Zhao Kuangyin (Emperor Taizu of China)
 | |
| Emperor Taizu of Song China | |
|---|---|
| Birth and death: | Mar. 21, 927–Nov. 14, 976 |
| Family name: | Zhao (趙) |
| Given name: | Kuangyin (匡胤) |
| Courtesy name (字): | Yuanlang (元朗) |
| Dates of reign: | Feb. 4, 960¹–Nov. 14, 976 |
| Dynasty: | Song (宋) |
| Temple name: | Taizu (太祖) |
| Posthumous name: (short) |
Never used short |
| Posthumous name: (full) |
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. 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 Kuangyin had little interest in a Classical education and also joined the military eventually rising to be the commander of the Palace Army for the Second Zhou dynasty. It was this post that enabled him to rise to power. 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.
In 960, Song Taizu reunited China after years of fragmentation and rebellion after the fall of the Tang dynasty in 907 and established the Song dynasty. 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.
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 Dowager Empress Du, 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".
| Preceded by: none |
Emperor of the Song Dynasty | Succeeded by: Emperor Taizong |
| Preceded by: Emperor Gong of the Later Zhou |
Emperor of China |
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