Death of Jin's Zhangzong and Succession

Timeline

1. 1208Imperial palace of Zhongdu of Jin · North ChinaIn 1208 Zhangzong's long illness showed no sign of recovery, and court affairs were gradually delegated to attendants and ministers. Meanwhile, Song-Jin peace negotiations were underway, and the Jin court began quietly weighing succession candidates; with Zhangzong having no surviving sons, the succession question was especially thorny.
2. 1208Zhongdu of Jin · North ChinaJin's Zhangzong, Wanyan Jing, died of illness at Zhongdu aged forty. He had reigned over twenty years, implementing sinicization policies and bringing economic and cultural prosperity, but in his later years indulged in drink and women and left no heir, creating a power vacuum.
3. 1208Zhongdu of Jin · North ChinaZhangzong's edict passed the throne to his uncle, Wanyan Yongji, Prince Shao of Wei. After accession Yongji changed the era name to Da'an and continued peace relations with the Southern Song, but his incompetent governance and poor appointments marked the turning point from Jin's prosperity to decline.