Emperor Taizong of Song

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Emperor Taizong of Song

Birth and death:	20 November 939–May 8, 997
Family name:	Zhao (趙)
Given name:	Kuangyi (匡義), later Guangyi¹ (光義), then later Jiong² (炅)
Dates of reign:	15 November 976–May 8, 997
Temple name:	Taizong (太宗)
Posthumous name: (short)	Never used short
Posthumous name: (full)	Emperor Zhiren Yingdao Shengong Shengde Ruilie Daming Guangxiao³ 至仁應道神功聖德睿烈大明廣孝皇帝
General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. ——— 1. Had the first character of his given name changed from Kuang into Guang in 960 when his brother became emperor, because Kuang was the generation character shared with his brother, and it was now a taboo character that no one could use since his brother had become an emperor. 2. Changed his given name from Guangyi into Jiong in 977 after he had become emperor, and so Jiong became his taboo name. 3. Final version of the posthumous name given in 1017.

Emperor Taizong (November 20, 939 - May 8, 997), born Zhao Kuangyi, was the second emperor of the Song Dynasty of China from 976 to 997. He was the younger brother of Emperor Taizu (both born of the same mother).

During his reign as emperor, Song Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor. He paid much attention to the well being of his people and the Song dynasty became stronger. His only set back was that Taizong failed twice in trying to subdue the Liao people of the north. These failures prompted internal rebellions which were quickly suppressed. The Liao dynasty of the north would also come to plague the Song dynasty in the ensuing centuries.

Song Taizong's accession to the throne have been shrouded in mystery, with claims that he murdered his elder brother, the Emperor Taizu and seized the throne. These allegations have not yet been proven as facts.

Taizong died in 997 after a reign of 21 years and was succeeded by his son. He was 57. His temple name means "Grand Ancestor".