Ep. 133 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of our series examining the life of Emperor Huizong. This time we look at Huizong as he attempts to assemble his team and deal with bitter factional strife that was rampant since the Wang Anshi New Reforms. We also look at Huizong’s interest in the arts and his influence in that realm.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cai Bian | 蔡卞 | Younger brother of Cai Jing. Also a chancellor and famed calligrapher |
| Cai Jing | 蔡京 | Northern Song official, later to play a major role in Huizong’s reign. One of the greatest calligraphers of his day. Brother of Cai Bian |
| Cai Jing | 蔡京 | Northern Song official, later to play a major role in Huizong’s reign. One of the greatest calligraphers of his day. Brother of Cai Bian |
| Chen Guan | 陈贯 | Conservative faction stalwart |
| Chongning | 崇宁 | Huizong’s second era name 1102-1106 |
| Da Jingzhi | 笪淨之 | Successor to Liu Hunkang as Master of the Highest Clarity Movement |
| Daguan | 大观 | Huizong’s 3rd era name 1107-1110 |
| Empress Dowager Xiang | 向太后 | Empress of Emperor Shenzong |
| Han Zhongyan | 韩忠彦 | Senior chancellor during Huizong’s reign |
| Huizong | 徽宗 | Song Dynasty emperor who reigned 1100-1127 |
| Jianzhong Jingguo | 建中靖国 | Huizong’s first era name 1100-1101 |
| Jinshi | 进士 | The degree received after passing the 3 year civil service exam |
| Kaifeng | 开封 | City in Henan, Capital of the Northern Song |
| King Helü | 阖闾 | The warrior king of the state of Wu. (see CHP-111) |
| Laozi | 老子 | Lao Tzu, "founder" of Daoism |
| Li Ji | 礼记 | The Book of Rites |
| Li Jie | 李誡 | China’s greatest architect of ancient time, author of the 营造法式 Yingzao Fashi |
| Li Yu | 李煜 | Last ruler of the Southern Tang (5 Dynasties 10 Kingdoms Period), developer of the “gold inlaid knife” style of calligraphy |
| Liu Hunkang | 劉混康 | Great Daoist master. b. 1035, d. 1108 |
| Lü Yijian | 呂夷簡 | Chancellor under the Renzong emperor |
| Maoshan | 茅山 | Mountain in Jiangsu, home of the Shangqing School of Daoism |
| Nianhao | 年号 | Era Names |
| Qinshihuang | 秦始皇 | The first Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng |
| Renzong | 仁宗 | The fourth Song emperor |
| San Li | 三礼 | The Three Li’s: The Rites of Zhou, Book of Etiquette and Rites, The Book of Rites |
| Shangqing | 上清 | The Highest Clarity Movement, popular Daoist movement located at Mt. Mao |
| Shaosheng | 紹聖 | Second era of Emperor Zhezong’s reign |
| Shenzong | 神宗 | 6th Song emperor, father of Huizong |
| Shou jin ti | 瘦金体 | Slender Gold Style of calligraphy developed early in his reign by Huizong |
| Siku Quanshu | 四库全书 | The Complete Library of the Four Treasuries is the largest collection of Chinese books ever compiled into a single work. This was a work called for by the Qing Dynasty Qianlong emperor |
| Sima Guang | 司马光 | Song historian and politician known for his conservative bent |
| Sishu Wujing | 四书五经 | The Four Books and the Five Classics |
| Su Shi | 苏轼 | Great politician, conservative faction tour de force and local Hangzhou hometown hero |
| Sunzi | 孙子 | Wrote the Art of War |
| Wang Anshi | 王安石 | Reformer during Shenzong emperor |
| Wang Dan | 王旦 | Chancellor under Zhenzong |
| Yi Li | 仪礼 | Book of Etiquette and Rites |
| Yingzao Fashi | 营造法式 | The Song work: Treatise on Architectural Methods. Also known as the State Building Standards |
| Yuanyou | 元祐 | The first era of Emperor Zhezong’s reign |
| Zeng Bu | 曾布 | Junior Chief Councillor and trusted advisor to Huizong as soon as he became emperor |
| Zhang Dun | 章惇 | Chancellor before Cai Jing |
| Zhao Kuangyin | 赵匡胤 | Song emperor Taizu, founder of the Song |
| Zhenzong | 真宗 | 3rd Song emperor and big time believer and supporter of Daoism |
| Zhezong | 哲宗 | 7th Song emperor, older brother of Huizong |
| Zhou Li | 周礼 | The Rites of Zhou |
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