continental south asia and the islands 51To-mien to the T’ang court offered regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5015).
Wu-hsün, P’u-p’o, San-ma-lan
On Mar.25, 1011, Wu-hsün, P’u-p’o, and San-ma-lan offered gifts
to the Sung court. Those of Wu-hsün are noted to have been aro-
matics and elephant tusks, those of San-ma-lan aromatics, elephant
tusks, dates, peaches,^115 seeds of schisandra chinensis,^116 rose water,
white pebble sweets, opaque glass vessels etc. Apparently, these small
countries had combined their resources for a joint mission. In the 6th
month (July/Aug.) of that year, the Sung accepted the gifts of Wu-
hsün and San-ma-lan, and presumably also of P’u-p’o, i.e. agreed
to diplomatic and trade relations. The envoy from San-ma-lan, and
no doubt also those from the other two countries, were appointed to
nominal Chinese offices (Sung shih 8:1b, 3a; Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:17b).
Fu-nan.
Fu-nan had long-standing relations with China, and 20 missions are
recorded to the Eastern Chin, Liu Sung, Southern Ch’i, Liang, and
Ch’en of the Six Dynasties from 389 to 588.^117
During the reign of T’ai-tsung (627-649), Fu-nan presented the
T’ang court with two men from the State of the White Heads, where
all people were white-headed (T’ung-tien 188:7a; Hsin T’ang shu 222C:
3a;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 331:11b).
According to T’ung-tien 188:7a, when Sui had reunified China,
Fu-nan from 589 to 617 sent envoys with offerings (T’ung-tien 188:
70a). None is recorded. According to T’ung-tien188:70a and Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 331:11a, Fu-nan from 618 to 626 incessantly sent gifts to the
T’ang. According to Hsin T’ang shu 222C:3a, it twice sent gifts during
(^115) In cases like this, it is not possible to decide whether the entry means pre-
served fruits or seedlings.
(^116) A vine or shrub from whose berries a tonic was prepared (Sung hui-yao kao
8116:22a-22b).
(^117) See my Six Dynasties, vol.II, p.87.