Emperor Zhezong of Song

Timeline

1. 1085–1093Kaifeng · Kaifeng PrefectureShenzong died in the eighth year of Yuanfeng; Zhao Xu acceded as crown prince with era name Yuanyou. Empress Dowager Gao ruled from behind the curtain, the old faction governed, and most new laws were repealed; Zhezong was too young to handle state affairs personally.
2. 1094–1100Kaifeng · Kaifeng PrefectureBegan personal rule in the first year of Shaosheng, changed the era name to Shaosheng, recalled new-faction figures like Zhang Dun, posthumously demoted Yuanyou ministers such as Sima Guang, restored some new laws, and dispatched generals to attack Western Xia. Continued administrative reforms during the Yuanfu era until his death at the Qianxing festival.