chin 663the Southern Sung court on Feb.8, 1214 for the celebration on the
12th (Sung shih 39:10a, 10b).
On Apr.26, 1214, Chin officials arrived in Southern Sung and
attempted to collect the annual tribute for the past two years. They
were not only unsuccessful, but after a memorial by a Member of the
Suite of the Imperial Diarists to Ning-tsung, the Chinese on Sep.3
stopped the annual tribute altogether (Sung shih 39:10b, 11a).
On Aug.19, 1214, Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court
announced that Hsüan-tsung was moving his residence to the South-
ern Capital (K’ai-feng) (Sung shih 39:11a).
In the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) of 1214, Chin officials again attempted
unsuccessfully to collect the annual tribute in Southern Sung (Sung
shih 39:11a).
On Feb.1, 1215, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys con-
gratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on Dec.3,
- On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern
Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.28 (Sung shih 39:11b; Chin shih
14:6a).
On Apr.13, 1215, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Hsüan-tsung. They had received their
orders on Feb.19 (Sung shih 39:11b; Chin shih 14:8a).
On Nov.9, 1215, Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Ning-tsung^82
By the end of 1215, the Chin State was in dire straits. Manchuria
and Shan-tung had been lost through local uprisings. The Mongols
operated freely in northern China and on May 31, 1215, had received
the surrender of the Central Capital (Peking). Chin and Hsia had been
at war since 1214. All that was left of a once mighty empire was Ho-
nan, southern Shan-hsi, and Shensi, with K’ai-feng as the capital.
On Jan.21, 1216, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys con-
gratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on Nov.30, - On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern
Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.17 (Sung shih 39:13a).
On Nov.17, 1216, the Commandant of the Palace Guards and other
Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court to congratulate on
the birthday of Ning-tsung.^83 They had received their orders in the
(^82) It fell on Nov.11.
(^83) It fell on Nov.29.