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Wang Ch'in-jo et al: Ts'e fu Yuan Kuei (1013)
(Outstanding models for the Storehouse of Literature.)
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Taken from: Diplomacy and Trade in the Chinese World 589-1276 by Hans Bielenstein 2005
A Persian view on China from the Khamsa of Khusrau
P5023
Emperor Yang of Sui (r.605-618) took steps to open communications with Persia, and sent a Commandant of Cavalry Fleet as Clouds to that country. On the return of this envoy, the king of Persia, Chosroes H, attached his own envoys to him to present regional objects to the Sui court
P5024
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 647 after its defeat at Nehavend (1) in 641, Persia offered regional objects and asked for help against the Arabs. (None was given. Yazdgard III fled and was assassinated in Merv (2) in 651)
P5026
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 667, Persia offered regional objects.
In the 5th month (June/July ) of 671, envoys from Persia offered regional objects.
In the 5th month (June/July) of 682, envoys from Persia offered regional objects.
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 706, envoys from Persia offered gifts.
In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.} of 708, envoys from Persia were received at the court.
P5027
In the 1st (Jan./Feb.), 2nd (Feb./Mar.), and 7th month (July./Aug.) of 719, envoys from Persia offered regional objects.
In the 10th month (Nov.Dec.) of 722, envoys from Persia presented a lion.
P5028
In the 7th month (July/Aug.) of 724, the ambassador Chiu-mo-lo (Kumara), envoy from the king of Srivijaya (3) (Shih-li-fo-shih) offered two two chu-ju (pygmies), one Zanggi girl (correctly seng- ffi), various musicians, and a five-coloured parrot. The envoy was given a nominal Chinese title and 100 bolts (5) of silk. The king was appointed General-in-chief of the Awesome Guards of the Left and presented with a purple robe and a belt of fine gold.
On Jan.23, 730, the New Year’s Day, a son of a Persian king congratulated for New Year’s day at the T’ang court and presented five kinds of aromatics.
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 732, a chief and a Priest of Great Virtue, sent by the king of Persia, offered gifts.
P5029
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 739, a royal son of Persia was received at the T‘ang court.
P5030
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 745, envoys from Persia offered regional objects.
In the 7th month (July/Aug.) of 746, Persia presented through an intermediary one rhinoceros and one elephant.
In the 4th month (May/June) of 747, envoys from Persia presented a carnelian couch. In the 5th month (June/July), envoys from the king of Persia presented four leopards.
In the 4th month (May/June) of 750, envoys presented dance mats and real pearls without holes.
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 751, envoys from Persia offered gifts.
P5031
In the 8th month (Aug./Sep.) of 759, Persia presented regional objects.
In the 5th (May/June) and 9th month Sep./Oct.) of 762, Persia offered gifts.
In the 9th month (Oct./Nov.) of 771, envoys from Persia presented real pearls and amber.
STARING FROM HERE ARABS ARE MENTIONED.
In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 773) of the Chinese year 772, Arab envoys offered gifts.
P5032
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 774, envoys from the black-robed Arabs were received at the T’ang court.
In the 1st month (Feb./ Mar.) of 791, envoys from the black-robed Arabs offered gifts.
P5033
On Oct.4, 815, envoys from the K’o-ling State (4) presented five Zanggi youths, a five-coloured parrot, cockatoos, a p’in-chia bird, 140 rare aromatics, and valuables of various kinds. The emperor appointed the chief envoy to the Courageous Garrison of the Left at the Four Gates. He yielded this title to his younger brother, whereupon the emperor appointed both to nominal Chinese offices.
In 818, envoys from the K'o-ling State (4) presented two Zanggi girls, cockatoos, tortoise shells, and a live rhinoceros.
(1) Nahavand is a city in Hamadan Province, Iran. The Battle of Nahavand, also spelled Nihavand or Nahawand, was fought in 642 between the Rashidun Muslim forces under caliph Umar and Sasanian Persian armies under King Yazdegerd III. Yazdegerd escaped to the Merv area, but was unable to raise another substantial army. It was a victory for the Rashidun Caliphate and the Persians consequently lost the surrounding cities including Spahan (Isfahan).
(2) Merv, also known as the Merve Oasis, formerly known as Alexandria, Antiochia in Margiana and Marw al-Shahijan, was a major Iranian city in Central Asia, on the historical Silk Road, near today's Mary, Turkmenistan.
(3) Sri Vijaya: Srivijaya; was a Buddhist thalassocratic empire based on the island of Sumatra.
(4) K’o-ling State; also spelt Holing; medieval kingdom in central Java. Or more correctly according to G. Schlegel (1898) in South-East Asia.
(5) Bolts are the rolls of cloth manufactured by a loom. In modern Britain one bolt represents a strip of cloth 100 yards (91.44 meters) long.