Gazing North in the Xianchun Era

Xian means all; chun means pure and unspoiled. Xianchun was the Southern Song dynasty’s final era name, and its last hope. In the winter of 1264, the fifth year of the Jingding era, Mongol armies pressed against the border, while the powerful chancellor Jia Sidao held the court in his grip. After the late emperor died, his nephew Zhao Qi awoke on a rainy night in Funing Hall. He was the “fool” known throughout the court, and the new ruler of the Song dynasty. He knew he would not be emperor for long. Four years later, Xiangyang would be besieged. Twelve years later, Lin’an would surrender. The three-hundred-year legacy of the Zhao Song dynasty was about to vanish in flames. The one thing he had that no one else did was the knowledge that it would all happen. I will look north!!!