Zong Ze

Held Kaifeng and won over the volunteer armies; on his deathbed he cried "Cross the river!" three times.

Life

Veteran general takes up arms

Zong Ze earned the jinshi degree and served many years in local posts, known for his integrity. At the time of the Jingkang Incident, though nearly 70, he organized volunteer armies to resist the Jin and won battle after battle.

Regent of Dongjing

When the Southern Song was founded in 1127, he became Regent of Dongjing. In the ruined city of Kaifeng he repaired the walls and moats and won over the volunteer armies of Hebei and the forces of Wang Shan, Yang Jin and others, numbering about a million, so that the Jin army dared not attack. He discovered and promoted Yue Fei.

Thrice cried "Cross the river!"

He submitted more than 20 memorials asking Emperor Gaozong of Song to return to Kaifeng and lead a Northern Expedition, but received no reply. In 1128, sick with grief and indignation, he died crying "Cross the river!" three times.

Legacy

Zong Ze held Kaifeng in his old age and united the anti-Jin forces of the north, and his death greatly diminished the hope of recovering the Central Plains.

Major works & achievements

• Held Kaifeng and rallied the volunteer armies of Hebei
• Discovered and promoted Yue Fei

Did you know? As a young man Yue Fei committed a crime punishable by death; it was Zong Ze who pardoned him and gave him an important post.

Key dates

• 1091Passed the jinshi exam
• 1126Organized volunteer armies to resist the Jin
• 1127Became Regent of Dongjing
• 1128Thrice cried "Cross the river!" on his deathbed