Emperor Shenzong of Song - Emperor of Song Dynasty
Emperor Shenzong (May 25, 1048 – April 1, 1085) was the sixth emperor of the Chinese Song Dynasty. His personal name was Zhao Xu. He reigned from 1067 to 1085.
The periods within his reign are Xining (熙宁) 1068–1077 and Yuanfeng (元丰) 1078–1085.
During his reign, Shenzong noticed Wang Anshi's policy and appointed Wang as Chancellor. Wang implemented his famous reforms aimed at improving the situation for the peasantry and unemployed, which some have seen as a forerunner of the modern welfare state. These acts became the hallmark reform of Shenzong's reign.
Shenzong's other notable act as emperor included his attempts to rid the Song empire of the Tangut Empire by invading and expelling the Xixia forces in Gansu (today's Gansu). Shenzong was initially quite successful at these campaigns but during the City of Yongle battle of 1082, Shenzong's forces were defeated. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.
During Shenzong's reign Sima Guang, a minister interested in history of the past 1000 years, wrote a widely praised history book "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"(资治通鉴). This book records the historical events from the Zhou Dynasty to the Song Dynasty.
Shenzong died in 1085 at the age of 36 and was succeeded by his son. His temple name means "Divine Ancestor".