in China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally
in 986, and finally Zhao Heng in 995. He was the third son of his predecessor,
At the end of his reign, he was ill but retained the power to rule. Thus, rule was often in the hands of his third wife, Empress Liu.
Reign
Emperor Zhenzong's reign was noted for the consolidation of power and the strengthening of the Song Empire. The empire prospered, and its military might was further reinforced. However, it would also mark the beginning of a foreign policy towards the Khitan-led Liao dynasty in the north that would ultimately result in humiliation.
In 1004, the Khitans waged war against the Song Empire. Emperor Zhenzong, leading his army, struck back at the Khitans. Despite initial successes, in 1005, Emperor Zhenzong concluded the Chanyuan Treaty. The treaty resulted in over a century of peace, but at the price of the Song Empire agreeing to an inferior position to the Liao Empire, and also agreeing to pay an annual tribute of 100,000 ounces of silver and over 200,000 bolts of silk. The admission of inferiority would come to plague the foreign affairs of the Song Empire, while the payments slowly depleted the empire's coffers.
He was responsible for ordering the shipment of 30,000 bushels of quick-maturing rice seed from the Fujian Province to the lower Yangtze basin in 1011–1012, improving agriculture.
Emperor Zhenzong stressed the importance of Taoism at his imperial court. It was during his reign that the so-called Heavenly Texts, which glorified the Zhao family, were allegedly discovered. This was followed up by imperial sacrificial ceremonies carried out at Mount Tai. From 1013 to 1015, the emperor issued official decrees deifying the Jade Emperor as the highest ruler of Heaven.
Champa rice was introduced to China from Champa during Emperor Zhenzong's reign.
In 1020, Emperor Zhenzong became affected by an illness which was to cause his death two years later and unable to handle the affairs of state. By this time, Zhenzong』s wife Empress Liu was already established as power behind the throne and handled the affairs of state. She continued to act unofficially as regent of China for the two remaining years of Zhenzong』s life.
Zhenzong died in 1022 of the foresaid illness. He was succeeded by his 6th son, Zhao Zhen who took the throne as Emperor Renzong, but all actual power still would be in the still hands of Empress Liu, who became empress dowager.
Archaeology
A number of Chinese artifacts dating from the Tang dynasty and Song dynasty, some of which had been owned by Emperor Zhenzong were excavated and then came into the hands of the Kuomintang general Ma Hongkui, who refused to publicise the findings. Among the artifacts were a white marble tablet from the Tang dynasty, gold nails, and bands made out of metal. It was not until after Ma died, that his wife went to Taiwan in 1971 from the United States to bring the artifacts to Chiang Kai-shek, who turned them over to the National Palace Museum.
Family
Consorts and Issue:
• Empress Zhanghuai, of the Pan clan (章怀皇后 潘氏; 968–989)
• Empress Zhangmu, of the Guo clan (章穆皇后 郭氏; 975–1007)
• Zhao You, Crown Prince Daoxian (悼献皇太子 赵佑; 995–1003), second son
• Unnamed son
• Unnamed son
• Empress Zhangxian, of the Liu clan (章献皇后 刘氏; 968–1033), personal name E (娥)
• Empress Zhangyi, of the Li clan (章懿皇后 李氏; 987–1032)
• Zhao Zhen, Renzong (仁宗 赵祯; 1010–1063), sixth son
• Princess Jingyi (静一帝姬), first daughter
• Empress Zhanghui, of the Yang clan (章惠皇后 杨氏; 984–1036)
• Guifei, of the Shen clan (昭静贵妃 沈氏; 994–1076)
• Guifei, of the Du clan (贵妃 杜氏; d. 1046), personal name Qiongzhen (琼真)
• Princess Zhaohuai (昭怀帝姬; d. 1047), personal name Zhichong (志冲), second daughter
• Unknown
• Zhao Ti, Prince Wen (温王 赵禔), first son
• Zhao Zhi, Prince Chang (昌王 赵只), third son
• Zhao Zhi, Prince Xin (信王 赵祉), fourth son
• Zhao Qi, Prince Qin (钦王 赵祈), fifth son
Ancestry
宋真宗赵恒（968年12月23日 - 1022年），原名赵德昌，又曾名赵元休、赵元侃，北宋的第三位皇帝。他是宋太宗的第三个儿子，登基前曾被封为韩王、襄王和寿王，淳化五年（994年）九月，加检校太傅行开封府尹，至道三年（997年）四月登基后离任，以太子身份继位，在位25年。宋真宗是著名谚语「书中自有黄金屋，书中自有颜如玉」的作者。