Zhao Zhen

Also known as Song Renzong · Zhao Shouyi

Zhao Zhen, first named Shouyi, was the sixth son of Emperor Zhenzong; born to the consort Li and raised by Empress Liu, he was named heir in 1018. He came to the throne at thirteen in 1022, and Empress Dowager Liu governed from behind the screen until her death in 1033. In 1023 the court set up a paper-money office at Yizhou, which issued the first official jiaozi notes the next year. After Li Yuanhao proclaimed himself emperor of Xia in 1038, Song armies lost at Sanchuankou, Haoshuichuan and Dingchuanzhai, and the peace of 1044 bound the Song to yearly gifts of silver, silk and tea. In 1043 he brought in Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi for the Qingli reforms, which were soon abandoned. He reigned under nine era names from Tiansheng to Jiayou, died in 1063 with the temple name Renzong and was buried at the Yongzhao tomb. The History of the Song (Songshi) calls him respectful, frugal, humane and forgiving by nature.