the southwest 239the court (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:1a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031).
In 768, the Tibetans again fought the Chinese and looted border
lands (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:1a).
In the 12th month (January, 770) of the Chinese year 769, Tibetan
envoys offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031).
In the autumn and in the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 773) of the Chi-
nese year 772, Tibetan envoys offered presents (Chiu T’ang shu 11:20b;
Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p. p.5031).
In 773, the Tibetans raided the Ning-hsia Oasis (Wen-hsien t’ung-
k’ao 334:30a).
In 774, Tai-tsung dispatched a Grandee Remonstrant and Consul-
tant to the Tibetans in the hope of restoring good relations (Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 334:30a). In the 6th (July/Aug.) and 7th month (Aug./Sep.),
the Tibetans responded by sending envoys of their own to the T’ang
court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5032).
In 775, the Tibetans attacked again. In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.)
of 778, they looted the Ning-hsia Oasis (T’ang hui-yao 97:7a; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 334:30b).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 779, Emperor Te-tsung, who had
ascended the throne on June 12, sent the Junior Grand Master of Cere-
monies, Wei Lun, to the Tibetans, no doubt to open communications.
This did not prevent the Tibetans from looting Chinese border lands
in the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:2a).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 780, envoys from the Tibetan
king offered gifts (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.7279). On June 11, Te-tsung
sent Wei Lun on a second mission to the Tibetans, this time with the
rank of Grand Master of Ceremonies, and also ordered the release of
Tibetan prisoners of war. Wei Lun returned with a Tibetan mission
of 55 men, headed by a Chancellor, which presented regional objects
in order to restore good relations (Chiu T’ang shu 12:5a, 6a; 196B:2b;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:30b).
In 781, Te-tsung dispatched the Junior Palace Inspector as envoy
to the Tibetan king. There followed negotiations which lasted until
the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 782, and in which the Tibetans suc-
cessfully protested against the sinocentric terminology of the proposed
treaty (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:2b-3a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:30b). It was
agreed to conclude a covenant on the 15th day of the 1st month of the
following year at the Ch’ing River. This was a northern affluent of the
upper Wei River. On Feb.18, 783, the delegates met at the appointed
place. The T’ang was represented by a Military Commissioner, Tibet