1

The Biography of Pan Chao (32-102 A.D.)

Chapter LXXVII of the Hou Han shu translated by douard Chavannes. Toung pao 7 (1906), pp. 211-245 Draft English version by John Hill.

Introduction The general Pan Chao never carried arms as far as the banks of the Caspian Sea. But, for not having accomplished this imaginary exploit that certain European authors have wrongly attributed to him; he was, nevertheless, one of the men who contributed most powerfully to maintain, throughout his life, the prestige and authority of China in Eastern Turkestan. His biography is inseparable from the history of the Western Countries in the epoch of the Later Han. Faced with the translating the chapter of the Hou Han shu soon, we have thought that the life of Pan Chao and his son Pan Yung would be a useful introduction to the study of that chapter; which is what justifies this particular publication. The text that we are translating is taken from the Hou Han shu, which was composed by Fan Yeh, who died in 445 A.D. The author is, thus, notably later than the events that he narrates. But his work had been prepared and made possible by a series of earlier works on which we are well enough informed by a note that Y Ching and Wang Shu drafted in 1035. I reproduce in full this note, which is inserted at the end of the edition of the Hou Han shu on the orders of Chien-lung (reprint of Shanghai, 1888): (Note of Y Ching and Wang Shu on the various works from which the History of the Eastern Han arises.) In the ninth month of the first ching-yu year (1034), the Sub Director of the Imperial Library, Y Ching1, addressed a report to the Emperor in which he said: In the printing of the two histories of the Han2 made by the Imperial College, there are some faults in the text and it is to be feared that these faults might lead into error those who will later devote themselves to its study. I, your subject, have assembled the various editions with care and, secondarily, I have relied on other books. I have classified these texts and discussed the value of them in the hope of making the following printing more correct.3 An Imperial Decree conveyed this work to the han lin hseh shih (Literati of the Imperial Palace) Chang Kuan4 and others for them to make a minute revision of it. When they submitted their report, the Emperor again ordered that Wang Shu1 be put in charge of the interpretations, and to go with me, Y Ching, to the building of the Imperial Library to collate (the texts which are there). After careful investigations, I have proved that under the Emperor Ming (58-75 A.D.) of the Later Han dynasty, an Imperial decree ordered Pan Ku (died 92 A.D.), Chen Tsung, Yin Min4 and Meng Chi5 to edit (draft) the principal annals of Shih tsu (25-57 A.D.) in the same way as the biographies of illustrious subjects of the chien-wu epoch (22-55 A.D.). 1

Later, there were Liu Chen and Li Cho who composed, without formulating a systematic plan, the annals and biographies for the period that follows the chien-wu epoch (25-55 A.D.) and goes up to the yung-chu epoch (107-113 A.D.). Moreover, the Emperor ordered Fu Wu chi and Huang Ching to compose (the {p. 213} synoptic tables) of the kings, the kings sons and those who were marked with favour, like (the monographs relating to) the Shan-y1 and the Eastern Chiang, and the dissertation on geography. Then Pien Chao, Tsui Shih, Chu Mu and Tsao Shou composed the chapters on the empresses and on the relatives of the Emperor through the wives, as well as the table of the hundred types of civil dignitaries, and the biographies of the illustrious subjects of the reign of the Emperor Shun (126-144 A.D.). This forms a total of 114 chapters that is called the Han chi2. During the hsi-ping period (172-177 A.D.)3, Ma Mi-ti, Tsai Yung4 (133-192 A.D.), Yang Chi and Lu Chih5 (died 192 A.D. made a sequel to this work under the name of Tung kuan Han chi.6 During the epoch of the Wu dynasty (222-277 A.D.), the Governor of Wu-ling, Hsieh Cheng, composed the Han shu in 130 chapters. Under the Chin dynasty (265-419 A.D.), the Chief Political Counsellor, Hsieh Ying7 (died 282 A.D.) {p. 214} composed the Hou Han chi in 100 chapters. During the tai-shih period (265-274 A.D.) the Sub-Director of the Imperial Library, Szuma Piao (240-305 A.D.) first reassembled all these accounts and, beginning with the Emperor Kuang-wu (25-57 A.D.), and ending with the Emperor Hsiao-hsien (190-220 A.D.), he composed the Hs Han-shu.1 Next, the Chief Political Counsellor Hua Chiao2 amended and rectified the Tung kuan chi from which he made the Hou Han shu in 97 chapters. The Sub-director of the Temple of Ancestors, Hsieh Sheh3 composed a Hou Han shu in 122 chapters. The Supervisor of the Imperial Library, Yuan Shan-sung4 composed (another work in) 100 chapters. Then, under the Sung dynasty (420-478 A.D.), the Governor of Hsan-cheng, Fan Yeh 5 (died 445 A.D.), reassembled and supplemented all these authors. He composed 10 chapters of principal annals, 10 treatises and 80 monographs, being in all 100 chapters. Then, before the treatises were finished, (Fan) Yeh was put to death (445 A.D.). In the epoch of the Liang dynasty (502-556 A.D.), there was the Sub-Prefect of Yen, {p. 215} Liu Chao1 who put the finishing touch to these treatises. Under the Tang, (Li) Hsien, the heir-apparent, ordered by decree that the most celebrated scholars of the time be brought together, namely the yu shu tzu Chang Tai-an the librarian, Liu Na-yen, the Finance Minister of the province of Lo, Ko Hsi-hsan, the Literati Hs Shu-ya, Cheng Hsan-i, Shih Tsang-chu, Chou Pao-ning, and others who together composed a commentary on the Hou Han shu of Fan Yeh. This commentary was presented to the Emperor {Kao Tsung} at the beginning of the i-feng period (676-678 A.D. A decree ordered it to be deposited in the Imperial Library and it has been handed on until now. (As for us, Y) Ching and (Wang) Shu, we have taken all the various copies of official libraries to collate them. This collation was completed in the ninth month of the second year (1035 A.D.). We have added to it in all, 512 characters; we have deleted 143; we have corrected 411.

