Kizil Caves Chronicle

Author: Wang Min / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Out of the Erhelu, driving not far west, you will reach a fork locally known as the "Trumpet Bend." Heading north will take you onto the 127 National Highway, which stretches 1,090 kilometers from Kuche in the south to Altay City in the north. This road extends into the depths of the Tianshan Mountains along the Kuche River, crosses the Tiliimetidaban Pass, enters the vast Bashinbuluke Grassland, descends into the lush Gongnaosi River Gorge, and then enters the beautiful and prosperous Ili Valley. This road was the ancient route connecting the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, leading from the Tarim Basin to Wusun. The Wusun Ancient Road connects the Junggar Basin to the north and controls the Tarim Oasis to the south, serving as the throat connecting the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains. Over 2,000 years ago, a graceful beauty walked along this ancient road and entered the royal family of Kuche.
After the death of Princess Xijun, the granddaughter of King Liu Wu of Chu, Princess Jieyou was sent to Wusun to continue the Han Emperor Wu's ambition to sever the right arm of the Xiongnu and unify the realm. Princess Jieyou had a bright and lively daughter named Dishi, who was beautiful and delicate, skilled in singing and dancing, and versatile. Princess Jieyou held high hopes for her daughter and trained her from a young age. In 71 BC, Princess Jieyou sent Dishi to the capital Chang'an to study the art of playing the guqin and master musical theory. Dishi strictly followed her mother's instructions and never forgot her duty as the granddaughter of the Han family. In Chang'an, she diligently studied the culture of the Great Han and the court etiquette of Chang'an. She was quick-witted, eager to learn, humble, polite, and charming. She gained the trust and favor of Emperor Xuan of Han. Emperor Xuan sent the best court musicians to teach her skills, cultivating her into an outstanding musician. Dishi's beauty and talent quickly became renowned in the capital and across the Western Regions.
At this time, Kuche was welcoming a new ruler. The young king, upon ascending the throne, valued rituals and music in governance. This king was passionate about music and promoted singing and dancing. In the early days of his reign, already felt that the political system was imperfect and the musical instruments were insufficient, and the entire Kuche urgently needed an advanced political system and economic and cultural development to drive social progress. Therefore, longed for the prosperous Great Han to solve Kuche's practical problems. He first sent envoys to Wusun, pleading to marry Dishi, the daughter of Princess Jieyou and Wergemili, to form an alliance with the Han and Wusun, thereby benefiting the people of Kuche. At this time, and Dishi had not yet met.
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