Dengzhi

Dengzhi, also known as the Dengzhi Qiang (鄧至羌) and Baishui Qiang (白水羌), was a state established by the Qiang ethnic group that existed during the Northern and Southern dynasties period in China. It was located west of Chouchi and south of Dangchang, which is equivalent to the northern part of present-day Sichuan, China. Its capital was Dengzhi City (west of modern day Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan), and their rulers all had the surname "Xiang" (像/象).

History
According to the Book of Zhou, Dengzhi was first founded by Xiang Shuzhi, a Qiang chieftain who ruled over the Bai River or Baishui (白水) and later proclaimed himself king. The city of Dengzhi was located north of the river and was named after the Cao Wei dynasty military general, Deng Ai, who once came to the area during the Conquest of Shu Han.

The Dengzhi's earliest interaction with the Northern and Southern dynasties was during the reign of Emperor Wen of Song (424–453), when Xiang Qudan sent horses to the Liu Song dynasty as tribute. During the reign of Xiang Shupeng, he actively pursued diplomatic relations with the Southern Qi, Northern Wei and Liang dynasties, receiving various titles in return. In 509, Xiang Lanti ascended the throne, presumably succeeding Xiang Shupeng.

The Book of Liang records that the Dengzhi people wore hats called "Tuhe" (突何) and their clothes were the similar to those of the Dangchang, a neighbouring Qiang kingdom to the north. Various historical records also record that Dengzhi's customs and habits were the same as Dangchang.

The last recorded ruler of the Dengzhi was Xiang Yanheng, who was the tenth descendant of Xiang Shuzhi. In 554, Xiang Yanheng lost power after his state was attacked by the Tuyuhun, causing him to flee to the Western Wei dynasty. The Western Wei paramount authority, Yuwen Tai sent troops to escort him back to his domain. Dengzhi's subsequent events are not recorded in historical records, but by the time the Northern Zhou dynasty replaced the Western Wei in 557, Deng province had been established in Dengzhi's place, meaning that the state would have likely ceased to exist around this time.