General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. ——— 1. His name was changed into Zhen in 1018 when he was officially named crown prince. This name became his taboo name when he ascended the throne in 1022. 2. This is the final version of the posthumous name given in 1083.
Emperor Renzong (May 30, 1010 - April 30, 1063) was the fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhao Zhen(趙禎). He reigned from 1022 to 1063. Renzong was the son of Emperor Zhenzong.
The official policy of Song Dynasty at the time was pacifism and this caused the weakening of the military. Western Xia(西夏) took advantage of this deterioration and waged small scale wars against Song China near the borders.
When Renzong came into power, he issued decrees to strengthen the military and paid massive bribes to the Liao(遼) government, an adversary of Western Xia(西夏), in the hope that this will ensure the safety of Song China.
However these policies of Renzong cost a heavy price. Tax was increased severely and the peasants were living in a state of perpetual poverty. It eventually caused organized rebellions to take place through out the country and the break down of the government.
After forcing the last emperor of the Latter Zhou to yield the throne, he established the Northern Song Dynasty in Kaifeng (the provincial capital of Henan Province).
During the reign of EmperorRenzong, the economic and social development of the Northern Song reached its zenith.
In 1125, the Northern Song court was invaded by the army of the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234).
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