Emperor Shenzong of Song

Emperor Shenzong was the sixth emperor of China. His personal name was Zhao Xu. He reigned from 1067 to 1085.

The periods within his reign are Xining 1068-1077 and
Yuanfeng 1078-1085.

During his reign, Shenzong noticed Wang Anshi's policy and appointed Wang as Chancellor. Wang implemented his famous reforms aimed at improving the lot of the and unemployed, which some have seen as a forerunner of the modern welfare state. These acts became the hallmark reform of Shenzong's reign.

Shenzong's other notable act as emperor included his attempts to rid the Song empire of the by invading and expelling the Xixia forces in Qingzhou . Shenzong was initially quite successful at these campaigns but during the City of Yongle battle of 1082, Shenzong's forces were defeated. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.

In 1080 he renamed Puji Temple on the island of Putuoshan in Zhejiang province from 不肯去观音院 to 宝陀观音寺, and donated lands to support it.

Shenzong died in 1085 and was succeeded by his son. He was 36. His temple name means "Divine Ancestor".