Zhao Hongyin () (899-956) was a military general in

Imperial China The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the '' Book of Documents'' (early chapt ...

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (), from 907 to 979, was an era of political upheaval and division in 10th-century Imperial China. Five dynastic states quickly succeeded one another in the Central Plain, and more than a dozen conc ...

. After his death, his son

Zhao Kuangyin Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuangyin, courtesy name Yuanlang, was the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguish ...

founded 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 res ...

in 960. His other son Zhao Kuangyi would also become a Song

emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother ( ...

. For this reason, Zhao Hongyin is posthumously honored as "Emperor Xuanzu (宣祖) of Song". All emperors of the Song dynasty were his descendants via either Emperor Taizu (most emperors of the Southern Song) or Emperor Taizong (most emperors of the Northern Song).

Early life

Zhao Hongyin decided against a civil career and became a military officer instead under

Zhuangzong of Later Tang Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (), personal name Li Cunxu (), nickname Yazi (), stage name Li Tianxia (), was the ruling prince of the Former Jin dynasty (r. 908–923) and later became the founding emperor of the Later Tang dynasty (r. 923 ...

: he knew that in times of disunity it would be a military career that would lead to success. The young Zhao Hongyin was a skilled

horse archer A horse archer is a cavalryman armed with a bow and able to shoot while riding from horseback. Archery has occasionally been used from the backs of other riding animals. In large open areas, it was a highly successful technique for hunting, f ...

. He originally served the warlord Wang Rong for the

de facto ''De facto'' ( ; , "in fact") describes practices that exist in reality, whether or not they are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms. It is commonly used to refer to what happens in practice, in contrast with '' de jure'' ("by l ...

independent

Zhao Zhao may refer to: * Zhao (surname) (赵), a Chinese surname ** commonly spelled Chao in Taiwan or up until the early 20th century in other regions ** Chiu, from the Cantonese pronunciation ** Cho (Korean surname), represent the Hanja 趙 (Chine ...

State, and was once ordered by Wang to lead 500 cavalries to assist their ally

Li Cunxu Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (), personal name Li Cunxu (), nickname Yazi (), stage name Li Tianxia (), was the ruling prince of the Former Jin dynasty (r. 908–923) and later became the founding emperor of the Later Tang dynasty (r. 923 ...

in battles, presumably against the Later Liang. Impressed by his bravery, Li kept Zhao as part of his imperial army after the fall of Zhao in 921. It was also around this period that he married Lady Du who was 3 years his junior. mentions that the marriage took place when Lady Du, born around 902, was just entering adulthood. According to popular rumour a few decades after his death, when Zhao Hongyin first came to the area by himself, he encountered a

snowstorm A winter storm is an event in which wind coincides with varieties of precipitation that only occur at freezing temperatures, such as snow, mixed snow and rain, or freezing rain. In temperate continental climates, these storms are not necessar ...

and had to beg for food from servants in official Du Shuang's (杜爽) house. After a few days, the servants noticed that he was hardworking and persuaded Du to keep him in the house. A few months later, the family arranged for him to marry their eldest daughter.

Family

Consorts and Issue: * Empress Dowager Zhaoxian, of the Du clan (; 902–961) ** ''Zhao Guangji, Prince Yong'' (), first son ** ''Princess Gongxian'' (), first daughter **

, Taizu (; 927–976), second son ** Princess Gongyi (; d. 973), second daughter *** Married

Gao Huaide Gao Huaide (高懷德) ( 926 – 982) courtesy name Cangyong was a general in ancient China, first in the Later Zhou military and later in the Northern Song military. Life Gao Huaide's father Gao Xingzhou was a general in the Later Zhou militar ...

(; 926–982) in 960, and had issue (one daughter) ** Zhao Jiong, Taizong (; 939–997), third son ** ''Zhao Guangzan, Prince Qi'' (), fifth son * Lady, of the Geng clan () **

Zhao Tingmei Zhao Tingmei (趙廷美; 947–984), formally known as Prince Fudao (涪悼王), was an imperial prince of the Song Dynasty. He was the younger half-brother of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Jiong. Life Zhao Tingmei is the fourth son of Zhao Hongyin b ...

, Prince Fudao (; 947–984), fourth son

Ancestry

References

* * Later Zhou people Later Han (Five Dynasties) people 899 births 956 deaths Year of birth unknown {{China-bio-stub