The Western Barbarians

The Western Barbarians original: 西番 (Xifan). A general term used in historical Chinese texts to refer to the various peoples of the Tibetan Plateau. are the same as the Tubo The standard name for the Tibetan Empire during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). of the Tang Dynasty. Their land is located to the southwest of Shaanxi, due west of Sichuan, and northwest of Yunnan. Their ancestors were originally members of the Qiang ethnic group, comprising over a hundred different tribes scattered between the Yellow, Huang, Yangtze, and Min rivers. During the Zhenguan era 627–649 CE; the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang., they first established relations with the Central Kingdom. Throughout the Song Dynasty, their tribute missions were continuous.

The Mongol Yuan Dynasty organized their lands into prefectures and counties. In the sixth year of the Hongwu era of our current dynasty 1373 CE; the Ming Dynasty., the various tribal chieftains who held hereditary official ranks traveled to the capital to receive formal appointments. The court established government offices and bestowed seals of authority, authorizing them to govern according to their own local customs.

From this time forward, the Buddhist monks of the region were granted titles such as the Empowerment National Preceptor Guanding Guoshi (灌頂國師): A high religious title; "Guanding" refers to the ritual of Abhisheka, or the pouring of water on the head during consecration., as well as the Prince who Assists Goodness, the Prince who Spreads Transformation, the Great Vehicle Dharma King of Perfect Enlightenment, and the Great Treasure Dharma King, the Tathagata original: 如來大寶法王 (Rulai Dabao Fawang). This title was famously granted by the Yongle Emperor to the 5th Karmapa.. All were granted seals of office and imperial patents. Every year, or every other year, they travel to the capital to present tribute.

The administration of their territory consists of three Regional Military Commissions:
1. Ü-Tsang Central and Western Tibet.
2. Do-Kham Eastern Tibet.
3. Lung-da

There are three Pacification Commissions 宣慰司 (Xuanwei Si): Administrative offices used to manage ethnic minority regions.:
1. Do-Kham
2. Dongbu Hanhu
3. Changhexi Yutong Ningyuan

There are six Recruitment Commissions 招討司 (Zhaotao Si): Military-administrative offices responsible for maintaining order and recruiting local forces.:
1. Do-Kham Commission
2. Do-Kham Lung-da
3. Do-Kham Dan
4. Do-Kham Cangtang
5. Do-Kham Chuan
6. Mo'erkan

There are also four Myriarchy Admiralties Myriarchy (萬戶府): An administrative unit theoretically overseeing ten thousand households, a holdover from Mongol military organization....