Emperor Xiaozong of Song (27 November 1127 – 28 June 1194), personal name Zhao Shen,

courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...

Yuanyong, was the 11th emperor of the

Song dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...

of China and the second emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. He started his reign in 1162 when his adoptive father and predecessor, Emperor Gaozong, abdicated and passed the throne to him. Even though Emperor Gaozong became a ''

Taishang Huang In Chinese history, a ''Taishang Huang'' or ''Taishang Huangdi'' is an honorific and institution of a retired emperor. The former emperor had, at least in name, abdicated in favor of someone else. Although no longer the reigning sovereign, ther ...

'' ("Retired Emperor") after his abdication, he remained the ''de facto'' ruler, so Emperor Xiaozong only took full power in 1187 after Emperor Gaozong's death. After ruling for about a year, Emperor Xiaozong followed in his predecessor's footsteps and abdicated in favour of his third son Zhao Dun (Emperor Guangzong), while he became ''Taishang Huang'' and still remained in power until his death in 1194. He was the first descendant of Emperor Taizu to become emperor.

Names

Zhao Shen's birth name was Zhao Bocong (趙伯琮). In March 1133, after Zhao Bocong entered the imperial palace, his name was changed to Zhao Yuan (趙瑗). In April 1160, after Zhao Yuan was adopted by Emperor Gaozong, his name was changed to Zhao Wei (趙瑋). In July 1162, when Zhao Wei became crown prince, his name was changed again to Zhao Shen (趙眘). Zhao Shen was given the

Yuangui (元瑰) in May 1160. In July 1162, when he became crown prince, his courtesy name was changed to Yuanyong (元永).

Early life

Zhao Shen was a seventh-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu, the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty. He was the second son of Zhao Zicheng (趙子偁; died 1143), a sixth cousin of Emperor Gaozong, the 10th Song emperor. After the Jingkang Incident in 1127, Emperor Gaozong's father, eldest brother and most of his close relatives were taken prisoner by the Jurchen-led Jin Empire. As Emperor Gaozong's only son, Zhao Fu (趙旉), died prematurely around the age of two, the emperor ordered his officials to start searching for other living descendants of the

imperial family A royal family is the immediate family of kings/queens, emirs/emiras, sultans/ sultanas, or raja/rani and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term pap ...

. Zhao Shen was discovered and adopted by Emperor Gaozong in April 1160 as a son. Another relative, Zhao Qu was also adopted. In July 1162, Emperor Gaozong officially designated Zhao Shen as his crown prince and heir apparent. One of the main reasons Gaozong chose Shen over Qu was of Shen's virtue. It is said that Gaozong gave ten maids to Shen and Qu. In the end, Qu had touched every maid but Shen had not even touched one winning Gaozong's favor over Qu. In 24 July 1162, Emperor Gaozong abdicated in favor of Emperor Xiaozong who became emperor although Emperor Gaozong retained power as ''Taishang Huang''.

Reign

During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, the Chinese increased the number of trade missions that would dock at ports throughout the Indian Ocean, where Arab and Hindu influence was once predominant. Xiaozong also was responsible for

Yue Fei Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Song dynasty, Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song force ...

's posthumous rehabilitation, clearing out the remnants of

Qin Hui Qin Hui or Qin Kuai (January 17, 1090 – November 18, 1155) was a Chinese politician. He was a Chancellor of the Song dynasty in Chinese history. He was a contemporary of Yue Fei during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song. Modern historians ...

's faction in court, and stabilizing the economy making his reign the most powerful era of the Southern Song Dynasty and it's said he was the best ruler of the Southern Song dynasty.

Archery Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In m ...

and equestrianism were required for non-military officials at the

Military College A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally provides education in a military environment, the exact definition depending on the country concerned. ...

in 1162 during Emperor Xiaozong's reign. In 1165, he reached peace with the Jin Dynasty. In 1187, the retired Emperor Gaozong died. Xiaozong was stricken with grief and retreated from governing, insisting on mourning Gaozong and stating that he would only rule for two more years. Xiaozong turned all government affairs to his son Zhao Dun. In 1189, Emperor Xiaozong abdicated in favour of his son, Zhao Dun who took the throne as

Emperor Guangzong Emperor Guangzong of Song (30 September 1147 – 17 September 1200), personal name Zhao Dun, was the 12th emperor of the Song dynasty of China and the third emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. He was the third son of his predecessor, Emper ...

. He then granted himself the title ''Taishang Huang'' and remained as the ''de facto'' ruler.

As Retired Emperor

His daughter-in-law Empress Li reportedly attempted to keep

and his father (Xiaozong) separate, and often stopped the emperor from seeing his father.Lily Xiao Hong Lee, Sue Wiles: Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 - 1644 On one occasion, at the sickbed of the emperor, her father-in-law threatened to have her executed for not taking proper care of the monarch. Retired Emperor Xiaozong fell ill in 1194 and was made worse when

refused to visit him. Xiaozong soon died.

refused to attend his funeral and as a result, was forced to give his throne to the deceased retired emperor's grandson

Emperor Ningzong Emperor Ningzong of Song (19 November 1168 – 17 September 1224), personal name Zhao Kuo, was the 13th emperor of the Song dynasty of China and the fourth emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. He reigned from 1194 until his death in 1224. He ...

Family

Consorts and Issue: * Empress Chengmu, of the Guo clan (; 1126–1156) ** Zhao Qi, Crown Prince Zhuangwen (; 1144–1167), first son ** Zhao Kai, Prince Weihuixian (; 1146–1180), second son ** Zhao Dun, Guangzong (; 1147–1200), third son ** Zhao Ke, Prince Shaodaosu (), fourth son * Empress Chenggong, of the Xia clan (; d. 1167) **''Unnamed daughter'' **''Unnamed son'' * Empress Chengsu, of the Xie clan (; 1132–1203), personal name Sufang () *Noble Consort, of the Cai clan (贵妃蔡氏) *Worthy Consort, of the Li clan (贤妃李氏) * Unknown ** ''Princess Jia'' (; d. 1162), first daughte **Second princess

Ancestry

In Pop Culture

Portrayed in 2022 WEBNOVEL titled ROSES OF BLOOD by author TAIYANG DASHENG.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Xiaozong Of Song 1127 births 1194 deaths Monarchs who abdicated Southern Song emperors 12th-century Chinese monarchs People from Jiaxing