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Emperor Huizong of Song

Emperor Huizong of Song

November 2, 1082 –June 4, 1135

Painter, Poet, Ruler, Musician, Calligrapher, Emperor

Lived 52 years

Born in
Kaifeng
Passed away in
Yilan County

Emperor Huizong of Song (2 November 1082 – 4 June 1135), personal name Zhao Ji, was the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty of China. The 11th son of Emperor Shenzong, he ascended the throne in 1100 following the death of his elder brother, Emperor Zhezong. His reign was marked by the dominance of chancellor Cai Jing, who sidelined political opponents including Sima Guang and Su Shi. Huizong promoted Taoism while suppressing Buddhism. He expanded social welfare programs but also pursued a lavish lifestyle and extensive building projects, contributing to widespread peasant uprisings. He allied with the Jin dynasty against the Liao dynasty, but after the Jin conquered the Liao and invaded Song territory, Huizong abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Emperor Qinzong, in 1126. The following year, Jin forces captured the Song capital Bianjing and took Huizong, Qinzong, and much of the imperial family captive in the Jingkang Incident, marking the end of the Northern Song dynasty. The Emperor Taizong of Jin gave Huizong a title, Duke Hunde (literally "Besotted Duke"), to humiliate him. Huizong in Wuguocheng after nearly a decade in captivity.

Despite his political failures, Huizong was an accomplished painter, poet, calligrapher, and musician, as well as a major patron of the arts. His imperial collection included more than 6,000 recorded paintings.

Source: Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Huizong_of_Song