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| Emperor Taizu of Song 宋太祖 | |||||||||||||
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| Emperor of the Song dynasty | |||||||||||||
| Reign | 4 February 960[1] – 14 November 976 | ||||||||||||
| Coronation | February 960 | ||||||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Taizong | ||||||||||||
| Born | Zhao Kuangyin 21 March 927 Luoyang,Later Tang dynasty | ||||||||||||
| Died | 14 November 976(976-11-14) (aged 49) Bianjing,Northern Song dynasty | ||||||||||||
| Burial | Yongchang Mausoleum (永昌陵, in present-dayGongyi, Henan) | ||||||||||||
| Consorts | Empress Xiaohui (m. 944; died 958) Empress Xiaoming (m. 958; died 964) Empress Xiaozhang (m. 968–976) | ||||||||||||
| Issue | Zhao Dezhao Zhao Defang Princess Xiansu Princess Xianjing Princess Xianhui | ||||||||||||
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| House | Zhao | ||||||||||||
| Dynasty | Song (Northern Song) | ||||||||||||
| Father | Zhao Hongyin | ||||||||||||
| Mother | Empress Dowager Zhaoxian | ||||||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||||||
| Emperor Taizu of Song | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese | 宋太祖 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Great Progenitor of the Song" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Zhao Kuangyin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 趙匡胤 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 赵匡胤 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927[2] – 14 November 976),[3] personal nameZhao Kuangyin,courtesy nameYuanlang, was the foundingemperor of theSong dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished military general of theLater Zhou dynasty, Emperor Taizu came to power after staging acoup d'état and forcingEmperor Gong, the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor.
During his reign, Emperor Taizu conquered the states ofSouthern Tang,Later Shu,Southern Han, andJingnan, thus reunifying most ofChina proper. To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration. He was succeeded by his younger brother,Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong).
Born inLuoyang to military commanderZhao Hongyin, Zhao Kuangyin grew up excelling inmounted archery. Once, riding an untamed horse without abridle, he knocked his forehead on the wall above thecity gate and fell off, but got right back up and chased the horse, eventually subduing it while going unharmed. In the mid-940s, he marriedLady He on his father'sarrangement.[4] After wandering around for a few years, in 949[5] he joined the army ofGuo Wei, ajiedushi (military governor) of theLater Han dynasty, and helped Guo quellLi Shouzhen's rebellion.[2]
In 951, Guo Wei rebelled and created theLater Zhou dynasty. Because of his brilliant combat skills, Zhao Kuangyin was promoted to a palace guard commander.Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou) frequently met Guo Wei and noticed Zhao Kuangyin's potential. Under his command, Zhao Kuangyin was made into a commander of the cavalry units. Under Chai Rong, Zhao Kuangyin's rise to power had begun.
Zhao Kuangyin's career started at theBattle of Gaoping, against the alliance of theNorthern Han andLiao dynasties.
This rivalry started when Chai Rong ascended the throne andLiu Chong decided to work with the Liao dynasty. In the initial confrontation, the army's right flank, led by Fan Aineng (樊愛能) and He Hui (何徽), was defeated. Looking at the situation, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhang Yongde (張永德) led 4000 elite Palace troops to counter the Liao army. Zhao Kuangyin's exhortation for the loyalty to the emperor quickly strengthened morale. The small force held off the larger Liao army until reinforcements arrived. In the end, the successful counter repelled the Northern Han back toTaiyuan.
The victory raised Zhao Kuangyin up to the post of the grand commander of the palace guards, as well as reorganising and training them. More importantly, he developed the relations with other generals and officials related to the Chief of Palace, includingShi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi (王審琦), Yang Guangyi (楊光義), Wang Zhengzhong (王政忠), Liu Qingyi (劉慶義), Liu Shouzhong (劉守忠), Liu Yanrang (劉延讓), Mi Xin (米信), Tian Chongjin (田重進),Pan Mei, his brotherZhao Kuangyi, Shen Yilun (沈義倫), Lu Xuqing, Zhao Pu (趙普), Chu Zhaofu (楚昭輔). Within a few years, Zhao Kuangyin completely controlled the palace guards and even developed a set of officials under him with the people mentioned above.
Soon, he was promoted to ajiedushi (military governor), controlling most of the military power under Chai Rong. Nevertheless, he still had two rivals – Zhang Yongde (Guo Wei's son-in-law) andLi Chongjin (Guo Wei's nephew). In 959, after a trap[clarification needed] set by Zhao Kuangyin, Zhang Yongde was demoted. After the death of Chai Rong, the Later Zhou throne was left to his seven-year-old sonGuo Zongxun, and the second rival, Li Chongjin, soon found himself lacking the political backing. As a result, Zhao Kuangyin was able to use his influence to transfer Li Chongjin to Yang Prefecture as ajiedushi.
