liao 565the art of war was a constant concern of the Sung State. It would
also show the envoys that the Sung had no secrets from them (Hsü
Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.586). This may have been an attempt
to impress the envoys with Sung’s martial spirit.
On Jan.17, 1007, the Supreme General of the Awesome Guards
of the Right, a Military Commissioner, the Junior Director of the
Imperial House, and the General of the Guards of the Gilded Mace
arrived as Liao envoys at the Sung court to congratulate on the New
Year’s Day of Jan.22 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.558).
In the 4th month (Apr./May) of 1007, Liao envoys were received
at the Sung court. Later that year, Sung envoys on their return from
the Liao court reported all they had observed (Sung hui-yao kao 5257:
38a-38b).
In the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.) of 1008, a Sung envoy on his return
from the Liao court reported all he had observed (Sung hui-yao kao
5257:39b).
In the 6th month (July/Aug.) of 1008, Chen-tsung sent a Super-
numerary Gentleman of the Criminal Administration as envoy to the
Liao court to announce that in the 10th month (November) he would
sacrifice at Mount T’ai^63 (Sung hui-yao kao 5257:39b).
On Feb.5, 1008,^64 Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to con-
gratulate on the New Year’s Day of Feb.10 (Hsü Tzu-chih t’ung-chien
ch’ang-pienp.588).
On Dec.25, 1008, the Supreme General of the Martial Guards of the
Left and other Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to congratulate
on the birthday of Chen-tsung.^65 They were given a banquet (Sung
hui-yao kao 5257:40a).^66
On Jan.24, 1009, Liao envoys arrived at the Sung court to con-
gratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.29 (Sung shih 7:20b).
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 1009, Chen-tsung appointed a
Gentleman-in-Attendance of the Ministry of Works as envoy to the
Liao court (Sung shih 7:22b).
In the 10th month (Oct./Nov.) of 1009, Liao envoys to the Sung
(^63) That sacrifice was performed on Nov.24 (Sung shih 7:18b).
(^64) Correcting the Chinese year of 1006 to 1007 (= 1008 Western calendar).
(^65) It fell on Dec.31.
(^66) One Liao mission, whose arrival at the Sung court is not recorded, returned
on Jan.7, 1009. Another returned on Mar.24, 1009 (Sung hui-yao kao 5257:40a; Hsü
Tzu-chih t’ung-chien ch’ang-pien p.614).