628 chin
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 1134, Kao-tsung sent envoys to
the Chin court (Sung shih 27:16b).
On Feb.9, 1135, Emperor T’ai-tsung of Chin died, aged 61. He
was succeeded by a son, born in 1119, who ascended the throne on
Feb.10. This was Emperor Hsi-tsung (Chin shih 3:17a; 4:1a-1b).
On June 4, 1135,^7 Hui-tsung died in Wu-kuo town, aged 54. Hsi-
tsung sent envoys to sacrifice and contribute to the funeral expenses.
In the 1st month (Jan./Feb.) of 1137, the Southern Sung court for
the first time learned of Hui-tsung’s death and of that of his empress,
the Lady Cheng, aged 52 (Sung shih 243:11a; Chin shih 4:2a). The
Chinese had the natural wish to bring the corpses home, the Jurchen
the political interest in holding on to them. On Mar.1, 1137, Kao-
tsung sent Wang Lun to Chin to negotiate the release of the coffins.
Lun returned on Feb.7, 1138, and reported in an audience that Chin
was willing to relinquish the coffins and also to make some territorial
concessions. Three days later, on Febr.11, Wang Lun set out again for
the coffins. He came back without them. On Aug.8, he was sent for
the third time on the same errand. He returned on Nov.28 together
with two Chin envoys, once more without success (Sung shih 22:13a;
28:4a, 14b, 19a; 29:2b, 3a; Chin shih 4:2a).
On Dec.19, 1138, Wang Lun had an audience with Kao-tsung.
On Dec.20, he was ordered to return to the Chin court. His deputy
excused himself on the grounds of illness (Sung shih 29:3a-3b).
On Dec.22, 1138, Kao-tsung ordered that Chin envoys be admit-
ted (Sung shih 29:3b).
On Jan.25, 1139, Kao-tsung appointed envoys to go to the Chin
court (Sung shih 29:4a).
On Jan.27, 1139, Kao-tsung again ordered that Chin envoys be
admitted (Sung shih 29:4a).
On Apr.29, 1139, Southern Sung envoys at the Chin court thanked
for the territorial concessions (Chin shih 4:4b).
On June 29, 1139, the Lady Hsing died in Wu-kuo, town. She had
been the legitimate wife of the future Emperor Kao-tsung, and when
he ascended the throne in 1127 he had made her empress in absentia
(Sung shih 29:6b; 243:17b).
In the 6th month (June/July) of 1139, Wang Lun was again sent
as envoy to the Chin court (Sung shih 29:7a).
(^7) Chin shih dates his death June 6.