Protectorate of the Western Regions

These groups included Tocharian-speaking city-states like Ārśi (Arshi; later Agni/Karasahr), Kuča (Kucha), Gumo (later Aksu), Turfan (Turpan), and Loulan (Krorän/Korla).

After the war, Han posts were erected between Dunhuang and the Salt Marsh with several hundred farmer soldiers stationed at Luntai and Quli.

[7] The position of protector-general was officially established in 59 or 60 BCE after the Southern Xiongnu ruler Bi, the Rizhu King of the Right, submitted to the Han dynasty.

Rizhu was bestowed the title of Marquis of Allegiance to Imperial Authority while Zheng Ji, the envoy who received him, was commissioned to act as protector-general of both the Northern and Southern routes.

Another account states that the post of protector-general had already been established by 64 BC and Zheng Ji was sent out to meet Rizhu, who led over 10,000 Xiongnu to submit to Han authority.

[9] In 74 CE, Emperor Ming of Han and his successor awarded the position of protector-general (now with administrative obligations as well) to general Chen Mu.

[7] In the southern Tarim Basin, coins from the period of the protectorate's existence have been found with inscriptions in both Chinese and the Kharoshthi script, which was used for local Indo-European languages.

[11] In the 7th century, a successor administration, the Protectorate General to Pacify the West was established by the Tang dynasty at Xizhou (Turpan) and was later moved to Kucha.