Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)

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With the only powerful ruling area in the south of the Yangtze River, the Southern Song Dynasty was first established as well-developed country in economy, ancient science, and foreign affairs. For the weakness in military, Southern Song was a short dynasty compared with other great periods.

In 1127, the Jin army sacked Kaifeng (the Northern Song capital), taking Emperor Huizong and most of his family hostage. The ninth son of Emperor Huizong Zhaogou moved to the south area and re-established a dynasty in Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou City). This 150-year dynasty was called Southern Song Dynasty with the first emperor Zhaogou, known as Emperor Gaozong.

Besides the weakness in military, Southern Song also found a way to survive in that period. It applied new ways to bolster its strong economy and defend its own state against the Jin Dynasty.

► Famous military officers Yue Fei and Han Shizhong still left lots of legendary stories till now.

► Industrial fields such as shipbuilding and harbor-improving projects are supported by government.

► Maritime trade was supported by beacons and seaport warehouses construction, the major constructed seaports including Guangzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou

♦ Southern Song Dynasty Timetable

Temple Names (Miao Hao Miào Hào)	Born Names	Period of Reigns	Era Names (Nian Hao) and their according range of years
Gaozong (Gāozōng)	Zhao Gou (Zhào Gòu)	1127–1162	Jingyan (Jìngyán) 1127–1130 Shaoxing (Shàoxīng) 1131–1162
Xiaozong (Xiàozōng)	Zhao Shen (Zhào Shèn)	1162–1189	Longxing (Lóngxīng) 1163–1164 Qiandao (Qiándào) 1165–1173 Chunxi (Chúnxī) 1174–1189
Guangzong (Guāngzōng)	Zhao Dun (Zhào Dūn)	1189–1194	Shaoxi (Shàoxī) 1190–1194
Ningzong (Níngzōng)	Zhao Kuo (Zháo Kuó)	1194–1224	Qingyuan (Qìngyuán) 1195–1200 Jiatai (Jiātài) 1201–1204 Kaixi (Kāixǐ) 1205–1207 Jiading (Jiādìng) 1208–1224
Lizong (Lǐzōng)	Zhao Yun (Zhào Yún)	1224–1264	Baoqing (Bǎoqìng) 1225–1227 Shaoding (Shàodìng) 1228–1233 Duanping (Duānpíng) 1234–1236 Jiaxi (Jiāxī) 1237–1240 Chunyou (Chúnyòu) 1241–1252 Baoyou (Bǎoyòu) 1253–1258 Kaiqing (Kāiqìng) 1259 Jingding (Jǐngdìng) 1260–1264
Duzong (Dùzōng)	Zhao Qi (Zhào Qí)	1264–1274	Xianchun (Xiánchún) 1265–1274
Emperor Gonggong (Gōngzōng)	Zhao Xian (Zhào Xiǎn)	1275	Deyou (Déyòu) 1275–1276
Duan Zong (Duān Zōng)	Zhao Shi (Zhào Shì)	1276–1278	Jingyan (Jǐngyán) 1276–1278
did not have a temple name	Zhao Bing (Zhào Bǐng)	1278–1279	Xiangxing (Xiángxīng) 1278–1279

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