《明史·列传·卷二百一十七》
贼人进逼到肃州城，索讨亦虎仙所欠的一千五百匹帛。
初，其地介于阗、别失八里诸大国间，势甚微弱。
The rebels advanced to Suzhou City and demanded the 1,500 pieces of silk that Yihuxian owed them.
<s>[INST] Explain the meaning of this Classical Chinese passage in English: 初，其地介于阗、别失八里诸大国间，势甚微弱。 [/INST] The rebels advanced to Suzhou City and demanded the 1,500 pieces of silk that Yihuxian owed them.</s>
Explain the meaning of this Classical Chinese passage in English: 初，其地介于阗、别失八里诸大国间，势甚微弱。
user
The rebels advanced to Suzhou City and demanded the 1,500 pieces of silk that Yihuxian owed them.
assistant