As we all know, historical exchanges are not only petty fights between close neighbors, but also countries far away from the world may also be inextricably linked. You may have heard about the ambitions of the Mongol Empire, but did you know?
In the 13th century, distant Persia turned out to be a vassal state of China! And even more excitingly, a Persian letter was even more stamped with Chinese characters! How many people know about this twist and turn between Persia and China? Today, let us unveil the mystery of history and take a look at this exotic relationship that spans thousands of miles!
When it comes to the relationship between Persia and China, it is not something that can be clarified overnight. As early as the 2nd century BC, Zhang Qian opened the door to the Western Regions, and the exchange between China and Poland began. During the Han Dynasty, Persia was referred to in Chinese history books as "Rest", which was the beginning of friendly exchanges between China and Poland.
After entering the Tang Dynasty, Sino-Polish relations were further deepened. At that time, Persia was in turmoil, constantly suffering from foreign enemies. In order to ask for help, the king of Persia even sent the prince Belus to Chang'an to ask for help.
Although Tang Gaozong Li Zhi was unable to send troops to help Persia due to its distance and domestic affairs, he still established the Persian Governorate, which symbolically showed his support for Persia. This is also the first time in China's history that it has nominal "jurisdiction" over a foreign country.
Over time, the situation in Persia became increasingly unstable and was eventually annexed by the Arab Empire. But this Sino-Polish relationship did not end there.
In the 13th century, when the Mongol Empire rose to dominate the country, Möngke Khan set his sights on distant Persia and vowed to incorporate it into the territory.
In 1252, Möngke Khan ordered his younger brother Hulegu to conquer Persia, a move that not only changed the fate of Persia, but also brought Persia back into close contact with China.
Hulegu's Western Expeditionary Army was a mixed army, including soldiers and artillerymen from the Han region of the Central Plains. Armed with advanced siege equipment such as trebuchets, bows and arrows, and firearms, they contributed to the Mongol Empire's westward conquest of Persia. This campaign also made the Persian region part of the Mongol Empire, and indirectly became China's sphere of influence.
Back to the mysterious Persian letter and the Chinese character seal on it. This letter was originally sent to France by the Persian Ilkhanate for an alliance, and the content of the letter was to send troops to fight against the Mamluks in Egypt.
However, due to internal disputes in France, the request was ultimately lost. But the preservation of this epistle is an unexpected confirmation of the depth of Persian relations with China at that time. The Chinese characters on the seal, "True Emperor Tianshun Treasure of All Things", not only show the Mongol emperor's control over Persia, but also hint at the wide influence of China at that time.
This cross-cultural exchange is not accidental. Under the Mongol Empire, Central Asia, West Asia, and even further afield developed cultural and political ties to China to some extent.
The Great Khans of the Mongol Empire often used Chinese statecraft to manage vast empires, and the use of Chinese character seals is undoubtedly a clear sign of this cultural integration.
And this history also provides us with an interesting perspective for today's international relations. Today, with the deepening of globalization, the mutual influence and dependence between countries have far exceeded those in ancient times, but the basic principle of mutual benefit and win-win has not changed.
From ancient times to the present, strengthening cooperation between countries has always been an important way to enhance national influence and achieve common interests, whether through cultural exchanges or political alliances.
Let's look at the different interpretations of the words on the seal by those scholars. Scholars in the United States, Germany, Japan, and China have different opinions, which not only reflect the different understandings and interpretations of history, but also reflect the importance and respect that modern academia attaches to historical materials. Each interpretation tries to get closer to the truth of history, and this effort itself is a kind of respect for history.
This history also reflects the complexity of history. Although Persia is far away, it has had such close ties with China in the long course of history. It was not just a matter of military conquest, but also involved extensive cultural exchange and political interaction. From the use of Chinese seals to the acceptance of Han Chinese soldiers and culture, this period of historical interaction between Persia and China is a microcosm of the ancient exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations.
By exploring this almost forgotten history between Persia and China, we can not only gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the two countries, but also gain insight into the deeper reasons behind historical events.
Despite the distance and cultural differences between Persia and China, these exchanges in ancient times prove that cultural and political boundaries are often much more blurred than we think. History is the best teacher, and it teaches us that it is only through understanding and cooperation that we can truly achieve harmonious coexistence between different cultures and peoples, both in the past and through cooperation.