Increased payments from Song to Liao under Liao Xingzong Yelü Zongzhen (Qingli increase, 1042)

Timeline

1. 1042Liao's Southern Capital (present-day Beijing) · North ChinaIn 1042, Liao Xingzong Yelü Zongzhen used the Song-Xia war as an opportunity to send envoys demanding territory and increased payments from the Northern Song. Song Renzong accepted talks and dispatched Fu Bi to negotiate with Liao, the two sides jockeying over the amount of annual tribute and the wording of documents.
2. 1042Song–Liao border · North ChinaIn 1042 Song and Liao reached an agreement to increase payments: Song would annually deliver additional silver and silk to Liao, bringing the total to 200,000 taels of silver and 300,000 bolts of silk; Liao's request for the word 'xian' (offer) was rejected, and the wording was finally fixed on 'na' (deliver). Liao stood down its troops, and Song traded wealth for northern peace.
3. 1042–1043Bianjing (Kaifeng) · HenanThe increased payments agreement was implemented at the end of 1042, restoring border markets and envoy exchanges between Song and Liao. The Northern Song could concentrate resources on the northwestern Western Xia pressure, but the raised tribute became a long-term fiscal burden and sparked court and public debate over 'buying peace with money'.