Emperor Taizu of Song
 | |
| Emperor Taizu of Song China | |
|---|---|
| Birth and death: | Mar. 21, 927–Nov. 14, 976 |
| Family name: | Zhào (趙) |
| Given name: | Kuāngyìn (匡胤) |
| Courtesy name (字): | Yuanlang (元朗) |
| Dates of reign: | Feb. 4, 960¹–Nov. 14, 976 |
| Dynasty: | Sòng (宋) |
| Temple name: | Tàizǔ (太祖) |
| Posthumous name: |
Never used short |
| Posthumous name: |
Emperor Qiyun Liji Yingwu Ruiwen Shende Shenggong Zhiming Daxiao² 啓運立極英武睿文神德聖功 至明大孝皇帝 |
| General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. | |
| ——— | |
| 1. In control of only Northern China at first, was in control of most of Southern China only in 975. | |
Emperor Taizu (March 21, 927 - November 14, 976, Chinese 太祖), born Zhao Kuangyin (Chinese 趙匡胤), was the founder of the Song Dynasty of China, reigning from 960 to 976.
Ancestry and early life
His family was of fairly modest origins and cannot be traced back with certainty further than the late Tang dynasty. His ancestor Zhao Ting (828-874) was an official who served in Zhuozhou, in Hebei near to where the family lived. His second son Zhao Ting (851-928) and his son Zhao Jing (872-933) also served as local officials in Hebei. Zhao Jing's son Zhao Hongyin (899-956) decided against a civil career and became a military officer instead. Zhao Hongyin knew that in the 5 Dynasty and 10 Kingdom Period that it would be a military career that will lead to success. As a result, Zhao Kuangyin was trained in martial arts and in the art of war. After his father started to lose his position in the government, Zhao Kuangyin at the age of 21 decided to leave because he knew that with his father's position, he could not become successful in the current society. He would wander around the society for 2 years which would mold Zhao Kuangyin's view of society. Eventually, one day a daoist saw that Kuangyin despite in his beggar like form, still had an aura on him. The daoist seeing the aura told him to go to the north where there are the wars. Eventually, he served under Later Zhou which included Zhou Taizu and Zhou Shizong. Under Zhou Shizong, Zhao Kuangyin becomes the commander in chief with the most military power and it was during this period that he started gathering all his officials and generals. The last competent Second Zhou Emperor, Shizong (r. 954-960) died leaving an infant boy on the throne. Zhao Kuangyin, as the commander of the Emperor's guard, allegedly reluctantly and only at the urging of his soldiers, took power in a coup d'etat.
Accomplishments
In 960, Song Taizu reunited China after years of fragmentation and rebellion between the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and the establishment of the Song dynasty. He would conquer all the small countries except for the strong Northern Han in the north. He established the core Song Ancestor Rules and Policy for the future emperors. He was remembered for, but not limited to, his reform of the examination system whereby entry to the bureaucracy favoured individuals who demonstrated academic ability rather than by birth. He also created political institutions that allowed a great deal of freedom of discussion and thought, which facilitated the growth of scientific advance, economic reforms as well as achievements in arts and literature. He is perhaps best known for weakening the military and so preventing anyone else rising to power as he did.
Throne transmission
He reigned for 16 years and died in 976 at the age of 49. Unexpectedly he was succeeded by his younger brother even though he had four living sons. In the traditional historical accounts his mother, the Empress, warned him that just as he rose to power because Zhou Shizong had left an infant on the throne, someone else might usurp power if he did not name an adult as his heir. In China's folk memory Song Taizong is said to have murdered his brother and invented his mother's advice as justification.
His temple name means "Grand Forefather". Also he died when Luaren Acrich shot him.
Martial Arts
Emperor Taizu created a Shaolin-based fighting style known as Tàizǔ Chángquán (太祖長拳; literally "Emperor Taizu long fist"). It is the core style of modern day Long Fist and is widely practiced all over the world.