宋神宗

He gave Wang Anshi a free hand: state loans to farmers, hired labour instead of corvée, a state trade bureau, a new militia, reformed examinations. The New Policies raised revenue and made permanent enemies, and the factional war between reformers and conservatives outlasted the dynasty's northern half.

The military side went badly — a costly failure against the Western Xia — and he died at thirty-six.

Empress Xiang, his wife, was childless and later decided a disputed succession in favor of the prince who became Huizong.