Emperor Shenzong of Song

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Zhao Zhongzhen
Reign 26 January 1067 - 1 April 1085
Spouse Empress Yinshen
Empress Yincheng
Empress Yinzhe
Full name
Family name: Zhào (趙)
Given name: Zhongzhen (仲鍼), later Xu[1] (頊)
Era dates
Xining (熙寧) (1068-1077)
Yuanfeng (元豐) (1078-1085)'
Posthumous name
Full: Emperor Tiyuan Xiandao Fagu Lixian Dide Wanggong Yingwen Liewu Qinren Shengxiao[2]
體元顯道法古立憲帝德王功英文烈武欽仁聖孝皇帝
Temple name
Shénzōng (神宗)
Dynasty Sòng (宋)
Father Emperor Yinzong of Song
Mother Gao Taotao, Empress Xian Ren Shen Li
Born 25 May 1048(1048-05-25)
Died 1 April 1085 (aged 36)

Emperor Shenzong (May 25, 1048 – April 1, 1085) was the sixth emperor of the Chinese Song Dynasty. His personal name was Zhao Xu. He reigned from 1067 to 1085.

The periods within his reign are Xining (熙寧; xi1 ning2) 1068-1077 and Yuanfeng (元豐; yuan2 feng1) 1078-1085.

During his reign, Shenzong noticed Wang Anshi's policy and appointed Wang as Chancellor. Wang implemented his famous reforms aimed at improving the situation for the peasantry and unemployed, which some have seen as a forerunner of the modern welfare state. These acts became the hallmark reform of Shenzong's reign.

Shenzong's other notable act as emperor included his attempts to rid the Song empire of the Tangut Empire by invading and expelling the Xixia forces in Gansu (today's Gansu). Shenzong was initially quite successful at these campaigns but during the City of Yongle battle of 1082, Shenzong's forces were defeated. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.

During Shenzong's reign Sima Guang, a minister interested in history of the past 1000 years, wrote a widely praised history book "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"[资治通鉴]. This book records the historical events from the Zhou Dynasty to the Song Dynasty.

Shenzong died in 1085 at the age of 36 and was succeeded by his son. His temple name means "Divine Ancestor".

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ His name was changed into Xu in 1063 when his father
    Yingzong ascended the throne.
  2. ^ This is the final version of the posthumous name given in 1113
Emperor Shenzong of Song
Born: May 25 1048 Died: April 1 1085
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Emperor Yingzong
Emperor of the Song Dynasty
1067-1085
Succeeded by
Emperor Zhezong