hsia 483On Mar.1, 995, envoys from Chi-ch’ien to the Sung court offered
fine horses and camels (Sung shih 5:22a; 485:7a). On Apr.9, his envoys
also offered gifts to the Liao court (Liao shih 13:6a; 70:9a). On July
11, 995, T’ai-tsung of Sung sent envoys to negotiate with Chi-ch’ien
and to appoint him a Military Commissioner. Chi-ch’ien rejected it
(Sung shih 5:22b; 485:7a).
On Aug.30, 995, envoys from Hsia to the Liao court offered horses
(Liao shih 13:6b).
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 995, Chi-ch’ien looted Chinese
border areas, and on Jan.2, 996, his envoys informed the Liao court
that he had defeated Sung forces (Liao shih 13:7a; 115:7a).
On Feb.16, 996, envoys from Hsia to the Liao court offered gifts.
Soon thereafter, Chi-ch’ien raided the Ning-hsia Oasis and captured
provisions (Liao shih 13:7a; 115:7a; Sung shih 5:24a; 485:7b).
On Mar.22, 997, envoys from Hsia to the Liao court offered gifts.
On Apr.14, envoys announced a victory over Sung forces. On Apr.24,^5
Sheng-tsung of Liao recognized the king of Hsia, Chi-ch’ien, as also
king of Hsi-p’ing. On July 26, envoys from Chi-ch’ien thanked for
the recognition. He then attacked the Ning-hsia Oasis. In the 9th
month (Oct./Nov.), the Sung sent five armies by different routes
against Hsia. They were defeated (Sung shih 485:7b-8a; Liao shih 13:
8a, 8b; 115:7a).
On Jan.22 and in the 2nd month (March) of 998, envoys from Hsia
to the Liao court offered gifts (Liao shih 13:9a; 70:10a).
In 998 or soon thereafter, Chen-tsung of Sung appointed Chi-ch’ien
as Inspector of Hsia, conferred on him the title of Meritorious Subject,
and presented him with brocade robes and silver belts. He entitled his
mother a Consort Dowager and made his son and successor Te-ming
a Major in the Army Which Fixes Difficulties. Chi-ch’ien sent his
younger brother Chi-yüan to express his thanks. Chen-tsung appointed
Chi-yüan a Defense Commissioner (Sung shih 485:8a-8b).
On Mar.11, 998, envoys from Hsia to the Liao court offered gifts
(Liao shih 14:1a; 115:76a).
On Nov.29, 1000, Shen-tsung of Liao appointed Te-ming^6 as Mili-
tary Commissioner of the Shuo-fang Army (Liao shih 14:2a; 115:7a).
On Mar.30, 1001, an envoy from Hsia to the Liao court offered
(^5) Correcting yi-mao to chi-mao.
(^6) Liao shih at times writes his name Te-chao to avoid a taboo.