chin 651On Sep.28, 1190, Sung envoys arrived at the Chin court to con-
gratulate on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received their
orders on July 8. The birthday was on Oct.1, but because of the
mourning for Shih-tsung the court was suspended (Sung shih 36:6b;
Chin shih 9:9b).
On Oct.6, 1190, a Master of Writing of the Ministry of Rites and
other Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court congratulated on the
birthday of Kuang-tsung (Sung shih 36:6b; Chin shih 9:9a).
On Jan.24, 1191, Southern Sung envoys arrived at the Chin court to
congratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.27. They had received their
orders on Oct.19, 1190. But because of the mourning for Shih-tsung
the court was suspended. On the same New Year’s Day, a Notary of
the Bureau of Military Affairs and other Chin envoys congratulated
at the Southern Sung court. They had received their orders in the
11th month (November) of 1190, and arrived on Jan.23 (Sung shih 36:
6b, 7a; Chin shih 9:10a, 10b).
On Feb.7, 1191, the Empress Dowager of Chin, mother of Chang-
tsung, died.^61 On Feb.12, Chang-tsung sent the Vice Inspector-general
of the Left and other Chin envoys to the Sung court to announce her
death. These were received on Mar.25. Kuang-tsung sent envoys to
the Chin court to condole and sacrifice.^62 They were received on
Apr.24 (Sung shih 36:7b; Chin shih 9:10b, 11b).
On Sep.19, 1191 Southern Sung envoys arrived at the Chin court
to congratulate on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received
their orders on June 26. The birthday fell on Sep.21, but because of
the mourning for the Empress Dowager the court was suspended (Sung
shih 36:8b; Chin shih 9:12b).
On Sep.26, 1191, the Deputy [Commissioner] of the Court of the
Imperial Clan and other Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court
congratulated on the birthday of Kuang-tsung. They had received
their orders in the 7th month (July/Aug.) (Sung shih 36:9a; 9:12b).
On Jan.15, 1192, Southern Sung envoys arrived at the Chin court
to congratulate on the New Year’s Day of Jan.17. They had received
their orders on Oct.7. 1191. On Jan.13, 1192, a royal Tutor and
(^61) It has been seen that her husband, the eldest son of Shih-tsung, had preceded
his father in death in 1185. Therefore, the lady had never been an empress. Chang-
tsung had nevertheless entitled her Empress Dowager. 62
According to Sung shih 36:7b, Kuang-tsung gave orders for this mission on
Mar.21, but the official news from Chin only arrived four days later.