- 248 NUJUN. Liao * army, "which was said to be then in the south of Meima If that army were but welcomed by Jang, the crime of Dso's desertion would soon meet with its proper reward. It was these fugitives who advised the surrender of Pingchow to Sung in order to gain the good will of the latter. li Shu, a Chinese grand secretaiy, recommended the Sung to accept the cession, and his advice was seconded by other ministers. But Liangsu opposed the measure with every argument he could think of, and with the utmost energy of which he was capable; for, he rightly argued, such a course would at once destroy the mutual, good understanding arrived at with the Kin, who could not but deeply resent such a breach of faith immed- iately on the completion of the treaty, which was as yet only partially carried out, and a subsequent repentance would come too late. The author of the Chinese history adds a note strongly condemning the oovetousness which opened the flood gates of such dire calamities for China. The emperor was, however, scarcely ccnnpetent for his post ; and it is not surprising that the man who was unable, with the wealth and resources of China^ to successfully curb his northern neighbours, was also unable to perceive the grave issues involved in so manifest a breach of faith, at a time when more than usual care was needful to avoid giving any unnecessaiy offence to a nation of conquerors, who had scattered his masters to the four winda He, therefore, eagerly grasped at the keys of Toongping. Jang carried out his plans immediately. He sent an officer with 500 men to apprehend his superior liw, proclaimed the third year of Baoda, the Liao king, and set forth, in a public proclamation, ten crimes of law's, deserving death ; on account of which he slew him. He sent messengers to the Sung with
- The liao dynasty was then establislied to the west of Kansn, in what was called
the Hia country. The "Holy wars" describe HingaTiliTig m the nortii-west of Manchuria as the home of the Liao, and the Solon people there as their descendants. We have already seen that the Liao had sprung as Elitan to the south of the Sira muren, but after their loss of empire, when some of them fled westwards to Hla, others might have departed across their former home to the north of the Sira muren, and nestled under the shadows of those extensive mountains, the ISngan.
