Zhao Ding

Timeline

1. 1085–1127Wenxi, Xiezhou (present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi) · ShanxiBorn in Wenxi, Xiezhou, he passed the jinshi examination in the fifth Chongning year (1106) and successively held posts including magistrate of Luoyang, judge of the Fengguo Military Circuit, and Junior Minister of Agriculture, becoming known at the Northern Song court for his bold remonstrance.
2. 1127–1133Lin'an (Hangzhou) · ZhejiangAfter the founding of the Southern Song, Zhao Ding successively served as compiler of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Censor-in-Chief, and Vice Chancellor, actively assisting Gaozong in stabilizing the political situation, firmly advocating holding Jiangnan, and opposing easy compromise. In the early Shaoxing years he repeatedly planned strategies for resisting the Jin and enjoyed great prestige.
3. 1133–1140Lin'an (Hangzhou) · ZhejiangAppointed chancellor for the first time in the third Shaoxing year (1133), he directed Southern Song governance, recommended Zhang Jun and others, and reformed military administration. He resigned over disagreements with Zhang Jun, and was appointed chancellor a second time in the eighth Shaoxing year (1138). After his second appointment he firmly opposed the peace line led by Qin Hui and was marginalized by him.
4. 1140–1147Jiyang Commandery (present-day Sanya, Hainan) · HainanDismissed from the chancellorship by Qin Hui in the ninth Shaoxing year (1139), he was successively demoted to Xinghua Commandery, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou and elsewhere, and finally exiled to the southernmost Jiyang Commandery (present-day Sanya, Hainan). Knowing he would surely die, he inscribed on his door lintel 'Riding the Ji and Wei stars I return to heaven; my spirit joins mountains and rivers to strengthen this dynasty', and starved to death in the seventeenth Shaoxing year (1147) at the age of sixty-three, later posthumously named 'Zhongjian'.