Emperor Taizong of Jin (original) (raw)

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This article is about the 12th-century Jin dynasty emperor. For the 4th-century Jin dynasty emperor, see Emperor Jianwen of Jin. For the 17th-century ruler of Later Jin, see Hong Taiji.

Emperor of the Jin dynasty

Emperor Taizong of Jin金太宗
Emperor of the Jin dynasty
Reign 27 September 1123 – 9 February 1135
Predecessor Emperor Taizu of Jin
Successor Emperor Xizong of Jin
Born 25 November 1075
Died 9 February 1135(1135-02-09) (aged 59)
Burial Gong Mausoleum (恭陵, in present-day Fangshan District, Beijing)
Spouse Empress Qinren
Issue See § Family
NamesSinicised name: Wanyan Sheng (完顏晟)Jurchen name: Wuqimai (吳乞買)Era name and datesTianhui (天會): 1123–1135Posthumous nameEmperor Tiyuan Yingyun Shide Zhaogong Zhehui Rensheng Wenlie (體元應運世德昭功哲惠仁聖文烈皇帝)Temple nameTaizong (太宗)
House Wanyan
Dynasty Jin
Father Wanyan Helibo
Mother Lady Nalan
Emperor Taizong of Jin
Chinese 金太宗
TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinJīn Tàizōng
Wuqimai
Traditional Chinese 吳乞買
Simplified Chinese 吴乞买
TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinWányán Wúqímǎi
Wanyan Sheng
Traditional Chinese 完顏晟
Simplified Chinese 完颜晟
TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinWányán Shèng

Emperor Taizong of Jin (25 November 1075 – 9 February 1135), personal name Wuqimai, sinicised name Wanyan Sheng, was the second emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty of China. His era name was "Tianhui" (天會). During his reign, the Jin dynasty conquered the Khitan-led Liao dynasty. He then led the Jin in their campaigns against the Song dynasty, captured the Northern Song capital in 1127 and went on to rule most of northern China. After his death, he was posthumously honoured with the temple name Taizong by his successor, Emperor Xizong.

Wuqimai was the fourth son of Helibo and his primary consort, Lady Nalan (拏懒氏). He was a younger brother of Aguda (Emperor Taizu), the founder and first emperor of the Jin dynasty. He succeeded his brother in 1123. Two years later, the Jin general Wanyan Loushi (完顏婁室) led forces to attack the Khitan-led Liao dynasty and succeeded in capturing Emperor Tianzuo, the last Liao ruler, thereby ending the Liao dynasty's existence.

In October 1125, Emperor Taizong waged war against the Han Chinese-led Song dynasty and ordered his fifth brother, Wanyan Gao (完顏杲), to lead the Jin armies to attack Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province), the Song capital, from two different directions. The Song general Li Gang (李綱) led fierce resistance against the Jin invaders. After some time, the Jin and Song dynasties agreed to a truce. In August 1126, Emperor Taizong ordered Wanyan Zongwang (完顏宗望) and Wanyan Zonghan to lead Jin forces to attack and besiege Bianjing again. This time, the Jin dynasty not only conquered Bianjing, but also captured Emperors Huizong and Qinzong of the Song dynasty. This event, historically known as the Jingkang Incident, marked the end of the Northern Song dynasty and beginning of the Southern Song dynasty.

In 1128, Emperor Taizong gave ironic titles of nobility to the two captured former Song emperors; Emperor Huizong was called "Duke Hunde" (昏德公; literally "Besotted Duke") while Emperor Qinzong was called "Marquis Chonghun" (重昏侯; literally "Doubly Besotted Marquis"). They were resettled in Wuguocheng (五國城; in present-day Yilan County, Heilongjiang Province).

During his reign, Emperor Taizong laid and strengthened the Jin dynasty's political system and institutions. In his later years, he designated Hela, a grandson of Aguda, as his successor. He died in Mingde Palace in 1135 and was buried in the He Mausoleum (和陵). His descendants were massacred by Digunai (Prince of Hailing), the fourth ruler of the Jin dynasty, as a political move to eliminate possible contenders to the throne. His remains were relocated to Dafangshan (大房山), which became known as the Gong Mausoleum (恭陵).

Parents

Emperor Taizong of Jin House of Wanyan (1115–1234) Born: 1075 Died: 1135
Regnal titles
Preceded byEmperor Taizu of Jin Emperor of Jin dynasty 1123–1135 Succeeded byEmperor Xizong of Jin
Preceded byEmperor Tianzuo of Liao Emperor of China 1125-1135