Zhao Xiong (1129–1193), courtesy name Wenshu, was a native of Zizhou (modern Zizhong, Sichuan Province) and one of the most prominent Grand Councilors during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong in the Southern Song dynasty. After placing first in the special Sichuan provincial examination in 1163, he caught the attention of the famous statesman Yu Yunwen. In 1169, Emperor Xiaozong granted him an extraordinary audience and…
1129 CE–1193 CESouthern Song
PROFILE
Zhao Xiong (1129–1193), courtesy name Wenshu, was a native of Zizhou (modern Zizhong, Sichuan Province) and one of the most prominent Grand Councilors during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong in the Southern Song dynasty. After placing first in the special Sichuan provincial examination in 1163, he caught the attention of the famous statesman Yu Yunwen. In 1169, Emperor Xiaozong granted him an extraordinary audience and immediately appointed him Rectifier of Characters in the Palace Library. A resolute proponent of recovering northern territories from the Jurchen Jin, Zhao twice served as imperial ambassador to Jin; his uncompromising demeanor deeply impressed the Jurchens, who respectfully dubbed him "Dragon Fighter". In 1178, Zhao was appointed Right Grand Councilor and Commissioner of Military Affairs, becoming one of Emperor Xiaozong's longest-serving sole Grand Councilors. Following factional friction in 1181, he was reassigned to govern Sichuan and Jiangling. Under Emperor Guangzong, he was created Duke of Wei. He passed away in 1193 at the age of sixty-five and was posthumously honored with the name Wending.
Era
Southern Song
Dynasty
Southern Song
Identity
Historical figure
Date of Birth
1129
Date of Death
1193 CE（4th year of the Shaoxi era, Song）
Ethnicity
Han
Ancestral Home
Zizhou (modern Zizhong County, Sichuan Province)
Place of Birth
Neijiang of Zizhou (present-day Zizhong, Sichuan)
Place of Death
Place of death unknown
Lifespan
1129–1193
Highest Office
Right Grand Councilor, Commissioner of Military Affairs, Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan
Peerage
Duke of Wei
LIFE TIMELINE
Born in Zizhou ｜ Devoted to classical studies and statecraft from youtOpen
Born in Zizhou ｜ Devoted to classical studies and statecraft from youth
Placed first in the provincial examinations ｜ Appointed AdministrativeOpen
Placed first in the provincial examinations ｜ Appointed Administrative Assistant in the Sichuan Pacification Commission
Received by Emperor Xiaozong in a special imperial audience ｜ AppointeOpen
Received by Emperor Xiaozong in a special imperial audience ｜ Appointed Rectifier of Characters in the Palace Library
Received the Jin ambassador Yelu Yi ｜ Displayed acute diplomatic insigOpen
Received the Jin ambassador Yelu Yi ｜ Displayed acute diplomatic insight, winning imperial favor
Dispatched as imperial envoy to the Jin court ｜ Maintained imperial prOpen
Dispatched as imperial envoy to the Jin court ｜ Maintained imperial prestige; called 'Dragon Fighter' by the Jurchens
Promoted to Censor-in-Chief ｜ Rigorously inspected imperial bureaucracOpen
Promoted to Censor-in-Chief ｜ Rigorously inspected imperial bureaucracy and admonished the court
Made Academician of Duanming Hall and Signatory Official ｜ ParticipateOpen
Made Academician of Duanming Hall and Signatory Official ｜ Participated in central military and political governance
Elevated to Right Grand Councilor and Military Commissioner ｜ Acted asOpen
Elevated to Right Grand Councilor and Military Commissioner ｜ Acted as sole Grand Councilor, leading the central administration
In 1170 ｜ In 1170, when receiving Jin envoy Yelu Yi, Zhao probed enemyOpen
In 1170 ｜ In 1170, when receiving Jin envoy Yelu Yi, Zhao probed enemy intentions with precision.
