chin 655orders on Nov.2, 1197. Chin envoys had arrived at the Southern
Sung court on Feb.4 to congratulate on the same occasion, but no
reception is recorded. An eclipse of the sun was not needed for the
suspension of the Southern Sung court, since this was required in any
event by the death of the Grand Empress Dowager (Sung shih 37:11a;
Chin shih 11:1a, 11b).
Because there had been no proper mourning after the death of
his grandfather Hsiao-tsung in 1194, Ning-tsung sent envoys to the
Chin court who there announced the death once more on Mar.6,
1198 (Chin shih 11:1a).
On May 5, 1198, the Commander-in-chief of the Martial Guards
and other Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court condoled and
sacrificed on the death of the Grand Empress Dowager. They had
received their orders in the 2nd month (Mar./Apr.). In the 8th month
(Sep./Oct.), Southern Sung envoys thanked for the condolence. (Sung
shih 37:12a; Chin shih 11:1b).
On Oct.3, 1198, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received their
orders on July 8 (Sung shih 37:12a; Chin shih 11:2a).
On Nov.24, 1198, a Fiscal Commissioner-in-chief and other Chin
envoys to the Sung court congratulated on the birthday of Emperor
Ning-tsung.^68 They had received their orders in the 9th month (Octo-
ber) (Sung shih 37:12b; Chin shih 11:2a).
On Jan.28, 1199, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Oct.27, 1198. On the same day, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and
other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern Sung court. They
had received their orders on Dec.13, 1198, and arrived on Dec.31
(Sung shih 37:12b; Chin shih 11:2b, 3a).
On Sep.22, 1199, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received their
orders on June 27 (Sung shih 37:13a; Chin shih 11:5a-5b).
On Nov.7, 1199, a local Administrator and other Chin envoys
arrived at the Southern Sung court to congratulate on the birthday
of Ning-tsung.^69 They had received their orders on Oct.21 (Sung shih
37:13b;Chin shih 11:5b).
(^68) The birthday should have fallen on Nov.19 (19th day of 10th month) but was
that year for an unknown reason celebrated on the 24th.
(^69) It fell on Nov.9.