Zhao Xiong’s Mission to the Jin Dynasty and the “Ordinary Man” Report: A Critical Turning Point in Southern Song Diplomatic History

Brief Introduction

Zhao Xiong (1086–1149), courtesy name Pingfu, was a native of Qingtian, Chuzhou. He served as a distinguished minister during the early Southern Song Dynasty. In the early years of the Shaoxing reign under Emperor Gaozong of Song, he was dispatched to the Jin dynasty as the “New Year Envoys” (Zhengdan Shi). His core achievement lay in successfully altering the rituals required for Song envoys when receiving the Jin state documents. He also remains famous in historical records for his precise assessment of the Jin rulers. This event was not only a significant victory in Southern Song diplomatic etiquette but also showcased Zhao Xiong’s exceptional diplomatic wisdom and political insight.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Diplomatic Background: The Humiliating "New Year Envoys" System
Following the Jingkang Incident, the Song court retreated south, leaving the Jin dynasty in control of Central China. In the early Southern Song period, the Song court was required to dispatch envoys to the Jin every year on the first day of the lunar new year (Zhengdan), known as the "New Year Envoys." However, in the initial stages, Song envoys faced severe ceremonial humiliation in the Jin court. They were required to perform the kneeling kowtow ritual and were assigned a lowly status in the reception arrangements. This deeply hurt the pride of the Southern Song emperor and his ministers, becoming a focal point of diplomatic friction between the two states.

2. Zhao Xiong’s Breakthrough Strategy: Persuasion Through Reason and Resistance Based on Etiquette
When Zhao Xiong went on his mission, facing the Jin demand that Song envoys kneel to receive the state documents (edicts of the Jin ruler), he did not choose to bow and scrape. Instead, he argued based on the principles of patriarchal lineage, ritual systems, and international parity. He skillfully cited ancient rites concerning the audience between feudal lords and the Son of Heaven, pointing out that although the Jin occupied the north, within the framework of Confucian ritual systems, they should still afford the proper respect to Song envoys. Through repeated negotiations, Zhao Xiong eventually forced the Jin to agree that Song envoys could stand ("stand to receive") or bow in a flat manner ("level bow") to receive the documents, rather than kneel. This significantly safeguarded the national dignity of the Southern Song.

3. The "Ordinary Man" Assessment: Precise Political Judgment
In his memorial report, Zhao Xiong referred to the Jin Emperor as an "ordinary man" (yong ren). This evaluation was not merely an insult but was based on Zhao Xiong’s observations during his stay in the Jin state. He found that the Jin leadership often vacillated in their decision-making, internal governance was chaotic, and their external military strategy lacked long-term planning. Additionally, they were affected by power struggles between the old Jurchen aristocracy and Sino-centric bureaucrats, leading to disorganized governance. Zhao Xiong believed that this internal instability and lack of strong leadership meant that although the Jin was powerful for a time, it could not sustain high pressure on the Song indefinitely. This judgment provided the Southern Song court with crucial strategic confidence: as long as they upheld the peace treaty and stabilized their internal affairs, the Jin would eventually loosen its grip due to internal contradictions.

Connection to "Xu Zizhi Tongjian"

"Xu Zizhi Tongjian" (Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian), a chronological history covering the fall of the Northern Song to the fall of the Southern Song, details Zhao Xiong’s mission and its consequences.

1. Specificity of Historical Records
In entries around the 7th year of Shaoxing (1137 CE), the book clearly records the ritual conflict during Zhao Xiong’s mission to the Jin and how it was resolved. It not only describes how Zhao Xiong negotiated with Jin officials but also quotes the content of his memorial upon his return. The phrase "reported that the Jin ruler was an ordinary man" directly reflects Zhao Xiong’s analysis of the Jin political situation.

2. Historical Causal Chain
Xu Zizhi Tongjian places Zhao Xiong’s diplomatic success against the backdrop of the Southern Song’s difficult early efforts to maintain peace. It demonstrates how his efforts eased tensions between the Song and Jin, laying the psychological and diplomatic foundation for the subsequent "Shaoxing Peace Treaty." Furthermore, by tracing the evolution of the Jin situation in later years, the book validates the accuracy of Zhao Xiong’s "ordinary man" assessment—the Jin indeed gradually declined due to internal factional struggles and crises in governance, creating window opportunities for the Southern Song to attempt northern campaigns (such as those led by generals Yue Fei and Zhang Jun).

3. Deepening Character Assessment
Through the case of Zhao Xiong, Xu Zizhi Tongjian highlights the vital role of the early Southern Song bureaucratic elite on the diplomatic stage. They were no longer passively accepting humiliation but attempted to reshape their national status through wisdom and courage. Consequently, Zhao Xiong’s image became a representative figure of the resilient diplomatic policy during the Southern Song’s period of "conserving the realm."

Conclusion

Zhao Xiong’s mission to the Jin was not only a victory in ceremonial etiquette but also a successful acquisition of strategic intelligence. With acute political intuition, he accurately identified the weaknesses of the Jin ruling clique, providing valuable decision-making reference for the Southern Song court. The record of this event in Xu Zizhi Tongjian vividly illustrates the Southern Song’s early efforts to seek survival and dignity amidst internal and external difficulties, making it an indispensable chapter in the study of Song-Jin diplomatic history.