Dismissed from councilorship and appointed Sichuan Commissioner ｜ FortOpen
Dismissed from councilorship and appointed Sichuan Commissioner ｜ Fortified western frontier defenses and stabilized regional grain supply
Enfeoffed as Duke of Wei ｜ Stationed in Jingnan as Regional Military POpen
Enfeoffed as Duke of Wei ｜ Stationed in Jingnan as Regional Military Pacification Commissioner
Passed away while in official service ｜ Died at sixty-five; deeply mouOpen
Passed away while in official service ｜ Died at sixty-five; deeply mourned by the court
Bestowed posthumous title Wending ｜ Celebrated in Song official historOpen
Bestowed posthumous title Wending ｜ Celebrated in Song official histories as an upright counselor
Aged forty-seven ｜ He was summoned to be Vice Minister of Rites.Open
Aged forty-seven ｜ He was summoned to be Vice Minister of Rites.
Vice commissioner of military affairs ｜ He took part in the direction Open
Vice commissioner of military affairs ｜ He took part in the direction of central military affairs.
Aged forty-eight #2 ｜ He was transferred to be Minister of Rites and aOpen
Aged forty-eight #2 ｜ He was transferred to be Minister of Rites and appointed a Hanlin academician of the Duanming Hall and vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs; in the eleventh month he was made associate commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
By 1178 ｜ By 1178, he was appointed Right Grand Councilor and CommissiOpen
By 1178 ｜ By 1178, he was appointed Right Grand Councilor and Commissioner of Military Affairs.
By 1178 ｜ By 1178, he was appointed Right Grand Councilor and CommissiOpen
By 1178 ｜ By 1178, he was appointed Right Grand Councilor and Commissioner of Military Affairs.
In 1181 ｜ In 1181, Zhao stepped down from the premiership and was sentOpen
In 1181 ｜ In 1181, Zhao stepped down from the premiership and was sent back to govern Sichuan as Pacification Commissioner, where he spent several years easing agrarian burdens, replenishing granaries, and training local garrisons.
In 1181 ｜ In 1181, Zhao stepped down from the premiership and was sentOpen
In 1181 ｜ In 1181, Zhao stepped down from the premiership and was sent back to govern Sichuan as Pacification Commissioner, where he spent several years easing agrarian burdens, replenishing granaries, and training local garrisons.
Aged fifty-four ｜ He was transferred to be prefect of Jiangling and meOpen
Aged fifty-four ｜ He was transferred to be prefect of Jiangling and memorialised for the building of the Jiangling city wall.
Aged fifty-eight ｜ The Jiangling city wall was completed.Open
Aged fifty-eight ｜ The Jiangling city wall was completed.
### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in Open
### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in 1189 ｜ ### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in 1189, Zhao's lifelong service was recognized with the aristocratic title Duke of Wei, and he was entrusted with the crucial strategic prefecture of Jiangling in Hubei.
### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in Open
### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in 1189 ｜ ### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in 1189, Zhao's lifelong service was recognized with the aristocratic title Duke of Wei, and he was entrusted with the crucial strategic prefecture of Jiangling in Hubei.
Aged sixty-two ｜ Because of illness he was transferred to be prefect oOpen
Aged sixty-two ｜ Because of illness he was transferred to be prefect of Zizhou and then served as prefect of Tongchuan and Longxing; because men he had recommended took bribes he was demoted to Duke of Yichuan Commandery.
In the winter of 1193 ｜ In the winter of 1193, Zhao died in office at Open
In the winter of 1193 ｜ In the winter of 1193, Zhao died in office at the age of sixty-five.
In the winter of 1193 ｜ In the winter of 1193, Zhao died in office at Open
In the winter of 1193 ｜ In the winter of 1193, Zhao died in office at the age of sixty-five.
In 1209 ｜ In 1209, Emperor Ningzong conferred upon him the posthumous Open
In 1209 ｜ In 1209, Emperor Ningzong conferred upon him the posthumous title Wending.
