On The Ninth Century, East Asia Maritime Exchange

According to the historical record about the interchange of three East Asian countries (Xin Luo, Tang, Japan), Zhang Baogao, who was once the ambassador of Qing hai in Xin luo, had made a great contribution to the economic and cultural exchange of these three countries in ninth century. He, on one hand, was engaged in the foreign affairs and business between three countries with the Qing hai as the center; on the other hand, with the Chi Mountain Hua Yuan of Deng Zhou as axis, he established a base for Xin luo in Tang to enlarge the trade with Tang and Japan. This paper will try to study the history of Zhao Baogao's business actives in East Asian Ocean on the basis of historical references as well as domestic and foreign materials; and then the paper will try to bring to light the rules of trade development and its historical significance.This paper is going to discuss three issues:Firstly, Zhao Baogao's earlier careerAmong the countries influenced by Tang culture, Korea was one influenced the most deeply in degree, while Xi Luo was one with the most harmonious relations with Tang. Wonderful official relations push nongovernmental relations forward and there are more monks learning and visiting in Tang, more immigration, as well as more businessmen. This part is going to introduce the background information of Zhao Baogao on the basis of the studies of the historical materials of his deeds, such as how to become the General Wuning in Tang, how to establish Chi Mountain Hua Yuan, how to suppress pirate at home.Secondly, the role of Zhao Baogao in the trade of three East Asian countriesWith the Wing Hai of Xin Luo as the base, Zhao Baogao made the full use of his power, and began to deal with the trade of Xin Luo with Tang and Japan. He established a cross-ocean business net among the coastal cities, including Chi Mountain, Deng Zhou, Lai Zhou, Si Zhou, Chu Zhou, Yang Zhou, Ming Zhou, Quan Zhou in Tang and Jiu Zhou in Japan. This business net facilitated the international trade of ocean, which formed the across-ocean business relation among China, Korea and Japan.Thirdly, the decline of this cross-ocean business net and its significanceZhang Baogao was a person with lower position, but he could assume office as ambassador of Qing Hai. He could control the overseas business of Xin Lou, Tang and Japan. All of these threatened the bone-production of Xin Luo, therefore, the government of Xin Luo intended to push Zhao Baogao to death. Although the kingdom in the ocean established by Zhao Baogao had disappeared, the influence of it had a great significance in history and must be impressed by the people forever.To sum up, these overseas trades of East Asia in ninth century not only push the economic interchange of Tang, Luo and Japan forward, but also promote cultural exchange of three countries. Zhao Baogao is a milestone in history, and has made a great contribution to the development of international ocean trade.