36 continental south asia and the islands
Ju-kua mentions salt among additional Chiao-chih products.^88 That
salt was imported to China is proved by the fact that this trade^89 was
disallowed by the Southern Sung on Feb.6, 1185 (Sung shih 35:16b).
Lin-yi.
This state, which comprised most of southern Vietnam, had come into
existance in the 3rd century A.D. Its territory had never been part
of the Chinese empire. During the Six Dynasties, friendly relations
were interspersed with confrontations. Military conflicts are recorded
for 399, 407, 405-418, 430 and especially 446. On the other hand,
it is recorded that 34 missions from Lin-yi arrived at the southern
courts of Eastern Chin, Liu Sung, Southern Ch’i, Liang, and Ch’en
between 340 and 572. In 488, a king of Ling-yi even attempted to
call on Emperor Ming of Southern Ch’i in Chien-k’ang but drowned
en route.^90
When Emperor Wen of Sui had conquered Ch’en in 589, Lin-yi
for the first time in its history found itself the neighbour of a huge and
powerful state. It sent a mission to present regional objects. This must
be the one which was received on July 20, 595. Thereafter, relations
were disrupted (Sui shu 2:10a; 82:10b). The ambitious Sui dynasty
dispatched an army against Lin-yi in 604. The king resisted with war
elephants, was defeated, and abandoned his capital. Subsequently, he
sent envoys to seek peace. The state kept its independence (Sui shu 53:
9b-10a; 82:2b; Pei shih 95:16a).
All texts agree that the first mission from Lin-yi to the T’ang court
arrived in the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 623. This was followed by
another in the 4th month (May/June) of 625 (Chiu T’ang shu 197:1b;
Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5023; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.5965; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao
331:11a).
In 627 or soon thereafter, Lin-yi presented a tame rhinoceros (Chiu
T’ang shu 197:1b). In the 10th month (November) of 628, a mission
from Lin-yi, which also included envoys from Chen-la, paid court
and offered presents. In the 10th month (November) of 629, a mission
arrived with gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5023).
(^88) Hirth and Rockhill, Chau Ju-kua, p.46.
(^89) It conflicted with the Chinese state-monopoly of salt.
(^90) See my Six Dynasties, vol.I, pp. 99, 113, 129, 136, and vol.II, pp.85-87.