Zhao Defang

Background

He was the fourth son of Emperor Taizu and the younger brother of Zhao Dezhao.

Career

His great-great-great-great-grandson was Emperor Xiaozong of Song. In 976, Zhao Defang had his first official appointment as the Defense Commissioner of Guizhou, which was quickly followed by appointments of Prefect of Xingyuan (興元, today"s Hanzhong), Military Commissioner of Shannanxi Circuit (山南西道, around today"s Sichuan) and chancellor. In the winter of 978 he was named Grand Commandant of Inspection (檢校太尉).

He died in 981 from an unnamed illness at the young age of 23.

The breakdown:

The "Eighth Virtuous Prince" in Seven Heroes and Five Gallants was clearly based on the historical Zhao Yuanyan, who

was the only paternal uncle during Emperor Renzong"s reign

had conflicts with Empress Dowager Liu

eventually revealed the secret about the Emperor Renzong"s real birth mother (see Consort Li).

Connections

Cousin:

Zhao Yuanyan