korea 151Gentleman [of the Bureau of] Evaluations and Concurrent Attend-
ing Secretary for General Purpose together with two Members of the
Suite to inform the king of these honours (Sung shih 5:8a; 487:5a; Hsü
Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.250).
On Dec.12, 988, and some time in 989, Koryo envoys to the Sung
court offered gifts. It also sent a Buddhist priest to beg for the Tripitaka.
This was provided (Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51b).
On Jan.2, 991, Koryo envoys to the Sung court offered gifts.
Later that year, Wang Ch’ih sent another mission with offerings and
requested printed Buddhist sutras. These were provided. On Nov.25,
992, a mission with gifts from Koryo was received at the Sung court,
and in the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 993 another mission offered regional
objects and thanked for the sutras (Sung shih 5:15a, 15b; 487:6a-6b).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 993) of the Liao year 992, war broke
out between Liao and Koryo (Liao shih 13:3b). A large Liao army
crossed the Yalu River but met with determined Korean defense.
On Mar.2, 993, T’ai-tsung sent envoys to Koryo to confer on its
king, Wang Ch’ih, the title of Acting Grand Master, to confirm him
as Military Commissioner of the non-existing Army Which Quiets
the Sea, and to present him with garments, golden belts, several 100
ounces of gold and silver vessels, and more than 30,000 lengths of
cotton. The round trip of this mission took 70-odd days. Wang Ch’ih
responded with envoys who expressed his thanks and requested the Nine
Confucian Classics for the instruction of Korean scholars. The envoys
were given 200 bolts of clothing, 200 ounces of silver vessels, and 50
sheep (Sung shih 487:8a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 325:51b).
In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.) of 993, envoys from Wang Ch’ih
arrived at the Liao court for peace negotiations, which by the Liao
shih is phrased as an “apology”. The Liao made concessions in the
territory east of the Yalu River (Liao shih 13:4a; 115:1a-1b).
On Mar.21, 994, Koryo envoys to the Liao court offered gifts.
On Apr.18, another mission from Koryo requested that the Korean
prisoners taken by Liao in the war of 993 be cared for. Sheng-tsung
of Liao agreed that the prisoners be ransomed and returned to their
country (Liao shih 13:4b; 70:9a; 115:1b).
On Aug.9, 994, Koryo envoys to the Sung court informed it about
border violations by Liao and proposed a joint military action against
it. But the Sung wished to avoid military engagements. The emperor
merely made a soothing statement and showered the envoys with