The Origin of the Allusions of "Zhang Qian Rides If"

Zhang Qian was a famous diplomat in Han dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, the Hexi Corridor and Xinjiang, west of Yumenguan Gate in Gansu Province, were called the Western Regions, and there were 36 countries scattered in the vast area. The Huns (ancestors of the Mongols) lived in the northern part of the country at that time. Xiongnu is a nomadic people, living by water plants, good at riding and shooting, fierce in character, often harassing the south, and controlling some small countries in the western regions. The small countries in the western regions were afraid of the threat of Xiongnu and had to form an alliance with them.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, the national strength was at its peak. On the one hand, Li Guang and other famous soldiers were sent to attack the Xiongnu, and on the other hand, envoys were sent to the western regions to weaken the influence of the Xiongnu in the western regions. Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian to Shanshan, Gaochang, Loulan and other countries. In extremely difficult and dangerous environment, Zhang Qian planned to kill the Xiongnu emissary. He has been active in the western regions for more than 3 years, and has made great contributions to strengthening the ties between the countries in the western regions and the Han Dynasty. After Zhang Qian returned to Han, he was named Bo Wanghou because of his meritorious service.

Zhang Qian made great achievements in the Western Regions, so that later generations deified him. Legend has it that Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian to find the source of the Yellow River, and Zhang Qian went up the river by a raft. After a long period of time, he crossed a deserted area and reached a densely populated market town, where men plowed and women wove, and it was orderly. He walked into a house and saw the hostess of the house weaving and her husband drinking water with her cows. Zhang Qian was surprised and asked them, "What is this place?"

The host pointed to the river where the cow was drinking and said, "This is Tianhe." The hostess gave Zhang Qian a stone to support the loom. After Zhang Qian brought it back, Dong Fangshuo, who was well informed, recognized it as a stone filled under the Weaver Weaver loom in the sky.

Later, the allusion of "Zhang Qian taking a trip to Chacha" was used to describe an envoy's long journey.