Emperor Aizong of Jin

Reign: 1224 – 1234
Life: 1198–1234

He was considered an able emperor who made several reforms beneficial to the Jin dynasty, such as the removal of corrupt officials and the introduction of more lenient tax laws. He also ended the wars against the Southern Song dynasty, and canceled the Treaty of Shaoxing, free of obligation, instead focusing the Jin dynasty's military resources on resisting the Mongol invasion. Despite his efforts, the Jin dynasty, already weakened by the flawed policies of his predecessors, eventually fell to the Mongol Empire. He escaped to Caizhou when the Mongols besieged Bianjing, the Jin capital (coincidentally, the former Song capital), in 1232.

During Emperor Aizong of Jin's reign, James I of Aragon ruled Spain, Sancho II of Portugal ruled Portugal, and Kujō Yoritsune ruled Japan (Shogunate).

Want to learn more? Further reading

China: A History by John Keay

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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