Emperor Zhangzong of Jin

Emperor Zhangzong of Jin (31 August 1168 – 29 December 1208), personal name Madage, sinicized name Wanyan Jing, was the sixth emperor of the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty of China. He reigned from 20 January 1189 to 29 December 1208.

During his rule, he is credited for ordering the construction of the beautiful Taiye Lake, an artificial lake in Beijing, that remains to this day. He also established many Confucian temples throughout Northeast China and was tolerant of both Han and Jurchen cultures and customs. However, the Jin dynasty began to decline as he started neglecting governmental affairs and showing favoritism to one of his concubines Li Shi'er and her family members in political office. The Tatar confederation who once allied with the Jin dynasty rebelled and joined the rising Mongol Empire. The Southern Song chancellor Han Tuozhou tried to take advantage of Madage's incompetency by launching an attack on the Jin. However the Jin dynasty defeated the Southern Song, and the Southern Song was forced to pay restitution and execute Han Tuozhou for the Jin.

One of Emperor Zhangzong's concubines was Li Shi'er (李師兒). Zhangzong once romanced Concubine Li on Qiong Island (瓊島), where Concubine Li said that the emperor was like the sun (日), while she was the moon (月). Together, they make the character for "bright" (明). Emperor Zhangzong in his later years began to spoil Concubine Li and gave her family members positions in the government, while ignoring his duties as the emperor. As such, the Jin Empire began to decline during his reign.

In 1196, the Tatar confederation who were originally part of the Jin dynasty revolted and allied with the Mongols. Seeing that the Jin dynasty was declining, the Southern Song chancellor Han Tuozhou sought to capitalize on the opportunity to launch an attack on the Jin. Han Tuozhou ultimately failed and was executed.

Failed Song invasion of the Jin

When, in 1206, the troops of the Southern Song chancellor Han Tuozhou invaded the Jin dynasty, trying to reunify China from the south, Emperor Zhangzong's armies defeated the invaders.

The Song advance was impeded by Jin military successes and declining soldier morale that forced many to desert. By the fall of 1206, multiple towns and military bases had been captured by the Jurchens. Neither side was willing to continue fighting, and a peace treaty was signed on November 2, 1208. Without any heirs, he was succeeded by his uncle Wanyan Yongji instead. After Yongji ascended the throne, Genghis Khan knew that Wanyan Yongji was incompetent, so he immediately sent his army south to invade the Jin Dynasty in the following year.

Jin Zhangzong's posthumous title was Xiantian Guangyun Renwen Yiwu Shensheng Yingxiao Emperor (憲天光運仁文義武神聖英孝皇帝). He was buried in Daoling (道陵).

Family Parents Father: Hutuwa (胡土瓦), sinicized name Wanyan Yungong (完顏允恭), Emperor Shizong's second son and heir apparent, posthumously honored as Emperor Xianzong (金顯宗) Mother: Lady Tudan (徒單氏), posthumously honored as Empress Xiaoyi (孝懿皇后) Consort and issue(s): Empress Qinhuai, of the Pucha clan (欽懷皇后 蒲察氏; d.1189) Wanyan Hongyu, Prince of Jiang (絳王 完顏洪裕, 1186 — 25 October 1188), 1st son First Consort, of the Li clan (元妃 李氏, d. 1209), personal name Shi'er (師兒) Wanyan Telin, Prince of Ge (葛王 完颜忒邻, 1202 – 1203 ), 6th son Zhaoyi, of the Jiagu clan (昭儀 夾谷氏), Jiagu Qingchen's (夾谷清臣) daughter Furen Ziming, of the Lin clan (資明夫人 林氏) Wanyan Hongjing, Prince of Jing (荊王 完顏洪靖, 1192 – 1193), 2nd son Chengyu, of the Jia (承御賈氏) misscariage (1208) Chengyu, of the Fan clan (承御范氏) Princess of Shun (順國公主), 3rd daughter Unknown: Wanyan Hongxi, Prince of Rong (榮王 完顏洪熙, 1192 – 1193), 3rd son Wanyan Hongyan, Prince of Ying (英王 完顏洪衍, 1193 – 1193), 4th son Wanyan Honghui, Prince of Shou (壽王 完顏洪輝, 3 June 1197 – 28 November 1197), 5th son