ABSTRACT
Li Tsung prince was a descendant, in the tenth generation, of the founder of the Sung dynasty, and was only twenty-two years old when he ascended the dragon throne. In December, A. D. 1233, Ts'ai-chow was completely invested, and with such rigour that all communication with the outer world was completely cut off. Ok Ko-dai died in A. D. 1241, and desired that Shih La-wun, the eldest son of his fourth son, should succeed him on his throne. In A. D. 1246 a great council of the Mongol nation was held, in which it was decided that a ruler should be definitely appointed to reign over the empire. Kublai had been exceedingly annoyed at the conduct of Kia Sz-tau, and was determined to bring him to book for it. Ambassadors were sent to the court of Li Tsung, demanding that the treaty that had been made with him should be carried out.
