korea 133of 737 (Feb.4)] In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 737, Silla envoys
arrived to congratulate on the New Year’s Day of 738 (Jan.25) and
offer regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029). The latter mission was
probably recalled because of the death of the king. As will be seen
below, a new mission arrived in the 12th month.
On Mar.29, 737, envoys arrived from Silla, announcing that
Chin Hsing-kuang had died and that his son Ch’eng-ch’ing (Hyo-
song Wang) had succeeded to the throne. Emperor Hsüan-tsung sent
an Admonisher Grandee as Acting Junior Herald to condole and
sacrifice. Hsing-kuang was granted the posthumous title of Grand
Guardian of the Heir-apparent, while Ch’eng-ch’ing was appointed
Commander Unequalled in Honour and recognized as king of Silla
(Chiu T’ang shu 9:1a; 199A:12a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6826; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 326:55b).
In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 738) of the Chinese year 737, envoys
from the new king of Silla, Chin Ch’eng-ch’ing, arrived to offer regional
objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029).
In the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.) of 738, a high Silla official arrived
to congratulate on the New Year’s Day of 739 (Feb.13) (Ts’e-fu yüan-
kuei p.5029).
In 743, it became known at the T’ang court that the king of Silla,
Chin Ch’eng-ch’ing had died and had been succeeded by his younger
brother Hsien-ying (Kyongdok Wang). Emperor Hsüan-tsung sent
an Admonisher Grandee to condole and sacrifice. Hsien-ying was
appointed to his elder brother’s titles and recognized as king of Silla.
Hsien-ying responded with a mission of his own. Hsüan-tsung was
at that time in Ssu-ch’uan. The Silla envoys went up the Yangtze to
Ch’eng-tu and congratulated there on the New Year’s Day of 744
(Jan.20) (Chiu T’ang shu 119A:12b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 3426:55b).
In the intercalary month (Mar.Apr.) of 744, Silla envoys arrived to
congratulate on the New Year’s Day of 745 (Feb.6) and offer regional
objects. This must have been an aborted mission since a new one
arrived in the 12th month for the same purpose (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5030).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 744, Silla envoys were received
at the court. In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 745), a younger brother
of the king of Silla arrived to congratulate on the New Year’s Day of
745 (Feb.6) (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 745, Silla envoys brought gifts. In
the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of the same year, Silla envoys arrived to