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0025 Cathay and the Way Thither : vol.2
Cathay and the Way Thither : vol.2 / Page 25 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000042
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UNDER THE MONGOLS.   265

Formerly the office of Fanch6 n was only bestowed. on Cathayans, but it is now held also by Mongols, T6jiks, and

Ighiirs.

The chief Fanchân is called Su Fanchân, or the Select Fanchan. In our day under the reign of Timûr Ka6,n the chief of the whole number is Bâyän Fanch6n,1 the son of the Sayad Nasiruddin, who was the son of Sayad Ajal, and who bears the same title. The second, Omar Fanchân, is also a Mongol. The third, Iké Fanchân, is an Ighdr. Before him the office was filled by Lâjan Fanchân, brother of his Excellency the Su Fanchân ; his son is called Karmânah. The fourth Paighamish Fanchân, whose place was formerly occupied by Tirnur Fanchân, is an Ighdr.

As the Kaan generally resides at the capital he has erected a place for the sittings of the Great Council, called Sing. According to established custom a lieutenant is appointed to the inspection and charge of the doDrs, and examines all the drafts of memorials~ that are presented.

The name of the first tribunal is In. All the proceedings are copied and sent with the memorials to the tribunal called Le'tsah, which is of higher rank than the other. Thence all is carried to the tribunal called Khalyûn, and thence to the fourth, called Kuijicn. This is the board which has charge of all that relates to the posts and despatches. The three

1 The Sayad Ajal, a native of Bokhara, was finance minister to Kublai, and stood high in his favour. He died in 1270. His son Ntisiruddin was governor of Karajang (infra, pp. 269, 273). The grandson here spoken of, Abtibakr, surnamed Bayan Fanchan, was also minister of finance, and was called by his grandfather's title of Sayad Ajal, which was highly respected by the Mongols (D' Ohsson, ii, 467, 507-8). At least two other Bayans are notable in the history of Kublai's dynasty. The name Baian already appears as that of an Avar chief in the time of the Emperor Justin.

2 The original word is here Balarghûi, which puzzled Klaproth. It is explained by Pauthier (Marc Pol, 331) from Schmidt's Mongol Dictionary, "Ecrit, Mémoire peu net, avec des ratures ou phrases retranchées." He adds that still in China all memorials, etc., for presentation to the emperor or his council, are submitted to particular officers who correct their style.