(
January 4 ,
1076 –
February 23 ,
1100 ) was the seventh emperor of the
Song Dynasty of
China . His personal name was '''Zhao
4 Xu
1'''. He reigned from
1085 to
1100 .
Zhezong was the son of Emperor
Shenzong . He ascended the throne at the age of 10 under the supervision of Empress Dowager Gao. Under Empress Gao's regency she appointed conservatives such as
Sima Guang as
Chancellor and Sima Guang immediately halted socio-economic improvements set forth by
Wang Anshi . Zhezong was powerless and it was not until Empress Dowager Gao's death in 1093 that Zhezong was able to reinstate Wang Anshi's reform and removed Sima Guang.
Zhezong was one of few good emperors of the Song dynasty. He lowered taxes, stopped all negotiations with the
Tangut Empire and resumed armed conflict which eventually forced the Xixia to enter a more peaceful stance with the Song. Overall, Zhezong's reign gave the Song dynasty a breathe of fresh air but Zhezong was not able stop fightings between conservative members in his government and the more liberal members catering to Wang Anshi's reforms. This would eventually lead to the northern Song's demise in the 12th century.
Zhezong died in 1100 in
Kaifeng and was succeeded by his younger brother. He was only 24. His
Temple Name means "Wise Ancestor".
