chin 631On the New Year’s Day of 1143, Hsi-tsung did not hold a recep-
tion because of the death of his heir-apparent. The Southern Sung
envoys, who had received their orders in the 9th month (Sep./Oct.)
of 1142, congratulated in the emperor’s absence in the Hall of the
August Ultimate (Sung shih 30:2b; Chin shih 4:9a).
On Feb.3, 1143, the Chin court decided that the etiquette for the
emperor’s birthday should be the same as that for the New Year’s
Day (Chin shih 4:9a).
On Aug.7, 1143, Hsi-tsung released Hung Hao and two other Chi-
nese. Hung Hao had been sent as a Southern Sung envoy in 1129 and
had been detained by the Jurchen under harsh conditions, because he
had refused to enter their service. On Sep.24, 1143, he was received
in audience by Kao-tsung (Sung shih 30:4b, 5a).
On Feb.6, 1144, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Sep.25, 1143. On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the
Southern Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.9. On Feb.10, Kao-
tsung sent envoys to the Chin court to thank for the congratulations
(Sung shih 30:5a; Chin shih 4:9b).
On Feb.12, 1144, Hsi-tsung appointed a Chinese envoy to his court
as Fiscal Commissioner. When the envoy refused to serve, he was
sentenced for “insurrection” and executed (Chin shih 4:9b).
On Feb.22, 1144, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Hsi-tsung and presented 10,000 ounces
of real gold. They had received their orders on Sep.25, 1143 (Sung
shih 30:5a; Chin shih 4:9b).
On June 21, 1144, Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Kao-tsung^12 (Sung shih 30:6b).
On Aug.9, 1144, Chin executed the envoy Wang Lun who since
1139 had steadfastly refused to serve it (Sung shih 30:7a).
On Jan.25, 1145, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Sep.15, 1144. On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the
Southern Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.21 (Sung shih 30:7a;
Chin shih 4:10b).
On Feb.10, 1145, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Hsi-tsung. They had received their orders
(^12) It fell on June 22.