Diplomacy and Trade in the Chinese World, 589-1276

the southwest 245

and silver vessels, a jade belt, and horses (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5033).
In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 831) of the Chinese year 830, Tibetan
envoys offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5033).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 831, Tibetan envoys were received
at the T’ang court (T’ang hui-yao 97:14b).
In the 11th month Dec./Jan., 832) of the Chinese year 831, Tibetan
envoys offered presents (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5033).
On Mar.16, 833, Tibetan envoys were received at the T’ang court
(Chiu T’ang shu 17B:9a).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 835, Tibetan envoys were received
at the T’ang court (T’ang hui-yao 97:14b).
On Jan.22, 836, the New Year’s Day, Tibetan envoys congratulated
at the T’ang court and presented horses (T’ang hui-yao 97:14b).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 837) of the Chinese year 836,
Tibetan envoys offered gifts (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:16a; Ts’e-fu yüan-
kuei p.5033).
In 837, Tibetan envoys presented gold and silver vessels, jade belts,
otter skins, yak tails, court garments, cotton fabrics, various drugs,
horses, cattle, and camels to the T’ang court (Chiu T’ang shu 196B:
16a;T’ang hui-yao 97:15a).
In the 5th month (June/July), of 837, a Chinese mission returned
from Tibet (T’ang hui-yao 97:15a).
In 838, the king of Tibet, Ral-pa-chen, died and was succeeded by
his younger brother Dar-ma. He lacked support, and the state disin-
tegrated (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.7983). In 839, Emperor Wen-tsung sent
the Supervisor of the Household of the Heir-apparent as envoy to the
Tibetans. The Tibetans, on their part, presented jade vessels, horses,
and sheep to the T’ang court (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 334:31a).
On Jan.11, 842, Tibetan envoys announced that their king Dar-
ma had died. Emperor Wu-tsung suspended the court for three days
and ordered the civilian and military officials from rank 4 and up to
condole with the Tibetan envoys at the Office of the Herald. He sent
the Junior Inspector of the Court Architect and Concurrent Palace
Asssistant Secretary to condole and sacrifice. This envoy returned on
the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 843. Under the following chaotic condi-
tions, Tibet dissolved into chiefdoms, and diplomatic relations with
China ceased for the rest of T’ang (Chiu T’ang shu 18A:7a; 196B:16a;
T’ang hui-yao 97:15a, 16a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien pp.7969-7970; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 334:31a).