chin 659In Southern Sung, a war party led by Han T’o-chou had come
to power, and tensions with the Jurchen had been steadily rising.
Even though missions continued to be exchanged, the war began on
Oct.28, 1205, with an unprovoked attack by Chinese troops (Chin
shih 12:6a).
On Nov.29, 1205, an Army Commander and other Chin envoys
arrived at the Southern Sung court to congratulate on the birthday
of Ning-tsung.^74 They had received their orders in the 9th month
(Oct./Nov.) (Sung shih 38:10b; Chin shih 12:6a).
On Feb.10, 1206, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Nov.6, 1205. On the same day, the Grand Master of Ceremonies and
other Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern Sung court. They had
received their orders on Dec.17, 1205 and arrived on Feb.5, 1206. A
misunderstanding led to sharp protests by the Chin envoys, to which a
Chinese official responded by proposing their execution. Ning-tsung
took no action (Sung shih 38:10b, 11a; Chin shih 12:6a, 6b)
When the Southern Sung envoys to the Chin court took leave on
Feb.14, 1206 Chang-tsung sent the Grandee Secretary to their lodge
with a message to Ning-tsung. It reminded him that ever since the
treaty of 1165 the Chin emperors had permitted the Southern Sung
emperors to call themselves their nephews, and that Chin had kept
peace, whereas its borders had been violated by the Southern Sung.
“When you, gentlemen, return to you state, you must entirely inform
your ruler about Our sentiment” (Chin shih 12:6b-7a).
This did not stop the fighting. On July 5, 1206, Ning-tsung formally
declared war, and on July 11 announcements were made in Lin-an to
Heaven and Earth, the imperial ancestors, and the Gods of the Soils
and the Crops (Sung shih 38:12b).^75
On the New Year’s Day of Jan.30, 1207, there were no mutual
congratulations. But when the Grand Empress Dowager, widow of
Hsiao-tsung, died on June 13, the Southern Sung on July 15 sent
envoys to the Chin court to announce it (Sung shih 38:17b). On the
same day, another envoy was appointed to congratulate Chang-tsung
on his birthday, but no Southern Sung representatives are mentioned
(^74) It fell on Dec.1.
(^75) Correcting 5th month to 6th.