In concluding I will add that the edition of the Hou Han shu made by the order of Chienlong contains, next to the commentary composed in 676 under the direction of the heir-apparent Chang-huai, some critiques of the text which were written by Liu Pan. This Liu Pan had been appointed, in the year 1063, member of a commission ordered to revise the text of the Hou Han shu; but, at the end of about two years, all of Liu Pans collaborators found themselves called to other functions and he alone remained to manage well the task embarked upon2.

Biography of Pan Chao (32-102 AD). Pan Chao, courtesy name, Chung-sheng. He was originally from (the country of) Pingling1 in (the Imperial district of) Fu-feng. He was the younger brother of (Pan) Piao2 Prefect of Hs3. He was a determined man who did not observe the finer rules of politeness. In his private life however, he conducted himself with filial piety and diligence. When he was with his family, he continually devoted himself to effort and was not ashamed of giving himself over to tiring and humiliating jobs. He was skilled at debate and he had made a brief examination of the historical books. In the fifth yung-ping year (62 AD), his older brother, (Pan) Ku4, was called by the Emperor to go to the capital to be a hsiao shu lang. (Pan) Chao and his mother came after him to Lo-yang. As their family was poor, (Pan) Chao constantly hired his services out to the civil functionaries to do copying work and in that manner provided his livelihood. Having suffered for a long time in this way, he stopped work one fine day and hurled his brush down exclaiming: A superior man, if he doesnt have another plan which he is able to manage well, ought at least to imitate Fu Chieh-tzu1 and Chang Chien2 and win glory in the foreign countries in order to be granted a noble title. How could he linger in a junior post among the brushes and inkwells? Those who were close to him made fun of this. (Pan) Chao said to them, You, common people, what do you know of the resolutions of a daring man? Sometime later he went to see a fortune-teller who declared to him. Oh you who is ordered to offer the libations3, you are in the category of worthy men who are dressed in linen4 but you have to be granted nobility ten thousand li from here. (Pan) Chao asked him what he saw, the fortune-teller replied by demonstrating with his finger: You have a chin of a swallow and a tigers neck; flying (in the air) and devouring flesh, that is an omen that one will be given a title at a distance of ten thousand li. Some time later, Hsien-tsung (58-75 A.D.) asked (Pan) Ku: Whats your younger brothers position? {p. 218} (Pan) Ku replied: He is a scribe in the service of a civil servant. He receives a salary with which he looks after his old mother. (Pan) Chao was then appointed by the Emperor to the post of lan-tai-ling-shih (Imperial Scribe), but later he lost his place for some misdeed. In the sixteenth year (73 A.D.) the Chief Commandant of the Emperors Equipages, Tou Ku left to attack the Hsiung-nu. He took Pan Chao, with the provisional title of Major, who was dispatched at the head of his troops to attack Hami (I-wu) and fought a battle near Barkol (Pu lei) lake. He returned after beheading many barbarians. (Tou) Ku, judging him capable, sent him on a mission to the Western Countries in the company of the tsung-shih {Attendant Official} Kuo Hsun.
2

When (Pan) Chao arrived at Shan-shan, Kuang, King of Shan-shan, treated (Pan) Chao with the greatest consideration but later he made an about-face, he became negligent. (Pan) Chao said to the officers who were under his orders: Havent you noticed that the courteous intentions of Kuang have diminished? No doubt this is because an envoy of the Northern Barbarians has arrived. This is why Kuang hesitates and doesnt know yet which party he will follow. Now, the clever man sees that which is not yet in bud, how much more easily will he see that has already flowered. Then he called a Hu who was in his service and tricked him by 4

saying: The envoy of the Hsiung-nu came several days ago. Now, where is he? The Hu servant, stunned and fear-stricken, admitted everything. (Pan) Chao then had the Hu servant locked up. Then he called all twenty-six of his officers together and began to drink wine with them. When they were affected by the {p. 219} drink, he roused their anger by saying: You and I find ourselves in a distant country. We wish to accomplish great deeds to obtain wealth and honours. Now, an envoy of the barbarians arrived only a few days ago and immediately the consideration and respect displayed to us have disappeared. If this envoy orders (the king of) Shan-shan to seize and deliver us to the Hsiung-nu, our bones will forever be food for the wolves. What must be done? The officers (all) replied: We are now in a situation of extreme peril. We will follow you, oh Szu-ma (Marshal), in life and in death. (Pan) Chao said to them: He who doesnt enter the tigers den doesnt take the tiger cubs. For this is the plan we must consider today. Our only way is to take advantage of the night to attack the barbarian envoys with fire. They wont know how many we are. They will certainly be victim to a great panic and we will be able to exterminate them. When, we have put the barbarian envoys to death, (the King of) Shan-shan will feel his courage falter. Our exploits will be accomplished and our enterprise successful. All replied: We must confer on this subject with the tsung-shih {Attendant Official}(Kuo Hsn). (Pan) Chao replied angrily: Our good or our bad fortune is decided today. The tsung-shih {Attendant Official}(Kuo Hsun) is a common civil officer. If he is informed of this plan he will certainly be afraid and our plans will be divulged. To die without glory, this is not the work of brave men. All then approved it. In the first part of the night, (Pan Chao), at the head of his officers, ran towards the camp of {p. 220} the barbarians. A great wind had arisen. (Pan) Chao ordered ten men to take drums and to hide themselves behind the barbarians huts. He had agreed with them that, as soon as they saw the flames they would get up, all sound drums and scream loudly. The other men took weapons and crossbows and concealed themselves on both sides of the gate. (Pan) Chao then unleashed the fire in the direction of the wind. Those who were in front and behind beat drums and made a clamour. The mob of barbarians was plunged into terror and confusion. (Pan) Chao killed three men with his own hands. His officers and soldiers beheaded the envoy and more than thirty men of his escort. As for the rest of the barbarians they were all burnt to death. The next day, (Pan Chao) returned to inform Kuo Hsun of what had taken place. (Kuo) Hsun was very frightened and then changed colour. (Pan) Chao, knowing his feelings raised his hand and said: Oh Second-in-Command, although you did not go with us, how could I, Pan Chao, take all the credit? (Kuo) Hsin was then satisfied. Then, Pan Chao called Kuang, King of Shan-shan, to him and showed him the head of the barbarian envoy. The entire kingdom was seized with fear. (Pan) Chao made public some explanations to reassure {the kingdom}. Then he took one of the sons of the King as a hostage. He returned to make his report to Tou Ku who, very happy, informed the Emperor in detail of the exploits of (Pan) Chao. He asked at the same time that an envoy be chosen to send to the Western Countries. The Emperor praised the good management of (Pan) Chao and addressed a decree to (Tou) Ku in which he said: When you have an officer such as Pan Chao, why dont you send him on the mission, what is the need to choose some other person? I now name Pan Chao to the post of Chn szu-ma {Marshal of the Commandery) so that he may be able to keep up his original exploits. 5

