In the Mongol and Chinese annals
the Russians are first mentioned after Subutai's invasion of Southern
Russia in 1223. The Yuean chao pi shi terms Russia or the Russians
Orus, as they are called even now by the Mongols. The Chinese of the
Mongol period write A-lo-sz', sometimes also Wa-lo-sz' or U-lu-sz'.
All these names evidently render the Mongol appellation Orus.
"In the Yuean shi, Russia is frequently mentioned.... I may notice here
some other instances where the Russians are spoken of in the Yuean-shi.
We read in the annals, s.a. 1253, that the Emperor Meng k'o (Mangu)
ordered Bi-dje Bie-rh-k'o to be sent to Wu-lo-sz' in order to take a
census of the people.
"It is an interesting fact recorded in the Yuean shi that there was in
the first half of the fourteenth century a settlement of Russians near
Peking. In the annals, chap. XXXIV., s.a. 1330, it is stated that the
Emperor Wen Tsung (Tob Timur, 1329-32, the great grandson of Kubilai),
formed a regiment composed of U-lo-sz' or Russians. This regiment being
commanded by a wan hu (commander of ten thousand of the third degree),
received the name 'The Ever-faithful Russian Life-guard.' It was placed
under the direct control of the council of war.
