In the flow of thousands of years, the elegant civilization and rich history of the Northern Song Dynasty gradually showed clearly in people's field of vision. However, the true face of this period of history, especially the vivid images of the nine Northern Song emperors, has always been hidden in the pages of the history books. Today, we will unveil the veil of history and rediscover that long period through high-definition portrait restoration.
In 960 AD, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty began with a generous, wise, honest and decisive emperor, Zhao Kuangyin, the Taizu of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Kuangyin was born and died between 927 and 976 A.D., at the age of 50. His parents were his father, Zhao Hongyin, and his mother, Du. He reigned for 16 years and went down in history with the three era names of Jianlong, Qiande and Kaibao. The name is Emperor Xiao, the temple number is Taizu, and the mausoleum is located in Yongchang Mausoleum, Henan.
Zhao Kuangyin's character was generous, benevolent, wise, honest and decisive, which laid a solid foundation for the establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty. He was the founder of the Northern Song Dynasty and set a noble example for later rulers. However, it is worth mentioning that Zhao Kuangyin presents an image of excessive tanning in the restoration of high-definition portraits, highlighting the unique style of his era.
After Zhao Kuangyin, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty was succeeded by an emperor who was scheming and resolute, Zhao Guangyi, Taizong of the Song Dynasty. From 939 to 997 AD, Zhao Guangyi died at the age of 59. The parents are Zhao Hongyin and Du, and the concubines are Empress Yin, Empress Fu, etc. He reigned for 21 years, and the era names were Taiping Xingguo, Yongxi, Duangong, Chunhua, and Zhidao. The name is Emperor Wenwu, the temple number is Taizong, and the mausoleum is located in Yongxi Mausoleum, Henan.
Zhao Guangyi's character was scheming and self-serving, and he showed extraordinary decisiveness and leadership skills during his reign. However, in the high-definition portrait restoration, his image presents a majestic and resolute temperament, as if he can win the battlefield at any time.
After Zhao Guangyi, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty entered a period of cowardice, vanity, and indecision. Zhao Heng of Song Zhenzong, born and died from 968 to 1022 AD, at the age of 55. The parents are Taizong Zhao Guangyi and Li, and the concubines include Empress Pan, Empress Guo, Empress Liu, etc. He reigned for 25 years, and his era names were Xianping, Jingde, Dazhong Xiangfu, Tianxi, and Qianxing. The name is Emperor Yuanxiao, the temple number is Zhenzong, and the mausoleum is located in Yongding Mausoleum, Henan.
Zhao Heng's character is portrayed as cowardly, vain, indecisive, and a slightly decadent ruler in the Northern Song dynasty. However, in the high-definition portrait restoration, his image presents a deep and restrained temperament, which is in stark contrast to the cultural indulgence of his time.
After Song Zhenzong, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty ushered in an emperor who was old and respectful and adhered to filial piety, Zhao Zhen of Song Renzong. He was born and died between 1048 and 1085 A.D. at the age of 38. The parents are Zhenzong Zhao Heng and Gao, and the concubines are Empress Xiang, Empress Zhu, Empress Chen, etc. He reigned for 18 years, and his era names were Xining and Yuanfeng. The name is Emperor Shengxiao, the temple number is Shenzong, and the mausoleum is located in Yongyu Mausoleum, Henan.
Zhao Zhen's personality has been described as generous, benevolent, weak and docile, and his reign brought a relatively harmonious social environment to the Northern Song Dynasty. However, in the high-definition portrait restoration, his image shows a solemn and intelligent quality, which forms an interesting contrast with the cultural atmosphere of his time.
After Song Renzong, the history of the Northern Song Dynasty ushered in a daring, generous and humble emperor, Song Yingzong Zhao Shu. He was born and died between 1076 and 1100 A.D. at the age of 25. The parents are Shenzong Zhao Ji and ** Concubine, and the concubines include Empress Meng, Concubine Liu Xian, etc. He reigned for 15 years, and his era names were Yuan You, Shao Sheng, and Yuan Fu. The name is Emperor Zhaoxiao, the temple name is Zhezong, and the mausoleum is located in Yongtai Mausoleum, Henan.
Zhao Shu's personality is portrayed as benevolent, mild-mannered, witty and calm, and his reign promoted the political, cultural, and economic development of the Northern Song Dynasty. However, in the high-definition portrait restoration, his image presents a brave and decisive form, which makes people marvel at the style of the peak of the era.
The lives of these nine emperors of the Northern Song Dynasty have been interwoven into a colorful picture in the long river of history. Through the restoration of high-definition portraits, we can get a glimpse of the true faces of these emperors and feel the profound heritage of history. The Northern Song Dynasty was an era of civilization and peerless elegance, and these emperors were the shining stars of that era. Their glorious deeds and different personalities constitute a rich layer on the historical picture scroll of the Northern Song Dynasty, and also leave a deep imprint on the later eras. Let's get closer to this long history, feel the changes of that era, and taste the bits and pieces of splendor in the historical picture.