Illustrated Treatise on Foreign Lands

History of the Song Dynasty

The Arab Caliphate original: 大食國 (Dashi Guo) was originally a distinct branch of the Persians. During the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty [605–618 CE], they took possession of the western borders of Persia. Following the decline of the Tang Dynasty original: 薇 (wei); likely a transcription error for "decline" or "transition", they frequently came to present tribute.

In the fourth year of the Qiande era [966 CE], the monk Xingqin traveled to the Western Regions. Consequently, the Emperor bestowed a letter upon their King to invite his allegiance and show imperial favor. During the Kaibao [968–976 CE] and Taiping Xingguo [976–984 CE] eras, they offered local products as tribute. Ever since, they have frequently attended the court, and the flow of tribute has been continuous.

Their attendants have deep-set eyes and dark skin; they are known as Kunlun slaves Kunlun nu: a historical Chinese term for dark-skinned people brought through maritime trade, often referring to people from Africa or South/Southeast Asia. Their tribute items include: white camphor original: 白龍腦 (bailongnao); literally "white dragon brain," a high-grade aromatic, pearls, glassware, ivory, frankincense, fine steel original: 鑌鐵 (bintie); likely Damascus steel, red silk, cowrie shells, five-colored gauzes, patterned foreign brocades, rosewater, dragon salt, silver powder, dates literally "thousand-year dates", and camel-hair rugs.

The envoys of that country claimed that they are neighbors with the Byzantine Empire original: 大秦 (Daqin); the traditional Chinese name for the Roman/Byzantine world and were formerly its subjects. The capital is situated between the mountains and the sea. The land produces rhinoceros horn, ivory, and fragrant medicines. From the northwest corner of Quanzhou the vital port city of the maritime Silk Road in Fujian, traveling for more than forty days, one reaches Lambri original: 藍里 (Lanli); a kingdom on the northern tip of Sumatra. The following year, sailing with the winds, it is another six...