HAN T'O-CHOU

died 1207, Hangchow, now in Chekiang Province, China Pinyin Han Tuozhou minister to the Chinese emperor Ning Tsung (reigned 11941224) of the Sung dynasty (9601279). Han tried to recover territory in northern China that had been taken from the Sung several generations earlier by the Juchen tribes of Inner Asia. The ensuing war proved disastrous. More Sung territory was lost and a large indemnity was demanded by the Juchen. When Han attempted to halt negotiations and resume the war, he was executed by his own people and his head offered to the Juchen as a means of conciliation.