korea 115bury them, and sacrifice to them. This was an act which, according to
the Chinese sources, worried the Korean king and made him improve
his defenses (Chiu T’ang shu 199A:2b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6087).
In 639, envoys from Koguryo offered gifts. In the 12th month (Jan./
Feb., 641) of the Chinese year 640, the king’s heir-apparent brought
regional objects (Chiu T’ang shu 3:6b, 7a; 199A:2b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5024). Kao Chien-wu was obviously anxious to improve relations.
In the 5th month (June/July) of 641, T’ai-tsung sent a Gentleman-
of-the-Palace of the Bureau of Operations on a spying mission to
Koguryo. At his return on Sep.20, 641, he reported on the topography
and customs of Koguryo (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6169).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 642, a Koguryo mission presented
regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5024).
On Dec.2, 642, the Military Governor of Ying commandery^6
reported to the T’ang court that the Koguryo dignitary Yon Kae-
so-mun had personally murdered Kao Chien-wu and enthroned the
latter’s nephew Kao Tsang (Pojang Wang). Henceforth, Yon Kae-so-
mun controlled the government. T’ai-tsung commenced mourning for
Chien-wu and sent an envoy to condole and sacrifice. The emperor
was advised to use this opportunity for an attack on Koguryo, but
rejected it on the grounds that during Chien-wu’s reign “tribute had
been uninterrupted” (Chiu T’ang shu 3:8a; 199A:2b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
p.6181;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:50a). The real reason was inadequate
resources.
On Jan.26, 643, Koguryo presented regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-
kuei p.5024). This was the first day of the year, so that the mission
must have been sent to congratulate on the New Year’s Day. On
Aug.10 of the same year,^7 T’ai-tsung sent an envoy to appoint Kao
Tsang as Supreme Pillar of State and recognize him as king of Liao-
tung commandery and Koguryo (Chiu T’ang shu 199 A:2b; Tzu-chih
t’ung-chien p.6202).
On Oct.21, 643, envoys from Silla informed the T’ang court that
it was under attack from Paekche and Koguryo, that it had lost more
than 40 of its towns, and that the route was cut on which its envoys
travelled to the T’ang court. It asked for support. T’ai-tsung sent an
Assistant of the Minister of Agriculture, carrying a letter stamped with
(^6) Ying commandery bordered on Koguryo and like all border commanderies
routinely reported on events abroad.
(^7) Correcting 6th month to 6th intercalary month.