Zhao Defang

In 976, Zhao Defang had his first official appointment as the Defense Commissioner of Guizhou, which was quickly followed by appointments of Prefect of Xingyuan (興元, today's Hanzhong), Military Commissioner of Shannanxi Circuit (山南西道, around today's Sichuan) and chancellor. In the winter of 978 he was named Grand Commandant of Inspection (檢校太尉). He died in 981 from an unnamed illness at the young age of 23. Emperor Taizong, his uncle, visited his coffin in tears and cancelled imperial court meetings for 5 days to commemorate him.

Parents

• Zhao Kuangyin, Taizu (太祖 趙匡胤; 21 March 927, 14 November 976)
• Empress Xiaohui, of the He clan (孝惠皇后 賀氏; 929-958)

Consorts and issue

• Princess Consort of Qin, of the Jiao clan (楚王妃 焦氏), daughter of Jiao Jixun (焦继勋)
  • Zhao Weixu, Prince of Gaoping (高平郡王 趙惟敘; 977-1011), first son
  • Zhao Weixian, Duke of Ying (英国公 趙惟憲; 979-1016), second son
• Lady Weiguo, of the Fu clan (卫国夫人 符氏), granddaughter of Fu Yanqing (符彥卿)
  • Zhao Weining, Duke of Nankang (南康郡公 趙惟能; 979, 1008), third son
• Lady of Qinguo, of the Wang clan (秦国夫人 王氏)
• Lady of Yingchuan, of the Li clan (颖川夫人 李氏)
• Unknown:
  • Princess Yongshou (永寿县主)
    • married Cui Congshi (崔从湜)

In popular stories, including the Generals of the Yang Family legends and Seven Heroes and Five Gallants, Zhao Defang is known as the "Eighth Prince" (八王爺) or "Eighth Virtuous Prince" (八賢王), but this character seems to be a "merger" between Zhao Defang and Zhao Defang's cousin Zhao Yuanyan.

The breakdown:

The "Eighth Virtuous Prince" in Seven Heroes and Five Gallants was clearly based on the historical Zhao Yuanyan, who

• was the only paternal uncle during Emperor Renzong's reign
• had conflicts with Empress Dowager Liu
• eventually revealed the secret about the Emperor Renzong's real birth mother (see Consort Li)