Yancai
Yancai (Chinese: 奄蔡; pinyin: Yancai; Wade–Giles: Yen-ts’ai=Vast Steppe) was the Chinese name of an ancient nomadic state centered near the Aral Sea during the Han dynasty period (206 BC - 220 AD). They are generally considered to have been an Iranian people of the Sarmatian group. After becoming vassals of the Kangju in the 1st century BC, Yancai became known as Alanliao (Chinese: 阿蘭聊; pinyin: Alanliao; Wade–Giles: A-lan-ya/A-lan-liao). Yancai is often connected to the Aorsi of Roman records, while Alanliao has been connected to the later Alans.
History
Yancai is first mentioned in Chapter 123 of the Shiji (whose author, Sima Qian, died c. 90 BC), based on the travels of 2nd century BC Chinese diplomat Zhang Qian:
The people of Yancai are usually considered an Iranian people of the Sarmatian group. They are often connected to the Aorsi of Roman records, who dominated the area between the Don and the Aral Sea and were both a wealthy mercantile people and a powerful military force. According to Chinese sources, Yancai belonged to the northern part of the Silk Route, known as the Northern Route. The Chinese sent embassies to Yancai and actively promoted trading relations.
Ball and Chain
I know the drill
You got your ball and chain
It holds you down, the circle round
This story stays the same
It won't be long
And then your heart is frozen
The time has come to break away
You've got it all
What makes you hesitate?
Don't just wait for things
To blow up in your pretty face
Lift the weight
Try not to let it slip away
And you may find yourself again
I feel people just don't know you like I do
Why you're making it so hard to see
When there's something wrong
It goes on and on
I know the drill
You've got your ball and chain
I found out the second round
That some things never change
Open my eyes
And let the days come over me
And maybe it will go away
I feel people just don't know you like I do
Why you're making it so hard to see
When there's something wrong
It goes on and on
You'll see not everybody's here
To break your heart
So there is a price to pay
To be someone you're not
I know the drill
You've got your ball and chain
I found out the second round
That some things never change
Open my eyes
And let the days come over me