korea 149before the establishement of the Sung Dynasty in 960.
In 962, envoys from Wang Chao arrived at the Sung court. He was
granted the title of Meritorious Subject Who Is Righteous (Sung shih
487:1b-2a;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51a). In the 9th month (October)
and 11th month (December) of 962, Wang Chao again offered regional
objects (Sung shih 1:13a; 487:2a).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 965, Koryo envoys to the Sung
court offered gifts (Sung shih 2:1a).
In 972,^46 envoys from Wang Chao to the Sung court presented
regional objects. His title was expanded to Meritorious Subject Who
Extends Sincerity, Obeys Civilization, Maintains Integrity, and Guards
Righteousness. Chinese envoys were sent in response (Sung shih 3:2a;
487:2a-2b;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51a).
When Wang Chao died in 975, he was succeeded by his son Chou
(Kyongjong). On Oct.2, 976, his envoys to the Sung court offered
presents. He was appointed Acting Grand Guardian, Military Gover-
nor of Hsüan-t’u subcommandery, and Military Commissioner of the
non-existant Army of Great Righeousness, and recognized as king of
Koryo. After T’ai-tsung had ascended the Sung throne on Nov.14, 976,
he confirmed Wang Chou as Acting Grand Guardian and made him a
Meritorious Subject. The Army of Great Righteousness was changed
to the equally non-existant Army of Great Obedience. Chinese envoys
were dispatched to Koryo, while Wang Chou sent a native of his state
to study under the aegis of the Sung Directorate of Education. On
Dec.6, Wang Chou was again recognized as king of Koryo (Sung shih
3:12a; 4:2a; 487:2b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51a).
On Nov.5, 978, a son of Wang Chou congratulated on the enthrone-
ment of T’ai-tsung and presented fine horses, military implements,
and regional objects (Sung shih 4:5a; 487:2b; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pien p.166 ).
On July 25, 980,^47 envoys from Wang Chou to the Sung court
presented regional objects. He was appointed Acting Grand Master.
On May 25, 981, Koryo envoys again offered gifts (Sung shih 4:12b,
14a; 487:3a).
(^46) Sung shih 3:2a dates this mission 7th month, keng-yin, but the 7th did not have
these cyclical characters.
(^47) Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.180 erroneously gives the cyclical characters
ofjen-tzu instead of jen-wu.