east turkestan 311On Jan.19, 1080, Emperor Shen-tsung ordered that missions from
Khotan were not to exceed 50 men, and that China would only accept
regional objects, horses, and donkeys. Frankincense was to be rejected
because of its uselessness (Sung shih 490:7a; Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 337:42a).
On Feb.20, 1080,^37 a great chief from Khotan offered gifts (Sung
shih 16:1a; Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On Nov.22, 1080, border officials reported to the Sung court that
envoys from Khotan had arrived with 100,000 catties of frankincense
and miscellaneous goods. Because of the imperial decree, they had
not dared to pass them through. An edict ordered the frankincense
to be returned (Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On Mar.6, 1081, another chief from Khotan brought a letter and
gifts (Sung shih 16:3a; 490:7a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 337:42a).
On May 20, 1083, Khotan offered gifts (Sung shih 16:10a).
On Oct.9, 1085, Khotan envoys offered gifts (Sung hui-yao kao ts’e
197).
On Dec.1, 1085, Khotan offered horses for which they were paid
1,200,000 cash (Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On Dec.21, 1085, Khotan presented a lion. It was rejected, but on
Dec.25 the king was paid 1,000,000 cash, presumably for other goods
(Sung shih 17:4a; 490:7b; Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao
337: 337:42a).
On Apr.8, 1086,^38 Emperor Che-tsung, who had ascended the
throne on Apr.1 of the preceding year, presented the king of Khotan
with garments, belts, vessels, and silk. On Dec.29, envoys from Khotan
offered gifts (Sung shih 17:5b, 7a; Sung hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On Feb.17, 1087, Sung paid the king of Khotan 300,000 cash (Sung
hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On Mar.21, 1087, Che-tsung presented the king of Khotan with
a golden belt, brocade robes, vessels, and silk (Sung-shih 17:7b; Sung
hui-yao kao ts’e 197).
On June 24, 1087, Apr.19, 1088, July 8,^39 1089, Mar.24, 1090, July
(^37) In accordance with Sung hui-yao kao, the ting-mao of Sung shih must be corrected
tohsin-mao.
(^38) BySung hui-yao kao dated Mar.23.
(^39) Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.4003 gives the date of 4th month, yi-ssu,
which did not exist.