486 hsia
In 1010, Hsia suffered from a famine. Te-ming requested 1,000,000
bushels of grain from the Sung, which was provided (Sung shih 485:
10b-11a).
On Oct.19, 1010, Sheng-tsung sent envoys to recognize Te-ming
as king of the Great Hsia State (Liao shih15:1b; 115:7b; Sung shih 485:
10b).
When Chen-tsung performed the sacrifices to Sovereign Earth
at Fen-yin on Mar.24, 1011, he appointed Te-ming Prefect of the
Palace Writers. Hsia offered gifts to the Sung court (Sung shih 8:4a;
486:11a).
In 1012, Chen-tsung appointed Te-ming Acting Grand Guardian
(Sung shih 485:11a).
On Apr.28, 1012, envoys from Hsia State to the Liao court offered
fine horses. On Oct.22, Sheng-tsung conferred ranks on the Hsia
envoys, to each in accordance with his standing (Liao shih 15:4a, 4b,
5a; 115:7b).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sep.) of 1013, Sheng-tsung invited Te-
ming to attack rebellious Tang-hsiang. On Sep.10, Sheng-tsung sent
the Commissioner of the Office of Presentations to present Te-ming
and his widowed stepmother, the Princess of Yi-ch’eng, with chariots
and horses (Liao shih 15:6b; 115:7b).
In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 1014, Hsia offered regional objects
to the Sung court. Chen-tsung entitled Te-ming a Meritorious Subject
Who Proclaims Virtue (Sung shih 8:10b; 485:11a).
In 1016, Te-ming sent a communication to Chen-tsung, in which,
the claim of the dynastic historians notwithstanding, he most certainly
did not refer to himself as a “subject” (Sung shih 484:11a-11b).
In the 1st month (February) of 1017, Chen-tsung appointed Te-
ming as Acting Grand Tutor (Sung shih 485:11b).
In the winter of 1019, Chen-tsung entitled Te-ming a Meritorious
Subject Who Venerates Benevolence (Sung shih 485:11b).
In 1021, Chen-tsung sent the Supreme General of the Guards of
the Gilded Mace to present to Te-ming a golden seal as Prefect of
the Masters of Writing and his recognition, carved on jade, as king
of the Great Hsia State (Sung shih 485:12a).
In the 11th month (Dec./Jan.) of 1021, Hsia envoys to the Liao
court offered gifts (Liao shih 16:6a; 115:7b).
In early 1022, Chen-tsung entitled Te-ming a Meritorious Subject
Who Enlarges Sincerity. He sent a eunuch to present him with litchis,
garments, belts, silver boxes with golden flowers, and gongs, in all