Editing Western Regions

{{Era|Locations}}
{{WP-REAL|Western Regions}}
The '''Western Regions''' (西域) historically referred to the [[Asia|Central Asian]] lands in the northwest frontier of [[China]].<ref name="Wikipedia">{{WP|Western Regions}}</ref> It primarily encompasses the {{wiki|Tarim Basin}},<ref name="Wikipedia" /> but its boundaries has extended at least as far west as past the {{wiki|Tian Shan}} at various points in history.<ref name="Anxi">{{WP|Protectorate General to Pacify the West}}</ref> Under the [[Tang dynasty]], it was officially organized as the '''Grand Protectorate to Pacify the West''' (安西大都護府, ''Ānxī Dàdūhù Fǔ'') or '''Anxi''' for short.<ref name="Anxi" />

==History==
During the [[Han dynasty]], the Western Regions was the gateway into China, being the eastern section of the [[Silk Road]]. It was through this region that [[Buddhism]] was transmitted into China from [[India]] and with it, the [[Isu]] relics known as the [[śarīra]].<ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 7|Chapter 7]]</ref>

By the 8th century, the [[Hidden Ones]] had established a presence in the area, and their activities were known to the locals. The legendary poet [[Li Bai]], who was born in the city of [[Suyab]] situated in the region, grew up hearing stories about them and dreamed of becoming a ''{{wiki|youku|xiake}}'' in his youth.<ref name="Dynasty 1">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' - [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]</ref>

As a borderland, the area was hotly contested between empires throughout the ages. In 751, it was the site of the [[Battle of Talas]] between the Tang and the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] when the two clashed in their expansion trajectories. At the time, [[Gao Xianzhi]] was serving as ''[[jiedushi]]'' of Anxi. Owing to the betrayal of the [[Karluks|Karluk]] [[mercenary|mercenaries]], the Tang suffered a decisive defeat, and most of their 30,000 strong army was annihilated.<ref name="Dynasty 8">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]</ref> Despite this, the rescue of a Tang soldier named [[Li E]] by a group of Hidden Ones led by [[Alianna]] would prove pivotal to the survival of the Tang several years later as Li E would go on to play a vital role in the [[An Lushan Rebellion]].<ref name="Dynasty 9">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Chapter 8|Chapter 9]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty promo map">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "True History Restored"</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''

==References==
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[[Category:Locations in China]]
[[Category:China]]