538 liao
shih 4:1b; Hsin Wu-tai shih 72:3b; Wu-tai hui-yao 29:2a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5033).
On Feb.23, 909, a goodwill mission from Later Liang was received
at the Khitan court (Liao shih 1:3a).
On Sep.27, 909, 50 Khitan envoys to the Later Liang court pre-
sented gilded iron and silver armour, horse trappings ornamented with
rock crystal, jade, and 100 horses. T’ai-tsu’s mother and wife also sent
presents. The envoys were received in audience and received gold
and silk in accordance with their ranks (Hsin Wu-tai shih 2:4b; Wu-tai
hui-yao 29:2a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
On May 19, 911, envoys from T’ai-tsu to the Later Liang court
offered gifts. On Nov.25, other Khitan envoys were received at the
court (Liao shih 1:4a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
On July 19, 912, the founder of Later Liang was murdered by his
son Chu Yu-kuei who then enthroned himself.^19 In the 10th month
(Nov./Dec.), Khitan envoys [condoled,] sacrificed, and offered gifts
(Chiu Wu-tai shih 8:1b; Liao shih 1:4b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
Later Liang and its successors of the Five Dynasties were not the
only Chinese states which had dealings with the Khitan. On Nov.30,
915, envoys from the ruler of Wu-yüeh, whose domain chiefly com-
prised what now is Che-chiang, offered gifts to the Khitan court (Liao
shih 1:5a).
In spite of military clashes between Later Liang and the Khitan
from 916 to 922, diplomatic channels were kept open.
On May 24, 916, an envoy from the Later Liang congratulated at
the Khitan court (Liao shih 1:9a).
On July 9, 916, an envoy from the ruler of Wu-yüeh to the Khi-
tan court offered gifts. The envoy stayed with the Khitan for several
month and was in the 11th month (Nov./Dec.) of that year bestowed
the given name of Shu-lü (Liao shih 1:9a).
In the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.) of 917, envoys from the ruler of
Wu, whose state was situated between Wu-yüeh and Later Liang
and comprised the territory of present Chiang-hsi, southern An-hui,
and northern Chiang-su, presented to the Khitan fierce-burning oil
(naphta). They explained that if a city was attacked with this oil, it
would burn the towers and turrets, and if the enemy poured water on
(^19) He was in the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of the following year killed by his
younger brother Yu-chen who became the Last Emperor of Later Liang (Chiu Wu-
tai shih 8:2b-3a).