362 the middle east
(Sung shih 7:15b; 490:19b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:56b).^23
When Chen-tsung performed the feng and shan sacrifices at Mount
T’ai on Nov.24 and 25, 1008, one Arab shipmaster attended it and
at that occasion presented regional objects, while the shipmaster Li-
ya-wu^24 sent the envoy Ma-wu (Mohammed) to present a jade tablet.
Both shipmasters were given [porcelain] vessels, silk, robes, and belts.
Simultaneously, the ruler (caliph) of their state was presented with a
couch with silver ropes, water pitchers, mechanisms, banners, and
horse trappings (Sung shih 7:15b, 20b; 490:19b-20a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao
339:56b). The Chinese presents to the caliph at this occasion prove
that the Sung court regarded the shipmasters as at least quasi envoys.
We do not know, of course, whether the Chinese gifts ever reached
the caliph.
After Chen-tsung had sacrificed to Sovereign Earth at Fen-yin in
Shan-hsi on Mar.24, 1011, an Arab envoy with the Chinese title of
General Who Has Attached Himself to Virtue presented on Mar.25
aromatics, elephant tusks, amber, limonite, textiles, yüeh-no cloth, wine
vessels of white opaque glass, rose water, and dates. He received caps,
belts, and garments (Sung shih 8:1b; 490:20a).
An edict of Aug.8, 1014, mentions the presence of Arab envoys in
K’ai-feng (Sung hui-yao kao 10122:11b).
In the 11th month (December) of 1016, envoys from the Arab
State were received in audience by Chen-tsung (Sung hui-yao kao, chüan
20,522).
On June 6, 1019, envoys from the Arab State offered gifts (Sung
shih 8:19b; 490:20a).
On Nov.12, 1020, envoys from the king of the Arab State^25 to the
Liao court presented an elephant and regional objects, and requested
the marriage of his son to a Liao princess (Liao shih 16:5a).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 1021, envoys from the king of the
Arab State to the Liao court again requested a marriage. The daughter
(^23) According to Chao Ju-kua, the envoys were treated with great courtesy and
allowed to visit Buddhist and Taoist temples and imperial gardens and parks. See
Hirth and Rockhill, Chao Ju-kua, p.118.
(^24) Perhaps the same Li-ya-wu who arrived on the China coast on 993.
(^25) It has been seen that according to Wittfogel, this and the next embassy to
the Liao may have come from the Muslim Qar§-khanid dynasty in East Turkestan.
A marriage between a son of a caliph and a Liao princess is not, of course, within
the realm of possibility.