Definition of "Sianfu"

Sianfu is a noble and great city in the province of Mangi, and hath twelve rich and great cities under her juriſdiction.

1811, John Pinkerton, A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World‎, volume 7, page 150

As we rode slowly over the Lunghai Line toward Sianfu, across the brown sun-baked plains of Northern Honan, soon to be flooded when the Chinese breached the Yellow River dikes to stop the advancing Yellow Horde, we passed many troop trains en-route to the front.

1941, Edgar Snow, The Battle for Asia, New York: Random House, page 26