658 chin
On Nov.22, 1203, a Master of Writing of the Ministry of Punish-
ments and other Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court to
congratulate on the birthday of Ning-tsung.^72 They had received their
orders on Oct.13 (Sung shih 38:6b; Chin shih 11:14a).
In the 10th month (Nov./Dec.) of 1203, the Chief Steward returned
to the Chin court from a mission to Southern Sung and reported that
the Chinese were buying horses and drilling troops, and that they
would start a war (Chin shih 11:14b).
On Feb.3, 1204, the New Year’s Day, Sung envoys congratulated
at the Chin court. They had received their orders in the 9th month
(Oct./Nov.) of 1202. On the same day, a Notary of the Bureau of
Military Affairs and other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern
Sung court. They had received their orders on Dec.11, 1203 (Sung shih
38:6a, 6b; Chin shih 11:14b; 12:1a).
On Feb.20, 1204, the Branch Department of State Affairs in Chin
informed Chang-tsung that one of the Southern Sung envoys who had
congratulated on the New Year’s Day had died on his way home. The
emperor ordered a Defense Commissioner to sacrifice to the deceased,
to contribute 220 bolts of pongee and 220 bolts of cotton to the funeral
expenses, and to escort the corpse back (Chin shih 12:1a).
On Sep.24, 1204, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received their
orders on June 30 (Sung shih 38:7b; Chin shih 12:3b).
On Nov.6, 1204, a local Administrator and other Chin envoys
arrived at the Southern Sung court to congratulate on the birthday
of Ning-tsung.^73 They had received their orders on Sep.20 (Sung shih
38:8a;Chin shih 12:3b).
On Jan.22, 1205, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Oct.17, 1204. On the same day, a former Palace Vice Inspector-
general and other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern Sung
court. They had received their orders on Dec.1, 1204, and arrived on
Jan.18, 1205 (Sung shih 38:8a, 8b; Chin shih 12:3b, 5b).
On Oct.14, 1205, Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court con-
gratulated on the birthday of Chang-tsung. They had received their
orders on July 1 (Sung shih 38:9b; Chin shih 12:6a).
(^72) Ot fell on Nov.24.
(^73) It fell on Nov.12.