the southwest 267noceros to the T’ang court. It was rejected (T’ang hui-yao 99:7b).
In 859, T’ang envoys to Nan-chao announced that Emperor
Hsüan-tsung had died on Sep.7. At this time, the king of Nan-chao,
Feng-yu, also died and was succeeded by Ch’iu-lung. He resented
the fact that the T’ang court had not condoled on the death of his
predecessor, adopted the title of emperor, and called his state Ta-li
(Great Propriety).^51 He discontinued the missions to the T’ang, and
war broke out (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 329:71b).
In 869, an envoy from Nan-chao set out to give thanks for the
release of prisoners of war. He never reached Ch’ang-an but was killed
en route by a Military Commissioner. Although the court dismissed
the culprit, the war continued. In the 11th month (Dec./Jan., 870)
of the Chinese year 869, Nan-chao forces looted western Ssu-ch’uan.
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 870) of the same Chinese year 869, a
mission of ten men from Nan-chao to the T’ang court sought peace
in vain. Envoys from the T’ang to Ch’iu-lung were equally unsuc-
cessful (T’ang hui-yao 99:7b-8a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.8150; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 329:71b).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 875) of the Chinese year 874, Nan-
chao again looted western Ssu-ch’uan (T’ang-hui-yao 99:8a).
In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.) of 876, Nan-chao envoys proposed
peace. They reached no further than Ssu-ch’uan, where they were
decapitated. But in spite of the hostility of local Chinese officials,
the T’ang court also wished peace. It sent envoys who concluded a
covenant in Nan-chao. Ch’iu Lung responded with a mission of his
own. Emperor Hsi-tsung appointed the chief envoy Herald and Act-
ing Regular Cavalier Attendant (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.8183; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 329:71b).
Ch’iu-lung died in 877. He was succeeded as emperor of Nan-chao
by his son Fa.^52 In the 11th month (Nov./Dec.) of the same year,^53
four envoys of his to a Military Commissioner in Kuang-hsi reaf-
firmed peace. Hsi-tsung ordered the acceptance of this. The Military
Commissioner consequently sent an envoy to Nan-chao, who on his
(^51) Yi-mou-hsün had in 779 changed the name of Nan-chao to Ta-li (Great Prin-
ciple), but the T’ang sources, and presumably the government, accepted neither term
and refered to it as Nan-chao until the end of the dynasty. The name of Ta-li (Great
Principle) was resumed in 937 and was acknowledged by the Sung.
(^52) Or Lung-shun.
(^53) T’ang hui-yao says 876.