420 the turkic tribes
died that year and was succeeded by his son, the Ko-le Qaghan (Tzu-
chih t’ung-chien p.6863).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 747, the Nine Tribes presented
150 horses to the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p. 5030).^50
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 748) of the Chinese year 747, the
Nine Tribes presented horses (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 749, a mission of ten men from
the Nine Tribes was received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5030).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 751, a chief from the Nine Tribes
was received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 752, Uighurs envoys were received
at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
The outbreak of the rebellion of An Lu-shan in 755 brought on
a fundamental change in Uighur-Chinese relations. The Uighurs
became China’s overbearing and self-conscious saviors, while the
T’ang henceforth had to take care not to offend these demanding
and powerful allies.
When Su-tsung had ascended the throne on Aug.12, 756, followed
by the abdication of his father Hsüan-tsung, Lo-yang and Ch’ang-an
were in the hands of the rebels and the survival of the dynasty was
in doubt. In this crisis, Uighur envoys offered help. Su-tsung imme-
diately sent his second cousin Li Ch’eng-shen, a great-grandson of
Kao-tsung, and a general as his representatives to the Uighurs. The
Ko-le Qaghan married his adopted daughter, a younger sister of his
qatun, to Ch’eng-shen and sent a chief to accompany them back to
China. Su-tsung received them warmly and recognized the Uighur
princess as P’i-chia Princess^51 (Chiu T’ang shu 195:3a-3b; Hsin T’ang
shu 217A:3a).
As a result of the agreement reached, the qaghan personally led an
army to fight with the Chinese against An Lu-shan. On Dec.4, 756,
he met with Kuo Tzu-yi north of the Ordos bend of the Yellow River
and forced the Chinese general to salute the Uighur banners before
receiving him (Hsin T’ang shu 217A:3b).
(^50) The text says the Nine Tribes of the Turks which I take to be an error for
Uighurs. 51
According to Chiu T’ang shu 10:4a, the recognition was in 757. Chiu T’ang shu
195:7a states that p’i-chia in Uighuric means “having complete wisdom”. See also
infra note 62.