In 960, word reached thechancellorFan Zhi thatNorthern Han andLiao dynasties were once again allied to invade them again. Without verifying the reliability of the hearsay, Fan Zhi sent Zhao Kuangyin to combat the alliance. After traveling 40li, there was a clamour that a "prophet" saw two suns fighting, and that this meant the transfer of theMandate of Heaven to Zhao Kuangyin. The story effectively spread around the army: there came discontent of the "command" of the young emperor and a shift of loyalty to Zhao Kuangyin. A few days later, when Zhao Kuangyin was drunk in his tent, all the troops had not slept the whole night; they got their weapons and started yelling. Zhao Pu and Zhang Kuangyi, who were guarding the tent, saw the situation and went into the tent to wake up Zhao Kuangyin. When Zhao Kuangyin came out, all the troops yelled, "The army is without a master, we are willing to make the general the new emperor." Allegedly, Zhao Kuangyin took the power reluctantly, only under the urging of his soldiers. The midnight mutiny of officers forcibly urged Zhao Kuangyin to the throne; but, when the officers presented him to the troops as their new commander-in-chief he refused the imperial nomination until they swore unconditional obedience to him as leader.[6] News of the rebellion soon reached the court and chaos erupted. The only person who thought about a resistance was Han Tong, but he was killed by one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals when he reached home.
Upon entering the capital to take his seat on the throne, Zhao Kuangyin made an executive order prohibiting the troops from looting the city or otherwise violating the rights of the population.[7]
This coup would allow Zhao Kuangyin to become emperor in 960.[8] With the gates opened for him, he became emperor with no resistance. Before the chancellor Fan Zhi could say anything, one of Zhao Kuangyin's generals pointed a sword at him and said, "We are without masters. Today, we must have an emperor." After the officials looked at each other and knew it was hopeless to resist; they all bowed down. With the court under control, Zhao Kuangyin was officially proclaimed emperor. The new dynasty's name,Song, was inspired by the army Zhao Kuangyin commanded in Song Prefecture.
After the declaration, Zhao Kuangyin sent the dethroned young emperorGuo Zongxun with his mother to the Western Capital (西京). He personally ordered theZhao family to receive the Chai family into their family's care for generations.[7]
In 960, Zhao Kuangyin helped reunite most ofChina proper after the fragmentation and rebellion between the fall of theTang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of theSong dynasty. The plan set duringChai Rong's reign was to first conquer the north, then the south. During Emperor Taizu's reign, there was a change in strategy. He would conquer all the smaller states such asLater Shu,Southern Han andSouthern Tang. The exception was the strongNorthern Han in the north atTaiyuan supported by theKhitans of theLiao dynasty. Emperor Taizu's strategy was to win over the independent southern states[8] as the south was weaker than the north as the Liao dynasty supported Northern Han.
In 968, Emperor Taizu personally led the army against the Northern Han. At first, his forces tore through the defences and placed Taiyuan under siege, but was ultimately forced to retreat after he struck against the defences of the Northern Han with the Liao cavalry coming in to support.
Emperor Taizu established the core Song Ancestor Rules and Policy for the later Song emperors. He was remembered for his expansion of theimperial examination system such that most of the civil service were recruited through the exams (in contrast to the Tang where less than 10% of the civil servants came through exams). He also created academies that allowed a great deal of freedom of discussion and thought, which facilitated the growth ofscientific advance, economic reforms as well as achievements in arts and literature.
Emperor Taizu is well known for bringing the power of the military under control, ending the era of the warlords, centralizing the state over regional commanders and so preventing anyone else rising to power as he did.[8] Upon becoming emperor, he invited the general officers to a lavish banquet, where he convinced them all to retire as military leaders or accept minor posts,[8] in favour of enjoying extensive estates and generous retirement funds and benefits which he then offered them.[9] At a certain point during the feast, the new emperor made a speech to the military officers assembled there, which he began by expressing his deep gratitude to each and all of them for placing him on the throne, and that now that he had the power to do so, he wished to reward them to the utmost of his ability; then he went on to say that he thought the present company would all understand that he could not feel at ease on his new throne, with them continuing in command of their various armies of troops: and, he said, that if they duly considered the ramifications of the matter, neither would they. He then sincerely promised that they and their families would live in happiness and harmony, if they accepted his offer to retire with the stated benefits: eventually, none of the generals refused his terms, and thus began a period of relative internal peace within the realm for the duration of the Song dynasty which he thus founded, also better securing the military forces for involvement with the rival surrounding empires.
