Envoy Zhang Qian Drinks White Wine with the Great King of the Rouzhi
Last night, Michael gave me a link to a Chinese documentary-- The Hexi Corridor, Episode 1. Within the story, Emperor Han Wudi sends 27-year-old Zhang Qian to the West in an effort to contact the Yuezhi, spelled "Rouzhi" in the film. You already know the tale: Zhang Qian gets captured by the Xiongnu, marries a "loving woman," and finally escapes captivity ten years later. He continues West, attempting to fulfil his mission, finally reaches the land of the mysterious Rouzhi, and meets their leader.
Zhang Qian (scruffy from ten years of Xiongnu hospitality) sits on the right, drinking wine with the Great King of the Rouzi.
The Great King toasts Zhang Qian for being the First Living Person to meet a Rouzhi wearing either a raja's or caliph's turban.
Evidenty (to filmatic Chinese directors), the Rouzhi were related to Saracens or Indians. Nice full beard. Perhaps this is how the Eastern Asians picture the Yuezhi... bearded, sitting in castles, and wearing exotic "western" clothing. Judging from this depiction, modern Chinese have no clue of the Yuezhi's cultural identity. And this makes us wonder? How did the Chinese view the Yuezhi 2,100 years ago when the Grand Historian wrote the Shiji?
Last night, Michael gave me a link to a Chinese documentary-- The Hexi Corridor, Episode 1. Within the story, Emperor Han Wudi sends 27-year-old Zhang Qian to the West in an effort to contact the Yuezhi, spelled "Rouzhi" in the film. You already know the tale: Zhang Qian gets captured by the Xiongnu, marries a "loving woman," and finally escapes captivity ten years later. He continues West, attempting to fulfil his mission, finally reaches the land of the mysterious Rouzhi, and meets their leader.
Zhang Qian (scruffy from ten years of Xiongnu hospitality) sits on the right, drinking wine with the Great King of the Rouzi.
The Great King toasts Zhang Qian for being the First Living Person to meet a Rouzhi wearing either a raja's or caliph's turban.
Alan J. Campbell
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
member of Legio III Cyrenaica and the Uncouth Barbarians
Author of:
The Demon's Door Bolt (2011)
Forging the Blade (2012)
"It's good to be king. Even when you're dead!"
Old Yuezhi/Pazyrk proverb
