540 liao
the envoy’s subsequent report, the Khitan emperor went through the
act of weeping. He then demanded territorial concessions. When the
envoy refused to collaborate, he was imprisoned and almost executed
(Hsin Wu-tai shih 72:6a-6b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.8989).
On Aug.16, 926, envoys from a Khitan chief to the Later T’ang
court offered two horses, garments, a golden bracelet ornamented
with real pearls, golden hair pins etc. (Chiu Wu-tai shih 36:7b; Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5034).
On Sep.6, 926, the Khitan emperor T’ai-tsu died, aged 55. On
Nov.25, envoys to the Later T’ang court announced the death, where-
upon Ming-tsung suspended the court for three days. Meanwhile, the
Khitan went through a succession struggle in which the heir-apparent
T’u-yü was bypassed and T’ai-tsu’s second son Te-kuang entroned
on Dec.16. This was emperor T’ai-tsung (Chiu Wu-tai shih 137:2a, 6b;
Hsin Wu-tai shih 6:5a; Liao shih 2:7a-7b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.8991;
Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 345:17a).
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 927, 30 Khitan on a goodwill
mission were received at the Later T’ang court and offered gifts (Chiu
Wu-tai shih 38:1b; 137:7a; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
On Oct.22, 927, envoys from T’ai-tsung to the Later T’ang court
presented fine horses and requested a stele for the tomb of his father.
Ming-tsung agreed to it and in the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 928)^21
sent rich presents, including silken fabrics, silver vessels with golden
flowers, and wine vessels, as well as a necklace, an embroidered cov-
erlet, and brocade for T’ai-tsung’s mother (Chiu Wu-tai shih 38:12b,
14b; 137:2a; Hsin Wu-tai shih 6:6a; Hsin Wu-tai shih 72:8b-9a; Wu-tai
hui-yao 29:3b).
In the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 928, 50 Khitan envoys to the Later
T’ang court offered gifts. Ming-tsung responded with envoys of his
own who conveyed presents to the wife of T’ai-tsung (Chiu Wu-tai shih
39:2a;Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5034).
In the 5th month (May/June) of 928, the Khitan supported a rebel-
lion in Later T’ang, but their forces were defeated and their commander
captured and executed. When the Khitan later sought the return of
his bones, Ming-tsung had the envoy executed as well (Chiu Wu-tai
shih 39:6b-7a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 345:17a).
In the intercalary month (Sep./Oct.) of 928, a Khitan envoy to
(^21) Wu-tai hui-yao has 11th month (Nov./Dec.).