Zhao Yun

Also known as Song Lizong · Zhao Yuju · Zhao Guicheng

Zhao Yun, born Zhao Yuju in 1205 at Shanyin in Shaoxing, was a tenth-generation descendant of the Song founder. In 1221 the chief minister Shi Miyuan brought him into the palace as adopted heir of the Prince of Yi, renaming him Guicheng, and when Emperor Ningzong died in 1224 Shi forged an edict setting aside the designated heir Zhao Hong and enthroned him. Shi ran the government for almost ten years; after his death in 1233 the emperor took charge, proclaimed the Duanping era and in 1234 joined the Mongols to destroy the Jin. In 1241 he placed Zhou Dunyi, Zhang Zai, the Cheng brothers and Zhu Xi in the Confucian temple. Later favourites included Ding Daquan and Jia Sidao. He died in 1264 with the temple name Lizong; after the Yuan conquest Yang Lianzhenjia looted his tomb, and accounts such as the Nancun chuogeng lu say his skull was made into a drinking vessel and recovered only under the Ming.