He reigned from 1085 until his death in 1100, and was succeeded by his younger half-brother, Emperor Huizong, because his son died prematurely.

[citation needed] This split would eventually contribute to the Northern Song dynasty's demise in the 12th century.

[1] As regent, Empress Dowager Gao appointed conservatives such as Sima Guang as Chancellor, who halted the New Policies set forth by Wang Anshi before dying in 1086.

[1] Cheng Yi, a founder of Neo-confucianism and one of Zhezong's tutors, proposed that Li (principle) was an innate property that could provide moral guidance.

[5] Zhang Dun systematically purged the conservatives and silenced dissent while maintaining a relatively pragmatic revival of the New Policies.

[9] The coolness of the weather improved Zhezong's health; making him well enough to attend the celebration of his son Zhao Mao on August 8.

Zhezong, now in a bad mood due to his son's illness told his councillors that the royal doctors were treating Zhao Mao.

[citation needed] Huizong's mother, Empress Xiang, led a conservative restoration in court.