Du Shi (902–961), posthumously honored as Empress Dowager Zhaoxian, was a Song-dynasty empress dowager. A native of Anxi in Dingzhou (modern Ding County, Hebei), she married Zhao Hongyin after reaching marriageable age and became the mother of the Song emperors Taizu and Taizong.
Life and family
Her father was Du Shuang, and her mother was Fan Shi; her brothers were Du Shenqi (893–927) and Du Shenqiong (897–966). She and Zhao Hongyin had several children. Four sons were Zhao Kuangyin (927–976), Zhao Guangzan, Zhao Guangji, and Zhao Jiong (939–997); she also had two daughters identified as Zhao Shi, one of whom died in 973. Her wider kin included the nephew Du Yangui (928–986), the maternal nephew Liu Zhixin (943–1005), the clan grandsons Du Chang and Du Runeng, and the clansman Du Gongli.
After Taizu ascended the throne in 960, Du Shi was honored as empress dowager and often joined Taizu in deciding affairs of state. Her moral conduct was praised; Ouyang Xiu also composed a ritual prayer for her.
Succession tradition and controversy
According to a traditional account, when she was gravely ill in Jianlong 2 (961), Du Shi summoned Taizu and the chancellor Zhao Pu to receive her instructions, designating Taizong as the successor; Zhao Pu drafted an oath and placed it in a golden casket. A later historical analysis instead argues that the so-called golden-casket testament was fabricated by Taizong and Zhao Pu.
Posthumous titles
She died in Jianlong 2 (961) and was initially posthumously titled Mingxian. The date of the change to Zhaoxian is given variously as the Qiande period and the second year of Qiande.