Emperor Duzong

Emperor Duzong of Song, personal name Zhao Qi, was the fifteenth emperor of the Song dynasty of China and the sixth emperor of the Southern Song. He was a nephew of Emperor Lizong, who had no son and adopted him, named him crown prince in 1260, and was succeeded by him in 1264. His reign was marked by rebellion, warfare and corruption at court. He left state and military affairs to his chancellor Jia Sidao, whom he honored as his teacher, and he indulged in drinking and luxury. When the Mongols of the Yuan advanced, he judged the besieged city of Xiangyang lost and sent no reinforcements, and it fell in 1274. He was the last Song emperor to issue coins. Accounts differ on how he died in 1274: some blame overindulgence in wine, others a fatal error by a palace doctor. He left three young sons, one of whom took the throne as Emperor Gong.