the northeast 217Most of the goods were local products. Falcons were apparently in
particular demand at the T’ang court, until Emperor Te-tsung in 779
disallowed their import. But after had he died in 805, they were brought
again. Other products had been imported by Po-hai itself before it
offered them to China. It had a lively trade with Japan, and the 11
dancing girls obviously came from there, as probably also the images
of the Buddha, the cup of carnelian, and perhaps the fabrics.
China paid for the Po-hai goods with gold, brocade, and silk.
Ting-an
After the surrender of Po-hai to the Khitan in 926, some of the Mo-
ho established a small kingdom, centred on modern Kirin and called
Ting-an (Chongan). It fought the Khitan in 975, the 980’s, and from
994, the resistance ending in 999. Ting-an was poor state and not
able to send missions of its own. At all four occasions, when Ting-an
envoys arrived at the Sung court, they were attached to Jurchen mis-
sions. Needless to say, the envoys had no other purpose than trade.
In 970, envoys from the king of Ting-an offered regional objects
(Sung shih 491:1b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 327:61b).
In the winter of 981, Ting-an envoys presented a letter from their
king (Sung shih 491:2a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 327:61b).
In 989, the king of Ting-an offered whistling arrows ((Sung shih 491:
3a;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 327:61b).
In 991, Ting-an envoys presented a letter from their king. This
was the last communication (Sung shih 491:3a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 327:
61b).
The Black River Mo-ho
The Black River Mo-ho were independent tribes at the lower Amur
River, unfriendly to the Mo-ho of Po-hai.
In the 11th month (Nov./Dec.) of 631, envoys of the Black River
Mo-ho offered gifts to the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5024).
In 640, envoys of the Black River Mo-ho offered gifts (T’ang hui-yao
96:10a).
On Feb.18, 725, the New Year’s Day, the Black River Mo-ho con-
gratulated at the T’ang court and presented regional objects (Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5028).