korea 145of the Later Liang^36 (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51a).
In 924, Wang Chien sent envoys to the Khitan court (Liao shih 115:
1a). On Dec. 6, 925,^37 his envoys presented regional objects to the Later
T’ang court. In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 926, the Later T’ang
appointed the head of the Koryo mission as Gentleman for Closing
Court and his deputy Probationary Gentleman of the Imperial Library
(Hsin Wu-tai shih 5:8b; Wu-tai hui-yao 30:4b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
On Nov.10, 925, on Apr.5, 926, and in 927, Koryo missions were
received at the Khitan court (Liao shih 2:5b, 6b; 115:1a).
On Sep.28, 929, a mission of 53 men^38 from Wang Chien was
received at the Later T’ang court. It presented censers for aromatics,
gilded lances, swords, textiles, human hair, ginseng, fragrant oils, silver-
engraved scissors etc (Hsin Wu-tai shih 6:8a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 932,^39 a mission from Wang Chien,
led by a high official, offered gifts to the Later T’ang court. On July
6, Emperor Ming-tsung of that dynasty appointed Wang Chien as
Specially Advanced, Acting Grand Guardian, Chief Commandant of
Hsüan-t’u commandery,^40 Military Commissioner of the non-existant
Army of Great Righteousness, Concurrent Grandee Secretary, and
Supreme Pillar of State, and recognized him as king of Koryo. In
the 7th month (Aug./Sep.), Wang Chien’s wife was entitled Consort
(Chiu wu-tai shih 43:4a; Hsin Wu-tai shih 6:10b; Wu-tai hui-yao 30:4b-5a;
Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5035;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51a). In the 7th month
(Aug./Sep.) of the same year, Wang Chien presented a communica-
tion to Ming-tsung (Chiu wu-tai shih 43:6b).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 934, local officials in northern
Shan-tung^41 reported to the Later T’ang court that a mission had
arrived from Koryo (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5035).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 935, envoys from Wang Chien
to the Later T’ang court offered gifts. Another mission arrived in the
12th month (Dec./Jan.936) of the Chinese year 935. In the 1st month
(Jan./Feb.) of 936, its chief envoy was by the Later T’ang appointed
(^36) Or possibly Later T’ang. The last Later Liang emperor committed suicide
on Nov.18. 37
By Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034 dated 10th month (Oct./Nov.) instead of 11th.
(^38) Wu-tai hui-yao 30:4b says 52 men.
(^39) By Wu-ta hui-yao 30:4b dated 2nd month (Mar./Apr.). Hsin Wu-tai shih 74:13b
dates the mission 931, which must be an error.
(^40) The name of an administrative unit during Han and Western Chin.
(^41) Probably in the port of Teng.