Zhang Qian is sent west by Emperor Wu
The Han court dispatches Zhang Qian with about a hundred men to find the Yuezhi and propose a joint attack on the Xiongnu. He is captured crossing Xiongnu territory and held for roughly a decade.
Historical — it happened, and the record is settled.
Subjects
- Zhang Qian · person · not located
- Han Empire · empire · not located
Evidence
Verified — Every field is supported by a cited authoritative source.
Shiji, chapter 123: Account of Dayuan
The earliest and closest account of Zhang Qian's missions, the peoples and kingdoms he reported from Ferghana, Bactria and Parthia, and the Ferghana horses that prompted the Han campaigns of 104 to 101 BCE. Sima Qian was writing within living memory of the events.
Sima Qian, Han court archivist · ~94 BCE · Verified
Compiled c. 94 BCE
Recorded on Zhang Qian
- Zhang Qian is sent west by Emperor Wu
- Zhang Qian returns to Chang'an
- Han campaigns against Dayuan for the Ferghana horses
- Han establishes the Protectorate of the Western Regions
Related
Related because they share a subject in the Atlas — never because the text looks similar.