Taizu

Taizu, also known by his personal name Zhao Kuangyin, was the founder and first emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 960 until his death in 976. Formerly a distinguished military general of the Later Zhou dynasty, Taizu came to power after staging a coup d'état and forcing Emperor Gong, the last Later Zhou ruler, to abdicate the throne in his favor. During his reign, Taizu conquered the states of Southern Tang, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Jingnan, thus reunifying most of China proper. To strengthen his control, he lessened the power of military generals and relied on civilian officials in administration. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhao Kuangyi (Emperor Taizong). Taizu was born in Luoyang to military commander Zhao Hongyin in 927. He grew up excelling in mounted archery and martial arts. He married Lady He in the mid-940s and joined the army of Guo Wei, a military governor of the Later Han dynasty, in 949. He helped Guo quell Li Shouzhen's rebellion and rose to become chief commander of the Later Zhou forces. In 959, the emperor of Later Zhou died and a child inherited the throne. Taizu's troops did not want to have a child as their leader, so they staged a coup in 960 and proclaimed Taizu as the new emperor. He declared his new dynasty the Song and moved the capital to Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng). Taizu followed Confucian ideals and lived modestly. He showed concern for the poor and lowered their taxes. He frequently traveled around the country in disguise to observe the conditions of his people. He also encouraged states to surrender peacefully and treated the captured soldiers and leaders with leniency. He reformed the military system by creating a standing army and abolishing the hereditary privileges of the military governors. He also reformed the civil administration by promoting meritocracy and reducing corruption. He patronized scholars, artists, and poets and supported the development of education, printing, and commerce. Taizu died of a disease in 976 at the age of 49. He was buried at the Yongchang Mausoleum near Gongyi, Henan. He was given the temple name Taizu, meaning "Great Progenitor", and the posthumous name Emperor Qiyun Liji Yingwu Ruiwen Shende Shenggong Zhiming Daxiao, meaning "Emperor who Initiated Prosperity, Established the Highest, Heroic Martial, Astute in Letters, Divine in Virtue, Sagely Achievement, Ultimate Brilliance, Great Filial Piety". He is widely regarded as one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history.