The Khitans were a nomadic Mongolian people from Mongolia and Manchuria, who first appeared in the fourth century AD. They domesticated animals, hunted and fished. In 900, the Khitans united under a mysterious figure known as the Showoo Qan, literally "Falcon King". It was said that he was unmatched with the sword and the bow. The Khitans send diplomats to various tribes ranging the vast lands of Mongolia and Manchuria. Most of them accepted the Khitans' authority. When some Mongolian tribes insulted the Showoo Qan by murdering three diplomats, a Khitan army appeared in a few days and slaughtered any rebels, stealing children to train as Khitan soldiers, taking the women as wives, and drafting the men into Khitan ranks. Thus, the Showoo Qanate, also known as the Khitan Confederation, was f