When (Pan) Chao was once again put in charge of a mission, (Tou) Ku wanted to increase the number of his soldiers; but Pan Chao said to him: I wish to take with me the thirty odd men that previously followed me. They will be enough for me. If there is some unforseen event, a greater number would only cause embarrassment. At this time, the King of Khotan (Y-tien), Kuang-te, had attacked and defeated the kingdom of) Yarkand (So-ch). He had become all-powerful on the Southern Route. Meanwhile the Hsiung-nu had delegated an envoy to keep an eye on and guard his kingdom. Pan Chao having headed towards the west, began by arriving at Khotan (Y-tien). Kuang-te treated him with little consideration. He believed in sorcerers. Now the sorcerer had said to him: The god is angry (and has said): Why do you wish to turn towards the Han? The Han envoy has a bay horse. Ask him for it quickly and take it for me to sacrifice. Kuang-te therefore sent an emissary to go to (Pan) Chao to ask him for his horse. (Pan) Chao having been secretly informed of the whole affair, replied that he consented, but wanted the sorcerer to come himself to take the horse. In a moment the sorcerer arrived. (Pan) Chao beheaded him immediately and sent his head to Kuang. He took advantage of the situation to express his reproaches to {the king}. Kuang-te had frequently heard told how (Pan) Chao, (when he was in Shan-shan) had killed all the envoys of the barbarians. He was very afraid. He therefore attacked and killed the envoys of the Hsiung-nu, then he made his submission to (Pan) Chao. (Pan) Chao gave large presents to this king and his subordinates and in that way dominated and calmed them. At this time, the King of Kucha (Chiu-tzu), Chien, had been {p. 222} put on the throne by the Hsiung-nu. Trusting in the prestige of the barbarians, he had assured himself of the possession of the Northern Route. He had attacked and conquered Kashgar (Su-le) and had killed its king. Then he had appointed a man from Kucha (Chiu-tzu) called Tou-ti, King of Kashgar. The following year (74 A.D.), in spring, (Pan) Chao, taking rarely travelled roads, arrived in the kingdom of Kashgar (Su-le). When he was only ninety li from the town of Pan-to, which was the residence of Tou-ti, he sent his officer Tien L ahead to obtain the submission of Tou-ti. He had given these instructions to (Tien) L: Tou-ti is not originally a man of the people of Kashgar (Su-le) and the inhabitants of the kingdom certainly dont obey his orders. If he doesnt submit immediately, you are authorised to seize him. When Tien L arrived, Tou-ti, seeing that he was only accompanied by a small escort, had no wish to make his submission. But (Tien) L, taking him off-guard, advanced immediately and, using force, bound him up. Caught unawares, those who were on Tou-tis side were seized with fear and ran away. (Tien) L informed Pan Chao of what had happened as quickly as possible. (Pan) Chao rushed up immediately. He called together all the generals and civil functionaries of Kashgar (Su-le). He explained to them that Kucha (Chiu-tzu) had behaved in an unjust manner. Then he appointed Chung as king, the son of the elder brother of their former king. The inhabitants of the kingdom were very satisfied. Chung and his subordinates asked to put Tou-ti to death, but Pan Chao did not consent. Wishing to prove his prestige and his good faith, he released him and sent him home. From this moment, Kashgar (Su-le) was hostile towards Kucha (Chiutzu). {p. 223} 6

In the eighteenth year (75 A.D.) the Emperor died. (The King of) Karashahr (Yen-chi), taking advantage of the great mourning of the Middle Empire, immediately attacked and killed the Protector General Chen Mu. (Pan) Chao found himself isolated and without any help. On the other hand, Kucha (Chiu-tsui) and Aksu (Ku-mo)1 launched troops several times to attack Kashgar (Su-le). (Pan) Chao protected himself behind the ramparts of Pan-to, and joined forces with Chung. His soldiers and officers were few in number. When he had been on the defensive for more than a year, Su-tsung (76-88 A.D.) who ascended the throne, and who had in his mind the recent disaster of Chen Mu, feared that (Pan) Chao, exposed alone to danger, was unable to hold out. He therefore sent back a decree to recall him. (Pan) Chao started off to return. All the inhabitants of Kashgar (Su-le) were overcome with anxiety and fear. A tu-wei {Commandant} of this country named Li Yen said: Since the envoy of the Han is abandoning us, we will certainly be destroyed again by Kucha (Chiu-tzu). In truth, I cannot bear to see the Han envoy leave us. At these words he cut his throat with his sword. (Pan) Chao, continuing his return trip, arrived at Khotan (Y-tien). The king, the nobles, and all those beneath them, came to him shouting and crying to say: We are supported by the envoy of the Han as by a father or a mother, truly, you ought not to leave us. They embraced the legs of (Pan) Chaos horse tightly and stopped him from advancing. Pan Chao was frightened that the people of Khotan had definitely decided not to let him go towards the east, besides, he hoped to put into execution his original plans. Thus, changing his opinion, he returned to Kashgar. In the meantime, after the departure of (Pan) Chao, the two towns of Kashgar had again made their submission to Kucha and had reunited their troops with those of Safyr Bai (?) (Weitou)2. (On his return Pan) Chao seized the rebels and beheaded them. He attacked and vanquished Safyr Bai (?) (Wei-tou) where he killed more than six hundred men. Kashgar was again pacified. In the third chien-chu year (78 A.D.) (Pan) Chao, at the head of ten thousand soldiers from Kashgar, Samarkand, Khotan, and Ch-mi (Uzun Tati?), attacked Aksu and Uch-Turfan3 and vanquished them. He cut seven hundred heads off. (Pan) Chao wanted to take advantage of this to immediately establish his domination over all the various kingdoms. He therefore addressed a request to the Emperor for reinforcement in these terms: I have understood that the Emperor who proceeded you wanted to open up the Western Countries. Thats why he attacked the Hsiung-nu to the north; towards the west, he sent ambassadors to the foreign kingdoms. (The princes of) Shan-shan (to the south of Lop Nor) and Khotan were turning towards our renewed influence. Now, (the countries of) Ch-mi (Uzan Tati?)4, Yarkand, Kashgar, the Yeh-chih, the Wu-sun (in the Ili Valley) and Samarkand, again wish to come for {p. 225} refuge to us. I would like to reunite all their forces to crush and destroy Kucha, in order to reopen and pacify the route that leads to China. When we have secured Kucha, there wont be one in a hundred among the Western Countries who still wouldnt submit. Your subject prostrates humbly to present this thought: I, who am a junior military officer, truly wish to follow the example of Ku Chi1 who sacrificed his life in the distant countries, to emulate Chang Chien2 who threw himself headlong into the vast deserts. Formerly, Wei Chiang3, who was only a Grand Officer in a feudal kingdom was able, in the 7

