Emperor Lizong of Song

> "*While I **may** not be virtuous, I am not as bad as the Ming Emperor! (朕雖不善，未如明皇之甚也。)*"
> ― Zhao Yun
>
>

## Personal Info

### Born

26 January 1205Hongqiao, Shanyin County, Shaoxing, China

### Names

* Zhao Yuju (趙與莒)
* Zhao Guicheng (趙貴誠)
* Zhao Yun (趙昀)

### Titles

* Bǐngyìláng (秉義郎)
* Right Palace Gate Guard (右監門衛)
* Generalissimo (大將軍)
* Shàozhōufángyùshǐ (邵州防禦使)
* Wǔtàijūnjiédùshǐ (武泰軍節度使)
* Duke of Cheng (成國公)

### Relatives

Zhao Xili (father)Zhao Yurui (brother)

**Emperor Lizong** (January 26, 1205 - November 16, 1264), personal name **Zhao Yun**, was the 14th Emperor of the Song dynasty.

His birth name was **Zhao Yuju (趙與莒)**, but he changed it into **Zhao Guicheng (趙貴誠)** upon being adopted into Emperor Guangzong's line, because Gui was the first character for Emperor Guangzong's grandsons. He got his personal name **Zhao Yun** **(趙昀)** upon becoming Crown Prince around September 12.

Zhao Yun was known to be a capable leader but focused more on pleasures than his realm. He was unable to remedy the situation of the Song against the Mongols, and died in 1264 without ever seeing his dynasty fall.

## Early life

Born into obscure origins in 1205 at Hongqiao, Shanyin County, Shaoxing, Zhao Yun lived his early life as a ordinary person. It is alleged that before Zhao Yun was born, his father dreamt of a visitor wearing purple robes and a golden hat. It is further elaborated that three days after Zhao Yun's birth, his family heard horses outside and checked outside to see nothing. Zhao Yun is also said to sleep during daytime and people claimed to see scales of a dragon on him.

Zhao Yun's father, Zhao Xili, died in 1214 from a illness and his mother left and took him with Zhao Yurui to return to his family, and his grandfather though was able to support him and his younger brother Zhao Yurui.

### Rise to Power

One day, in his teens during 1221, it was rainy and Yun and his younger brother, Zhao Yurui, who would be the father of Zhao Qi, was huddling under a bridge for cover. A official sent by the Influential minister Shi Miyuan, Yu Tianxi, was also under the Bridge with them seeking refuge from the rain and received food courtesy of Zhao Yun's grandfather. Yu discovered that Zhao Yun was part of the Imperial Family; he notified Shi Miyuan. Shi Miyuan wanted a different successor than the current Crown Prince, Zhao Hong, because Zhao Hong and Shi Miyuan shared a mutual hatred of each other, and Zhao Hong was caught planning to exile Shi Miyuan. Shi Miyuan, panicking, decided to replace Hong with another member of the Imperial Family, that eventually being Zhao Yun. Yu Tianxi brought Zhao Yun (and Zhao Yurui) to Shi Miyuan who was impressed by their manners; he sent them to Emperor Ningzong, who was also impressed (and Zhao Yun easily won his trust).

On July 4, 1221, Zhao Hong became Emperor Ningzong's Crown Prince and Zhao Yun succeeded him in his former title of Prince of Yi. He was made a *bǐngyìláng* on July 13, 1221 and on August 31, 1221, he was made Right Palace Gate Guard and Generalissimo as well and was newly named Guicheng. On June 22, 1222, he was now the *shàozhōufángyùshǐ*.

It is said that Zhao Yun was serious, well-mannered, dignified, studious, mostly silent, and wise before assuming the throne. It is claimed that whenever the court decided to party or hold feasts, Zhao Yun alone remained composed and solemn against the rowdy ministers.

It is also said that when Shi Miyuan told Zhao Yun that he would plan to make Zhao Yun Emperor, Zhao Yun, with no expression, said "My mother is still at her household, how can I make a decision about this matter?" Regardless, Emperor Ningzong refused to change Zhao Hong's position as Crown Prince. Defying Emperor Ningzong, Shi Miyuan elevated Zhao Yun to Imperial Son and Crown Prince, and even more ridiculous titles in 1224 when Emperor Ningzong became seriously ill around September 12.

When Emperor Ningzong died, Shi Miyuan let Zhao Yun into the Imperial Room first, and it is said that Zhao Yun was wearing a white robe, which echoed a prophecy by Zhao Ruyu, a minister who dreamed he would ascend to heaven while carrying a white dragon. Zhao Hong was let in afterwards and was separated from his bodyguards. Then the Imperial Edict named Zhao Yun as Emperor causing an enraged Zhao Hong to demand he would not accept Yun as Emperor, and it is said that light shone Zhao Yun's shadow on the throne at the time, seemingly having the gods' favor. Eventually, the guards forced Zhao Hong to bow and then evicted him out of the room and out of the capital.

