120 korea
Paekche
For the Six Dynasties, 26 missions are recorded from Paekche to
Eastern Chin, Liu Sung, Liang, and Ch’en between 372 and 586.^10
Early in the 580’s, before the reunification of China in 589, envoys
from the king of Paekche, Fu-yü Ch’ang (Widok Wang), to the Sui
court offered regional objects. Emperor Wen appointed him Supreme
Commander Unequalled in Honour, entitled him duke of Tai-fang
commandery, and recognized him as king of Paekche (Sui shu 81:
5b).
In 589, Paekche congratulated Sui on the conquest of Ch’en (Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:54b).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 590, Paekche envoys to the Sui
court offered regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5023).
In 598, a Chief Clerk of the king of Paekche presented regional
objects. The king subsequently sent other envoys and requested to be
given a military rank (Sui shu 81:7a).
In 607, envoys of the king of Paekche, Fu-yü Chang (Mu Wang)^11
offered gifts to the Sui court. The same year, he dispatched another
envoy with presents, urging the Sui to take action against Koguryo.
Emperor Yang was not yet ready to do so (Sui shu 81:7a; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 326:54b).
On Apr.9, 608, Paekche envoys offered regional objects. On June
26, 610, envoys again offered gifts (Sui shu 3:11b, 15b; Pei shih 12:
11a-11b).
When Emperor Yang in 611 made preparations for his first attack
on Koguryo, Fu-yü Chang sent an envoy to coordinate the war effort.
Emperor Yang responded by dispatching a Gentleman of the Bureau of
Public Construction of the Masters of Writing to Paekche to complete
the negotiations. When the war began, the king of Paekache placed
troops at his border, no doubt in the hope of weakening Koguryo by
drawing some of its forces against himself (Sui shu 81:7a-7b).
In 614, the last mission from Paekche to Sui arrived at the court
with offerings. Thereafter, missions ceased because of the disorders
in China (Sui shu 81:7b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 326:54b).
(^10) See my Six Dynasties, vol.II, pp.95-96. Note that on p.96 above the date of
567, 9th month, Nov.5, the word “Ch’en” has dropped out.
(^11) Widok Wang had in 598 been succeeded by Hye Wang, followed by Pop
Wang in 599, and Mu Wang in 600.