Mobilizing Supporters for the Song Restoration: Narratives and Allusions in the “Empress Dowager's Letter to Be Promulgated across the Realm”

Abstract

How could potential supporters be mobilized to restore the defunct Song dynasty in 1127? This paper sheds light on this question through a comprehensive analysis of a letter composed by Wang Zao on behalf of the Song empress dowager calling for extensive support for a surviving Song prince, Prince Kang, the later Emperor Gaozong, after the Jurchens' conquering of the Song. Instead of marginalizing former Song subjects who served the puppet Chu regime and denouncing them as traitors, Wang portrayed their treasonous deeds as an expedience driven by their loyalty to the Song - rhetoric designed to solicit their support for Prince Kang. Moreover, to reinforce his legitimacy as heir to the Song throne by heavenly mandate, Wang described how Liu Xiu and Chong'er had previously restored the glory of the Han dynasty and the Jin state of the Spring and Autumn Period, respectively. It was envisioned that those who read or heard these well-known stories would have more faith in Prince Kang and support his endeavors to rebuild the Song empire.