Emperor Zhezong

Emperor Zhezong
Reign	1 April 1085 – 23 February 1100
Born	4 January 1076
Died	23 February 1100
Full name Family name: Zhao (趙) Given name: Yong (傭), later Xu (煦) Posthumous name Emperor Xianyuan Jidao Shide Yanggong Qinwen Ruiwu Qisheng Zhaoxiao 憲元繼道世德揚功欽文睿武齊聖 昭孝皇帝 Temple name Zhezong (哲宗)
Dynasty	Song (宋)

Emperor Zhezong (4 January 1076 – 23 February 1100) was the seventh emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhào Xù. He reigned from 1085 to 1100.

Zhezong was the son of Emperor Shenzong. He ascended the throne at age 9 under the supervision of Empress Dowager Gao. As Regent, Gao appointed conservatives such as Sima Guang as Chancellor, who halted the New Policies set forth by Wang Anshi. Zhezong was powerless and it was not until Empress Dowager Gao's death in 1093 that Zhezong was able to reinstate Wang Anshi's reform and remove all of Sima Guang's influence (Although Sima Guang was dead in 1086).

Zhezong lowered taxes in China, stopped negotiations with the Tangut Empire, and resumed armed conflict which eventually forced the Xixia to enter a more peaceful stance with the Song. However, 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's demise in the 12th century.

Zhezong died in 1100 in Kaifeng at the age of 24 and was succeeded by his younger brother. His temple name means "Wise Ancestor".

See also

• Wang Anshi
• Sima Guang
• List of Song Emperors
• 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

Emperor Zhezong House of Zhao Born: 4 January 1076 Died: 23 February 1100[aged 24]
Regnal titles
Preceded by Emperor Shenzong	Emperor of the Song Dynasty 1085–1100	Succeeded by Emperor Huizong