Zhao Guangyi

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About Zhao Guangyi

Lifespan: 939 – 997 A.D

Reign Years: 976 – 997 A.D

Given Name: Zhao Jiong

Reign Name: Taizong

Zhao Guangyi – Song Dynasty

Zhang Jiong was born in the year 939 and lived until the year 997. He was then called Zhao Guangyi from 960 to 997. After his death, he was known as Taizong, which was his temple name.

After Emperor Taizu, his brother, took the throne, Zhao Guangyi was appointed as Kaifeng’s prefect. And during his brother’s reign, Guangyi was the Prince of Jin as well.

The Second Emperor of the Song

When Emperor Taizu died, he became the second Song Dynasty emperor of China. He was remembered for being a diligent and hardworking emperor.

Emperor Taizong focused on the people’s welfare and made the empire more prosperous. He adopted and used the Later Zhou’s centralized policies, which included optimized agricultural production. These also broadened the imperial exam systems, expanded civil services, collected encyclopedias, and limited the Jiedushi’s powers.

Conquests and Achievements

After taking the throne, Emperor Taizong conquered the two other independent states in China’s southern portion. This allowed him to complete the unification of his empire. However, he wasn’t that successful when it came to foreign affairs.

The Northern Chinese Region

He tried to regain the northern Chinese territories between The Great Wall and Beijing. However, he suffered great defeat against the Khitan tribes who assumed the name of Liao and were occupying the area.

Their battle continued until the year 1004 until the successor of Taizong gave up claiming the region.

Civil Administration

When it came to the civil administration, the second Song Dynasty emperor paid great attention to education. He helped develop the civil service exam system for determining the qualifications of entering the bureaucracy. He was able to thoroughly centralize control in the country, giving great power to the emperor.

Emperor Taizong followed the Tang’s prefectural system, dividing China and giving it 15 provinces. Each of these areas was under a chosen governor.

By the end of his rule, the Song Dynasty became established, allowing it to start its economic and agricultural success.

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

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Military Campaigns

Conquering Northern Han

Emperor Taizong led the campaign against Northern Han, ordering the flooding of its cities by releasing water from Fen River. Because of this devastation, Northern Han’s ruler was forced to surrender, putting an end to the Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms period.

Battle of Gaoliang River

The Battle of Gaoliang River was a major contributing factor to the dynasty’s decision for a defensive stance. The early army of the Song suffered its first big defeat in battle. Simultaneously, Emperor Taizong was worried about Zhao Dezhao planning a possible coup.

After the Gaoliang River battle, the emperor inspected and focused on his military forces’ development and strength. He ignored the advice of his subjects and considered the state affairs as less important. In addition, he decreased the control and power that the military officers and the Imperial family had over the army.

Yongxi Northern Campaign

After the death of Jingzong of Liao, the 12-year-old Shengzong of Liao took the throne of the Liao Dynasty. Since he was still too young to rule, the empress dowager Xiao became Liao’s regent.

This led Emperor Taizong to launch another attack against Liao, where he followed the advice of his subjects. He had split his army into three – the Central, West, and East armies. They had this setup to attack Yanjing from three different sides to seize it.

The emperor was able to take the Zhuo prefecture but was forced to retreat due to the lack of supplies. And since there was a lack of communication, the East Army attacked Zhou again.

However, Empress Xiao and Yelu Xiuge both had armies supporting Zhuo. With that, the East Army of Song received a huge defeat where it was almost entirely destroyed.

The Later Reign

At some point, the second Song Dynasty emperor felt that he couldn’t surpass Emperor Taizu’s (brother) rule. This was in terms of achievements and military conquests.

Because of this, he focused mainly on internally improving and enhancing his dynasty to establish his legacy.

The emperor implemented a set of literary and economic reforms while also initiating a lot of construction projects. Additionally, he drafted new systems that weren’t present during Emperor Taizu’s rule.