64 continental south asia and the islands
(Sung shih 489:13a-13b). Both entrepeneurs had Chinese names, so that
at least the first and perhaps both were overseas Chinese. It must be
noted, however, that since the ancient historians found it worthwhile
actually to record both arrivals, such events must have been rare.
To-p’o-teng
In the 6th month (July/Aug.) of 647, envoys from To-p’o-teng to the
T’ang court offered cotton, elephant tusks, and white sandalwood.
T’ai-tsung responded with a letter stamped with the inperial seal and
presented miscellaneous objects (Chiu T’ang shu 3:11a; 197:3b; T’ung-
tien 188:72a; T’ang hui-yao 100:3a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5025).
In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 649, joint envoys from To-p’o-
teng and K’o-ling offered gifts. This was shortly before T’ai-tsung’s
death on July 10. He again responded with a letter stamped with the
imperial seal (Hsin T’ang shu 222C:3b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:16a).
K’o-ling
In the 5th month (May/June) of 640, envoys from K’o-ling to the
T’ang court offered regional objects (Chiu T’ang shu 197:3a; Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5024).
In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 649, joint envoys from K’o-ling,
To-ho-lo, and To-p’o-teng presented golden flowers etc. T’ai-tsung
responded with a letter stamped with the imperial seal (Hsin T’ang
shu222C:3b;T’ung-tien 188:72b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:16a).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 666, envoys from the K’o-ling
State offered regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5025)
In the 4th month (May/June) of 768, the 1st month (Feb.Mar.) of
769, and the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 770) of the same Chinese year,
envoys from the K’o-ling State offered gifts (Chiu T’ang shu 197:3a;
Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5031).
At this time (766-779), the T’ang learned that a woman had become
the ruler of K’o-ling (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:16a).
On Oct.4, 815, envoys from the K’o-ling State presented five black
youths, a five-coloured parrot, cockatoos, a p’in-chia bird,^140 rare aro-
(^140) Schafer, Golden Peaches, pp.103-104, identifies the p’in-chiabird as a paradise
dorgon.