liao 561In the 2nd month (Feb./Mar.) of 977, Sung and Liao agreed on
common border markets (Sung shih 4:3b).
On Apr.19, 977, Ching-tsung ordered 200,000 bushels of grain to
be sent to Northern Han (Liao shih 9:1a).
On Apr.21, 977, the Junior Herald and other Liao envoys, who had
received their orders on Jan.18, arrived at the Sung court to attend
the funeral of T’ai-tsu. He was buried on May 15 (Sung shih 4:3b; Hsü
Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.153;Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 346:20a).^53
On May 30, 977, Northern Han envoys to the Liao court thanked
for the grain and also discussed policy matters concerning Sung (Liao
shih 9:1a).
In the 5th month (May/June) of 977, T’ai-tsung sent a Member of
the Suite of the Imperial Diarists on a goodwill mission to Liao. He
was received at the Liao court on July 23 (Sung shih 4:3b; Liao shih 9:
1a-1b; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 346:20a).
On July 31, 977, Northern Han envoys to the Liao court announced
a Sung raid. On Aug.4, Liao sent envoys with war horses to aid the
Northern Han (Liao shih 9:1b).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 977, Northern Han envoys to the
Liao court offered grape wine (Liao shih 9:1b).
On Nov.17, 977, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to congratu-
late on the birthday of T’ai-tsung^54 On Nov.25, T’ai-tsung watched
a riding and archery contest between these envoys and the Chinese
guards. Afterwards, he gave a banquet (Sung shih 4:4b; Wen-hsien t’ung-
k’ao 346:20a).
On Dec.11, 977, and Jan.10, 978, Northern Han envoys to the Liao
court conferred on a common policy against Sung (Liao shih 9:1b).
On Jan.19, 978,^55 T’ai-tsung sent envoys to Liao to congratulate
on the New Year’s Day of Feb.10 (Sung shih 4:5a).
On Feb.10, 978, the New Year’s Day, the Grand Coachman and a
deputy congratulated as Liao envoys at the Sung court and presented
fine horses and regional objects (Sung hui-yao kao 5257:4a-4b).
On June 17, 978, Sung sent envoys to Liao (Sung shih 4:6b).
On Nov.4, 978, the Grand Coachman and other Liao envoys arrived
at the Sung court to congratulate on the birthday of T’ai-tsung.^56 They
(^53) Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien has May 14.
(^54) It fell on Nov.30.
(^55) Correcting chia-wu to chia-tzu.
(^56) It fell on Nov.20.