Image Source: Public Domain
About Son of Mafu
Lifespan: 1168 – 1224 A.D
Reign Years: 1194 – 1224 A.D
Given Name: Zhao Kuo
Reign Name: Ningzong
Image Source: Public Domain
Lifespan: 1168 – 1224 A.D
Reign Years: 1194 – 1224 A.D
Given Name: Zhao Kuo
Reign Name: Ningzong
Emperor Ningzong of the Song was born in November of 1168 and named Zhao Kuo. For the Song, he was the 13th emperor to rule, while he was the 4th emperor of the Southern Song. Other than Ningzong, he was also known as the Son of Mafu, who ruled from 1194 until his death.
This Song Dynasty emperor was the second and only surviving son of his predecessor, Emperor Guangzong. Like his father, Emperor Ningzong had a weak mind and was easily dominated and influenced by women.
Go back in time and follow the timeline and emperors of the Song Dynasty.
Read MoreThe Son of Mafu’s reign was considered a time of great cultural and intellectual achievement. He was noted for his achievements in these fields during his rule.
The Song Dynasty emperor was also known for disliking the expansion of Neo-Confucianism in his court. This was due to the influence of his chancellor, Han Tuozhou.
On a political aspect, Emperor Ningzong noticed that his government was threatened by increasing inflation. Aside from that, the Jurchens’ military advances continued, and it plagued the empire further.
Since he didn’t have a son, the Song Dynasty emperor adopted a 6-year-old relative named Zhao Xun in 1197.
The empire under the Son of Mafu had several issues. Plus, the emperor was dominated by minister Han Tuozhou who tried taking back the Song’s territories in the north. Specifically, these areas were lost to the Jurchens a couple of generations earlier.
Unfortunately, the advances and attacks they made failed. So, more territories were lost to the Jurchens, and they even demanded large annual indemnities.
As the Jin forces weakened due to natural disasters, chancellor Han Tuozhou continued to provoke them by launching raids. The official war that he declared against the Jin Empire was in June 1206.
Despite having a weakened army, the Jin were able to counter the Song army’s attacks. Not only that, but they even sent counterattacks despite their predicament.
To make things worse, the Song Dynasty emperor wasn’t interested in war effort and the like. This led to the dropping morale among the Song troops. And, the fact that enough supplies weren’t available urged many to desert the army.
The governor-general of Sichuan, Wu Xi, defected and joined the enemy camp in December 1206. This move posed a threat to the Song since Wu guarded the western front. But before the Jin could capture the surrendered territories, Wu was assassinated by Song loyalists in March 1207.
Their battles continued until 1207; by the end of the year, the war between the two empires was a stalemate. During that time, the Song Dynasty was on the defensive. As for the Jin Dynasty, they were unable to make gains in the Song areas.
Han Tuozhou’s failures and aggressive policies only led to his demise. He was beaten to death by the Imperial Palace guards in December 1207.
In November 1208, a peace treaty was signed, and the tribute of the Song Dynasty to the Jin was reestablished. Their annual indemnity was increased by 50,000 packs of fabric, as well as 50,000 taels of silver.
Also stipulated in the treaty, the Song were required to present Han Tuozhou’s head to the Jin Empire. This is because the Jin held him responsible for instigating the war.
In 1210, the Mongols, a former Jin tributary, ended the vassalage to attack the Jin empire in 1211. During this event, the Song concluded their tribute to the Jin Dynasty. However, they opted to avoid antagonizing the other empire.
As the Mongols continued to expand, the Jin Dynasty suffered great territorial losses. In return, they attacked the Song Dynasty in 1217 to compensate for their decreasing territories.
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.
Buy Now!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.
Buy Now!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.
Buy Now!In 1224, Emperor Ningzong fell ill and died due to complications, though some claim that he may have been poisoned. However, one should note that the Son of Mafu was also physically weak and nearly emaciated. This suggests numerous physical ailments to some extent, which were obvious in his official portrait.
After his death, a relative and minor official of his became the new Song Dynasty emperor. He was Zhao Yun, or better known as Emperor Lizong.
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