## Reign

Zhao Yun reigned from 1224 to 1264, initially ruling with the era name, Baoqing, meaning Precious Happiness.

Zhao Yun, to his credit, showed respect to Empress Yang, promoting her to Empress Dowager and let her listen to court behind curtains, if you know by now.

Although he held no real power (he did not even engage in politics), Shi Miyuan and Empress Dowager Yang being the *de facto* rulers, he indulged in pleasures; he let women from Lin'an in his palace, loved fancy clothes and food and held court later than his predecessors; this was criticized by his ministers while Zhao Yun was supposed to mourn for his adopted father (Emperor Ningzong).

When Shi died, Yun took personal power and attempted to issue reforms; he was actually a capable political leader, and his reforms included a strict merit system, using the succession crisis in the Mongol empire to his advantage by helping build defenses, but since the Song was plagued with heavy corruption, Yun gave up and gave into pleasures, relinquishing power to Ding Daquan, an arrogant and corrupt minister. During the Jin-Song invasions, he didn't really do much other than lounge lazily and had a really huge lust. A Yao Mian (姚勉) compared him with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang in a effort to encourage Zhao Yun to stop focusing on sex. Zhao Yun angrily said in response, "While I may not be virtuous, I am not as bad as the Ming Emperor!"

In 1254, he congratulated Wen Tianxiang for his excellence at local exams and gave him first rank. When the Mongols invaded a town that Ding presided over, Ding failed to report that the Mongols were winning, and so no reinforcements came and the Mongols took the town. When Yun heard word of this, he was furious at Ding and demoted him.

### Death

Zhao Yun became ill in 1264 and sent letters requesting doctors all over to attend to him, but no one answered; he died on November 16, 1264 and was succeeded by his nephew, Zhao Qi, whom he adopted. His Temple Name was Lizong (理宗), and it was gained due to his immense patronage towards Science and especially since he advocated Neo-Confucianism. Sources also report that there were other names suggested like Jing (景), Yun (允), Cheng (成), Chun (淳), and Li (禮), with Li being the final one drafted and was initially accepted until someone pointed out that this could also be Emperor Aizong of Jin's temple name, so they changed it; this is likely a fabricated story, as not only Emperor Aizong was long dead, but the Mongols had essentially destroyed it, and hence there would be no succeeding Jin emperors (expect for that one guy Aizong made). He was buried in Yongmu Mausoleum (永穆陵) in March 1265.

### Taboo Words

These characters were not allowed when Zhao Yun came into power.

* Yún (昀)
* Yún (勻)
* Yún (畇)
* Xún (馴)
* Xún (巡)

## Exhumation

During the Yuan dynasty in 1279, his tomb was unearthed by a group of monks, and it is said that white gas came out of the tomb. The monks took out Zhao Yun's body which was said to be preserved due to mercury which the monks had to drain out of his body for three days and nights all the while kicking his head. It is said that Yun's head was so large, that a leader of Buddhist Monks cut it off and made it into a winecup. He held the winecup from six years, but eventually Kublai Khan, receiving reports of the head of the Monk's corruption, took all of his property including Yun's head (where it was housed in Beijing). After the Yuan dynasty was defeated by the Ming, their Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang issued a edict burying Yun's head to where his former burial site was.

## Family

* Consort Jia, Jia Sidao's sister.
	+ *The Princess Zhou of Han*. (female)
* Unknown
	+ *Zhao Wei, Prince Qichong of Zhao* (祁衝昭王 趙維; 19 September 1238 - 21 November 1238). (male).

## Personality & Traits

### Physical Appearance

Many portraits show him with distinguishable 'phoenix' eyes. His goatee is somewhat long and his moustache reaches down his face, with a tuft near his left top extending outwards.

The most distinguishing features dynastic Chinese historians wrote about were again, his phoenix eyes, as well as a long nose. They also described him as having "facial features so majestic and profound".

### Personality

Before becoming Emperor Zhao Yun was said to be very solemn and respectful, but as he became Emperor, the lavish lifestyle corrupted him and he gradually became more arrogant and lustful. A portrait of the ancient god, Fuxi, in the National Palace Museum shares many facial features with Zhao Yun, suggesting it really is Zhao Yun, and implying he compared himself to ancient gods.

 Zhao Yun seems to have been a loving and caring father, as shown with his daughter, the Princess Zhou of Han, born of his favorite Consort Jia, and also the only child of Zhao Yun to survive infancy. This attachment is further shown when he wanted a palace for the Princess who was married at 20, to be directly next to his own palace. Yun also grieved when the Princess died during her pregnancy.