meantime, to gather together all the Jung tribes. How is it that, with more might I, your subject, who is the guardian of the dignity of the great Han dynasty, will not have the usefulness of a lead knife which is able to cut at least once?4 In the generations which preceded us, when a debate was held everyone said: Seize the thirty-six kingdoms, this is the action that will cut off the right arm of the Hsiung nu. Now, the various kingdoms of the Western Countries, from the place where the sun goes down1 are turning towards our renewed influence; both large and small are very satisfied. The tributes and presents do not stop. Only (the kingdoms of) Karashahr and Kucha are not yet subjugated and controlled. Previously, with thirty-six subordinate officers, I was put in charge of a mission in the remote countries. I encountered many difficulties and obstacles. Five years have passed since the time when, abandoned by all, I protected myself at Kashgar. The Hu are versatile, I know this very well. Meanwhile, if you question the inhabitants of the towns, big or small, all will say that they trust the Han like they trust in Heaven. If one took advantage of this, then the Tsung-ling (Pamirs) could be crossed. When the Tsung-ling have been crossed, it will then be possible to attack Kucha. Now, we must appoint as king of Kucha, Po Pa, son of the king of the kingdom, who is a hostage of the Emperor. Have him escorted by several hundred infantry and cavalrymen and attach the reunited troops of the various kingdoms to him. In a few months it will be possible to conquer Kucha. To use barbarians to fight barbarians is the best course of action. I, your subject, reckon that the cultivated land at Yarkand and Kucha is fertile and extensive. The pastures there are luxuriant and vast. There is just no comparison between this region and that between Tunhuang and Shan-shan. Furthermore, the soldiers (who are stationed there) will not be any expense to the Middle Kingdom and will have plenty of grain and provisions. On the other hand, the two kings of Aksu and Uch-Turfan have been put on the throne by the express choice (of the king of) Kucha. As they do not come from the peoples they govern, they and their people have a mutual dislike. In these conditions we could surely obtain the submission of the rebels. When these two kingdoms submit, Kucha will be ruined on its own. I would like Your Majesty to refer my report (to your ministers) so they can deliberate and discuss what course of action to take. If, indeed, I find death there, how could I regret it? Your worthless subject, Pan Chao, finds himself specially invested with the Divine Influence (of the Emperor). I hope that, before I am knocked to the ground I will see the Western Countries pacified, and Your Majesty raising the cup wishing for ten thousand years of life, to present his glory in the temple of his ancestors, and to spread great joy throughout the world. When this report had been submitted to the Emperor, he understood that this enterprise could be carried out and, in his deliberation, he expressed his wish to provide the soldiers (requested by Pan Chao). Hs Kan, originally from Ping-ling, had shared the plans of Pan Chao for a long time. He addressed a request to the Emperor to express his wish to deploy all his forces in the aid of Pan Chao. In the fifth year (80 AD), (Hs) Kan was appointed to the post of Acting Marshall. He put himself at the head of a thousand men recruited among the pardoned convicts and volunteers and went to Pan Chao. 8

