146 korea
Probationary Junior Inspector of the Court Architect, and his deputy
Probationary Master of Records of the Inspector of the Privy Treasurer
(Wu-tai hui-yao 30:5a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5035).
In the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 936, a royal son of Koryo with a
mission of 30 men offered regional objects to the Later T’ang court. He
was made an Acting Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing,
and his deputy a Probationary Inspector of the Court Architect. The
other members of the mission were appointed to lesser offices (Wu-tai
hui-yao 30:5a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5035).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 937) of the Chinese year 936, it
became known in Later Chin that Wang Chien had conquered Later
Paekche, which in 935 had absorbed Silla, and thereby had reunited
Korea (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.9166). The Later Chin recognized Wang
Chien as king of Koryo, of which he in turn informed the Khitan
court in 939 (Liao shih 115:1a).
On Nov.2, 939, a Koryo mission of 92 men^42 to the Later Chin
court offered regional objects (Chiu wu-tai shih 78:8a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5035).
On July 14, 941, the Later Chin entitled Wang Chien Commander
Unequalled in Honour, Chief Commandant of Hsüan-t’u command-
ery, and Military Commissioner of the non-existant Army of Great
Righteousness, and recognized him as king of Koryo. An Erudite of
the National University was sent to Koryo to confer these titles (Chiu
wu-tai shih 79:11a; Wu-ta hui-yao 30:5b).
On Dec.26, 943, a Koryo envoy was received at the Later Chin
court (Hsin Wu-tai shih 9:4a).
On Jan.8, 944, a Koryo mission was received at the Later Chin
court. Its chief envoy was appointed Acting Prefect of the Granary
Bureau and Supreme Pillar of State and presented with a purple and
gold fish wallet. The lesser envoys were made Acting Supervisor of
the Masters of Writing, Acting Master of Writing in the Ministry of
Rites, Probationary Commandant of the Guards, Probationary Junior
Commandant of the Guards, Probationary Grand Treasurer, Proba-
tionary Junior Grand Treasurer, Probationary Master of Records of
the Inspector of the Court Architect, and Acting Master of Writing
in the Ministry of Works, and all were given golden fish wallets (Hsin
Wu-tai shih 9:4a; Wu-tai hui-yao 30:5b-6a).
(^42) Wu-tai hui-yao 30:5b says 72 men.