chin 661On Dec.29, 1208, Emperor Chang-tsung of Chin died, aged 41.
He was succeeded by the 7th son of Shih-tsung, born by a concubine,
who in 1197 had been enfeoffed as king of Wei-shao. Since he never
received a posthumous title, he is called by the sources the King of
Wei-shao (Sung shih 9:3a; Chin shih 12:19a; 13:1a-1b, 2a).
On Jan.20, 1209, Ning-tsung sent envoys to the Chin court to
condole and sacrifice, and on Jan.31 other envoys to congratulate the
new Chin ruler on his enthronement (Sung shih 39:3a). These actions
were taken before the Southern Sung had been officially informed of
the events. On Feb.12. 1209, Chin envoys announced the death of
Chang-tsung, and as late as Mar.12 the enthronement of the succes-
sor (Sung shih 39:3b).
On Mar.3, 1209, Chin envoys to the Southern Sung court presented
Chang-tsung’s testamentary gifts (Sung shih 39:3b).
In the 8th month (September) of 1209, Southern Sung envoys to
the Chin court congratulated on the birthday of the ruler.^78 They had
received their orders on July 8 (Sung shih 39:4b; Chin shih 13:2b).
On Nov.15, 1209, Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Ning-tsung^79 (Sung shih 39:5a).
On Jan.27, 1210, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys con-
gratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on Oct.4,
- On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the Southern
Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.23 (Sung shih 39:5a; 5b).
In the 8th month (Aug./Sep.) of 1210, Southern Sung envoys to
the Chin court congratulated on the birthday of the ruler. They had
received their orders on June 29 (Sung shih 39:6b; Chin shih 13:3b).
On Nov.5, 1210, Chin envoys arrived at the Southern Sung court
to congratulate on the birthday of Ning-tsung^80 (Sung shih 39:7a).
On Jan.17, 1211, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys
congratulated at the Chin court. They had received their orders on
Oct.17, 1210. On the same day, Chin envoys congratulated at the
Southern Sung court. They had arrived on Jan.13 (Sung shih 39:7a;
Chin shih 13:4a).
On July 18, 1211, Ning-tsung sent an envoy to congratulate the
Chin ruler on his birthday. But the Chin State was in turmoil, since in
(^78) The exact date of the birthday is unknown.
(^79) It fell on Nov.17.
(^80) It fell on Nov.7.