the middle east 361dragon salt, drugs, white granulated sugar, dates, schisandra chinensis
seeds, peaches, 20 bottles of rose water, frankincense, foreign brocade,
mats, and yüeh-no cloth. The agent received a brocade robe, textiles,
and gold and silver pitchers, the shipmaster real gold, equivalent to
the value of the goods he had presented (Sung shih 490:18b-19a; Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).
On Apr.7, 997, the Arab State offered gifts (Sung shih 5:25b; Wen-
hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).^19
In the intercalary month (Apr./May) of 999, envoys from the Arab
State congratulated on the enthronement of Emperor Chen-tsung (on
May 8, 997) and presented 4 elephant tusks, 200 catties of aromatics,
dates, white pebble sweets, grapes, opaque glass, and 40 bottles of rose
water (Sung hui-yao kao, chüan 20,522).
On Aug.13, 999, envoys from the Arab State offered gifts (Sung shih
6:6b, 8b; 490:19a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 1000, an agent of the shipmaster
T’o-p’o-li,^20 offered gifts. T’o-p’o-li was paid 2,700 ounces of silver,
water sprinkling vessels, and gilded silver horse trappings (Sung shih 490:
19a;Sung hui-yao kao, chüan 20,522; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).
In the 6th month (July Aug.) of 1003, envoys from the king (caliph)
of the Arab State offered a red parrot and regional objects.^21 On
Chen-tsung’s birthday,^22 they were given a great banquet and pre-
sented with garments (Sung shih 7:2b; 490:19b; Sung hui-yao kao, chüan
20, 522; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).
In 1004, envoys from the Arab State offered gifts. In the autumn,
another envoy arrived at the Sung court (Sung shih 7:7b; 490:19b;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).
On Feb.12, 1005, the New Years Day, Arab envoys were invited
to a banquet, given for them, for a royal son from Chiao-chih, and
for envoys from Champa (Sung hui-yao kao 10,122:7b).
In 1007, envoys from the Arab State offered gifts. They arrived
together with envoys from Champa, i.e. they had travelled by sea
(^19) Chao Ju-kua reports this mission for 986, having mistaken chih-tao3rd year (997)
foryung-hsing 3rd year (986). See Hirth and Rocklhill, Chao Ju-kua, p.118.
(^20) By Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao called T’o-lo-li.
(^21) According to Chao Ju-kua, these included pearls. See Hirth and Rockhill,
Chau Ju-kua,p.118.
(^22) It fell on Dec.27.