说文解字
The prominent (121 CE) "Shuowen Jiezi" character dictionary, defines "yi" 夷 as "men of the east” 東方之人也. The dictionary also informs that "Yi" is not dissimilar from the "Xia" 夏, which means Chinese. Elsewhere in the "Shuowen Jiezi", under the entry of "qiang" 羌, the term "yi" is associated with benevolence and human longevity. "Yi" countries are therefore virtuous places where people live long lives. This is why Confucius wanted to go to "yi" countries when the "dao" could not be realized in the central states.