the southwest 231the name of a commandery, which changed nothing in practice. (Chiu
T’ang shu 196A:4b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6482). Nevertheless, the T’ang
was able to reestablish the An-hsi Protectorate in Kucha that year and
to regain some control over the Tarim Basin.
In 696 and 697, Tibetan envoys requested peace. Negotiations
were attempted but proved fruitless (Chiu T’ang shu 196A:5a; Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:29a).
In 699, the king of Tibet, successfully asserted himself against the
members of the mGar clan who had been regents during his minority
(Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6539; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:29a). The previously
all-powerful mGar Khri-’bring committed suicide. His brother, whose
name in the Chinese sources is transliterated as Lun Tsan-p’o and
others deserted to the Chinese side. The Chinese attempted to exploit
the situation. Tsan-p’o was made a Specially Advanced and King
Who Attaches Himself to Virtue. A son of Khri-’bring, whose name
in the Chinese sources is transliterated as Lun Kung-jen, was appointed
General of the Guards of the Jade Bells of the Left. On Nov.3, 699,
Tsan-p’o was received in Ch’ang-an and appointed General-in-chief
of the Guards of the Right. Thereafter, he departed and was expected
to protect the Chinese border (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p. pp.6539-6540,
6542;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:29a).
On Oct.10, 702, Tibetan envoys requested peace and were given a
banquet by the Empress Wu (Chiu T’ang shu 196A:5a-5b; Hsin T’ang
shu 4:11b).
In the 4th month (Apr./May) of 703, Tibetan envoys presented
1000 horses and 2000 ounces of gold and requested a marriage. The
Empress Wu agreed. However, the king of Tibet fell against the Nep-
alese and was succeeded by his 7-year old son Tsuk-tsen (Chiu T’ang
shu 196A:5b; Hsin T’ang shu 4:11b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien pp.6562, 6569;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:29a).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.), of 704, Tibetan envoys offered gifts
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5026).
In 705, Tibetan envoys officially announced the death of their king.
Emperor Chung-tsung commencenced mourning and suspended the
court for one day. Subsequently, Tsuk-tsen’s grandmother sent a high
official to present 2000 ounces of gold and request a marriage on
behalf of her grandson (Chiu T’ang shu 196A:5b; T’ang hui-yao 97:6a;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:29a).
On Mar.15, 707, high officials sent by the Tibetan king offered