Li Dong, a distinguished writer born in Urumqi, nestled in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has always been fascinated by the historic allure of his hometown. Xinjiang, formerly known as the “Western Regions,” was an integral part of the ancient Silk Road, and it currently serves as a significant hub for China’s contemporary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Li’s captivating work, the popular history book titled ‘400 Years of Western Regions’, published in 2023, is a remarkable tribute to the region. The book delves into the intricate historical relationships and exchanges between the Han people and the nomadic Xiongnu tribe, which once inhabited these lands.
An engaging insight into the multifaceted history of the region, the book delves deep into the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) era. It meticulously outlines the reigns of 29 Han Dynasty emperors, the rise and fall of 36 ancient kingdoms in the Western Regions, including the enigmatic Loulan Kingdom, and the reigns of 39 chanyu, a title reserved for the tribal chiefs of the Xiongnu people.
Contained within its five informative chapters, including “The Rise of Powerful Han” and “Dominating Xiongnu”, Li’s book chronicles the complex political dynamics between the Han and Xiongnu. It also vividly portrays the nuanced and ever-changing attitudes of the smaller kingdoms caught in the power play between these two formidable entities.
Li explains to the Global Times, “The prosperity of the Central Plains sparked infinite longing among the Western Regions. The trade route expanded upon by [Han ambassador] Zhang Qian was under the control of the Xiongnu people, who enslaved those small ancient kingdoms.”
While Li’s work bears resemblance to other literature discussing “ancient Xinjiang”, the book’s chief editor, Zhang Pan, notes its unique narrative perspective. The book sets parallel narratives of both the Han and Xiongnu people, giving readers a holistic understanding of the impact of Central Plains’ developments on the Western Region.
As Zhang explains, “Many books would take the Han people’s power as a main thread, but this one covers the Han, Xiongnu and Western Kingdoms’ cultural characteristics and their different strategies for coping with each other.”
While the book is meticulously rooted in robust historical research, Li intends for it to be a “popular history”, aimed at engaging regular readers with captivating stories from history that still resonate today. It encapsulates the inherent generosity, unity, and harmony of the Han people through vivid tales.
One of such tales features a Han princess, Liu Jieyou, whose marital alliance with the leader of the Wusun Kingdom is believed to have played a pivotal role in bringing the Han Dynasty and the Western Regions closer together. Li attributes the princess’s courage as a testament to the “Han spirit,” reflecting age-old values of sacrifice, righteousness, and the promotion of world peace.
Li also highlights the integral role of the ancient Silk Road in fostering a symbiotic relationship between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. The trade along this ancient route was extensive, with Central Plains’ products like silk, ceramics, and tea making their way to the Western Regions. This trade didn’t just contribute to economic prosperity but also fostered mutual cultural understanding and people-to-people connections.
In the book’s concluding chapter, “Peace, China’s best contribution to the world”, Li argues that Zhang Qian’s initial military mission ended up having a far greater cultural impact. Li maintains that China, the world’s most populous nation, has a vested interest in safeguarding peace, an accomplishment that is neither begged for nor given.
READ MORE: