continental south asia and the islands 21On Dec.21, 1009, envoys from Li Lung-t’ing presented a tame
rhinoceros, 20 rhinoceros horns, 40 elephant tusks, and gold and silver
vessels. The rhinoceros had a disagreeable nature. But it had come
from far away, and Emperor Chen-tsung did not wish to offend Li
Lung-t’ing. He therefore had it released at the seashore. Li Lung-t’ing
was given the armour he had requested (Sung shih 7:23a; 488:10b; Sung
hui-yao 10122:10a; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.638)
Negotiations between Chiao-chih and Sung led to the opening of a
joint market on the south coast of present Kuang-tung in 1010 (Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:5b).
By this time, Li Lung-t’ing had fallen out with his brothers and
had killed one of them. Ming-ch’ang, the one who had led a mission
to Sung in 1006, and others thereupon began to negotiate with Sung
on their own authority (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:5b).
In early 1010, news reached the Sung court that Li Lung-t’ing had
died, and that a certain Li Kung-yün had made himself his sucessor.
This was not a relative, the Li in both family names being written
with different Chinese characters. Li Kung-yün was the founder of the
long-lived Li dynasty. On Apr.29, 1010, his envoys offered presents
and a letter to the Sung court, no doubt to announce his ascension to
the throne. He was immediately appointed Acting Grand Tutor, Pro-
tector General of Annam, Military Commissioner of the non-existant
Army Which Quiets the Sea, Concurrent Grandee Secretary, and
Supreme Pillar of State, recognized as king of Chiao-chih command-
ery, and entitled Commander Unequalled in Honour and Specially
Advanced.^62 Garments, gold and silver belts, [porcelain] vessels, and
silk were presented to him, and his envoys received nominal Chinese
offices (Sung shih 7:23a, 23b; 488:10b-11a; Sung hui-yao kao 10122:10b;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 330:5b).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 1011) of the Chinese year 1010,
envoys from Li Kung-yün brought gifts and congratulated Emperor
Chen-tsung on his decision to sacrifice personally to Sovereign Earth
(hou-t’u) in Fen-yin^63 in the following year.^64 At the same time, he
requested the Buddhist Tripitaka and books on ritual and law. These
(^62) Sung hui-yao kao dates the appointments in the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.).
(^63) This prefecture was situated north of the present Jung-ho hsien, Shan-hsi.
(^64) This sacrifice was performed on Mar.24, 1011 (Sung shih 8:1b). It is possible
that envoys of Li Kung-yün attended the sacrifice.