liao 553On Dec.20, 943, a Khitan envoy was received at the Later Chin
court (Hsin Wu-tai shih 9:3b).
On Jan. 7, 944, Shao sent a Serving Within the Palace and a former
local Inspector as envoys to the Khitan. But after prolonged Chinese
provocation, the war had begun, and when the envoys approached
the border they were unable to proceed. They stayed in a public
lodge for several months and then returned (Chiu Wu-tai shih 82:4a;
Hsin Wu-tai shih 9:4a).
On Feb.4, 944, Shao sent an envoy to the Khitan court. He was
unable to proceed and returned (Hsin Wu-tai shih 9:4a).
On Feb.22, 944, Shao sent an interpreter with a letter to the Khitan,
seeking a restoration of the former good relations. This envoy was
received on Feb.24, which means that he must have waited on T’ai-
tsung in the field. T’ai-tsung replied that it was up to the Later Chin
(Chiu Wu-tai shih 82:6a; Liao shih 4:9b; Tzu-chih t’ung-chien p.9262).
On Aug.12, 944, a Later Chin envoy to the Khitan court proposed
peace. He was detained (Liao shih 4:10b).
When on Nov.11, 944, envoys from foreign countries to the Khitan
court congratulated on the birthday of T’ai-tsung,^39 Later Chin envoys
were conspicuously absent (Liao shih 4:11a).
In the 7th month (Aug./Sept.) of 944, a Later Chin envoy to the
Khitan court begged for peace (Liao shih 4:11a).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 946, the Later Chin army sur-
rendered to the Khitan. In the 12th month (Dec./Jan., 947) of the
same Chinese year, the Khitan entered the Later Chin capital Pien.
Shao and his family were placed under arrest (Chiu Wu-tai shih 99:3b;
Liao shih 4:13b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 345:18a).
On Jan.25, 947, T’ai-tsung entered Pien, held court in the Hall of
Reverence for the Supreme, and received the homage of the Later Chin
officials. On Jan.29, he demoted Emperor Shao to Grandee of Impe-
rial Entertainments and Acting Grand Commandant, and enfeoffed
him as Marquis Who Has Turned His Back on Righteousness. On
Feb.10, the former emperor, his mother, his wife, a younger brother,
and two sons were escorted to Jehol. He was allowed an entourage
of 50 Palace Ladies, 3 eunuchs, 50 East and West File Officials,^40
1 physician, 4 grooms, 7 cooks, 3 tea libationers, 3 members of the
(^39) The date of his birth is not known.
(^40) These were of low rank.