Previously, Yarkand had made its submission to Kucha thinking that the Han soldiers were not coming. Also, the Provincial Commandant of Kashgar, Pan Shen, had rebelled again. Meanwhile, Hs Kan arrived. (Pan) Chao immediately, together with Hs Kan, attacked Pan Shen and caused him to suffer a great defeat. He cut off more than a thousand heads, and took a large number of prisoners. After defeating Pan Shen, (Pan) Chao wanted to attack Kucha. Figuring that the Wu-sun (Issyk-Kul and upper Ili, Naryn, and Chu rivers) were militarily powerful, he addressed the Emperor, saying to him: The Wu-sun (Issyk-Kul and upper Ili, Naryn, and Chu rivers) are a great kingdom. They have a hundred thousand archers. This is why Emperor Wu (140-87 BC) gave a princess of his family in marriage to their king. When Emperor Hsiao-hsan was reigning (73-49 BC), he finally got the better of them. Now, we must send an ambassador to reassure them, and draw them to us, so that they will join their forces with ours. The Emperor approved these suggestions. In the eighth year (83 AD), the emperor appointed (Pan) Chao Adjutant General and authorised him for the time being to have drums, flutes, flags, and standards. Hs Kan was named Marshal of the Province. Moreover, the Emperor ordered the Guards Captain Li I, who escorted and accompanied an ambassador of the Wu-sun, to give some fancy and plain lengths of silk as a present to the Great and Little Kun-mi, as well as their subordinates. Li I arrived first in Y-tien (Khotan). Now, at exactly this moment, Kucha attacked Kashgar. Li I was filled with fear, and did not dare to go further forward. Subsequently, he made a report explaining that the expedition could not be successful. Besides, he seriously slandered Pan Chao who, he said, lived quietly and happily in the foreign countries, kissing his dear wife, and taking his dear son in his arms, with no thought of his fatherland. (Pan) Chao was informed (of these slanders) and said with a sigh: I am not like Tseng Shen of whom three successive people spoke badly on arriving. I am frightened of being suspected by my contemporaries. Then he made his wife leave. The Emperor, knowing the loyalty of Pan Chao, severely rebuked (Li) I by saying: Supposing that (Pan) Chao is (spending his time) kissing his dear wife, and taking his dear son in his arms, he has more than a thousand men with him who want to return to their homeland, how is it that they are in agreement with Pan Chao? He ordered (Li) I to go to Pan Chao and put himself at his disposal. He also informed Pan Chao by a decree that, if (Li) I was able to fulfil a role abroad (Pan Chao) could keep him to help in his work. But (Pan) Chao sent (Li) I back to the capital entrusting him with the son of the king of the Wu-sun, who was sent as a hostage to the Court. Hs Kan said to (Pan) Chao: (Li) I previously slandered you and wanted to ruin (your undertaking in) the Western Countries. Why dont you take advantage of the Imperial decree now, keep him, and send some other officer to escort the hostage prince? (Pan) Chao replied: What a contemptible remark! It is precisely because (Li) I has slandered me that I have sent him (to the capital). If I examine my conscience, I have nothing to 9

reproach myself for. Why should I worry myself over the remarks of a man? Keeping (Li) I for my own satisfaction would not make a loyal subject of him. In the following year (84 AD), the Emperor again sent the Interim Major, Ho Kung, and three other officers, at the head of eight hundred soldiers. (Pan) Chao took advantage of this by putting the troops of Su-lei (Kashgar) and Y-tien (Khotan) on campaign and attacked Soch (Yarkand). (The men of) So-ch (Yarkand) got in touch with Chung, king of Su-lei (Kashgar), and seduced him with some large bribes. Chung then rebelled, and followed their party. He defended the town of Wu-chi to the west. (Pan) Chao then appointed Cheng-ta, the fucheng of this country, as king of Su-lei (Kashgar) in his place. Those of the kingdom who had not rebelled he put on campaign to attack Chung. This lasted half a year, but then Kang-ch (in the Chu, Talas, and middle Syr-darya river basins) sent trained soldiers to the aid of Chung, and Pan Chao could not make him submit. At this time, as the Yeh-chih (Kushans) had just become allies of Kang-ch (Chu, Talas, and middle Syr-darya basins) through marriage, Pan Chao sent an ambassador carrying large gifts of silk cloth to the king of the Yeh-chih (Kushans) to intercede with the king of Kangch (Chu, Talas, and middle Syr-darya basins). The king of Kang-ch then ceased hostilities and, seizing Chung, returned with him to his country. The town of Wu-chi immediately submitted to (Pan Chao). Three years later (87 AD), Chung advised the king of Kang-ch (Chu, Talas, and middle Syr-darya basins) to lend him some soldiers and he returned to establish himself at Sun-chung. He secretly plotted with Chiu-tzu (Kucha), but sent an envoy to falsely propose to submit to (Pan Chao). (Pan) Chao knew of his perversity. Meanwhile, he outwardly pretended to accept his submission. Chung, very happy, went with his light cavalry to Pan Chao, who had hidden some well-armed soldiers to wait for him. He made great preparations in his honour and arranged festivities. When the wine had been passed around, he ordered his officers to tie him up, and beheaded him. Then he attacked and conquered the troops (Chung had brought with him) and killed more than seven hundred men. The Southern Route was then open. The following year (88 AD), (Pan) Chao put twenty-five thousand men from Y-tien (Khotan) and some other countries on campaign to attack So-ch Yarkand. However, the king of Chiu-tzu (Kucha) sent his General of the Left to the aid of So-ch (Yarkand) at the head of a horde of fifty thousand men from Wen-su (Uch-Turfan), Ku-mo (Aksu), and Wei-tou (Safyr Bai?). (Pan) Chao summoned his generals and commanders as well as the king of Y-tien (Khotan), and said in the discussion: Now, our soldiers are few in number, and not able to beat their horde. It is best that we disband, and each leave towards his side. (The king of) Y-tien (Khotan) will head east. I, the Adjutant General, will then return to the west. Let us wait until night falls and, when the drum sounds, we will leave. (Pan Chao) secretly released the prisoners that he had, and the king of Chiu-tzu (Kucha) was thus informed of his plans. Very happy, he went with ten thousand horsemen to the west to 10

