Zhao Qi

Biography

Family Background and Early Life

Zhao Qi was born into the Southern Song imperial house as the legitimate eldest son of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, Zhao Shen, and Empress Chengmu, née Guo. He was born in 1144, the fourteenth year of the Shaoxing era, and was originally named Zhao Yu. As Emperor Xiaozong's eldest son, Zhao Qi received close attention and training from the imperial family from an early age. He was first appointed Vice Commander of the Right Inner Guard, soon received the name Zhao Qi, and was appointed Great General of the Right Gate Guard and Prefect of Rongzhou. These appointments marked the establishment of his status within the imperial house. While Emperor Xiaozong was still an imperial prince, Zhao Qi was appointed Defense Commissioner of Qizhou and began to take part in certain military and administrative affairs.

Enfeoffment as Prince and Exceptional Promotion

In 1162, the thirty-second year of the Shaoxing era, Emperor Gaozong, Zhao Gou, abdicated in favor of Emperor Xiaozong. As the legitimate eldest son, Zhao Qi was appointed Junior Guardian and Military Commissioner of Yongxing Army and was enfeoffed as Prince of Deng. According to Song precedent, an imperial prince who left the palace and was enfeoffed would normally hold military commissions over two commands before being promoted to Minister of Works. Zhao Qi, however, was promoted directly from defense commissioner to Junior Guardian. This exceptional advancement was regarded at the time as an unusual distinction and demonstrated Emperor Xiaozong's special regard and expectations for him. The History of Song, volume 246, Biography 5, records this explicitly: “By precedent, when an imperial prince left the palace and was enfeoffed as a prince, he concurrently held two military commissions and only thereafter was promoted to Minister of Works. Qi was promoted directly from defense commissioner to Junior Guardian, displaying an exceptional distinction.”

Establishment as Crown Prince

In 1165, the first year of the Qiandao era, Zhao Qi was formally established as crown prince, while his wife, Lady Qian, formerly Lady of Guangguo, was invested as crown princess. Lady Qian was the daughter of Qian Duanli and a great-granddaughter of the tenth daughter of Emperor Renzong of Song, Grand Princess Qin-Lu, and thus came from a distinguished family. After Zhao Qi became crown prince, Emperor Xiaozong ordered an increase in the personnel of the Eastern Palace guard, but Zhao Qi modestly declined it. He also memorialized the throne asking to surrender the miscellaneous goods allotted to him each month, and Emperor Xiaozong approved his request. These actions were taken as evidence of his modest and generous character and increased the affection shown to him by both Emperor Xiaozong and Emperor Gaozong.

Early Death and Posthumous Arrangements

In the autumn of 1167, the third year of the Qiandao era, Zhao Qi fell ill. A physician mistakenly administered medicine that worsened his condition. Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Xiaozong personally visited him and proclaimed a general amnesty on his behalf. Three days later Zhao Qi died at the age of twenty-four and received the posthumous title Zhuangwen. His death caused deep grief to both Emperor Xiaozong and Emperor Gaozong. Following the advice of ritual officials, Emperor Xiaozong observed mourning for the crown prince by counting days as months. Civil and military officials wore mourning dress and removed it after one day, while officials of the Eastern Palace observed three months of mourning and removed mourning dress after seven days. At the burial, Emperor Xiaozong again went personally to the Eastern Palace and ordered senior officials to present the posthumous register. Major and minor ceremonies were conducted according to the funeral protocol used for high-ranking executive officials.

Major Activities

Imperial Status and Enfeoffments

As the legitimate eldest son of Emperor Xiaozong, Zhao Qi occupied a special position in the Southern Song imperial house. He successively served as Vice Commander of the Right Inner Guard, Great General of the Right Gate Guard, Prefect of Rongzhou, and Defense Commissioner of Qizhou. After Emperor Xiaozong's accession, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Deng and exceptionally promoted to Junior Guardian and Military Commissioner of Yongxing Army. In 1165 he was established as crown prince and became the lawful heir to the Southern Song throne.

Modesty and Generosity

Zhao Qi was known for modesty and generosity. After he became crown prince, Emperor Xiaozong ordered the strengthening of the Eastern Palace guard, but Zhao Qi declined. He also memorialized asking to surrender the miscellaneous goods allotted to him each month, and Emperor Xiaozong approved the request. The History of Song records these actions as evidence of his lack of attachment to material privilege and his observance of proper conduct.

Early Death and Court Mourning

In 1167, Zhao Qi died young after receiving an incorrect medicine, at the age of twenty-four. His death prompted mourning throughout the court. Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Xiaozong personally visited him during his illness and issued a general amnesty. Emperor Xiaozong then gave him a high-status funeral according to the protocol for senior executive officials, showing the importance attached to him.

Personal Relations

Family

Father: Emperor Xiaozong of Song, Zhao Shen

Mother: Empress Chengmu, née Guo

Wife: Crown Princess Qian, daughter of Qian Duanli

Son: Zhao Ting, enfeoffed as Duke of Rong and appointed Observation Commissioner of Fuzhou; died in 1173, the ninth year of the Qiandao era; posthumously granted the military commission of Wudang Army and enfeoffed as Duke of Yu

Ruler and Subject

Grandfather: Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou

Emperor Xiaozong: his father, who placed exceptional importance on him, promoted him beyond normal precedent, and established him as crown prince

Emperor Ningzong of Song, Zhao Kuo: arranged for his descendant Zhao Xiqi to continue Zhao Qi's line; Zhao Xiqi was renamed Zhao Jin and later Zhao Sizheng

Historical Assessment

Song Period / Contemporary View

The History of Song, volume 246, Biography 5, states: “The crown prince was virtuous and generous, and both the retired emperor and the emperor loved him.” This was a direct affirmation of Zhao Qi's character, describing him as virtuous and generous and deeply loved by both Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Xiaozong.

Emperor Xiaozong's exceptional promotion of Zhao Qi directly from defense commissioner to Junior Guardian was described as an “exceptional distinction,” reflecting the court's high expectations for him as heir.

The funeral arrangements made by ritual officials and the court treated his death according to the protocol for senior executive officials, showing his importance in the political order of the time.

Song and Yuan Periods

Toghto and other Yuan historians included Zhao Qi in the imperial-clan biographies of the History of Song and recorded his life in detail, indicating later historical recognition of his place in Southern Song history.

The History of Song preserved its judgment that Zhao Qi was “virtuous and generous,” which became the basic tone of later accounts of his character.

Ming and Qing Periods

Ming and Qing historians generally followed the History of Song, portraying Zhao Qi as a virtuous crown prince who died too young and expressing regret that he never ascended the throne.

Ming scholars compiling works such as historical-event accounts of the Song paid some attention to Zhao Qi's early death and to the resulting change in the Southern Song succession, regarding his death as one factor affecting later Southern Song politics.

Modern Period

Modern historical scholarship has generally studied Zhao Qi in the context of Southern Song succession and the institutions of the imperial clan. His early death is regarded as having altered the succession order and allowed Emperor Guangzong of Song, Zhao Dun, to inherit the throne, with long-term consequences for later Southern Song politics.

In popular historical writing, Zhao Qi is often described as a “virtuous but short-lived” crown prince, and the tragic account of his death following the administration of the wrong medicine is frequently repeated.