liao 579On Jan.26, 1036, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to con-
gratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.31 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.1062).
On May 9, 1036, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to con-
gratulate on the birthday of Jen-tsung^126 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.1067).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 1036, two Sung envoys arrived
at the Liao court to congratulate on the birthday of the Empress
Dowager. During the same month, Hsing-tsung sent envoys to Sung
to congratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.19, 1037. These arrived
at the Sung court on Jan.14, 1037 (Liao shih 18:6a; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-
chien ch’ang-pien p.1078).
On Apr.28, 1037, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to con-
gratulate on the birthday of Jen-tsung^127 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.1082-1083).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 1038) of the Liao year 1037, Hsing-
tsung sent four envoys to the Sung court to congratulate on the New
Year’s Day of Feb.7, 1038 (Liao shih 18:7b).^128
On Feb.7, 1038, the New Year’s Day, four Sung envoys congratu-
lated at the Liao court. They also congratulated on the birthday of
the Empress Dowager (Liao shih 18:7b).
On May 17, 1038, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to
congratulate on the birthday of Jen-tsung^129 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.1100).
On Nov.19, 1038, Hsing-tsung sent envoys to the Sung court to
congratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.27, 1039. These arrived
on Jan.22, 1039 (Liao shih 18:8a; Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien
p.1106).
On Jan.18, 1039, two Sung envoys arrived at the Liao court to con-
gratulate on the birthday of the Empress Dowager (Liao shih 18:8b).
On Jan.27, 1039, the New Year’s Day, two Sung envoys congratu-
lated at the Liao court (Liao shih 18:9a).
(^126) It fell on May 12.
(^127) It fell on May 1.
(^128) Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.1090 dates the arrival of this mission in
12th month, kuei-wei, of the Chinese year 1037 = Jan.23, 1038. That is an unlikely
date, considering the chronological pattern to be discussed below. Kuei-wei is probably
error for Kuei-ssu = Feb.2, 1038.
(^129) It fell on May 20.