In 1209 ｜ In 1209, Emperor Ningzong conferred upon him the posthumous Open
In 1209 ｜ In 1209, Emperor Ningzong conferred upon him the posthumous title Wending.
BIOGRAPHY
Biography
Early Life and Emergence in Sichuan
Zhao Xiong was born in Zizhou, an inland commercial and cultural hub in Sichuan. Growing up amidst the geopolitical shocks of the Jurchen invasions and the establishment of the Southern Song court in Hangzhou, Zhao applied himself diligently to statecraft, history, and military affairs. In 1163, during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, he took the provincial examination (Leishengshi) in Sichuan, taking the first place. His talent was immediately recognized by the Grand Councilor Yu Yunwen, who recommended him for administrative responsibilities in the western military circuit. ### Audience with Emperor Xiaozong and Diplomatic Renown In 1169, Emperor Xiaozong summoned Zhao Xiong to Hangzhou for an imperial audience. Zhao presented a comprehensive strategic memorial on restoring Song rule to the Central Plains, which resonated deeply with the ambitious emperor. Xiaozong immediately appointed him to the Palace Library. In 1170, when receiving Jin envoy Yelu Yi, Zhao probed enemy intentions with precision. The following year, Zhao served as ambassador to the Jin capital of Zhongdu. Facing intimidation and aggressive diplomatic rhetoric from Jurchen courtiers, Zhao stood firm, eloquently countering every claim and upholding the dignity of the Song sovereign. The Jurchen ministers, stunned by his composure and imposing stature, remarked that conversing with him was like "fighting a dragon" (Longdou). ### Grand Councilorship and Governance Upon his return, Zhao rose rapidly through the bureaucratic hierarchy. By 1178, he was appointed Right Grand Councilor and Commissioner of Military Affairs. During his tenure as sole Grand Councilor, Zhao pursued financial retrenchment, merit-based civil service examinations, and rigorous border security. However, his strong support for officials originating from Sichuan eventually aroused suspicions of regional factionalism among court rivals. In 1181, Zhao stepped down from the premiership and was sent back to govern Sichuan as Pacification Commissioner, where he spent several years easing agrarian burdens, replenishing granaries, and training local garrisons. ### Later Years and Legacy With the ascension of Emperor Guangzong in 1189, Zhao's lifelong service was recognized with the aristocratic title Duke of Wei, and he was entrusted with the crucial strategic prefecture of Jiangling in Hubei. Despite advancing years and declining health, Zhao maintained rigorous vigilance over defensive posts along the middle Yangtze. In the winter of 1193, Zhao died in office at the age of sixty-five. In 1209, Emperor Ningzong conferred upon him the posthumous title Wending.
Major Activities
Diplomatic Triumph as 'Dragon Fighter'
During his diplomatic missions to the Jin Empire in the Qiandao era, Zhao Xiong resolutely rebuffed Jurchen pressure regarding tributary protocols. His unwavering defense of Song sovereignty earned him high respect even from the northern regime. ### Stewardship of Sichuan Borderlands As Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan, Zhao Xiong effectively counteracted corruption in local tea and horse monopolies, repaired mountain fortifications, and ensured that the southwest remained a bastion of military strength for the dynasty.
Personal Relations
Sovereign: Emperor Xiaozong of Song (patron who elevated him from local scholar to Grand Councilor)
Mentor: Yu Yunwen (celebrated statesman who recognized and sponsored Zhao Xiong)
Successor Sovereign: Emperor Guangzong of Song (enfeoffed him as Duke of Wei)
Historical Assessment
History of Song (Song Shi): "Zhao Xiong was tall and imposing, possessed profound foresight, and dared to speak without fear. When sent as envoy to the north, the Jurchens held him in awe."
Emperor Xiaozong: "Zhao Xiong's loyalty and fortitude are evident; he is a pillar of our restoration."
Zhu Xi: Praised Zhao Xiong's personal integrity and scholarly dedication while critiquing the bureaucratic constraints of the Chunxi council.