Emperor Lizong

Image Source: Public Domain

About Emperor Lizong

Lifespan: 1205 – 1264 A.D

Reign Years: 1224 – 1264 A.D

Given Name: Zhao Yun

Reign Name: Lizong

Emperor Lizong – Song Dynasty

Emperor Lizong of Song was given the name Zhao Yun upon birth. He was the 14th Song Dynasty of China and the 5th emperor of the Southern Song. Emperor Lizong ruled the dynasty for 40 years.

Aside from being a ruler, the Song emperor was also a skilled calligrapher and poet. According to the Metropolitan Museum, Emperor Lizong was among the best calligraphers of the Song emperors who reigned after Gaozong.

Emperor Lizong of Song was able to create his own distinct calligraphy style and design. It was easy to determine due to the rapid and sharp strokes present.

Enthronement of Emperor Lizong

Zhao Yun was the descendant of Emperor Taizu, the Song Empire’s founder. Hence, he was considered part of the royal family of Zhao Song.

Despite being a part of the family, Zhao Yun wasn’t in line to succeed the royal throne. That’s because his family did not have any political status during that time.

At some point, the state chancellor Shi Miyuan collaborated with the Dowager Empress Yang. It was a move to ascend Zhao Yun to the throne to become Lizong of Song.

Reign of Emperor Lizong

During the 40-year reign of Lizong of Song, there were no significant improvements on the issues of the Song Dynasty. The emperor wasn’t interested in governmental affairs, so he assigned such matters to his ministers, specifically Shi Miyuan. He acted as the de facto leader during the emperor’s absence.

The court of Emperor Lizong was filled with consort clans such as Jia and Yan. There were eunuchs, namely Lu Yunsheng and Dong Songchen, as well as Empress Dowager Yang.

Antique Chinese Song dynasty Celadon Jar

This rare celadon jar from the ancient Song Dynasty features a beautiful all-olive green design, smooth and shiny, with a firm base from which grows an asymmetrically oval body with elegant grooved borders to a modest, slightly raised rim.

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Song Dynasty Antique Celadon Plate

This rare preserved Song Dynasty celadon plate has a design devoid of decoration that makes it look like a beautiful, untouched piece of jade. Its bottom rests on a base that grows in layers around a small foot that grows along fine grooved borders.

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Rare Song Dynasty Qingbai Ewer

This rare Song Dynasty ewer possesses an irresistible natural charm that exudes simplicity and grace in every part. It has an uncluttered base with a small foot that gives rise to a firm, sturdy body, devoid of any more decoration than a simple protruding medallion.

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Beginning of the Mongol Conquest of Song

From the season of Winter in 1230 until Autumn of the year 1231, the Mongols forced their way through the Song Empire. In the region that centers the passes of Shukou, they engaged in a couple of battles with the Song. This was the second and biggest battle between the two before the Song’s Mongol conquest officially started.

So, the Song emperor had to ally and join with the Mongols to prevent them from conquering his empire.

After the death of Shi Miyuan in 1233, Lizong had full authority once again. But since he wanted to focus on his personal enjoyment, the emperor abandoned his responsibility again. He assigned Ding Daquan, his prime minister, to take responsibility for ruling and handling various matters.

Important events during Emperor Lizong’s rule included the fall of the Jin Dynasty. It was obliterated in 1234 because of the joint forces of the Southern Song and Mongols.

The Jurchens battled numerous wars together with the Song army. Yet decades after, they conquered the Song Empire too.

It all occurred when Lizong of Song ignored the warnings of the Jin Dynasty’s ruler, Emperor Aizong. He attempted to make peace with the Song to warn them.

Aizong told Lizong that if the Mongols attacked and conquered Jin, the Song Empire would be next. But since Emperor Lizong didn’t care for such issues, he ignored the warning.

Siege and Fall of Luoyang

When the Jin Dynasty fell, the Song tried taking back their territories in the north. They were able to take back Kaifeng and Luoyang in 1234. Yet later in the same year, the Mongols made a counter-attack, which led to the Siege of Luoyang.

During this time, the Song army that protected Luoyang was short on food and supplies. This made the assault of the Mongols easier; plus, they were able to shift the flow of the Yellow River’s water into the city. It devastated a great number of casualties from the Song army.

The fall of Luoyang was only the beginning of a train of upcoming battles that lasted for decades. It also officially began the Mongol Conquest of the Song.

This led the Mongols to blame the Song for breaking their promise and allegiance. However, it plainly an excuse so the Mongols could further expand their expeditions.

Not only that, but the Dali, an ally of the Song, fell in the hands of the Mongols. The Dali Kingdom, also called the Dali State, was a place located in the modern Yunnan province in China.

End of Emperor Lizong’s Rule

Lizong, the Song Emperor, died in 1264 at the age of 59. He didn’t have a son to ascend the throne, so he was succeeded by Emperor Duzong, his nephew.

The chancellor named Jia Sidao took control and assisted the new emperor of the Song. He dismissed Wen Tianxiang from the central government since he opposed Jia Sidao on numerous accounts.