626 chin
outbreak of the war was briefly postponed by an intensive diplomatic
exchange.
On Feb.27, 1126, Ch’in-tsung sent a Chief Commandant of Atten-
dant Cavalry as envoy to the withdrawing Chin army. The Chin
reponded with an envoy of its own. On Mar.2, another Sung envoy
was dispatched to the Chin army. On Mar.3, still another two Sung
envoys were sent with a letter to the Chin army. On May 10, two
Chin envoys were received at the Sung court (Sung shih 23:4b, 5a, 8a;
Chin shih 3:7b-8a).
But by this time fighting had broken out again, and the Chin forces
had resumed their attack on K’ai-feng. On Oct.16, 1126, Ch’in-tsung
sent a Serving within the Palace by sea to Chin in order to discuss
peace, and on Oct.23 two Chin envoys were received at the Sung
court. But it was too late (Sung shih 23:12b, 13a).
On Nov.21, 1126,^5 the Chin forces crossed the Yellow River. From
Dec.3, 1126, to Jan.3, 1127, they attacked the gates of K’ai-feng. On
Jan.9, K’ai-feng surrendered (Sung shih 23:15a, 15b, 16a, 16b).
On the New Year’s Day of Feb.13, 1127, Ch’in-tsung of Sung sent
two of his half-brothers to congratulate the Chin army, and Chin envoys
entered K’ai-feng and congratulated (Sung shih 23:17b; 246:7b, 8a).
On Mar.20, 1127, the Chin demoted the abdicated Emperor Hui-
tsung and current Emperor Ch’in-tsung to commoners. With the first
departures on May 10, they and their immediate families and entou-
rages were by stages transferred to the north, arriving in the Supreme
Capital in Manchuria in the 7th month (July/Aug.) of 1128. Dressed
in plain garments, they were there on Sep.21 presented in the temple
of T’ai-tsu. Thereafter, they were received in audience by T’ai-tsung,
who conferred on Hui-tsung the title of Duke of Stupified Virtue and
on Ch’in-tsung that of Marquis of Aggravated Stupidity. They were
then, again by stages, transferred to their final place of exile, Wu-kuo
town at the Sungari River east of present Charbin (Sung shih 22:13a,
18b; 23:18b; 24:7b-8a,10b; Chin shih 3:9b, 10b, 11b, 12a).
Meanwhile, Chinese resistance to the Jurchen had stiffened and on
June 12, 1127, Hui-tsung’s ninth son, a half-brother of Ch’in-tsung
had been enthroned as emperor. This was Kao-tsung, born in 1107
(Sung shih 24:1a; 5b; Chin shih 3:9b). His dynasty was henceforth known
as the Southern Sung. The war continued and was to last until 1142,
(^5) Correctingping-tzutoping-wu.