572 liao
on the birthday of Sheng-tsung.^94 They arrived at the Liao court in
the 10th month (Nov./.Dec.). During the same month, Liao envoys
were received at the Sung court (Sung hui-yao kao 5257:53b-54a; Liao
shih 16:9a-9b; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.909).
In the 12th month (January, 1025) of the Liao year 1024, Sheng-
tsung of Liao sent two envoys to Sung to congratulate on the New
Year’s Day of Feb.1, 1025. They arrived at the Sung court on Jan.27,
1025 (Liao shih 16:9b; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.910).
On Feb.5, 1025, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to congratu-
late on the birthday of the Empress Dowager. On Feb.8, the actual
birthday, the Chinese officials and Liao envoys wished long life in the
Hall for Venerating Government. The Empress Dowager sat behind
a screen. The Liao envoys complained that Sung envoys to the Liao
court met an Empress Dowager face to face. They were told that when
a Chinese Empress Dowager conducted the government, she always
sat behind a screen and was not seen by even the Sung officials (Sung
shih 9:5b; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.911).
On May 10, 1025, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to
congratulate on the birthday of Jen-tsung^95 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.913).
On Nov.15, 1025, two envoys from the Sung Empress Dowager
arrived at the Liao court to congratulate on the birthday of Sheng-
tsung’s empress (Liao shih 17:1b).
On Jan.12, 1026, Sheng-tsung sent two envoys to the Sung court to
congratulate Jen-tsung on the New Year’s Day of Jan.22. On Jan.16,
other envoys arrived to congratulate the Empress Dowager on the New
Year’s Day. “The custom to congratulate a Sung Empress Dowager
on the New Year’s Day began from this” (Liao shih 17:2a; Hsü Tzu-chih
t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.920).
On Jan.18, 1026, two Sung envoys arrived a the Liao court to
congratulate on the birthday of Sheng-tsung^96 (Liao shih 17:2a).
On Jan.22, 1026, the New Year’s Day, four Sung envoys congratu-
lated at the Liao court (Liao shih 17:2a).
On Jan.26, 1026, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to congratu-
late on the birthday of the Empress Dowager.^97 They had received
(^94) It fell on Apr.1, 1025.
(^95) It fell on May 13.
(^96) It fell on Mar.22.
(^97) It fell on Jan.29.