liao 543Dec.15, 933. That very day, T’ai-tsung sent a mission to condole and
sacrifice (Liao shih 3:7a).
On July 16, 934, envoys from Min^23 of Later T’ang to the Khitan
court thanked for the condolence and sacrifice (Liao shih 3:7b).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 934, a Khitan envoy to the Later
T’ang court offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5035).
On Aug.21, 936, Khitan envoys were received at the Later T’ang
court (Chiu Wu-tai shih 48:7b).
On Nov.28, 936, Shih Ching-t’ang proclaimed himself emperor of
Later Chin. This was Emperor Kao-tsu. He was recognized by T’ai-
tsung of the Khitan. Subsequently, Kao-tsu met with T’ai-tsung, who
had arrived with horsemen to support him. In the negotitions, Kao-tsu
agreed to pay the Khitan an annual tribute of 130,000 bolts of pongee
and to cede territory to them. When they were about to part, T’ai-
tsung gave a banquet, at which both emperors became intoxicated.
They held hands, and Kao-tsu promised to treat T’ai-tsung as a son
would his father (Chiu Wu-tai shih 76:13a; Hsin Wu-tai shih 8:3b; 75:
9b; Wu-tai hui-yao 29:5b, 6a; Liao shih 3:10b). He thereby accepted a
status below that of the Khitan ruler.
When the forces of Kao-tsu entered Lo-yang, the Last Emperor
of Later T’ang immolated himself on a tower. Kao-tsu sent a Grand
Councilor to the Khitan court to thank for the support (Chiu Wu-tai
shih 48:7b; 138:8a).
On Mar.28, 937, a Khitan goodwill mission was received at the
Later Chin court (Hsin Wu-tai shih 8:4b; Wu-tai hui-yao 29:6a).
On Apr.3, 937, Kao-tsu returned two Khitan, who previously had
been seized by the Later T’ang, to their country (Liao shih 3:11b).
On Apr.20, 937, Later Chin envoys to the Khitan court offered
gifts (Liao shih 3:11b).
On Apr.20, T’ai-tsung sent the Court Architect as envoy to the
Later Chin court (Liao shih 3:11b).
On May 12, 937, Later Chin envoys to the Khitan court were
received in audience by T’ai-tsung (Liao shih 3:11b).
On July 12, 937, a goodwill mission from the Khitan was received
at the Later Chin court and presented 200 horses, racehorses, sable
(^23) This mission must have set out before the Last Emperor overthrew Min on
May 19 and proclaimed himself emperor on May 21.