Despite his mother's attempt to induce an abortion (thinking herself of low social status),[1][2][3] Duzong was born in 1224 and would later be named heir to the Song dynasty throne.

The drugs his mother took as a method of attempted abortion affected him in many ways, impacting his intelligence, speech (allegedly he could not speak until 7 years of age), and his hands and feet were poorly developed and awkward to use.

[citation needed] The Mongols had spent decades harassing the Song Empire's borders and were on the verge of conquering the whole of China.

The decisive Battle of Xiangyang was fought in 1274 when the Mongols succeeded in capturing and destroying the last Song stronghold.

The loss of Xiangyang sealed the fate of the Song dynasty and the news of its capture was deliberately hidden from Emperor Duzong by Jia Sidao.

But Historian Richard L. Davis and other sources claim that Duzong died suddenly from a severe negligence of a Palace Doctor.

His reign ended with Chancellor Jia Sidao's execution, but the collapse of the Song dynasty was inevitable as the Mongols drew closer.