Zhao Heng

Also known as Zhao Dechang · Song Zhenzong

Zhao Heng, third son of Emperor Taizong of Song, was first named Dechang and then Yuanxiu and Yuankan, took the name Heng when he became crown prince in 995, and succeeded in 997, reigning under the titles Xianping, Jingde, Dazhong xiangfu, Tianxi and Qianxing. When Liao armies drove south in 1004, Kou Zhun persuaded him to go to the front at Chanzhou, and the war ended in the Chanyuan treaty, under which Song paid Liao 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 bolts of silk a year. In 1008 the court announced that heavenly texts had descended at the Chengtian Gate, and he went on to perform the feng sacrifice at Mount Tai, later sacrificing at Fenyin and building lavish Daoist temples. In his last years illness left Empress Liu to share in decisions. He died in 1022, received the temple name Zhenzong and was buried at Yongdingling. The History of Song (Songshi) said the whole court behaved as if gripped by madness during the heavenly-text affair.