block the route to (Pan) Chao. The king of Wen-su (Uch-Turfan) went to the east to surprise (the king of) Y-tien (Khotan). When (Pan) Chao knew that the two barbarian chiefs had separated, he secretly summoned the various hordes, and kept their soldiers in suspense. Then, with a roosters crow, he hurled himself with them upon the camp (of the men from) So-ch (Yarkand). The Hu barbarians, filled with panic, fled in disorder. (The soldiers of Pan Chao) followed then, beheading more than five thousand, and taking an immense booty of horses, beasts of burden, and valuable objects. So-ch (Yarkand) then made its submission. (The soldiers of) Chiu-tzu (Kucha) and the other (kingdoms) each withdrew towards their homes. From this moment the reputation (of Pan Chao) made the Western Countries tremble. Previously the Yeh-chih (Kushans) had helped the Chinese attack Ch-shih (Turfan) and had carried out some important services (for the Chinese). In this year (88 AD) they offered precious jewels, fu-pa, and lions in tribute. They took this occasion to ask for a Han princess. Pan Chao stopped their envoy and sent him back. From this moment there was hatred and resentment (between the Kushans and the Chinese). In the second yung-yan year (90 AD), the Yeh-chih (Kushans) sent their viceroy Xie at the head of seventy thousand soldiers to attack (Pan) Chao. (Pan) Chaos men were few in number, and were all very frightened. (Pan) Chao compared the military forces saying: Although the Yeh-chih (Kushan) soldiers are numerous, they have travelled several thousand li crossing the Tsung-ling (Pamir Mountains). They have no convoys of provisions. Are they worth worrying about? Let us focus on gathering in all the grain, and protecting ourselves well. The others will be famished, and exhausted, and they will submit by themselves. In a few weeks at the most everything will be over. Hsieh advanced then and attacked (Pan) Chao, but he couldnt defeat him, nor could he get anything by pillage. (Pan) Chao, figuring that Hsiehs provisions were about to run out, and that he would certainly ask Chiu-tzu (Kucha) for help, sent a few hundred soldiers to the eastern territory to intercept (the Kushans). Hsieh did indeed send horsemen carrying gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones as a present to Chiu-tzu (Kucha). Pan Chaos soldiers, who were in ambush, blocked their route, and attacked and killed them all. They took the head of the ambassador to show it to Hsieh. He was very frightened and sent an envoy to confess his guilt, and to express his wish to be allowed to return safe and sound. (Pan) Chao let him go, and sent him back. From this time on, the Yeh-chih (Kushans) were fear-stricken, and each year they sent tribute and presents. The following year (91 AD), Chiu-tzu (Kucha), Ku-mo (Aksu), and Wen-su (Uch-Turfan) all submitted. Then (Pan) Chao received the title of Protector General, and Hs Kan that of Adjutant General.

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(The Emperor) appointed Po Pa king of Chiu-tzu (Kucha) and sent the Marshal Yao Kuang to escort him. (Pan) Chao and Yao Kuang united their efforts to force the people of Chiu-tzu (Kucha) to dethrone their king, Yu-li-to, and to put Po Pa in his place. (Pan Chao) ordered (Yao) Kuang to bring Yu-li-to back to the capital. (Pan Chao) established his residence in the town of To-chien (in the country of) Chiutzu (Kucha). Hs Kan had his camp at Su-lei (Kashgar). There were only Yen-chi (Karashahr), Wei-hs, and Wei-li among the Western Countries remained hesitant because they had previously put the Protector General to death. All the others were completely subdued. In the autumn of the sixth year (94 AD), (Pan) Chao put the soldiers of eight kingdoms, namely Chiu-tzu (Kucha), Shan-shan, and the others, forming a total of seventy thousand men, on campaign. He added the civil servants and merchants together numbering fourteen thousand men and, with these forces, attacked Yen-chi (Karashahr). When the soldiers reached the territory of Wei-li, (Pan) Chao sent some envoys to clearly explain his intentions to Yen-chi (Karashahr), Wei-li, and Wen-hs by saying: The reason the Protector General has come is to rule and reassure your three kingdoms. If you really want to repent of your misdeeds, and set yourselves on the right path, you must send some high dignitaries to meet him. he will be obliged to reward you, all of you, kings, nobles, and junior officers. When he has completed this affair, he will immediately return. Right now, he presents you, oh king, with five hundred lengths of multi-coloured silk. Kuang, the king of Yen-chi (Karashahr), ordered his General of the Left, Pei-chien-chih to go with oxen and wine to meet (Pan) Chao. (Pan Chao) reprimanded (Pei-) chien-chih saying to him: Although you were a young Hsiung-nu prince who served at the Chinese Court, you now have authority in this kingdom (of Karashahr). It is entirely your fault when I, the Protector General have come here in person, and the king hasnt come to meet me at the appointed time. Someone said to (Pan) Chao that (Pei-chien-chih) should be put to death in the field. Pan Chao replied: These are matters that are beyond your capacity. This man has great authority with the king. If we put him to death now before he can return to his country, we will make (the people of the country) worried about their fate. They will prepare to resist and defend the strategic positions. How will we be able to get the foot of their town ramparts then? Following this discussion, (Pan Chao) gave presents (to Pei-chien-chih), and then sent him back. Kuang then came with his high dignitaries to meet (Pan) Chao at Wei-li (near Kurla), and gave valuable things to him. 12

In the kingdom of Yen-chi (Karashahr), there was the difficult passage of the bridge of reeds to cross. Kuang then cut this bridge for he wanted to prevent the Chinese army from entering his kingdom. But (Pan) Chao took another road and managed to pass by fording water above the waist. He reached Yen-chi (Karashahr) on the last day of the seventh month (94 AD). When he was twenty li from the town he established his camp in the middle of a large swamp. Kuang, taken unawares, was very frightened. He wanted to take refuge in the mountains, driving all his people before him. Meanwhile, a certain Yan Meng, who was tso-hou of Yen-chi (Karashahr), and who had previously been a hostage at the capital, secretly sent an envoy to inform (Pan) Chao what was happening. But (Pan) Chao beheaded the messenger to show that he didnt believe these words, and would not follow his advice. Then he fixed a date for a general reunion of the kings of all these countries, proclaiming that he would present them with large gifts. Therefore Kuang, king of Yen-chi (Karashahr), Fan, king of Wei-li (near Kurla), as well as Pei-chien-chi and others, numbering thirty people, went together to (Pan) Chao. Meanwhile Fu Chiu, Grand Councillor of the kingdom (of Karashahr), and sixteen other persons, were afraid of being put to death by him and all escaped by sailing on the lake. As for the king of Wei-hs (near Karashahr) he never returned. When (Pan) Chao was seated, he angrily questioned Kuang asking: Why didnt the king of Wei-hs come? Why did Fu Chiu and the others run away? He then ordered his officers to seize Kuang, Fan, and the others. He beheaded them in the town where Chen Mu previously lived, and sent their heads to the capital. He then unleashed his soldiers to plunder. They cut more than five thousand heads off, took fifteen thousand prisoners, and seized more than three hundred thousand head of cattle, horses, oxen, and sheep. Then (Pan Chao) named Yan Meng king of Yen-chi (Karashahr). (Pan) Chao stayed in Yen-chi (Karashahr) for half a year and restored peace and security there. More than fifty kingdoms of the Western Countries then handed over hostages to him, and sent their submission to the Empire. In the following year (95 AD) the Emperor delivered a decree as follows: 13

