liao 563On Dec.10, 1004, while the war was in progress, Liao envoys to
the Sung court proposed that relations be improved (Sung hui-yao kao
5257:28b).
In the 11th month (Dec./Jan., 1005) of the Liao year 1004, after
invading Liao forces had reached the Yellow River, the Sung responded
with a peace feeler of its own. It used a certain Wang Chi-chung as
a middleman, a former Sung official who had been captured by the
Khitan in 1003, had entered their civil service, had become Commis-
sioner of the Department of Revenue, and was much respected by
Emperor Sheng-tsung and the Empress Dowager. Chen-tsung sent
a man to present a bow and arrow to Chi-chung and secretely ask
for peace. Chi-chung referred this request to the Liao court and was
ordered to negotiate peace with Chinese envoys (Liao shih 14:5b).
On Jan.10, 1005, the Sung Assistant Commissioner for Fostering
Propriety, Ts’ao Li-yung, was received at the Liao court for further
peace negotiations. Sheng-tsung sent the Flying Dragon Commissioner
on a goodwill mission in response. On Jan.16, Ts’ao Li-yung returned
to the Liao court, offering annual payments but refusing to cede ter-
ritory. Sheng-tsung sent the General-in-chief of the Palace Guards to
respond with a letter (Liao shih 14:5b-6a).
On Jan.21, 1005, a Sung envoy was received at the Liao court
whereupon the peace treaty was concluded. This was the peace of
Shan-yüan.^57 The Chinese emperor agreed to consider the Liao
Empress Dowager as his aunt and undertook to pay annually 100,000
ounces of silver and 200,000 bolts of silk. The border between the two
states would be clearly delineated. Neither state would accept fugitive
criminals. No new border fortifications were to be built, nor canals
constructed near the border. Both states were to live in peace. Sheng-
tsung sent the Commissioner for Audience Ceremonies on a goodwill
mission to the Sung court to confirm the agreement. On Dec.2, 1005,
the annual gifts (i.e. tribute) of Sung arrived in Liao for the first time
(Liao shih 14:5b-6a, 6b).
On June 10, 1005, Sung envoys arrived at the Liao court to con-
gratulate on the birthday of the Empress Dowager^58 (Liao shih 14:
6b).
(^57) It was concluded in the Chinese/Liao year of 1004 and is usually dated that
way.
(^58) The date of her birth is not known.