34 Zhang Qian

A Pioneer Opened the Silk Road

Zhang Qian (?-114 BC) was the pioneer opened the route to Xinjiang (then called the West Land), the route was later known as the Silk Road. There were many small ethnic minority states in the West Land which were under control or influence of Xiong Nu and totally isolated from the mainland. Once Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty got informed that Xiong Nu had destroyed a state Da Yue Shi in the West Land and made its king’s skull into a drinking ware. The Emperor lost no time to send Zhang Qian, a diplomat to Da Yue Shi, attempting to team up with the state to fight Xiong Nu. But Zhang’s group of 200 members was all arrested and became prisoners of Xiong Nu as soon as they went across the border. It took Zhang Qian for 14 years because of the captivation, when Zhang had married a local woman and given birth to several children. Being aware of enemy’s loose supervision, Zhang called together some of his members and ran away. They arrived at Da Yue Shi (relocated at Afghanistan), but its new ruler declined to cooperate. Zhang had to return and once again was detained by Xiong Nu on their way home. The next year Zhang Qian got escaped due to a conflict flared up among Xiong Nu local leadership. When Zhang got back home, only one man followed him.

Zhang Qian made detailed report to Emperor Wudi about what the West Land was like, which the Emperor had never heard of. Shortly afterward, Emperor Wudi ordered Wei Qing and Huo Qubing (see piece 32) to fight Xiong Nu, and also sent Zhang Qian to go together. Zhang helped Wei and Huo work out a correct military chart that was one of key factors contributed for the victory over the powerful enemy.

In 114 BC, Emperor Wudi sent Zhang Qian once again to the West Land for diplomatic purpose. Zhang’s delegation arrived at Wusun State (in Yili, north Xinjiang) and persuaded its ruler to ally with Han Empire, and Han would marry off a princess to Wusun ruler. (The princess was named Princess Wusun in history.) At the moment, Zhang’s assistants also visited some peripheral states and made them create regular relationship with the mainland. Zhang’s successful visit became an important historical event of “Zhang Qian opened the route to the West Land”, which meant he had created a corridor linking China to Middle East. The route was later known as the “Silk Road”.