" ... The four Chinese documents discussed on the following pages are: 1. an imperial rescript from 1571 whereby Altan-qan, the chieftain of the Twelve Tumed Mongols in the region of modern day Suiyuan, was granted the title of Shun-i wang [Shunyi Wang] 順義王 ; 2. an imperial rescript granting honorary military ranks to sixty-three Mongol noblemen, all relatives or subjects of Altan-qan ... ; 3. a composite document containing a solemn promise by Altan-qan and his underlings to end all attacks on Chinese border territories, with an agreement in twelve articles between Chinese and Mongols...; 4. a biao 表 memorial accompanying a tribute of horses from Altan-qan and his relatives and underlings" -- Introduction.