Does Superstition Play a Role in Diplomacy? How does a small country win the support of a big power? Or how does a new firm attract a powerful ally?

Does Superstition Play a Role in Diplomacy?

How does a little country win the support of a powerful nation?

History records that in 751 A.D. the new ruler of Chorasmia positioned his little kingdom as China's first ally in the West.

(Tang Dynasty annals record that an ambassador from Shaoshafien (Sawrshafan), the King of Huroxun (Chorarezm = Chorasmia), arrived at the imperial court in 751.)

Chorasmia-- which had broken free from the rule of Persia seven centuries earlier-- found itself needing an ally against new invaders from the south --from Persia.

(Twelve centuries later, tiny Cuba would find itself in a similar plight. And its new ruler lined up the Soviet Union as its ally against a new invasion from the north.)

So in 751, Chorasmia's new king sent an emissary with amulet-- an unusual coin struck with his portrait --to the Emperor of China.

The Chinese Emperor was Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. The Emperor famous for falling in love with his concubine, Yang Guifei.

At the Met, you can view a picture of painting of this Emperor, on horseback:

Now when the Tang emperor Xuanzong saw the Chorasmian king's extraordinary Face--

The Chinese Emperor grabbed the chance to make the young ruler -- Sawrshafan of Chorasmia-- his new and only ally.

Sent in his first year of rule to the mighty Emperor in the East-- this is that unique portrait Coin of Diplomacy:

Behold: King Sawrshafan of Chorasmia!