chin 649accept them, it would be immoral. When you return, inform your
ruler and make him understand Our sentiment” (Sung shih 35:22b;
Chin shih 8:20b, 21a).
On Mar.30, 1188, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Shih-tsung. They had received their
orders on Dec.12, 1187 (Sung shih 35:22a; Chin shih 8:21a).
On June 9, 1188, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court thanked
for the condolence and sacrifice (Chin shih 8:21b).
On Nov.11, 1188, the Military Commissioner of the Peace and
War Army and other Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Hsiao-tsung.^56 They had received
their orders on Sep.23 (Sung shih 35:24b; Chin shih 8:22a).
In the 11th month (Nov./Dec.) of 1188, Hsiao-tsung sent envoys to
congratulate Shih-tsung on his birthday in 1189 (Sung shih 35:24b. These
congratulations could not be delivered, since Shih-tsung died.^57
On Jan,19, 1189, the New Year’s Day, Shih-tsung was ill with a
great sweat and could not attend court. The Southern Sung envoys,
who had received their orders on Oct.8, 1188, and were at the Chin
court for the congratulations, were sent home. On the same day, a
Governor and other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern Sung
court. They had received their orders on Dec.2, 1188, and arrived on
Jan.15, 1189 (Sung shih 35:24a, 24b; Chin shih 8:22b-23a; 24a).
On Jan.20, 1189, Emperor Shih-tsung of Chin died, aged 67. He
was succeeded by a grandson, the eldest son by the legitimate wife
of his own eldest son (d.1185). This was Emperor Chang-tsung (Chin
shih 8:24a; 9:1a, 2a).
On Jan.31, 1189, Chang-tsung appointed the Grand Judge and
others as envoys to announce the death of Shih-tsung to Southern
Sung. These were received at the Southern Sung court on Mar.31.
Southern Sung envoys condoled and sacrificed at the Chin court on
Apr.26 (Sung shih 36:3a, 3b; Chin shih 9:2b, 3a).^58
On Feb.18, 1189, Emperor Hsiao-tsung of Southern Sung abdi-
cated. He died on June 28, 1194, aged 68. Hsiao-tsung was succeeded
by his third son, Emperor Kuang-tsung, born in 1147. On Feb.28,
he sent envoys to Chin to announce his enthronement. These were
(^56) It fell on Nov.12.
(^57) The birthday would have fallen on Mar.19, 1189.
(^58) Correcting the entries in Sung shih, which there are reversed.