hsia 481T’ai-tsung’s attempt to buy the support of the Tanguts through
Chi-p’eng failed. One party among them resented Chi-p’eng’s con-
cessions to the Sung and supported a rival. This was his third cousin
Li Chi-ch’ien. Born in 963, he was in 982 only 20 years old, Chinese
reckoning. A Chinese attack on Chi-ch’ien in 983 was a minor suc-
cess, but he retaliated and defeated Chinese forces in 983 and 985.
The Sung meanwhile courted Chi-p’eng by appointing him in 985
as Specially Advanced and Manager of the Affairs in the Secretariat-
Chancellery (Sung shih 485:4a-6a).
Chi-ch’ien countered by allying himself with the Liao State, whose
Emperor Sheng-tsung showed his support by appointing him in 986
as Specially Advanced and Acting Grand Master, and by recognizing
him as the military commander of Hsia. In the 10th month (Nov./
Dec.) of that year, envoys from Chi-ch’ien to the Liao court offered
gifts. In the 12th month (Jan., 987) of the Liao year 986, his envoys
requested a marriage. Sheng-tsung agreed. He recognized Chi-ch’ien
as king of Hsia and presented him with 3000 horses (Sung shih 485:6a;
Liao shih 11:9a-9b; 115:6b).
In 987, Chi-ch’ien inflicted a major defeat on a Sung army (Sung
shih 485:6a).
On Apr.15, 988, envoys from Chi-ch’ien to the Liao court offered
gifts (Liao shih 12:2a; 115:6b).
On Feb.18, 989, Chi-p’eng requested Sheng-tsung to mediate
between himself and Chi-ch’ien. This was rejected (Liao shih 12:
14a).
In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 989, envoys from Chi-ch’ien to
the Liao court offered gifts (Liao shih 12:5a-5b; 115:6b).
On Apr.25, 989, Sheng-tsung enfeoffed a daughter of the Military
Commissioner Yeh-lü Hsiang as Princess of Yi-ch’eng to be the bride
of Chi-ch’ien (Liao shih 12:5b; 115:6b).
In about 990, the tensions between Chi-p’eng and Chi-ch’ien broke
out into open warfare. Chi-ch’ien was wounded and withdrew. T’ai-
tsung of Sung expressed his pleasure by presenting Chi-p’eng with 100
catties of tea and 10 shih of wine. Chi-p’eng on his part presented a
white falcon which, however, was rejected (Sung shih 485:4b, 6a-6b).
In the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 990, envoys from Chi-ch’ien to
the Liao court thanked for the recognition. On Mar.30, his envoys
offered gifts. On Oct.11, his envoys presented Sung prisoners. In the
10th month (Oct./Nov.), his envoys announced that he had defeated a
Sung army. On Dec.21, his envoys informed that he had conquered