18 continental south asia and the islands
Huan. T’ai-tsung considered this a good opportunity for attacking
Chiao-chih, and, allied with Champa, ordered armies to do so by
several routes. Li Huan countered by sending envoys and offering
regional objects. This did not halt the war, and the Chinese gained
some victories in 981. However, Li Huan had some successes himself
and took Champa prisoners. In the 3rd month (Aug./Sep.) of 982
and in 983, envoys from Li Huan again offered regional objects and
sought a normalization, to which the emperor agreed. In the 5th
month (June/July) of 983, Li Huan informed the court that Champa
had attacked Chiao-chih with ships by sea and with elephants and
horsemen by land, and that he had repulsed the invaders. In 985 and
the autumn of 986, envoys again offered regional objects and letters
(Sung shih 4:15; 488:2b, 3a, 3b, 4a; Sung hui-yao kao 8116:4b; 10122:2a;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:4b).
In the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 986, Sung officially accepted
political reality. Li Huan was appointed Acting Grand Guardian, Chief
Commandant in charge of all affairs of Chiao-chih, Protector General
of Annam, Military Commissioner of the non-existant Army Which
Quiets the Sea, and entitled Marquis of Ching-chao commandery^52
and Meritorious Subject.^53 Envoys were sent to confer these honours.
In the 4th month (Apr./May) of 988, a Sung envoy appointed Li Huan
Acting Grand Commandant and entitled him Dynasty-founding Duke
(Sung shih 488:5a; Sung hui-yao kao 10122:5a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:
4b-5a). However, he was not yet recognized as king.
On June 28, 988, a mission from Li Huan brought gifts. In the
summer of 990, Sung dispatched envoys to make Li Huan a Specially
(^52) It was the custom of the Chinese government to also give nominal land
grants which usually were later increased. Thus, Li Huan received a land grant of
3000 households in 986, increased by 1000 households in 990 (Sung shih 488:5a). I
omit mention of such grants below.
(^53) The Sung dynasty was in the habit of conferring on the kings of Chiao-chih/
Annam the title of Meritorious Subject, prefixed by a two-character honorific. In
the course of time, the title was expanded by additional prefixes, so that the longer
the king reigned the longer the title became. For instance, when Li Ch’ien-te died in
1130/31, his title had grown to Meritorious Subject Who Assists Governance, Maintains
Integrity, Is Loyal and Trustworthy, Conforms to Virtue, Venerates Benevolence,
Displays Strength, Observes Rectitude, Favours Civilization, Cherishes Respect, Aids
the Government, Is Content with Sincerity, Is Attentive to the Rules, Supports the
Mandate, Completes Good Works, Establishes Loyal Efforts, Follows Righteousness,
Esteems Propriety, Raises Prosperity, and Respects Honour. Since these titles are
repetitive and tedious, I omit them below.