continental south asia and the islands 19Advanced.^54 When these envoys returned in the 6th month (Aug./Sep.),
the emperor ordered them to itemize the layout of the mountains and
rivers, i.e. to provide military intelligence on Chiao-chih’s topography.
On Dec.22, 990,^55 envoys from Li Huan presented 40 elephant tusks
(Sung shih 5:8a, 11a; 488:5a; Sung hui-yao kao 10122:5a-5b; Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 330:5a).
In the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.) of 993, Li Huan was finally recognized
by Sung as king of Chiao-chih commandery. In the 3rd (Apr./May)
and 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 994, his envoys once more offered
gifts (Sung shih 5:15b, 18a; Sung hui-yao kao 10122:5b; Wen-hsien t’ung-
k’ao 330:5a).
But relations between Chiao-chih and Sung were not uniformly
peaceful. In the spring of 995, more than 100 warships from Chiao-
chih raided south China, and in the summer it struck again. T’ai-tsung
was unwilling to make an issue of this and instead sent an envoy to
Li Huan with a letter and the gift of a beautiful jade belt (Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 330:5a). Two further imperial communications were brought
to Li Huan in 997 (Sung shih 488:7b).
When Chen-tsung had ascended the Sung throne on May 8, 997, he
immediately recognized Li Huan as king, using the term Nan-p’ing for
his state. He also made him a Palace Attendant. Li Huan responded
with a mission in the 9th month (Oct./Nov), in which he presented
10 silver vessels, 50 rhinoceros horns and elephant tusks,^56 and 10,000
bolts of silken fabrics. In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 998, envoys from
Li Huan offered one tame rhinoceros, two elephants,^57 27 elephant
tusks, and one golden pitcher. The emperor sent a letter. (Sung shih
488:8b;Sung hui-yao kao 10122:6b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:5a).
On Mar.3, 1001, Li Huan presented another tame rhinoceros and
a tame elephant. On July 13, 1004, Li Huan’s son Ming-t’i offered
gifts. On July 28, Emperor Chen-tsung appointed Ming-t’i as Imperial
Household Grandee of the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Acting
Grand Guardian, and Supreme Pillar of State, confirmed him in an
office he already held in Chiao-chih, and entitled him Dynasty-founding
Baron. On the New Year’s Day of 1005 (Feb.12), Ming-t’i participated
(^54) An appellation granted to marquises as a special distinction.
(^55) Sung hui-yao kao dates this mission in the 10th month (Oct./Nov.).
(^56) Since the breakdown is unknown, this figure has been omitted from the sta-
tistics below.
(^57) Sung hui-yao kao says four tame elephants.