Zhao Tingmei (947–984) was a member of the early Song imperial house and a court official. His courtesy name was Wenhua and his original name Zhao Guangmei; he was a younger half-brother of Song Taizu and Taizong and was from Kaifeng.
Life
In the first year of the Jianlong era (960), Zhao Tingmei was appointed defense commissioner of Jiazhou; the following year he became governor of Xingyuan and military governor of the Shannan West Circuit. In the second year of the Qiande era (964), he received the concurrent title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi; in the sixth year of the Kaibao era (973), he was appointed Jingzhao Yin and military governor of Yongxing Army. After Taizong's accession, he was given the additional title of Zhongshu Ling, made Kaifeng Yin, and created Prince of Qi; he joined the campaign against Taiyuan, was advanced to Prince of Qin, and remained in the capital while Taizong campaigned against Liao.
His wider list of offices also includes a prefectural legal assistant, a commandery governor, and a commandery prince; associated titles include King of Wei, King of Qin, and King of Fu. He is classified as a military officer, with an entry for transfer among military personnel. In the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era (982), an accusation was made that he was planning a conspiracy; he was removed as Kaifeng Yin and appointed Western Capital Retainer. Zhao Pu brought to the emperor's attention the matter of communications between Lu Duoxun and Tingmei, angering the emperor; Tingmei was demoted to Duke of Fuling County and placed at Fangzhou. In the first year of the Yongxi era (984), after reaching Fangzhou, he fell ill from anxiety and died at the age of thirty-eight; he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Fu and given the posthumous name Dao, and was also known as Qin Daowang.
Family
His grandfather was Zhao Jing and his father Zhao Hongyin; his mothers were Du and Geng. His wife was Zhang, and he had ten sons: the eldest, Zhao Degong; the second, Zhao Delong; the third, Zhao Deyi; the fourth, Zhao Deyong; and the fifth, Zhao Dejun. The remaining five were Zhao Deqin, Zhao Derun, Zhao Dewen, Zhao Deyuan, and Zhao Decun; his daughter Zhao married Cao Xu, and Han Chongye and He Changling are also listed as sons-in-law.
References
- CBDB Zhao Tingmei (3211)
- 搜韵 趙廷美 (21930)
- Wikidata Zhao Tingmei (Q15913401)