| Emperor Zhenzong of Song | |
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| Reign | 8 May 997 - 23 March 1022 (24 years, 319 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 |
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| Full name | |
| Family name: Zhào (趙) |
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| 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] |
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| 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]
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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]
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Emperor Zhenzong of Song
House of Zhao (960–1279)
Born: 997 Died: 1022 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Taizong of Song |
Emperor of the Song Dynasty 997–1022 |
Succeeded by Emperor Renzong of Song |
| Emperor of China 997–1022 |
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