36 H[EKBI. We are chiefly concerned with this abortive proposal of the then weakened Han, because it shows that Hienbi was already a power worthy to be ranked with Gaogowli, which was east of Hienbi, and occupying the north of the present Corea and Liaotung. This Hienbi, an " east Hoo " tribe, had arisen from very small beginning& They lived on the borders of the present Tichow and Kingchow of Liaosi, among the mountains and glens of south-eastern Mongolia. Because of Hiwngnoo troubles, they rapidly increased in number and daring ; and in 109 A.D. we get another glimpse of them falling upon Liaosi, but they got defeated, ere they retired, by the Liaosi army, assisted by a contingent of Woohimg men. In that battle the Hienbi lost 1300 men, which shows them possessed of a respectable army> This check was not lasting, for in the atumn of next year they were again plundering the country round the city of Yiiyang. Jang, the taishow, or commandant and magistrate of that city, drove them oflF, and pursued them among the mountains beyond the frontier. In looking for them next morning, he saw their camp smokeless, and ordered an immediate advance, lest^ in their hasty flight, they should escape him. He pushed rapidly on, when, all of a sudden, he found himself completely surrounded and vehemently attacked on all sides ; for the Hienbi army had retired only to lie in ambush. Notwithstanding the wildest valour, J9>ng was slain and his army shivered to pieces. As there was now no obstacle before them, the Hienbi army marched far inland, and got to Shanggoo,* where they broke up the army set in array to oppose them. They still advanced — 20,000 strong— carrying fire and destruction in their path; almost exterminating the population of the cities and villages in their line of marcL They passed through Yoonggwan, 85 li north- west of the present Changping of Peking, bearing down all opposition up to the gates of Machung city ; called Sochow by the Sung and recent dynasties. The commandant of Machung
- Which some authorities make the modem Paoting; but the Chinese Imperial
Directory makes it Huenhwa,^the more probable position, as it is in the far north.
