Ep. 134 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 3)
We continue in this episode examining the second decade of Huizong’s reign. The good times lasted about twenty years but all good things can’t go on forever. By 1120 Huizong is going to begin to see the handwriting on the wall. The years we look at today will be the years Huizong later on most regrets.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cai Jing | 蔡京 | Northern Song official, played a major role in Huizong’s reign. One of the greatest calligraphers of his day |
| Chanyuan zhi meng | 澶渊之盟 | The Treaty of Chanyuan |
| Duke of Zhou | 周公 | Son of King Wen, brother of King Wu, Regent to King Cheng |
| Empress Dowager Xiang | 向太后 | Empress of Emperor Shenzong |
| Fang La | 方腊 | Rebel leader of the short-lived but critical Fang La Rebellion |
| Haishang zhimeng | 海上之盟 | The Alliance on the Sea (between Jin and Song) |
| Hou Jin | 后晋 | The Later Jin Dynasty |
| Huangdi Neijing | 黄帝内经 | Ancient medical text, supposedly handed down by the Yellow Emperor |
| Huizong | 徽宗 | Song Dynasty emperor who reigned 1100-1127 |
| Khitan Liao | 契丹辽代 | The Khitan Liao Dynasty |
| Laozi | 老子 | Daoism "founder" and writer of the Dao De Jing |
| Li Cunxu | 李存勖 | Founder of the Later Tang Dynasty |
| Liang Shicheng | 梁师成 | Highest ranking of the palace eunuchs, exercised a great amount of control of and access to Huizong |
| Liao Tianzuo | 辽天祚 | Last emperor of the Liao Dynasty |
| Liezi | 列子 | Philosopher 450-375 BCE |
| Lin Lingsu | 林灵素 | Daoist master who conceived the Divine Empyrean sect of Daoism. Huizong was his benefactor and supporter |
| Liu Hunkang | 劉混康 | Great Daoist master. b. 1035, d. 1108 |
| Ming Taizu | 明太祖 | Also Known as Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋 and the Hongwu 洪武 Emperor |
| Nuzhen | 女真 | Jürchen |
| Shenzong | 神宗 | 6th Song emperor, father of Huizong |
| Shi Jingtang | 石敬瑭 | Founder of the Later Jin Dynasty who gave the Sixteen Prefectures away to the Liao in 938 |
| Shun | 舜 | Mythical Chinese ruler |
| Tang Xuanzong | 唐玄宗 | Tang dynasty emperor, ruled at the peak of the Tang |
| Tong Guan | 童贯 | Great eunuch general and close advisor to Huizong |
| Wang Anshi | 王安石 | Reformer during Shenzong emperor |
| Wang Fu | 王黼 | A Grand Councillor under Huizong. Major proponent to ally with Jin against Liao |
| Wang Laozhi | 王老志 | Daoist Master during Huizong’s reign |
| Wang Zixi | 王仔昔 | Daoist Master during Huizong’s reign |
| Wanyan Aguda | 完颜阿骨打 | Jin Dynasty Founder, also known as Jin Taizu 金太祖 |
| Wanyan Wuqimai | 完颜吴乞买 | Younger brother of Aguda, also known as Jin Taizong 金太宗 |
| Xixia | 西夏 | The Western Xia, a Tangut empire that ran 1038-1227. Located south of Liao and west of Song China |
| Yan Yun Shiliuzhou | 燕云十六州 | The 16 Prefectures |
| Yanjing | 燕京 | Capital of Yan Prefecture, located in and around present day Beijing |
| Yao | 尧 | Mythical Chinese ruler |
| Yelü Abaoji | 耶律阿保机 | Founder of the Liao Dynasty |
| Zeng Bu | 曾布 | Junior Chief Councillor and trusted advisor to Huizong as soon as he became emperor |
| Zhang Jue | 张觉 | Jin defector who defected to Song and tried to cut a deal with the court |
| Zhao Kuangyin | 赵匡胤 | Founder of the Song Dynasty |
| Zhao Liangsi | 赵良嗣 | Liao defector who early on suggested the Song ally with the Jin against Liao |
| Zhezong | 哲宗 | 7th Song emperor, older brother of Huizong |
| Zhuangzi | 庄子 | Daoist great, also writer of the book The Zhuangzi |
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