History of the Han
Dynasty, it is stated that grapes are abundantly produced in the country of
K'i-pin (identified with Cophene, part of modern Afghanistan) and other
adjacent countries, and referring, if I mistake not, to the journeys of
Chang K'ien, the same work says, that the Emperor Wu-Ti despatched upwards
of ten envoys to the various countries westward of Fergana, to search for
novelties, and that they returned with grape and mu-su seeds. These
references appear beyond question to determine the fact that grapes were
introduced from Western- or, as we term it, Central-Asia, by Chang K'ien."
Dr. Bretschneider (Botanicon Sinicum, I. p. 25), relating the mission of
Chang K'ien (139 B.C. Emperor Wu-Ti), who died about B.C. 103, writes: - "He
is said to have introduced many useful plants from Western Asia into China.
Ancient Chinese authors ascribe to him the introduction of the Vine, the
Pomegranate, Safflower, the Common Bean, the Cucumber, Lucerne, Coriander,
the Walnut-tree, and other plants." - H.C.] The river that flows down from
Shan-si by Cheng-ting-fu is called "Putu-ho, or the Grape River." (J. As.
u.s.; Richthofen, u.s.)
[Regarding the name of this river, the Rev. C. Holcombe (l.c. p. 56)
writes: "Williamson states in his Journeys in North China that the name
of this stream is, properly Poo-too Ho - 'Grape River,' but is sometimes
written Hu-t'ou River incorrectly. The above named author, however, is
himself in error, the name given above [Hu-t'o] being invariably found in
all Chinese authorities, as well as being the name by which the stream is
known all along its course."
West of the Fan River, along the western border of the Central Plain of
Shan-si, in the extreme northern point of which lies T'ai-yuan fu, the Rev.
C. Holcombe says (p. 61), "is a large area, close under the hills, almost
exclusively given up to the cultivation of the grape. The grapes are
unusually large, and of delicious flavour." - H.C.]
NOTE 4. - +In no part of China probably, says Richthofen, do the towns and
villages consist of houses so substantial and costly as in this. Pianfu is
undoubtedly, as Magaillans again notices, P'ING-YANG FU.[3] It is the
Bikan of Shah Rukh's ambassadors. [Old P'ing yang, 5 Lis to the south]
is said to have been the residence of the primitive and mythical Chinese
Emperor Yao. A great college for the education of the Mongols was
instituted at P'ing-yang, by Yeliu Chutsai, the enlightened minister of
Okkodai Khan. [Its dialect differs from the T'ai-yuan dialect, and is more
like Pekingese.] The city, lying in a broad valley covered with the yellow
loess, was destroyed by the T'ai-P'ing rebels, but it is reviving. [It is
known for its black pottery.] The vicinity is noted for large paper
factories. ["From T'ai-yuan fu to P'ing-yang fu is a journey of 185 miles,
down the valley of the Fuen-ho." (Colonel Bell, Proc.R.G.S. XII. 1890, p.
61.) By the way, Mr. Rockhill remarks (Land of the Lamas, p. 10):
"Richthofen has transcribed the name of this river Fuen. This spelling
has been adopted on most of the recent maps, both German and English, but
Fuen is an impossible sound in Chinese." (Read Fen ho.) - H.C.]
(Cathay, ccxi.; Ritter, IV. 516; D'Ohsson, II. 70; Williamson, I.
336.)
[1] And I see Ritter understood the passage as I do (IV. 515).
[2] Baligh is indeed properly Mongol.
[3] It seems to be called Piyingfu (miswritten Piyingku) in Mr. Shaw's
Itinerary from Yarkand (Pr.R.G.S. XVI. 253.) We often find the
Western modifications of Chinese names very persistent.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CONCERNING THE CASTLE OF CAICHU.
On leaving Pianfu you ride two days westward, and come to the noble castle
of CAICHU, which was built in time past by a king of that country, whom
they used to call the GOLDEN KING, and who had there a great and beautiful
palace. There is a great hall of this palace, in which are pourtrayed all
the ancient kings of the country, done in gold and other beautiful colours,
and a very fine sight they make. Each king in succession as he reigned
added to those pictures.[NOTE 1]
[This Golden King was a great and potent Prince, and during his stay at
this place there used to be in his service none but beautiful girls, of
whom he had a great number in his Court. When he went to take the air about
the fortress, these girls used to draw him about in a little carriage which
they could easily move, and they would also be in attendance on the King
for everything pertaining to his convenience or pleasure.[NOTE 2]]
Now I will tell you a pretty passage that befell between the Golden King
and Prester John, as it was related by the people of the Castle.
It came to pass, as they told the tale, that this Golden King was at war
with Prester John. And the King held a position so strong that Prester
John was not able to get at him or to do him any scathe; wherefore he was
in great wrath. So seventeen gallants belonging to Prester John's Court
came to him in a body, and said that, an he would, they were ready to
bring him the Golden King alive. His answer was, that he desired nothing
better, and would be much bounden to them if they would do so.
So when they had taken leave of their Lord and Master Prester John, they
set off together, this goodly company of gallants, and went to the Golden
King, and presented themselves before him, saying that they had come from
foreign parts to enter his service.
