610 liao
who had previously been detained by the Later T’ang. Khitan envoys
passing through the territory of An Ch’ung-jung some time before 942
were executed by him. In 942, the Khitan released a Later Chin envoy
who had been detained as a protest against the actions of An Ch’ung-
jung. In 951, a Later Chou envoy was detained by Liao because Liao
had allied itself with Northern Han. In 1006, a Liao envoy fell ill at
the Sung court. In 1034, 1066, and 1092, Sung envoys died at the
Liao court. In 1070, four members of a Liao mission en route to the
Sung court were killed and twelve wounded when one of the Khitan
ran amok with a knife.
TheWen-hsien t’ung-k’ao, as is its habit, gives at times totals of mis-
sions rather than individual listings. It claims (345:16a) that after 628,
the Khitan chief Mo-hui constantly offered gifts to the T’ang court.
Five Khitan missions are recorded until 633, which may be constant
enough. It claims that from 713 to756 the Khitan offered gifts about
20 times. Twenty-three missions are recorded. It claims that from
756 to 763, the Khitan offered gifts twice. One mission is recorded.
It claims that from 766 to 779, the Khitan came to the court thirteen
times. Thirteen missions are recorded. It claims that from 785 to 805,
the Khitan came to the court three times. Six missions are recorded. It
caims that from 806 to 820, the Khitan came to the court seven times.
Ten missions are recorded. It claims that from 827 to 840, the Khitan
came to the court four times. Eight missions are recorded. It claims
that from 860 to 874, the Khitan came to the court twice. One mission
is recorded. It follows that the statistics are close to complete.
This is the distribution by 20-year periods of the 446 recorded
Khitan/Liao missions to Sui, T’ang, Later Liang, Later T’ang, Later
Chin, Later Chou, Wu-yüeh, and Southern T’ang:
587- 606 4
607- 626 7
627- 646 6
647- 666 0
667- 686 0
687- 706 0
707- 726 17
727- 746 4
747- 766 2
767- 786 12
787- 806 7