Journal paper

Issue No.	No. 57
Title	Changes in Foreign Relations during the Jiading Era (1208-1224 A.D.) of the Southern Song Dynasty
Author	Cheng, Cheng-liang∗
Page	1-34
Abstract	The Southern Song dynasty experienced a profound change in its foreign relations during the Jiading era (1208-1224). The rise of the Mongols and the decline in the power of the Jurchen meant that the Southern Song, which had traditionally been rather weak, had an unprecedented opportunity to redefine its position vis-à-vis its neighbors. During the Jiading era, the Southern Song court took alternatively both a peaceful and a bellicose policy toward the Jurchen, with the tenth year of the Jiading era being the turning point: before the tenth year, the court took a wait-and-see approach toward the Jurchen; after the tenth year, those who advocated full-scale war gained the upper hand. One additional factor that fanned the flames of war was the refusal of the Jurchen to re-negotiate the terms of the tribute that the Southern Song court was required to pay. 　　Even after full-scale war broke out between the Southern Song and the Jurchen, the Jurchen still had several opportunities to sue for peace; these, however, were not seized. The Southern Song eventually achieved a symbolic victory, especially after it adopted the policy, recommended by Chancellor Shi Mi-Yuan, of enlisting the help of the “Hans of Shandong” in the fight against the Jurchen. In the 17th year of the Jiading era (1224), the Jurchen formally declared that they had been defeated by the Southern Song. From then on, relations between the Southern Song and the Mongols became the most important factor affecting the long-term survival of the Southern Song dynasty.
Keyword	Jiading period, Shi Mi-Yuan, Foreign Relations, Jurchen
Attached File	File download