Emperor Zhenzong of Song

Emperor Zhenzong of Song
Emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty
Reign 8 May 997 - 23 March 1022 (&1000000000000002400000024 years, &10000000000000319000000319 days)
Predecessor Emperor Taizong
Successor Emperor Renzong
Spouse Princess Pan 章怀皇后
Empress Guo 章穆皇后
Empress Liu E 章献明肃皇后
Empress Li 章懿皇后
Empress Yang 章惠皇后
Consort Shen, concubine 昭靜貴妃
Consort Du, concubine
Consort Cao, concubine
Consort Chen, concubine
Consort Dai, concubine
Consort Xu, concubine
Consort Chen, concubine[1]
Issue
Zhao Ti, Prince of Wen
Zhao You, Crown Prince Daoxian
Zhao Zhi, Prince of Chang
Zhao Zhong, Prince of Xin
Zhao Gui, Prince of Qin
Zhao Zhen, Emperor Renzong
Princess Hui
Princess Sheng
Full name
Family name: Zhào (趙)
Posthumous name
Short: Never used short
Full: Emperor Yingfu Jigu Shengong
Rangde Wenming Wuding
Zhangsheng Yuanxiao
膺符稽古神功讓德文明武定章聖
元孝皇帝[2]
Temple name
Zhenzong (真宗)
House House of Zhao
Father Emperor Taizong of Song
Mother Empress Li 元德皇后
Born 23 December 968
Died 23 March 1022

Emperor Zhenzong (December 23, 968 – March 23, 1022) (also Chen-tsung) was the third emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to 1022. Zhenzong was the third son of Emperor Taizong. His personal name was Zhao Heng and his temple name Zhenzong means "True Ancestor".

Zhenzong's reign was noted for the consolidation of power and the strengthening of the dynasty. The country prospered, and its military might was further reinforced. However, it would also mark the beginning of a foreign policy towards the Khitan Empire (Liao Dynasty) in the north that would ultimately result in humiliation. In 1004, the Khitan waged war against the Song empire. Zhenzong, leading his army, struck back at the Khitan. Despite initial successes, in 1005 Zhenzong concluded the Shanyuan Treaty. The treaty resulted in over a century of peace, but at the price of the Song dynasty agreeing to an inferior position to the Khitan, and also agreeing to pay an annual tribute of 100,000 ounces of silver and over 200,000 bolts of silk. The admission of inferiority would come to plague the foreign affairs of the Song dynasty, while the payments slowly depleted the empire's coffers.

Zhenzong founded the world's most celebrated ceramic kiln at Jingdezhen in 1004, which continued to produce porcelain for China's imperial use until the fall of the Qing Dynasty 900 years later. He was also responsible for ordering the shipment of 30,000 bushels of quick-maturing rice seed from the Fujian Province to the lower Yangtze basin in 1011–1012, improving agriculture.

Zhenzong stressed the importance of Daoism at Court. It was during his reign that the so-called Heavenly Texts, which glorified the Zhao family, were allegedly discovered. This was followed up by Imperial sacrifices carried out at Mount Tai. From 1013 to 1015 he issued official decrees deifying the Jade Emperor as the highest ruler of Heaven.[3]

Contents

Archaeology

A number of Chinese artifacts dating from the Tang dynasty and Song dynasty, some of which had been owned by Emperor Zhenzong were excavated and then came into the hands of the Kuomintang Muslim General Ma Hongkui, who refused to publicize the findings. Among the artifacts were a white marble tablet from the Tang dynasty, gold nails, and bands made out of metal. It was not until after Ma died, that his wife went to Taiwan in 1971 from America to bring the artifacts to Chiang Kai-shek, who turned them over to the Taipei National Palace Museum.[4]

Personal information

Ancestry

See also

References

  1. ^ Not the same as the above
  2. ^ This is the final version of the posthumous name given in 1047.
  3. ^ Jonathan D. Spence. God's Chinese Son. New York 1996. p.42
  4. ^ China archeology and art digest, Volume 3, Issue 4. Art Text (HK) Ltd.. 2000. p. 354. http://books.google.com/books?id=0UzrAAAAMAAJ&q=in+1971,+his+widow+took+them+from+America+to+Chiang+Kai-shek+in+Taiwan.+They+were+later+acquired+by+the+National+Palace&dq=in+1971,+his+widow+took+them+from+America+to+Chiang+Kai-shek+in+Taiwan.+They+were+later+acquired+by+the+National+Palace&hl=en&ei=414OTZT6GIL_8AaO8p2ADg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA. Retrieved 2010-11-28. 
  5. ^ Initially Zhenzong's concubine, she was elevated posthumously to the rank of Empress
  6. ^ Not the same as the above
Emperor Zhenzong of Song
House of Zhao (960–1279)
Born: 997 Died: 1022
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Emperor Taizong of Song
Emperor of the Song Dynasty
997–1022
Succeeded by
Emperor Renzong of Song
Emperor of China
997–1022