Probably In Marco Polo's Time A Menia Population
Predominated, And The Valley Was Regarded As Part Of Menia.
If Marco had
heard that name, he would certainly have recorded it; but it is not one
which is likely to reach the ears of a stranger.
The Chinese people and
officials never employ it, but use in its stead an alternative name,
Chan-tu or Chan-tui, of precisely the same application, which I make
bold to offer as the original of Marco's Caindu, or preferably Ciandu."
- H.C.]
This valley is bounded on the east by the mountain country of the Lolos,
which extends north nearly to Yachau (supra, pp. 45, 48, 60), and which,
owing to the fierce intractable character of the race, forms throughout
its whole length an impenetrable barrier between East and West. [The Rev.
Gray Owen, of Ch'eng-tu, wrote (Jour. China B.R.A.S. xxviii.
1893-1894, p. 59): "The only great trade route infested by brigands is that
from Ya-chau to Ning-yuan fu, where Lo-lo brigands are numerous, especially
in the autumn. Last year I heard of a convoy of 18 mules with Shen-si goods
on the above-mentioned road captured by these brigands, muleteers and all
taken inside the Lo-lo country. It is very seldom that captives get out of
Lo-lo-dom, because the ransom asked is too high, and the Chinese officials
are not gallant enough to buy out their unfortunate countrymen. The Lo-los
hold thousands of Chinese in slavery; and more are added yearly to the
number." - H.C.] Two routes run from Ch'eng-tu fu to Yun-nan; these fork at
Ya-chau and thenceforward are entirely separated by this barrier.
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