Zhang Qian

Also known as Bo Wanghou

Zhang Qian came from Chenggu in Hanzhong and, early in Emperor Wu's reign, volunteered to go to the Yuezhi to seek an alliance against the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu held him for more than ten years, during which he married; escaping, he passed through Ferghana and Sogdiana to the Yuezhi and Bactria, was captured again on the way back, and in 126 BC slipped away with his companion Tangyi Fu during a Xiongnu succession struggle. In 123 BC he served under Wei Qing against the Xiongnu and, knowing where water and pasture lay, was made Marquis of Bowang; in 121 BC he arrived late for a rendezvous with Li Guang and had to buy his life with his rank. He then led a second mission to the Wusun, sending deputies on to Parthia, India and elsewhere. Back in 115 BC, he was made grand herald and died the following year. Sima Qian described his journey as 'boring through' to the west, and later envoys used his title to win trust abroad.