the middle east 3691047- 1066: 3
1067- 1086: 7
1087- 1106: 7
1107- 1126: 1
1127- 1146: 3
1147- 1166: 0
1167- 1186: 1
1187- 1206: 1
The high point of foreign relations was the reign of Emperor Hsüan-
tsung (r.712-756). After the rebellion of An Lu-shan in 755, with
its reaction somewhat delayed because of the distance, the missions
dropp off and then cease. They revive with the Sung, but with the
Southern Sung (1126-1276) come to a virtual halt. Of the 49 mis-
sions to China during all of Sung only 5 arrived in Southern Sung.
Yet, the Arabs could reach China by sea as easily as before. The
collapse of foreign relations is still another proof for the xenophobia
of Southern Sung.
The specified goods brought by the Persians, the Arabs, and Fu-lin
fall into the following categories:
Animals and Animal ProductsElephants
746: one elephant from Persia.
Elephant tusks
993: 50 elephant tusks from the Arabs.
999: 4 elephant tusks from the Arabs.
1011: elephant tusks from the Arabs.
1131: 209 large elephant tusks from the Arabs.
Rhinoceroses
746: one rhinoceros from Persia.
Rhinoceros horns
1131: 35 large veined rhinoceros horns from the Arabs.