648 chin
On Dec.3, 1186, Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Hsiao-tsung.^55 They had received
their orders on Oct.1 (Sung shih 35:19b; Chin shih 8:15a).
On Feb.10, 1187, the New Year’s Day, Sung envoys congratulated
at the Chin court. They had received their orders in the 8th month
(Sep./Oct.). On the same day, a Master of Writing of the Ministry of
Punishments and other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern
Sung court. They had received their orders on Dec.20, 1186, and
arrived on Feb.6, 1187 (Sung shih 35:19a-19b; Chin shih 8:16a, 17b).
On Apr.11, 1187, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Shih-tsung. They had received their
orders on Dec.29, 1186 (Sung shih 35:19b; Chin shih 8:18b).
On Nov.23, 1187, a Governor and other Chin envoys to the South-
ern Sung court congratulated on the birthday of Hsiao-tsung. They
had received their orders in the 8th month (Sep./Oct.) (Sung shih 35:
21b;Chin shih 8:19b).
On Jan.15, 1188, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court
announced the death of the abdicated Emperor Kao-tsung [on Nov.9,
1187]. They presented 2000 ounces of gold, 30,000 ounces of silver,
and 2000 bolts of silk (Chin shih 8:20a).
On Jan.30, 1188, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Oct.11, 1187. On the same day, the Vice Inspector-general and other
Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern Sung court. They had
received their orders on Dec.14, 1187, and arrived on Jan.26, 1188
(Sung shih 35:21a, 22b; Chin shih 8:20a, 20b).
On Mar.20, 1188, the Commissioner of Palace Attendants and other
Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court condoled and sacrificed on
the death of Kao-tsung. They were received in audience by Hsiao-
tsung. These envoys had been given their orders on Feb.5 (Sung shih
35:22b;Chin shih 8:20b).
On Mar.22, 1188, Southern Sung envoys arrived at the Chin
court to present Kao-tsung’s testamentary gifts. On Mar.26, they
were received in audience. Shih-tsung rejected the gifts, among them
5 jade vessels, 20 glass vessels, and bows and arrows, saying:”These
were all enjoyed objects of the late ruler of your state which it is proper
to value and store in order not to forget the deceased. If [We] now
(^55) It fell on Dec.4.