Emperor Zhezong

Emperor Zhezong of Song 宋哲宗
Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign	1 April 1085 – 23 February 1100
Predecessor	Emperor Shenzong
Successor	Emperor Huizong
Born	Zhao Yong (1076–1085) Zhao Xu (1085–1100)[lower-alpha 1] 4 January 1076
Died	23 February 1100 (aged 24)
Empresses	Empress Zhaoci Shengxian Empress Zhaohuai
Concubines	Consort Zhang Consort Hu Consort Han Consort Murong Consort Wei Consort Gao Consort Liu
Issue	Zhao Mao Princess of Deng Princess of Chen Princess Kangyi of Qin Princess of Yang
Era dates Yuanyou (元祐; 1086–1094) Shaosheng (紹聖; 1094–1098) Yuanfu (元符; 1098–1100) Posthumous name Xianyuan Jidao Shide Yanggong Qinwen Ruiwu Qisheng Zhaoxiao Huangdi (憲元繼道世德揚功欽文睿武齊聖昭孝皇帝) (awarded in 1113) Temple name Zhezong (哲宗)
House	House of Zhao
Father	Emperor Shenzong
Mother	Empress Qinsheng

Emperor Zhezong of Song
Chinese	宋哲宗
Literal meaning	"Wise Ancestor of the Song"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Sòng Zhézōng
Zhao Xu
Traditional Chinese	趙煦
Simplified Chinese	赵煦
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhào Xù
Zhao Yong
Traditional Chinese	趙傭
Simplified Chinese	赵傭
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhào Yōng

Emperor Zhezong of Song (4 January 1076 – 23 February 1100), personal name Zhao Xu, was the seventh emperor of the Song dynasty in China. His original personal name was Zhao Yong but he changed it to "Zhao Xu" after his coronation. He reigned from 1085 until his death in 1100, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Emperor Huizong, because his son died prematurely.

Emperor Zhezong was the sixth son of Emperor Shenzong. He ascended the throne at the age of nine under the supervision of his grandmother, Grand Empress Dowager Gao. As the young emperor's regent, Grand Empress Dowager Gao appointed conservatives such as Sima Guang as Chancellor, who halted the New Policies set forth by Wang Anshi. Emperor Zhezong was powerless and it was not until Grand Empress Dowager Gao's death in 1093 that the emperor was able to reinstate Wang Anshi's reforms and reduce Sima Guang's influence.

Emperor Zhezong lowered taxes, stopped negotiations with the Tangut-led Western Xia state, and resumed armed conflict which eventually forced Western Xia to enter a more peaceful stance with the Song Empire. However, Emperor Zhezong was unable to stop fighting between conservative members of his government and the more liberal members who supported Wang Anshi's reforms. This split would eventually contribute to the Northern Song dynasty's demise in the 12th century.

Emperor Zhezong died in 1100 in Kaifeng at the age of 24 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Emperor Huizong.

See also

• Wang Anshi
• Sima Guang
• List of emperors of the Song dynasty
• Architecture of the Song dynasty
• Culture of the Song dynasty
• Economy of the Song dynasty
• History of the Song dynasty
• Society of the Song dynasty
• Technology of the Song dynasty

Notes

1. Had his name changed to "Zhao Xu" in March 1085 when he was officially designated as the Crown Prince. This name became his official personal name when he ascended the throne five days later.

References

• Toqto'a, ed. (1343). History of Song. Volume 17–18: Biography of Emperor Zhezong.