"The temple Ta-hing-kuo-sze stands in Chin-kiang fu, in the
quarter called Kia-t'ao h'eang. It was built in the 18th year of
Chi-yuen (A.D. 1281) by the Sub-darugachi, Sie-li-ki-sze (Sergius).
Liang Siang, the teacher in the Confucian school, wrote a commemorative
inscription for him." From this document we see that "Sie-mi-sze-hien
(Samarcand) is distant from China 100,000 li (probably a mistake for
10,000) to the north-west. It is a country where the religion of the
Ye-li-k'o-wen dominates.... The founder of the religion was called Ma-rh
Ye-li-ya. He lived and worked miracles a thousand five hundred years ago.
Ma Sie-li-ki-sze (Mar Sergius) is a follower of him." (Chinese
Recorder, VI. p. 108). - H.C.]
From this second mention of three years as a term of government, we may
probably gather that this was the usual period for the tenure of such
office. (Mid. Kingd., I. 86; Cathay, p. xciii.)
CHAPTER LXXIV.
OF THE CITY OF CHINGINJU AND THE SLAUGHTER OF CERTAIN ALANS THERE.
Leaving the city of Chinghianfu and travelling three days south-east
through a constant succession of busy and thriving towns and villages, you
arrive at the great and noble city of CHINGINJU. The people are Idolaters,
use paper-money, and are subject to the Great Kaan.
