Zhao Fang

Timeline

1. c. 1190–1210Tanzhou · TanzhouZhao Fang served early in his career in the Jing-Hu region, holding posts such as prefect of Tanzhou, and was known for strict military discipline and good care of his soldiers, laying the foundation for his later defense of Xiangfan.
2. 1211–1216Xiangyang Prefecture · Xiangyang PrefectureAs the Mongols attacked Jin and invaded southward, Zhao Fang defended Xiangfan. In the eighth year of Jiading (1215), Mongol forces besieged Zaoyang and attacked Xiangyang; Zhao Fang dispatched generals to their relief, crushing the Mongols and beheading thousands, one of the first major blows Southern Song dealt the Mongol main force, shaking north and south.
3. 1217–1220De'an Prefecture · Jingxi South CircuitIn the tenth year of Jiading (1217), Jin general Wanyan Saibu invaded southward; Zhao Fang sent commander Wang Hong and others to meet him, crushing the Jin army at De'an Prefecture with many captured and killed. Thereafter Zhao Fang directed military affairs across both Jing-Hu circuits, coordinating defense with generals such as Meng Gong, becoming the Southern Song's most relied-upon commander on the northern frontier during Jiading.
4. 1220–1221Xiangyang Prefecture · Xiangyang PrefectureZhao Fang's achievements overawed the throne; Shi Miyuan repeatedly grew suspicious and stripped him of military authority. Zhao Fang fell ill from resentment and died in office at Xiangyang in the fourteenth year of Jiading (1221). The court posthumously granted him the title Hanlin Academician of the Longtu Pavilion; later generations rank him with Meng Gong among Southern Song's famous generals for his defense of Xiangfan.