Emperor Taizu of Song

Emperor Taizu of Song
宋太祖
Emperor of the Song dynasty
Reign4 February 960[1] – 14 November 976
CoronationFebruary 960
SuccessorEmperor Taizong
BornZhao Kuangyin
21 March 927
Luoyang, Later Tang dynasty
Died14 November 976(976-11-14) (aged 49)
Bianjing, Northern Song dynasty
Burial
Yongchang Mausoleum (永昌陵, in present-day Gongyi, Henan)
ConsortsEmpress Xiaohui
(m. 944; died 958)
Empress Xiaoming
(m. 958; died 964)
Empress Xiaozhang (m. 968–976)
IssueZhao Dezhao
Zhao Defang
Princess Xiansu
Princess Xianjing
Princess Xianhui
Era dates
Jianlong (建隆; 4 February 960 – 3 December 963)
Qiande (乾德; 4 December 963 – 15 December 968)
Kaibao (開寶; 16 December 968 – 21 January 977)
Posthumous name
Emperor Qiyun Liji Yingwu Ruiwen Shende Shenggong Zhiming Daxiao (啓運立極英武睿文神德聖功至明大孝皇帝)
Temple name
Taizu (太祖)
HouseZhao
DynastySong (Northern Song)
FatherZhao Hongyin
MotherEmpress Dowager Zhaoxian
Signature
Emperor Taizu of Song
Chinese宋太祖
Literal meaning"Great Progenitor of the Song"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinSòng Tàizǔ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhSonq Taytzuu
Wade–GilesSung2 T'ai4-tsu3
IPA[sʊ̂ŋ tʰâɪ.tsù]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationSung Taaih-jóu
JyutpingSung3 Taai6-zou2
Southern Min
Tâi-lôSòng Thài-tsó
Zhao Kuangyin
Traditional Chinese趙匡胤
Simplified Chinese赵匡胤
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhào Kuāngyìn
Gwoyeu RomatzyhJaw Kuangyinn
Wade–GilesChao4 K'uang1-yin4
IPA[ʈʂâʊ kʰwáŋ.în]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationJiu6 Hong1-yan6
JyutpingZiu6 Hong1-jan6
Southern Min
Tâi-lôTiō Khong-īn

Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927[2] – 14 November 976),[3] personal name Zhao Kuangyin, courtesy name Yuanlang, was the founding emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished military general of the Later Zhou dynasty, Emperor Taizu came to power after staging a coup d'état and forcing Emperor Gong, the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor.

During his reign, Emperor Taizu conquered the states of Southern Tang, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Jingnan, thus reunifying most of China proper. To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong).

  1. ^ Lorge, Peter (31 December 2015). The Reunification of China: Peace through War under the Song Dynasty. Cambridge University Press. pp. 4–5. ISBN 9781316432273. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  2. ^ Song Shi, ch. 1.
  3. ^ Song Shi, ch. 3.