Han Tuozhou


Han Tuozhou was a Chinese statesman of the Southern Song dynasty, chancellor to Emperor Ningzong.
He was responsible for Southern Song efforts to recover territories lost in northern China to the Jurchen Jin dynasty in their 1142 peace settlement that ended the Jin–Song war. In his efforts to begin a military build-up, he had Yue Fei posthumously promoted and Qin Hui demoted. These efforts were unsuccessful, and the ensuing war was devastating to southern China, resulting in further territorial losses and terrible inflation. In consequence, Han was executed by the Song regime, and his head offered to the Jurchens as a peace offering.
Han Tuozhou is also famous for his opposition to daoxue which was banned on his order during the years 1195–99. His antagonizing policies were reversed by his successor in office, Shi Miyuan.
Han was assassinated by bludgeoning in 1207, on his way to the imperial palace. This was an exceptional affair in the generally tolerant political atmosphere of the Song. Yuan dynasty historiographers assigned the blame of assassination on Shi Miyuan. However, such judgement is questioned. More plausibly, his extermination was ordered by Empress Yang who succeeded the deceased niece of Han Tuozhou, Empress Han
Han's and Su Shidan's bodies were exhumed and presented to Jin as compensation for the Song's aggression, in the negotiation process carried out by Wang Nan and Xu Yi. This measure was probably undertaken as compensation for the humiliation of Jin confederate Wu Xi, whose body was hung on displays in Xingzhou and Lin'an. On some accounts, Jin provided Han with honorary burial, recognizing him as a loyal official.