78 continental south asia and the islands
and then returned with rich gifts. One of the envoys died en route
while still in China (Sung shih 489:23a; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-
pienpp.752; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:19a).^178
On Nov.16, 1033, envoys from the king of Chu-lien presented a
letter, one robe and one cap adorned with real pearls, 105 ounces
of real pearls, and 100 elephant tusks. The envoys stated that they
had frequently attempted to come to the court, but that the sea and
wind had crushed their ships. In the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.) of 1034,
the chief envoy was appointed to a nominal Chinese office (Sung shih
489:23b;Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.1012; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao
332:19b).
On June 26, 1077, a mission of 27 men sent by the king of Chu-lien
presented pea-sized pearls, a large wash basin of opaque glass, white
plum blossom camphor, cotton, rhinoceros horns,^179 frankincense,
rose water, golden lotus flowers, putchuck, asafoetida,^180 borax,^181
and cloves. The envoys knelt in the throne hall and spread out their
offerings. The chief envoy was appointed to a nominal Chinese office.
All received garments, [porcelain] vessels, and silk, each in accordance
with his rank. The king was paid 81,800 copper cash and 52,000
ounces of stringed silver coins (Sung shih 15:19a; 489:23b-24a; Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:19b).
Wu-ch’a or Wu-ch’ang or Wu-tu
This country had so far had no relations with China (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5024). The first recorded mission was in 642 to the T’ang court,
when the king ’s envoys presented baroos camphor. Emperor T’ai-
tsung responded with a letter stamped with the imperial seal (Hsin
T’ang shu 221A:13a; T’ung-tien188:72a;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 332:16a;
338:51b).
On Jan.30, 648, envoys offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5025).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 720, Emperor Hsüan-tsung recog-
(^178) According to Chao Ju-kua, the envoys were given a banqet by the Audience
Ushers, the protocol being equal to that for Chiao-chih, and subsequently invited to
the court congratulations on the emperor’s birthday. See Hirth and Rockhill, Chau
Ju-kua, p.96.
(^179) Correcting the “teeth” of the texts to “horns”.
(^180) The gum resin of certain oriental plants used in medicine.
(^181) A mineral used for glass manifacture, as a flux, cleansing agent, etc.