438 the turkic tribes
T’ang shu 16:10a; 195:11b; Hsin T’ang shu 217B:1a; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
p.7791). This qaghan replaced his predecessor as the bridegroom of
the Chinese princess.
In the 5th month (June/July) of 821, an enormous Uighur cortège,
the largest ever, arrived in China. It included high-ranking officials,
2000 chiefs, two princesses, Manichaeans, and others. They brought
as betrothal gifts 20,000 horses and 1000 camels. Mu-tsung allowed
500 members of the mission to proceed to Ch’ang-an and detained the
rest in T'ai-yüan. 573 actually entered Ch’ang-an on June 4, where
they were lodged in the Ministry of the Herald (Chiu T’ang shu 195:
11b-12a;Hsin T’ang shu 217B:1a).
However, the princess whom the Uighurs had come to meet was
not the same who had been first selected by Mu-tsung. The Senior
Princess of Yung-an, who later became a Taoist nun, was replaced.
On July 1, Mu-tsung ordered that the Princess of T’ai-ho, a younger
sister of his and the seventeenth daughter of Hsien-tsung was to be
the bride of the qaghan. A Member of the Suite of the Imperial Sec-
retariat was sent to the Ministry of the Herald to inform the Uighurs.
50 of the envoys were presented with brocade and silver vessels, each
in accordance with his rank. The Uighurs offered white cotton, white
silk, sable fur robes, jade belts, 1000 horses, 50 camels, camel wool, etc.
A staff corresponding to that of a king was appointed for the princess.
The General-in-chief of the Guards of the Gilded Mace of the Left
was made Acting Master of Writing of the Ministry of Households
to escort the Princess. The Privy Treasurer was made envoy for the
mariage ritual. The Superintendent of the Imperial Household was
made Concurrent Palace Assistant Secretary and deputy envoy. An
Erudit of the Ministry of the Grand Master of Ceremonies was made
Palace Assistant Secretary to act as an assistant (Chiu T’ang shu 195:
11b;Hsin T’ang shu 83:15a; 217B:1a; T’ang hui-yao 98:8b-9a).
When the Tibetans learned about the planned marriage, they
showed their displeasure by raiding the Chinese border. On July 16,
821, the Uighurs informed the T’ang court that they were taking
military action against the Tibetans (Chiu T’ang shu 195:11b; Tzu-chih
t’ung-chien p.7791-7792).
On Aug.22, 821, Mu-tsung conferred on his sister, the Princess of
T’ai-ho, the title of Qhatun Who is Benevolent, Filial, Upright, Beauti-
ful, Bright, Wise, Superior, and Long-lived (Hsin T’ang shu 217B:1a).
On Aug.28, 821, the princess started from Ch’ang-an. The emperor
said farewell. All the escorting officials were arranged according to their