408 the turkic tribes
Dec.18, 708, Emperor Chung-tsung conferred on him the title of
king of Chin-ho commandery and presented him with four Palace
Ladies (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 344:13a). A rival presented 700 ounces of
gold to the T’ang in an attempt to conspire against Sha-ko. Chung-
tsung sent a Palace Assistant Secretary on a secret mission, but he
was captured by the troops of Sha-ko and decapitated. After a brief
clash with the Chinese, Sha-ko then sent an envoy to present horses.
While this man was in Ch’ang-an, he learned about Chinese plans
for an attack on Sha-ko, returned hurriedly, and reported it. This led
to a further raid against the Chinese. Sha-ko then sent letters to the
T’ang court, whereupon Chung-tsung recognized him as Qaghan of
the Fourteen Tribes (Tzu-chih t’ung-chien pp.6625, 6627-6626, 6629;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 344:13a).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 709, envoys from Sha-ko offered
peace. On Sep.4, Chung-tsung conferred on him the title of Qaghan
Who Respects Civilization and the given name of Shou-chung (Observ-
ing Loyalty). In the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 709 and in the 9th
month (Oct./Nov.) of 712, envoys from Sha-ko were again received
at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei pp.5026, 5027; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
p.6636).
When Sha-ko was killed, Su-lu became his successor. In 714 or
715, he sent envoys to the T’ang court. In 715, Emperor Hsüan-tsung
appointed Su-lu General-in-chief of the Guards of the Feathered Forest
of the Left and enfeoffed him as Duke Who Is Obedient to the State
(Chiu T’ang shu 194B:7b; T’ung-tien 199:46b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.6733;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 344:13b).^38
In the 6th month (July/Aug.) of 717, the Turgesh presented camels
and horses. Hsüan-tsung sent a letter in response (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5027).
In 718, Hsüan-tsung sent a letter stamped with the imperial seal
to Su-lu and conferred on him the title of Qaghan Who Is Loyal and
Obedient (Chiu T’ang shu 194B:7b; T’ung-tien 199:46b; Tzu-chih t’ung-
chien p.6737; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 344:13b).^39
In spite of the exchange of missions, Su-lu had successfully attacked
Chinese outposts in the Tarim Basin and east of Issyk-Kul. Hsüan-
(^38) Tzu-chih t’ung-chien dates the appointment June 20, 718 and refers to Su-lu as
Protector-general of the Turgesh.
(^39) Tzu-chih t’ung-chien dates the appointment Dec.13, 719.