Emperor Xiaozong of Song facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Xiaozong of Song 宋孝宗
Palace portrait on a hanging scroll, kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign	24 July 1162 – 18 February 1189
Coronation	24 July 1162
Predecessor	Emperor Gaozong
Successor	Emperor Guangzong
Retired Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign	18 February 1189 – 28 June 1194
Born	Zhao Bocong (1127–1133) Zhao Yuan (1133–1160) Zhao Wei (1160–1162) Zhao Shen (1162–1194) 27 November 1127 Jiaxing County, Xiuzhou, Song dynasty (modern Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China)
Died	28 June 1194(1194-06-28) (aged 66) Lin'an, Song dynasty (modern Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
Burial	Yongfu Mausoleum (永阜陵, in present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang)
Consorts	Empress Chengmu ​ (died 1156)​ Empress Chenggong ​ (died 1167)​ Empress Chengsu ​ (before 1194)​
Issue	Zhao Qi Zhao Kai Emperor Guangzong Zhao Ke
Era dates Longxing (隆興; 1163–1164) Qiandao (乾道; 1165–1173) Chunxi (淳熙; 1174–1189) Posthumous name Emperor Shaotong Tongdao Guande Zhaogong Zhewen Shenwu Mingsheng Chengxiao (紹統同道冠德昭功哲文神武明聖成孝皇帝) (conferred in 1197) Temple name Xiaozong (孝宗)
House	Zhao
Dynasty	Song (Southern Song)
Father	Zhao Zicheng Emperor Gaozong (adoptive father)
Mother	Lady Zhang
Signature

Emperor Xiaozong of Song (born Zhao Shen) was an important emperor of the Song dynasty in China. He was the second emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. He ruled from 1162 to 1189.

Xiaozong became emperor when his adoptive father, Emperor Gaozong, gave up the throne. Even after stepping down, Gaozong remained a "Retired Emperor" (Taishang Huang). This meant he still had a lot of power. Xiaozong only gained full control in 1187, after Gaozong passed away. After ruling for about a year, Xiaozong also decided to retire. He passed the throne to his son, Zhao Dun. Xiaozong then became a Retired Emperor himself until his death in 1194.

He was the first emperor from the family line of Emperor Taizu, who founded the Song dynasty. Xiaozong is remembered as a very good ruler. The Song dynasty became strong and prosperous during his time.

Emperor Xiaozong's Many Names

Emperor Xiaozong had several names throughout his life. His birth name was Zhao Bocong.

Changes to His Name

• In March 1133, he entered the imperial palace. His name was then changed to Zhao Yuan.
• In April 1160, Emperor Gaozong adopted him. His name became Zhao Wei.
• In July 1162, Zhao Wei was made crown prince. His name was changed one last time to Zhao Shen.

His Courtesy Names

• In May 1160, he was given the courtesy name Yuangui.
• In July 1162, when he became crown prince, his courtesy name changed to Yuanyong.

Early Life and Becoming Emperor

Zhao Shen was a distant relative of Emperor Taizu. Taizu was the first emperor and founder of the Song dynasty. Zhao Shen was the second son of Zhao Zicheng. Zhao Zicheng was a cousin of Emperor Gaozong.

The Search for an Heir

In 1127, many members of the Song imperial family were captured. This happened during an event called the Jingkang Incident. Emperor Gaozong's only son died young. So, the emperor ordered a search for other living relatives. Zhao Shen was found and adopted by Emperor Gaozong in April 1160. Another relative, Zhao Qu, was also adopted.

Choosing the Crown Prince

In July 1162, Emperor Gaozong chose Zhao Shen as his official heir. One big reason was Zhao Shen's good character. It is said that Gaozong gave ten maids to both Shen and Qu. Qu spent time with all the maids. But Shen did not touch any of them. This made Gaozong favor Shen.

On July 24, 1162, Emperor Gaozong gave up his throne. Emperor Xiaozong became the new emperor. However, Gaozong still held power as the "Retired Emperor."

Emperor Xiaozong's Reign

Emperor Xiaozong's time as ruler was very successful. He made many positive changes for the Song dynasty.

Boosting Trade and Economy

During his reign, China sent more trade missions across the Indian Ocean. This helped increase trade with other countries. Xiaozong also worked hard to make the economy stable. He tried to control the value of paper money, called huizi. He even bought back and burned a lot of huizi to reduce how much was in circulation. These efforts helped stop prices from rising too fast. By 1175, the value of huizi was stable.

Justice and Leadership

Xiaozong also made sure that Yue Fei, a famous general, was honored after his death. Yue Fei had been wrongly accused and killed. Xiaozong removed officials who had been loyal to Qin Hui, who was responsible for Yue Fei's death. This helped clear up corruption in the government.

Xiaozong was a strong leader. He made sure that no single official became too powerful. He would dismiss ministers if they did not meet his expectations. This helped him keep control of the government. He also tried to live up to the high moral standards of Confucianism.

Military and Peace

In 1162, Xiaozong made archery and horse riding required for non-military officials. This was part of the tests at the Military College. In 1165, he made peace with the Jin Dynasty. This brought a period of calm to the empire.

Retirement and Later Years

In 1187, the former emperor, Emperor Gaozong, passed away. Xiaozong was very sad. He decided to step back from governing. He said he would only rule for two more years. He gave most government duties to his son, Zhao Dun.

In 1189, Emperor Xiaozong officially gave up the throne to his son, Zhao Dun. Zhao Dun became Emperor Guangzong. Xiaozong then became a "Retired Emperor" himself. He still had some influence until his death. Some historians believe he might have been unwell in his last two years. This may have encouraged him to retire, just like his adoptive father.

As Retired Emperor

After retiring, Xiaozong faced some challenges. His daughter-in-law, Empress Li, reportedly tried to keep Emperor Guangzong from seeing his father.

Final Days

Retired Emperor Xiaozong became very ill in 1194. His condition worsened when Emperor Guangzong refused to visit him. Xiaozong passed away soon after. Emperor Guangzong also refused to attend his father's funeral. Because of this, Guangzong was forced to give up his own throne. The throne then went to Xiaozong's grandson, Emperor Ningzong.

Family

Emperor Xiaozong had several wives and children.

Wives and Children

• Empress Chengmu, from the Guo family (1126–1156)
  • Zhao Qi, Crown Prince Zhuangwen (1144–1167), his first son
  • Zhao Kai, Prince Weihuixian (1146–1180), his second son
  • Zhao Dun, who became Emperor Guangzong (1147–1200), his third son
  • Zhao Ke, Prince Shaodaosu, his fourth son
• Empress Chenggong, from the Xia family (died 1167)
  • An unnamed daughter
  • An unnamed son
• Empress Chengsu, from the Xie family (1132–1203)
• Noble Consort, from the Cai family
• Worthy Consort, from the Li family
• Unknown mother
  • Princess Jia (died 1162), his first daughter
  • A second princess

See also

• Chinese emperors family tree (middle)
• List of emperors of the Song dynasty
• 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
• Jin–Song Wars