Map Introduction

The historical evolution of the Wusun Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period primarily involved its interactions with the Central Plains dynasties and internal political changes:

Interactions with the Central Plains

During the Three Kingdoms period, Wusun maintained official relations with the Central Plains. Both Cao Wei and the Western Jin continued the Eastern Han system of the "Chief Clerk of the Western Regions," who was responsible for managing affairs in the Western Regions. As a significant state in the Western Regions, the leader of Wusun, titled "Kunmo" or "Kunmi," was required to regularly pay tribute to the Central Plains dynasty and receive investiture. For instance, during the Western Jin, Wusun continued to send envoys to Luoyang presenting local products, thereby sustaining political ties with the Central Plains.

Internal Political Changes

Internally, Wusun experienced political transitions during the Three Kingdoms period. After its westward migration to the Ili River basin in the 2nd century BC, Wusun gradually developed a political system led by the Kunmo. By the Three Kingdoms period, a co-rulership structure had emerged, with a "Greater Kunmi" and a "Lesser Kunmi" governing jointly. This dual governance model persisted into the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It is noteworthy that the Wusun political system remained closely linked to the Xiongnu, with its royal house maintaining a long-standing alliance with the Xiongnu Chanyus, though specific details of their interactions are scarcely recorded in Three Kingdoms historical sources.

Economic and Cultural Characteristics

Wusun's economy was primarily based on nomadic pastoralism, with horse breeding being particularly developed. Culturally, it incorporated elements from the Saka (Scythian) and Yuezhi peoples. Archaeological findings indicate that its social organization shared similarities with that of the Xiongnu, yet Wusun maintained a relatively independent political system.