User:HuangdiOfSongChina/Zhao Yurui

Zhao Yurui (1207 – 1287) was the younger brother of Emperor Lizong. He was the father of Emperor Duzong. He was a distant cousin of the childless Emperor Ningzong.

Life
At the time they were teenagers, Zhao Yurui and his brother Zhao Yuju were only minor officials at the time making the title of Emperor unlikely to them.

One rainy day in his early teens, along with his older brother Zhao Yuju, Yurui’s older brother Zhao Yuju stood huddling under a bridge along with an official, Yu Tianxi who was sent by Chancellor Shi Miyuan tasked to locate a suitable successor to the Song throne as the incumbent crown prince Zhao Xu has recently passed away at aged 29. After discovering the true identity of this teenager, Yu quickly informed Shi Miyuan who agreed to groom Zhao Yuju to be replaced as the crown prince.

When Zhao Yun became Emperor Lizong, he and his brother Zhao Yurui were very close and when Lizong became childless, he chose Yurui’s son Zhao Mengqi, the future Emperor Duzong as crown prince.

He was one of most highest ranked officials in the Song Dynasty since he was the father of Emperor Duzong. During the capture of Lin’an, he offered his properties to Kublai Khan and thus, he was spared.

He died peacefully in 1287.

Family

 * Parents:
 * Zhao Xilu (榮文恭王 趙希瓐), 7th great-grandson of Zhao Dezhao, the son of Zhao Kuangyin
 * Lady Quan (慈憲夫人 全氏)
 * Consorts and Issue:
 * 1) Lady Huang (齊夫人 黃氏), personal name Dingxi (定喜)
 * 2) Zhao Mengqi (度宗 趙孟啟; 2 May 1240 – 12 August 1274)
 * 3) Unknown
 * 4) Lady Zhao
 * 5) Lady Zhao
 * 6) Lady Zhao