Emperor Xuanzong of Jin

Emperor Xuanzong of Jin (18 April 1163 – 14 January 1224), personal name Wudubu, sinicised names Wanyan Xun and Wanyan Congjia, was the eighth emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty, which ruled northern China between the 12th and 13th centuries. He was the first Jin emperor to be defeated by the Mongols after they crossed the Great Wall in 1211 during their conquest of the Jin dynasty.

Life

Wudubu was a son of Wanyan Yungong (完顏允恭), a son of Emperor Shizong. He was a nephew of Wanyan Yongji, his predecessor as emperor. His mother was Lady Liu (劉氏), a concubine of Wanyan Yungong. In 1178, he was enfeoffed as the "Duke of Wen" (溫國公). In 1186, he was given the sinicised name "Xun" (珣). In 1189, he was promoted to "Prince of Feng" (豐王). In 1196, his princely title was changed to "Prince of Yi" (翼王). In 1205, his sinicised name was changed to "Congjia" (從嘉). His princely titles were subsequently changed again, to "Prince of Xing" (邢王) and then "Prince of Sheng" (升王).

In the eighth month of 1213, the general Heshilie Zhizhong (紇石烈執中; also known as Hushahu 胡沙虎) rebelled against the emperor, Wanyan Yongji, and assassinated him. Hushahu then installed Wanyan Congjia on the throne to replace Wanyan Yongji. As Wanyan Congjia was stationed in Hebei at the time, Hushahu chose Wanyan Congjia's eldest son, Wanyan Shouzhong (完顏守忠), to temporarily serve as jianguo (監國; regent) in the capital, Zhongdu (中都; present-day Xicheng and Fengtai districts of Beijing). In the ninth month, Wanyan Congjia returned to Zhongdu and was crowned emperor; he is thus historically known as Emperor Xuanzong of the Jin dynasty. He appointed Hushahu as Grand Tutor (太師), Chief Imperial Secretary (尚書令), and Marshal of the Capital (都元帥), in addition to enfeoffing him as "Prince of Ze" (澤王). Shortly after his ascension, Emperor Xuanzong adopted the regnal name "Zhenyou" (貞祐). He also changed his sinicised name back from "Congjia" to "Xun". In the tenth month, Hushahu was assassinated by Zhuhu Gaoqi (朮虎高琪), another general. Emperor Xuanzong pardoned Zhuhu Gaoqi and appointed him as Left Deputy Marshal (左副元帥).

In the fall of 1213, the Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, split their forces into three groups to attack the Jin dynasty. They conquered nearly all the prefectures and counties in Hebei; only Zhongdu, Zhending Prefecture (真定府; around present-day Zhengding County, Hebei Province), Daming Prefecture (大名府; around present-day Daming County, Hebei Province), and 11 other cities did not fall to the Mongols.

In the third month of 1214, the Jin dynasty succeeded in negotiating for peace with the Mongols. However, on 27 June, Emperor Xuanzong left Zhongdu and moved the Jin capital southward to Bianjing (汴京; present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province). He reached Bianjing about two months later. The Mongols were angered, so they waged war against the Jin dynasty again. On 31 May 1215, Zhongdu fell to the Mongols. In the tenth month, the warlord Puxian Wannu rebelled against the Jin dynasty, and declared himself king of the Eastern Xia regime in Liaodong. In early 1220, Emperor Xuanzong had Zhuhu Gaoqi executed.

Emperor Xuanzong's foreign policy towards the other states was a direct cause of the fall of the Jin dynasty. Firstly, he agreed to submit to Genghis Khan in return for peace between the Mongols and Jin dynasty. Secondly, he severed ties between the Jin dynasty and its ally, Western Xia. Thirdly, he ignored the advice of his chancellor, Tushan Yi (徒單鎰), and other ministers, and moved his capital from Zhongdu to Bianjing. Fourthly, he waged war against the Southern Song dynasty. These actions resulted in the Jin dynasty having to fight wars on three different fronts. Furthermore, they resulted in domestic instability and rebellions, which contributed even more to the decay of the Jin dynasty.

Emperor Xuanzong died in 1224. He was succeeded by his second son, Wanyan Shouxu (Emperor Aizong). He was posthumously honoured with the temple name "Xuanzong". He was buried in the De Mausoleum (德陵) in present-day Kaifeng, Henan Province.

Family

• Father: Hutuwa (胡土瓦) sinicised name Wanyan Yungong (完顏允恭), posthumously honoured as Emperor Xianzong (金顯宗)
• Mother: Lady Liu (劉氏), posthumously honoured as Empress Zhaosheng (昭聖皇后)
• Wives:
  • Lady Wang (王氏), Empress, posthumously honoured as Empress Rensheng (仁聖皇后)
  • Lady Wang (王氏), Consort Yuan (元妃), posthumously honoured as Empress Minghui (明惠皇后), bore Wanyan Shouxu
  • Lady Shi (史氏), Consort Li (麗妃)
  • Lady Pang (龐氏), Consort Zhen (真妃), bore Wanyan Shouchun
• Children:
  • Wanyan Shouzhong (完顏守忠), posthumously honoured as Crown Prince Zhuangxian (莊獻太子)
  • Ningjiasu (寧甲速), sinicised name Wanyan Shouxu (完顏守緒), Emperor Aizong
  • Pandu (盤都), sinicised name Wanyan Shouchun (完顏守純), Prince of Jing (荊王)
  • Wanyan Xuanling (完顏玄齡), Prince of Zhi (至王)
  • Princess of Wen (溫國公主)

See also

• History of Beijing

References

• Toqto'a (c. 1345). "Volumes 14–16: Biography of Emperor Xuanzong". History of Jin. China.