Previously the Hsiung-nu assumed an exclusive domination over the Western Countries, and they used to create havoc in Ho-hsi (western Kansu). At the end of the yung-ping period (58-75 AD) the doors of the towns stayed shut in broad daylight. The Emperor preceding me (not Emperor Chang 76-88 AD, who immediately preceded him, but Emperor Ming 58-75 AD) had great pity for the agricultural settlements on the frontier who were surrounded by havoc and murder. He then ordered his generals to attack the territory to the right (= west)(of the Hsiung-nu). (The generals) conquered (the tribes of the) Po-shan (White Mountains), and came close to Pu-lei (region of Lake Barkol)[in 73-74 AD]. They took the town and suburbs of Ch-shih (Turfan). The various kingdoms were terrified, and submitted with the obedience of the echo that replies to a sound. Then the Western Countries were opened, and a Protector General was established there. In the meantime, Shun, king of Yen-chi (Karashahr), and Chung, Shuns son, continued alone to incite rebellious plots. Depending on the fact that their country was difficult to get to, they overthrew [in 75 AD] the Protector General, and put him and all his officers to death. The Emperor who preceded me attached great value to the life of his people, and dreaded large military expeditions. Thats why he confined himself to sending Provincial Major Pan Chao with the mission of peacefully winning Y-tien (Khotan), and the countries further west, to our cause. (Pan) Chao then crossed the Tsung-ling (the Pamirs), and went as far as Hsien-tu [literally Suspended Passages, but perhaps phonetically derived from Sindhu or Indus. Probably refers to the region of Gilgit]. He went from here to there for twenty-two years, and there wasnt anyone who didnt come to submit to his orders. He appointed other kings in these countries, and reassured the populations. Without disturbing the Middle Kingdom, without exhausting the soldiers, he obtained the friendship of distant barbarians, and won the hearts of men who have customs different from our own. Then he made the Divine Punishment come. He cleansed the ancient insult by avenging the feelings of our generals and soldiers. The military code says: Pay cannot be held up for more than a month. (This order was devised because) it was desired that the men understood promptly the interest they have in conducting themselves well. Therefore, I am ennobling (Pan) Chao by making him Marquis of Ting-yan. He will have a grant of a thousand homes (for his support). In the twelfth year (100 AD) Pan Chao, figuring that he had been a very long time in distant countries, feeling old, and wanting to return to his country, addressed the following request to the Emperor: Your subject has heard it said that, when Tai-kung received the country of Chi as a fiefdom, he and his descendants were still buried in the country of the Chou for four generations, like the fox which, at the moment of death, turns its head towards its hill, or like the horse from the country of Tai which heads towards the (north) wind. 14

Nevertheless, the countries of the Chou and the Chi are both within the Middle Territory, and are only a thousand li away. With far more reason, how could I, your humble subject, not go towards the wind, and turn my head towards the hill? The barbarians are in the habit of dreading those who are in the prime of life, and despising old men. I, your subject, (Pan) Chao, am like a dog, or a horse (who has served its master for a long time), my teeth are worn out. I am constantly afraid that, weakened with age, I will collapse suddenly, and my lonely soul will abandon me. In ancient times, when Su Wu stayed among the Hsiung-nu, it was only for nineteen years. I, your subject, have had the good fortune to take the Insignia of Authority, to carry at my waist the seals of gold and silver, and of protecting the Western Countries. If I happen to die of old age in the military colony that has been assigned to me, truly I will have no regrets. But I fear that in posterity I might be called a deserter who disappeared in the Western Countries. I do not dare to hope to get as far as the Province of Chiu-chan (Su-chou), but I would like to, at least, cross the Y-men Pass while still living. I defy death by speaking like a blind man. I have taken care to send my son (Pan) Yung to enter the frontier following porters with presents, and thus, I will arrange things so that (Pan) Yung sees the Middle Territories with his own eyes while I am still alive. Furthermore, (Pan) Chao, the younger sister of (Pan) Chao, and wife of Tsao Shou, who was originally from the same Province, also addressed a request to the Emperor to intercede on behalf of (Pan) Chao. She said: The elder brother of your servant, born of the same mother as her, the Protector General of the Western Countries, Marquis of Ting-yan, (Pan) Chao, has had the good fortune to obtain by his feeble exploits the very special distinction of great honour. His noble title gives him the rank of the privileged marquises. His rank is that a functionary with a salary of two thousand shih. In truth, without extraordinary Imperial kindness, this subject could not have received such favours. When (Pan) Chao left (the Empire) for the first time, he had resolved to sacrifice his life in the hope of winning a little glory, to show his devotion. The catastrophe in which Chen Mu perished took place. The roads were cut off. (Pan) Chao, all by himself, went from one place to another in distant lands, educating the various kingdoms, and using their soldiers. Each time there was an attack, he was the first to go on the assault. His body was covered with sword wounds, and he never sought to avoid death. Thanks to the fact that he was invested with the Divine Reputation of Your Majesty, he has been able to prolong his life in the sandy deserts. This has been going on now for thirty years. He, and those of us of the same flesh and blood as him, have been separated all our lives, and could no longer recognize each other. Of the multitude who left with him in former times, none have survived. (Pan) Chao is very elderly, he is about to turn seventy. He is decrepit, old, and sick. His hair is no 15

