On This Day In History: Zhao Kuangyin Became Emperor Taizu Of Powerful Song Dynasty – On Feb 4, 960

AncientPages.com - On February 4, 960, an important political and historical event occurred in China. The coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of Song initiated the Song dynasty period of China that would last more than three centuries.

Born in a family of military tradition, Zhao Kuangyin began to learn martial arts at an early age and acquired marvelous feats. He was famous for his outstanding battle achievements.

Palace portrait on a hanging scroll, kept in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Republic of China. Anonymous - Digitized by NPM; image is directly from Shuge - Public Domain

Emperor Taizu launched a series of wars and unified the separatist regimes in South China in thirteen years. He conquered the Northern Han Dynasty, ended the separation situation of the previous 50 years, and reunified China again.

He was also an emperor who was good at dealing with state affairs. He conducted a variety of iron-handed reforms with his great verve: strengthening centralization, taking over local military power, and appointing civilians to be local officials.

Zhao Kuangyin is remembered for reforming the examination where the bureaucracy favors individuals who demonstrate abilities rather than birth. He paid attention to talent training, setting up schools, respecting knowledge, and revitalizing Confucianism.

He supported freedom of discussion and thoughts, which facilitated the pioneering of scientific advances, economic reforms, and achievements in arts and literature.
Zhao Kuangyin (Taizu was his posthumous title) promoted agricultural production and mulberry planting, establishing a series of critical farm policies.

He organized great Chinese scholars to compile essential classics such as 'The Taiping Imperial Encyclopedia,' 'The Cream of Literary World,' 'Cefu Yuangui,' and many more.

This emperor was a true master of the pen and the sword. He reigned for 16 years and died in 976 at 49, and his younger brother succeeded him.

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