korea 131rich gifts. Hsüan-tsung presented Chin Hsing-kuang with brocade,
gauze in five colours, purple embroidered robes, and fine vessels of gold
and silver. Hsing-kuang offered dogs, horses, real gold, and beautiful
false hair. Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei gives more detailed information:
In the 2nd (March) and 6th month (June/July) of 713, Silla envoys
offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027). In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.)
of 716, a high official congratulated on the New Year’s Day of 717
(Feb.16) (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
In the 3rd (Apr./May) and 5th month (June/July) of 717, and in
the 2nd month (Mar.Apr.) of 718, Silla offered regional objects (Ts’e-
fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
On Jan.26, 719, Silla envoys congratulated on the New Year’s Day
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
On Nov.20, 722, a high official from Silla congratulated on the
New Year’s Day of 723 (Feb.10) (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 723, the king of Silla, Chin
Hsing-kuang, sent envoys to present one inferior horse (Ts’e-fu yüan-
kuei p.5027).
In the 2nd month (March) of 724, a high official from Silla con-
gratulated on the New Year’s Day of 725 (Feb.18). He was bestowed
50 bolts of silk (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5028).
At some time in 724, Hsing-kuang’s nephew Chih-lien arrived with
a letter and offered two small inferior horses, three dogs, 100 ounces
of gold, 2,000 ounces of silver, 60 bolts of cotton, 20 ounzes of cow
bezoar,^26 200 ounces of ginseng, 100 ounces of human hair, and 16
seal (”sea leopard”) skins, court garments, and engraved bells for the
tailfeathers of falcons, etc. Chih-lien was appointed to the nominal
Chinese office of Junior Herald (T’ang hui-yao 95:16b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5029).
In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 725) of the Chinese year 724, envoys
from the king of Silla, Chin Hsing-kuang, offered regional objects
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5028).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 726, Silla envoys congratulated
on the New Year’s Day of 727 (Jan.27). In the 5th month (June/July)
of the same year, a younger brother of the king of Silla came to the
T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5028).
(^26) A concretion in the alimentary organs, used in Chinese medicine, and believed
to have magical powers.