longer black, his two hands no longer obey, his hearing is no longer acute, and his sight is no longer clear. It is only by leaning on a cane that he is able to walk. Even if he wanted to exhaust all his strength to reply somehow or other to the Imperial favour, he would be overcome by his age. Like a dog or a horse (who has served his master for a long time), his teeth have fallen out. The character of the barbarians is such that they resist reason and despise old men. Now, (Pan) Chao is liable to die at any time. If he is not replaced some time soon, it is to be feared that this might cause (open the source or) crimes and riots, that it might arouse sentiments of revolt and disorder. Your high dignitaries and great officers all dream but there is none of them who is willing to foresee (anticipate) a far-off (distant) future. If, in the meantime, there is some sudden violence and the forces of (Pan) Chao do not allow him to operate (act) in the way that he would wish, then, at the top it will strike a blow at a glory that our government has acquired over several generations, below it will destroy the services that a loyal subject has rendered in dedicating (by devoting) all these efforts. This will truly be a heart-rending thing. Thats why (Pan) Chao, at a distance of ten thousand li, has made a token of his sincerity and you have exposed him to the most extremely awkward situation. His neck craned, he looks far away with hope. But now three years have passed without a ruling being made (on his request). Your servant has heard it said that, in antiquity, a man received his arms at fifteen and gave them back when he was sixty1 and, besides, he had moments of rest when he wasnt performing any job. As Your Majesty rules the world with a perfect filial piety and has won the affection of ten thousand princedoms, you likewise do not neglect the subjects of the smallest kingdom. For even more reason you will not neglect (Pan) Chao who has managed to be placed in the ranks of the marquises and counts. This is why I have dared to insult the dead by beseeching your pity for (Pan) Chao and by asking that you grant him the few years that remain to him. When he returns here alive and sees the Imperial Palace again, the Empire will no longer have the worries of troublesome and difficult enterprises, and the Western Territories witll no longer have to fear sudden troubles. Thus Pan Chao will have gained a beneficence (charity) like that of King Wen burying some bones1, of a kindness like that of (Tien) Tzu-fang having compassion for the elderly. The Poems say: (The) people are truly crushed with fatigue, but perhaps they can have a little peace. Begin by doing good in the Middle Kingdom and you will ensure calm in the four regions of space.3 Pan Chao has written me a letter to send me, while still alive, his last farewells. Truly, I am cursed with this, that (Pan) Chao after having, during his mature years, deployed all his loyalism and all his filial piety in the sandy desert (sha-mo), is abandoned when he is old and exhausted to die in the solitary (lonely) expanses. Truly, one must feel pity for ones subject. If I dont succeed in helping and protecting (Pan) Chao and if, later, he someday causes a catastrophe1, I hope that the family of Pan Chao will have the chance to obtain the same pardon that the mother of Chao2 and the concubine Wei previously begged for 16

in advance. I, your servant, of little intelligence and ignorant, I do not know the great roles, and I have spoken regardless of all the prohibitions relating (concerning) what ought not to be said. When this petition had been delivered to the Emperor, he was touched by these words and recalled (Pan) Chao. (Pan) Chao had lived thirty-one years in the Western Territories. In the eighth month of the fourteenth year (102 AD), he arrived at Loyang. He was granted the title of she-shang-hsiao-wei. (Pan) Chao had had an illness of the chest and ribs for a long time. When he returned, this illness worsened. The emperor sent a eunuch from the palace to enquire about his illness and to give him some medicine (remedies). In the ninth month (102 AD) he died. He was seventy-one years of age (72 years old by Western calculations). The Emperor expressed his grief and regrets. An Imperial delegate took part in the mourning and gave very large funeral gifts for the sacrifice. The son of (Pan) Chao, named (Pan) Hsiung, succeeded him. Previously, when (Pan) Chao had been recalled, the wu-chi-hsiao-wei Jen Shang had been named Protector General. At the time of handing over of authority, (Jen) Shang said to (Pan) Chao: Your Lordship has lived for more than thirty years in foreign countries, My unworthy self receives your office with humility, but the burden is heavy and my insight is superficial. You must have some instructions to give me. (Pan) Chao replied to him: I am old and I have lost my clear sightedness. You have many times been entrusted with high posts. How could I, Pan Chao, reach such heights? Nevertheless, I could not do otherwise (than to yield to your entreaties). I wish to humbly offer you one piece of advice: The officers who are outside the Barrier are naturally not devoted sons and obedient grandsons. All have been deported for some misdeed and ordered to fill a post in the frontier military colonies. On the other hand, the barbarians have the emotions of wild birds and animals. It is difficult to foster their good tendencies and easy to destroy them. Now, you have an austere and strict character. Well, when a river is clear, it doesnt have big fish. A government that is too meticulous doesnt obtain the sympathy of its inferiors. You have to be flowing and accommodating, be indulgent with the little mistakes, and content yourself with guiding the hand of the principal generals. After (Pan) Chao left, (Jen) Shang said in private to his close friends: I think that Lord Pan has some marvellous prescriptions, but what he said to me was very ordinary. When (Jen) Shang gave up his post after several years, the Western Territories rebelled. (Jen Shang) was recalled [in 118 AD] for having committed mistakes which were precisely those which (Pan) Chao had warned him against,1 (Pan) Chao had three sons. The eldest, (Pan) Hsiung gradually reached the post of tun-chi hsiao-wei (Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry). When the incursion of the Chiang rebels ravaged the three Imperial Districts neighbouring the capital2 took place {97 A.D.}, an Imperial Decree ordered (Pan) Hsiung to take command of the soldiers of the five camps3 and to establish himself at Chang-an (Hsi-an fu). He was then appointed Prefect of the Capital. On the death of (Pan) Hsiung, his son (Pan) Shih, followed him. He had the honour to marry the Princess of Yin-cheng, daughter of King Hsiao of Ching-ho, and aunt of the 17

Emperor Shun. This woman, arrogant with high rank, indulged in debauchery. One day when she was behind the curtains with her lover, she invited (Pan) Shih to enter and forced him to lie down on the bed. In the fifth yung-chien year (130 AD) (Pan) Shih, expressing his indignation, drew his sword and killed the princess. The Emperor was very angry, He had (Pan) Shih cut through the middle of the body and all the family were put to death in the public square. The younger son of (Pan) Chao was (Pan) Yung.

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