70 continental south asia and the islands
On Sep.30, 1003, Pagan (P’u-tuan) presented to the Sung court
regional objects and a red cockatoo. The envoys stayed through the
New Year and were in the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 1004 invited to a
lantern banquet and granted copper cash (Sung shih 7:2a; Sung hui-yao
kao 3997).
In the 5th month (May/June) of 1004, another mission from Pagan
(P’u-tuan) offered regional objects.^151 In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of
that year, the high officials reported to the court that the envoys from
Pagan (P’u-tuan) often bought Chinese objects such as gold, silver,
banners, and pennants and took them back to their country. People
who came from far away did not know that such private trade was
forbidden. The market people should be instructed that foreigners
were not allowed to trade privately. This was approved (Sung shih 7:
3b, 7b; 490:19b; Sung hui-yao kao 3997).
In the 6th month (July/Aug.) of 1007, envoys from the the king of
Pagan (P’u-tuan) offered tortoise shells, baroos camphor, cloves and
regional objects. The envoys were given caps, belts, garments, embroi-
dered sashes, vessels, and strings of copper cash, each in in accordance
with his rank. In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.), the envoys were received
in audience and given horse trappings and two large banners. The
high officials objected on the grounds that, since Pagan ranked below
Champa, it should be given five small banners. This was rejected by
Emperor Chen-tsung (Sung shih 7:15b; Sung hui-yao kao 3997).
In early March, 1011, envoys arrived from the ruler of Pagan (P’u-
tuan). Emperor Chen-tsung had at that time proceeded to Fen-yin
in order to sacrifice to Sovereign Earth. The envoys were ordered
to follow him there. They were received on Mar.25, one day after
the sacrifice, and presented a letter engraved on a golden tablet. The
envoys offered cloves, white baroos camphor, tortoise shells, a red
cockatoo, and a black slave. The gifts were officially accepted in the 6th
month (July/Aug.), with one exception. The black slave was returned
because the emperor pitied his “strange vulgarity”. The chief envoy
was appointed to a nominal Chinese office. The king requested in
exchange textiles and five small banners “in order to dazzle distant
regions”. The Sung court agreed to this and presented them in the
(^151) This is the mission which according to Chao Ju-kua came from P’u-kan. See
Hirth and Rockhill, Chau Ju-kua, p.58.