664 chin
9th month (Oct./Nov.) (Sung shih 39:13b; Chin shih 14:21b).
On Feb.8, 1217, the New Year’s Day, Southern Sung envoys con-
gratulated at the Chin court. On the same day, a Gentleman-in-Atten-
dance of the Ministry of Works and other Chin envoys congratulated
at the Southern Sung court. They had received their orders on Jan.4
and arrived on Feb.4 (Sung shih 39:14a; Chin shih 14:23b; 15:1a).
On Mar.1, 1217, Ning-tsung sent envoys to Chin, who congratu-
lated on Hsüan-tsung’s birthday of Apr.20 (Sung shih 40:1a; Chin shih
15:2a). The war with the Mongols continued, but their main interest
was at this time directed toward western Asia. Chin used this respite
for an attack on Southern Sung in 1217.
On Feb.2, 1223, the New Year’s Day, Chin rescinded the exchange
of congratulatory missions (Chin shih 16:15a).
On Jan.14, 1224, Emperor Hsüan-tsung of Chin died, aged 61. He
was succeeded by his third son. This was Emperor Ai-tsung, born in
- Ai-tsung made peace with Southern Sung in 1224 and Hsia in
- He ratified the cessation of tribute payments by Southern Sung,
and both sides agreed to discontinue all congratulatory missions.
On Sep.6, 1224, Ning-tsung of Southern Sung fell ill and could no
longer attend to government. He died on Sep.17, aged 51, and was
succeeded by a distant relative. This was Emperor Li-tsung, born in
1205 (Sung shih 40:13a; 41:2a).
After the death of Chinggis Qan on Aug.25, 1227, there followed a
lull in the Mongol operations, but these were resumed with an attack
on Chin in 1230. The siege of K’ai-feng began on Apr.8, 1232, and
lasted until its surrender on May 29, 1233. Emperor Ai-tsung fled to
Ts’ai-chou, situated just north of the upper course of the Huai River.
He was there attacked by Mongol and Southern Sung troops but held
out until early 1234. On Feb.8 of that year, he abdicated to a distant
relative. This was Wan-yen Ch’eng-lin, sometimes called the Last
Emperor. On Feb.9, Ts’ai-chou was taken. Ai-tsung hanged himself,
and the Last Emperor fell against the invaders. Chin had perished
(Sung shih 41:17a-17b; Chin shih 11b; Yüan shih 2:23a-23b; 4:4a; 3:4a).
The Southern Sung had foolishly cooperated with the Mongols in
the last stage of the war against Chin. But its hope of regaining the
lost northern Chinese territories came to naught. The Mongols had no
intention of giving them up but on the contrary were soon to embark
on the conquest of all of China. Their next step was to defeat Nan-
chao in 1254, whereafter the Southern Sung was outflanked. Raids into
Chinese territory were followed by full-scale war. The death of Great