Zhao Hong (Song dynasty) explained

Zhao Hong/Zhao Guihe
趙竑/趙貴和
Father:Zhao Xiqu 趙希瞿
Zhao Bing, Prince of Yi 沂王趙抦 (adopted)
Succession7:Hereditary Prince of Yi 沂王後
Reign7:1206-1221
Predecessor7:Zhao Bing
Successor7:Zhao Guicheng
Succession6:Duke of Qi 祁國公
Reign6:1221
Succession5:Duke of Ji 濟國公
Reign5:1222
Succession4:Crown Prince of Southern Song dynasty
Reign4:1221-1224
Predecessor4:Zhao Xun 趙詢
Successor4:vacant, Zhao Qi
Succession3:Prince of Jiyang 濟陽郡王
Prince of Ji 濟王
Reign3:1225
Succession2:Duke of Baling 巴陵郡公
Reign2:posthumously demoted in 1225
Succession1:Prince of Zhen 鎮王
Reign1:posthumously honored in 1275
Posthumous Name:Zhao Su 昭肅
Prince Zhaosu of Zhen 鎮昭肅王
Spouse:Lady Wu
Issue:Zhao Quan, Marquess of Yongling 永寧侯趙銓
Zhao Hong
T:趙竑
S:赵竑
P:Zhào Hóng
W:Chao Hung

Zhao Hong (– February 1225)[1] was a crown prince of the Song dynasty, the heir apparent of Emperor Ningzong.

Biography

Zhao Hong was the adopted son of Zhao Bing, who in turn waings the biological grandson of Emperor Xiaozong. Zhao Hong was therefore, an adopted nephew of the reigning Emperor Ningzong.[2]

When the Crown Prince Zhao Xun died in 1220 from dysentery,[3] Emperor Ningzong asked for a boy at least 14 years old to adopt.[4] Zhao Hong was selected, adopted, and installed as Crown Prince in 1221.

Deposal

The powerful chancellor Shi Miyuan did not want Zhao Hong to succeed Ningzong when he died because Shi Miyuan once found Zhao Hong sober and passed out on his quarters and in 1223, a lute-playing girl forced to act like a spy by Shi Miyuan spied on Zhao Hong and reported to Shi that once Zhao Hong would become Emperor, he would banish and exile Shi Miyuan and his subordinates to the far south.[5] [6] [7] Shi Miyuan not wanting to lose his power decided to send his ally Yu Tianxi to locate a suitable heir. Yu found Zhao Yuju, a minor official in Shaoxing and sent him to Shi. Shi decided to groom him as the potential heir renaming him Zhao Guicheng and forced Empress Yang onto the plot.

When Emperor Ningzong died, Shi Miyuan first brought Zhao Guicheng into the throne room and put him on the throne and then called Zhao Hong into the room without any bodyguards. Shi Miyuan then said that Zhao Guicheng was now the Emperor sparking protests from Zhao Hong until he was forced to bow in recognition of Zhao Guicheng.[8] [9] Zhao Hong was moved to a nearby prefecture, Huzhou where he could live in luxury.[10]

Death

Zhao Hong was persuaded to join a rebellion after much resistance from him.[11] He was however defeated after two weeks. He was executed by strangulation in February 1225.

Notes and References

  1. Zhao Hong must have been born at 1207 or lower since Emperor Ningzong asked for a boy at least 14. Subtract 14 from 1221 (year of Zhao Hong's adoption) and we get 1207.
  2. Book: Chaffee, John W.. Branches of Heaven: A History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China. 1999. Harvard Univ Asia Center. 9780674080492. 202. en.
  3. Web site: Troubles in Paradise: the Shrinking Royal Family in Southern Song. Davis. Richard L.. National Palace Museum..
  4. Book: Technology, Literacy, and the Evolution of Society: Implications of the Work of Jack Goody. Olson. David R.. Cole. Michael. 2013-06-17. Psychology Press. 9781134812981. 63. en.
  5. Book: Chaffee, John W. . Branches of Heaven: A History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China . 1999. Harvard University Asia Center. 0674080491. Cambridge, Mass.. 203. 41338054.
  6. Book: Technology, Literacy, and the Evolution of Society: Implications of the Work of Jack Goody. Olson. David R.. Cole. Michael. 2013-06-17. Psychology Press. 9781134812981. 64. en.
  7. Book: Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II: Tang Through Ming 618 - 1644. Lily Xiao Hong Lee. Sue Wiles. 28 January 2015. Taylor & Francis. 978-1-317-51561-6. 789–790.
  8. Book: John, Chaffee. Branches of Heaven: History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China. 1999. 202–203.
  9. Book: McMahon, Keith. Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing. 2016-04-21. Rowman & Littlefield. 9781442255029. 29. en.
  10. Book: Hansen, Valerie. Changing Gods in Medieval China, 1127-1276. 2014-07-14. Princeton University Press. 9781400860432. 154. en.
  11. Book: Chaffee, John W.. Branches of Heaven: A History of the Imperial Clan of Sung China. 1999. Harvard Univ Asia Center. 9780674080492. en.