Tai Zong, Chinese emperor (b. 1075)

Emperor Taizong of Jin (金太宗), born Wuqimai (完顏吳乞買) and later known by his sinicised name Wanyan Sheng (完顏晟), was a pivotal figure in Chinese history, serving as the second emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty. His reign, from 1123 to 1135, marked a period of explosive expansion and profound geopolitical shifts, fundamentally reshaping the map of East Asia.

Born on 25 November 1075, Wuqimai was the younger brother of Aguda (完顏阿骨打), who would become Emperor Taizu, the founder of the Jin dynasty. After Emperor Taizu's passing on 19 September 1123, Wuqimai ascended the throne, inheriting a newly established yet rapidly expanding empire. He adopted the era name "Tianhui" (天會), meaning "Heavenly Concord" or "Heavenly Meeting," signifying the divine mandate he claimed for the burgeoning Jurchen state.

Consolidation of Power and the Conquest of the Liao Dynasty

A military strategist and skilled commander, Emperor Taizong's initial and most significant achievement was the complete subjugation of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty (遼朝). The Liao, a formidable empire that had dominated parts of northern China and Manchuria for over two centuries (907–1125), was already weakened by internal strife and the rising power of the Jurchens, a Tungusic people originating from Manchuria. The Jin dynasty, under Emperor Taizong's astute leadership, capitalized on this decline, launching a series of decisive campaigns that culminated in the fall of the Liao in 1125. This conquest not only eliminated a long-standing rival but also significantly expanded the Jin empire's territory and resources, setting the stage for further ambitions.

The Jingkang Incident and Campaigns Against the Northern Song Dynasty

Following the triumph over the Liao, the Jin turned their formidable military might southwards, initiating aggressive campaigns against the Han Chinese-led Northern Song dynasty (北宋). Ironically, the Song had initially allied with the Jurchens against the Liao, a strategic miscalculation that proved disastrous. Emperor Taizong personally directed these invasions, leading to one of the most humiliating episodes in Chinese history for the Song imperial court: the Jingkang Incident (靖康之變) of 1127. On 9 January 1127, the Jin forces successfully breached the defenses of Kaifeng (汴京), the highly fortified capital of the Northern Song. The city's fall led to the capture of the reigning Emperor Qinzong (宋欽宗) and his retired father, Emperor Huizong (宋徽宗), along with most of the imperial family, court officials, and countless artisans and treasures. They were all taken captive to the Jin heartland in Manchuria, never to return.

Establishment of Jin Rule Over Northern China

The fall of Kaifeng and the subsequent capture of the imperial family effectively marked the end of the Northern Song dynasty. Under Emperor Taizong's command, the Jin dynasty swiftly consolidated its control over most of northern China. This vast territory, stretching from the Yellow River to the Yangtze, was incorporated into the Jin empire, administered through a combination of direct rule and puppet regimes. The remnants of the Song court fled south, eventually establishing the Southern Song dynasty (南宋) in Hangzhou, thus dividing China into northern (Jin) and southern (Song) halves for over a century.

Emperor Taizong passed away on 9 February 1135, at the age of 59. Despite his relatively short reign of just over 11 years, his accomplishments were monumental. His successor, Emperor Xizong (金熙宗), honored him posthumously with the temple name Taizong (太宗), a designation typically reserved for emperors who have laid solid foundations for a dynasty or achieved significant expansion and consolidation, much like Emperor Taizong of Tang or Emperor Taizong of Song. His reign is remembered as the period when the Jurchen Jin dynasty ascended to become the dominant power in northern China, forever altering the geopolitical landscape of medieval East Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Taizong of Jin

Who was Emperor Taizong of Jin?
Emperor Taizong, born Wuqimai, was the second emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty, reigning from 1123 to 1135. He was the younger brother of the dynasty's founder, Emperor Taizu (Aguda).
What were his personal and sinicised names?
His personal name was Wuqimai (完顏吳乞買), and his sinicised name, adopted for broader appeal among Han Chinese subjects, was Wanyan Sheng (完顏晟).
What was the most significant achievement of Emperor Taizong's reign?
His most significant achievement was the complete conquest of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty in 1125, followed by the successful invasion of the Northern Song dynasty and the capture of its capital, Kaifeng, in 1127. These victories solidified the Jin dynasty's control over northern China.
What was the "Jingkang Incident"?
The Jingkang Incident refers to the infamous event in 1127 when Jin forces, under Emperor Taizong, captured the Northern Song capital of Kaifeng and took Emperors Huizong and Qinzong, along with the imperial family and a vast amount of wealth, captive to Manchuria. This event marked the end of the Northern Song dynasty.
How did Emperor Taizong affect the Song dynasty?
His aggressive campaigns led to the destruction of the Northern Song dynasty and the establishment of Jin rule over northern China. This forced the surviving Song court to relocate south and establish the Southern Song dynasty, creating a divided China for over a century.