Ling. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
[Note] The Records of the Han Dynasty states: "Juyan in Zhangye commandery, Juyan Lake is in the northeast." (Details of Juyan Lake can be found in the section on "Flowing Sand.") The Chronicles state: "Juyan City is twelve hundred miles northwest of Gansu Wei." This is in the area of today's Juyan County, Ningxia.
Duoye Plain
Bottom of Duoye. (Records of Xia)
[Collected Interpretations] Zheng Xuan said: "The Geographical Records states that Duoye is in Wuwei, called Xiutu Lake."
[Annotations] Duoye is the Sanwei Mountain in Shazhou. The Geographical Records states: "Duoye Lake is two hundred eighty miles northeast of Guchang County in Liangzhou."
Xiutu
1. Passing Yanzhi Mountain for over a thousand miles, defeating Xiutu King and sacrificing a golden man. (Biography of the Xiongnu)
2. Hundreds of thousands of frontier troops were deployed to Jiayuan and Zhangye to the north, establishing Juyan and Xiutu to protect Jiayuan. (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Collected Interpretations] Yin said: "The Records of the Han Dynasty states that the Xiongnu's place of sacrifice was originally in Yunyang, near the Ganquan Mountain, but after Qin seized the land, it was moved to the right land of the Xiutu King." (Biography of the Xiongnu)
Ruzhu said: "The Han established Juyan and Xiutu counties to guard the border. Some say two divisions were set up to guard Jiayuan." (Biography of the Great Yuan)
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Xinglu Temple is ninety miles northwest of Yunyang County in Yongzhou, near Ganquan Mountain, originally the place of sacrifice for the Xiongnu, but after Qin seized the land, it was moved to the right land of the Xiutu King." (Biography of the Xiongnu)
[Note] The Records of the Han Dynasty states: "Wuwei County in Wuwei commandery, Xiutu Lake is in the northeast." The former land of the Xiongnu Xiutu King, the former city is now north of Minqin County, Gansu.
Also in Alxa Right Banner, Ningxia, there are Qingyu Lake and Baiting Lake, both located north of Minqin. The Waterways of the River states: "Xiutu Lake is called the Western Sea in folk speech, which is Qingyu Lake; its east is the Zhuye Lake, called the Eastern Sea, which is Baiting Lake."
Also, the Xiutu county division governed Xiongshui Barrier. The northern division governed Xiutu City, the former city is now north of Wuwei County. The Records state: "Hundreds of thousands of troops were deployed to Jiayuan and Zhangye to the north, establishing Juyan and Xiutu to protect Jiayuan," which refers to the event when Lu Bode built Juyan in the third year of the Taichu period. Xiutu City is not in Zhangye or Jiayuan to the north, but the Records mention Juyan and Xiutu together because they were both originally Xiongnu land and are linked in the text.
Old accounts identify Duoye in the Yu Gong as Xiutu Lake, but this is likely unreliable.
Helí River
Weak water to Helí. (Records of Xia)
[Collected Interpretations] Helí is a river name, located east of the flowing sand.
[Hidden Annotations] The Waterways states: "Helí Mountain is northeast of Huaihui County in Jiayuan." Zheng Xuan cites the Sayings of the Earth as agreeing. Kong An said: "A river name." It is likely that the mountain produces weak water, hence the different records.
[Annotations] The Geographical Records states: "Lanmen Mountain, also known as Helí, also known as Qiongming Mountain, is seven miles southwest of Sandan County in Gansu. The Huainanzi states: 'The weak water source is from Qiongming Mountain.'" It also states: "Helí, also known as Qianggu Water, Xian Water, and Fubiao Water, is now known as the Fudiao River, also known as the Zhangye River, flowing from the border of Tuyuhun into Gansu Zhangye County from the south."
Now, the weak water flows out from the east of Linlu Songshan, flows north past the former city of Zhangye, flows another twenty-three miles north past Zhangye County, flows another north past Helí Mountain, turns north and flows west past the western side of the flowing sand desert to enter Juyan Lake, covering fifteen hundred miles. Helí Mountain is two hundred miles northwest of Zhangye County.
[Note] Helí Mountain is now two hundred miles northwest of Gaotai County, Gansu, over three hundred miles long, famous for its tea production.