Many Song and later sources record the story of the "Taizu's Oath", which forbade his successors from killing scholar-officials. However, this story might be a later construct.[10]
Emperor Taizu established a Reserve Treasury as a deposit treasury for the purpose of either attempting to purchase theSixteen Prefectures or to recover them through funding military action.[11]: 68–69 He launched a military expedition to recover them before his death, and his successor attempted twice more, leading to twenty-five years of sporadic fighting between the Song and theKhitan Liao.[11]: 69
Emperor Taizu reigned for seventeen years and died in 976 at the age of 49. Curiously, he was succeeded by his younger brother,Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong), even though he had two grown sons –Zhao Dezhao, the Prince of Yan (951–979), andZhao Defang, the Prince of Qin (959–981). The traditional historical accounts place emphasis on the role Zhao Kuangyin's mother played in the decision which was made shortly after the Song dynasty was proclaimed (around 961). So for nearly his entire reign, it was known and accepted that Zhao Kuangyi would succeed him.
In folklore, the story known as "shadows by the candle and sounds from an axe" is very popular and suggests that Emperor Taizu was murdered by his brother, who was after the throne.[12][13] After his death, Taizu was interred at theYongchang Mausoleum, nearGongyi.
After Emperor Taizong, the line of succession passed on to his son and descendants rather than those of Emperor Taizu. However, whenEmperor Gaozong (1127–1161) failed to produce an heir, he selecteda descendant of Emperor Taizu to be his adopted heir to succeed him in 1161. After 1161, all the subsequent Song emperors were descended from Emperor Taizu through his two sons,Zhao Dezhao andZhao Defang.
Zhao Kuangyin's family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with any certainty further than theLater Tang. His great great grandfather Zhao Tiao was an official who served inZhuozhou inHebei Province near where the family lived. His descendants Zhao Ting and Zhao Jing also served as local officials in Hebei Province. Zhao Jing's son Zhao Hongyin decided against a civil career and became a military officer instead underZhuangzong of Later Tang: he knew that in times of disunity it would be a military career that would lead to success.
The Great Ancestor of the Song sometimes appears as adoor god inChinese andTaoist temples in partnership withYang Gun.
The late 16th century novel by Xiong Damu (熊大木) calledRecords of the Two Songs, South and North (南北兩宋志傳) is a historical novel about imperial China from roughly 926 to 1022. The first 50 chapters detail the fall ofLater Tang and the rise and fall ofLater Jin,Later Han andLater Zhou, with a focus on the legends of Zhao Kuangyin. The last 50 chapters focus on theGenerals of the Yang Family legends. As a result, the book is in later publications usually split in two separate parts under various different names.
A 1797 novel written by Wu Xuan (吳璿) calledLegends of the Flying Dragon (飛龍傳) proved to be very popular in his time. He expanded the stories on Zhao Kuangyin in Xiong Damu's book and added awuxia twist to it. Another novelEmperor Taizu of Song Thrice Sets off for Southern Tang, Trapped in Shouzhou City (宋太祖三下南唐被困壽州城) was written by an "Antiquarian Master" (好古主人) in 1858.
While these stories mostly use historical figures as supporting characters, a number of fictional characters became famously associated with Zhao Kuangyin:
According to martial arts traditional lore, Emperor Taizu created aShaolin-based fighting style known asTaizu Changquan (太祖長拳; literally "Taizu Long Fist"). It is the core style of the present-dayLong Fist style. Whether he really did invent this style or if it even dates from this time is not actually known.[14]
A Chinese4D film tentatively titledUnifying the Country (一統江山) is planned to be directed byAcademy Award–winning Danish directorBille August. The film is said to center on Zhao Kuangyin as well asLi Yu (last ruler ofSouthern Tang) andQian Chu (last ruler ofWuyue).[15]
Three independent television series focused on the complex relationships between Zhao Kuangyin,Li Houzhu (Li Congjia) and the many women in their lives. They are:
Media related toEmperor Taizu of Song at Wikimedia CommonsEmperor Taizu of Song House of Zhao (960–1279) Born: 927 Died: 976 | ||
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| Preceded by Dynasty created | Emperor of the Song Dynasty 960–976 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Emperor Gong of theLater Zhou | Emperor of China 960–976 | |
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