8 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.
What happened
China (7)
In the fourth month Zhao Shi died at Naozhou (his ministers gave him the title Duanzong); at once Zhao Bing, Prince of Wei, was set up as ruler, and Lu Xiufu was made Left Chancellor. (History of Song (Songshi), Annals 宋史卷047 二王 附)
In the tenth month Zhao Yuluo defended Qiongzhou; Alihaiya sent Ma Chengwang to summon him, and they faced each other at Baishakou. In the eleventh month the residents seized Zhao Yuluo and surrendered. (History of Song (Songshi), Annals 宋史卷047 二王 附)
Sotu, vice-minister of the Secretariat and Fujian pacification commissioner, led his army to attack Chaozhou and defeated it. (History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals 元史 卷10 世祖 1278年)
Zhang Hongfan's army pursued Wen Tianxiang, who was staying at Chaoyang Harbor, defeated him badly, and captured Wen Tianxiang and four officers, sending them to the capital. (History of Yuan (Yuanshi), Annals 元史 卷10 世祖 1278年 12月)
Chinghianfu (Zhenjiang): in 1278 two Nestorian churches were said to have been built there. (Marco Polo, The Travels (Yule translation) Book II ch. LXXIII (Yule 영역 가운데 OF THE CITY OF CHINGHIANFU.))
In the twelfth month, day renwu, Wang Daofu and Ling Zhen of Song attacked Guangzhou but were defeated in a renewed fight with Li Heng; Ling Zhen fled to Yashan and joined the troops of the Yuan commander Zhai Guoxiu. (Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror) 권184 十二月 단락184.47.0)
Eastern Europe & Russia (1)
Dmitri punishes Novgorod, the lowland forces and Karelia, and sweeps the land. (Novgorod First Chronicle litopys 기사 1278년)