Zhao Yun also bestowed lavish gifts to his in-law family members, with him giving Jia Sidao a large amount of silk and gold for his pleasures.

Zhao Yun was intelligent enough to govern the Empire but his lust overcame him and eventually he paid little to no attention towards governance. Zhao Yun though seemed worried about his Empire's future upon his death and having adopted an incompetent nephew, he tried his best to find a suitable teacher, but Zhao Qi never gained anything positive from it and his reign would eventually cause the downfall of the Empire. On the negative side, Zhao Yun was a selfish and stubborn Emperor, as evident when Ding Daquan failed to report his failure, and when Wu Qian argued about Zhao Qi's position as Crown Prince.

## Overall Evaluation

Yun is traditionally thought to be among one of the least able emperors in Chinese history, having failed to taken necessary steps to resist the Mongols and potentially help his Empire survive longer. He was a sex addict and a drunk who often paid little to no attention to the empire. His gain to the throne was orchestrated, and he only obeyed, further adding to his negative reputation. When criticized for his actions, he said that it was not as bad as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's, showing disturbing signs that he simply did not care whether his actions were just or not. He even performed sacrifices to Heaven and Earth only once.

Some people have attempted to see the good in his reign, such as that the Mongols never made any major headway in the Song and even managed to kill Mongke Khan during his reign, which cemented the grounds of Mongol division, though this can be countered by the fact that the generals did most of the work. Yun did not try to let the Empire fall into disarray and even tried to promote reforms and science, which flourished under his reign, but the heavy corruption made it hard to enforce and eventually Yun gave into pleasure.

## Quotes

"My mother is still at her household, how can I make a decision about this matter?" (家中還有老母，此事自己怎能做出決定?)

"While I may not be virtuous, I am not as bad as the Ming Emperor!" (朕雖不善，未如明皇之甚也。)

"That must be [Jia] Sidao." (此必似道也。)

"I succeed the tradition of my ancestors in promoting civil virtues. In order to follow this marvelous plan, I daily follow the lessons of my ultimate benevolent mother [Empress Dowager Yang]. During the leisure moments away from my numerous obligations, I widely search through the recorded words of the past in order to trace the transmission of the lineage of Tao."

## Fun Facts

* Zhao Yun was the oldest Emperor of the Song Dynasty to die in office, at the age of 59.

 In Popular Culture

Zhao Yun appears as a criminal suspect in the game Criminal Case as the Emperor of China.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 https://books.google.com/books?id=sEvQbGpqQG0C&pg=PA409&dq=Chao+Hsi-lu&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks\_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX9sPApKjoAhUhSN8KHZZdCAIQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=Chao%20Hsi-lu&f=false
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 …遂以十四年六月丙寅立貴和爲皇子，改賜名竑，而以帝嗣沂王。六月乙亥，補秉義郎。八月甲子，授右監門衛大將軍，賜名貴誠。己未，以帝爲邵州防禦使。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 十七年八月丙戌，寧宗違豫，自是不視朝。壬辰，疾篤，彌遠稱詔以貴誠爲皇子，改賜名昀，授武泰軍節度使，封成國公。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
4. ↑ 理宗建道備德大功復興烈文仁武聖明安孝皇帝，諱昀，太祖十世孫。父希瓐，追封榮王，家於紹興府山陰縣，母全氏。以開禧元年正月癸亥生於邑中虹橋裏第。前一夕，榮王夢一紫衣金帽人來謁，比寤，夜漏未盡十刻，室中五采爛然，赤光屬天，如日正中。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
5. ↑ 既誕三日，家人聞戶外車馬聲，亟出，無所睹。幼嘗晝寢，人忽見身隱隱如龍鱗。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 https://kknews.cc/history/6n2n9yp.html
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 帝性凝重寡言，潔修好學，每朝參待漏，或多笑語，帝獨儼然。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "家中還有老母，此事自己怎能做出決定?"
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 https://books.google.com/books?id=bpMl81fPWNEC&pg=PA257&dq=li-tsung&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks\_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi46pfltaToAhVolHIEHehhAK0Q6AEwBHoECAIQAg#v=onepage&q=li-tsung&f=false
10. ↑ 尊楊皇后曰皇太后，同聽政。
Toqto'a & others, Songshi, Volume 41 (Annals of Lizong)
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 隨隱漫録
12. ↑ 「龍顏隆準，臨朝坐輦，端嚴若神。... 龐厚。」《理宗政跡》
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://www.coursehero.com/file/p3atnm6t/From-then-on-Consort-Jia-often-summoned-Jia-Sidao-to-the-palace-The-emperor/