Zhao Guangyi (939 - 997), Emperor Taizong of Song, was the younger brother of Emperor Taizu of Song - Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Guangyi reigned during 976 to 997.

When Emperor Taizong of Song ascended the throne, he was determined to capture Youyun area and launch a war against the Northern Han as well as the Liao Dynasty. In terms of domestic affairs, he strengthened despotism and centralism, attached greater importance to imperial civil service examination, and increased the quota of jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service examination). During his reign, he tended to appoint civil officials, which formed the literature-oriented ethos. During the second year of Taiping Xingguo Period (977), Emperor Taizong of Song declared an imperial edict, ordering Li Fang, a scholar in the Imperial Academy, to compile a large encyclopedia surpassing the previous dynasty in terms of the scale. The compilation of the book lasted over six years. Emperor Taizong read three volumes each day, and finished the whole book within a year, entitling it Taiping Imperial Encyclopedia.