XXX Международный конгресс ИИСАА. 19–21 июня 2019 г. Т. 2

Источниковедение и историография Китая к 150-летию академика В. В. Бартольда (1869–1930). Ч. 2 45 (Itinerary in Manchuria); and Pan Zhen, the governor of Aksu, presented him ten copies of rubbings of the newly-discoveredWulei Inscription, composed a paper “On the old Barchuq” which summarized various Chinese historical records of that area, and copied some chapters from Xuanzang’s Datang Xiyu ji upon Pelliot’s request. Famous scholars Pei Jingfu and Song Bolu even showed Pelliot their unpublished books, including Pei’s dairy Hehai Kunlun lu and Song’s Xiyuan suoji (Occasional notes from the West Thill), Huanduzhai zashu (Miscellaneous writings from the Huandu Chamber) from which Pelliot retrieved much information on the history and geography of the Xinjiang, as well as on antique connoisseurship. Zeng Binghuang, the governor of Turfan, offered him a map of Turfan with a description of the geographical location, mountains, rivers, and administrative divisions of the region. Zeng also lent him the draft of Tulufan ting xiangtu zhi (Chorography of Turfan). All of the dairies, drafts, books, and maps were of significant help to Pelliot with regard to knowledge and information on the history and geography of ancient Western Regions and Modern Xinjiang. Most importantly, the Chinese officials timely informed Pelliot of the discovery of ancient manuscripts in Dunhuang and showed him some samples of these manuscripts.At Urumqi, Pelliot received his first manuscript fromDunhuang Library Cave which was sent to him as a gift by Zailan, an exiled royal family member of Qing. Pelliot’s interest was greatly aroused, and after he eventually arrived to Dunhuang and obtained a large number of manuscripts from the Library Cave, he remembered to write a letter to Zailan to report his acquisitions in Dunhuang and to express his gratitude. In Musée Guimet we also find a letter from Zailan to Pelliot by 7 th September, 1907, concerning the Pelliot’s activities in Dunhuang. When Pelliot was in Xinjiang, Rongpei, Pan Zhen, Zailan and Changgeng, the Military Chief of Yili, among others, provided greatest help to him. At Urumqi, Pelliot was fortunate to meet with some distinguished Chinese scholars, including Wang Shunan, Pei Jingfu and Song Bolu mentioned above, then in exile in Xinjiang. Pei even had serious discussions with Pelliot about the date of Dunhuang manuscripts and paintings. When Pelliot finally entered the Library Cave, and began selecting from its outstanding collections, he naturally recalled Pei’s remarks, against which the documents could be checked to see if Pei’s idea was valid. The nature of the Library Cave and the reason and precise date of its sealing were a concern for both of them and they still are for the modern scholars in the field of Dunhuang studies. After examining the collections in Dunhuang Library Cave, Pelliot concluded that when Tangut invaded Dunhuang in the early Song time, local Buddhist monks fearing that the scriptures could be destroyed in the imminent warfare transferred them into a cave (cave No. 17) of the Caves of Thousand Buddhas. Yet, based on the manuscripts and paintings from the collection of Ye Changchi, Pei as early as in 1906 suggested that it was when Islamic military forces reached Dunhuang in the early Song that the Buddhist texts were discarded and then sealed.