 In the Later Han period it was also known as Piaosha which translates literally as "drifting sands".It was noted for producing "baicao" (白草, literally "white grass") which gave a very poisonous substance used on arrow tips - probably from an aconite plant.Xiye is recorded in the Book of the Later Han as being distinct from Zihe and having 2,500 households, more than 10,000 people and 3,000 men able to bear arms.