358 the middle east
Courageous Garrison (T’ang hui-yao 100:12b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5028;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56a).^10
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 734) of the Chinese year 733, a chief
sent by the king (caliph) of the Arab State was received at the T’ang
court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 744, envoys from the Arab State
presented horses and valuables (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 5th month (June/July) of 745, Arab envoys offered gifts
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 5th month (June/July) of 747, envoys from the king (caliph)
of the Arab State presented six leopards (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 753) of the Chinese year 752, Arab
envoys were received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 3rd (Apr./May) and 4th month (May/June) of 753, envoys
of the black-robed Arabs [from the Abbasid caliphate] offered regional
objects. In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 754) of the same Chinese year,
they presented 30 horses (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030, 5031).
In the 4th month (Apr./May) of 754, envoys from the black-robed
Arabs were received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 755, 25 envoys from the black-robed
Arabs were received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031).
In c.756, Arab envoys offered gifts (Hsin T’ang shu 221B:12a).
On June 11, 758, six envoys of the black-robed Arabs entered the
palace for an audience. 80 Uighur envoys entered at the same time,
and at the Audience Gate both delegations wrangled for precedence.
The Chinese receptionists separated them and made them enter simul-
taneously through the Eastern and Western Gates (Chiu T’ang shu 10:
9a; 195:4a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 347:28b).
On June 26, 762, black-robed Arabs offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5031).
In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 763) of the Chinese year 762, envoys
from the black-robed Arabs offered gifts (Chiu T’ang shu 11:15b; Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5031).
In the autumn of 772, Arab envoys offered gifts (Chiu T’ang shu 11:
20b).
(^10) Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei records the reception of this mission for both the 1st (Feb./Mar.)
and 3rd (Apr./May) month. According to Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao, Suleiman arrived in
726.