Zhao Gou, Emperor Gaozong of the Song dynasty, is the ninth son of the Emperor Huizong who was originally conferred the King of Kang. After the overthrow of the Northern Song Dynasty, he fled to Yingtianfu (present south of Shangqiu in Henan province) and enthrone himself there. Later he moved the capital to Lin’an (present Hangzhou of Zhejiang). From then on, the song dynasty changed into southern song dynasty.

During the 36 years of Emperor Shenzong's reign, he is quite unwise and lack of aptitude. But he is a genius in calligraphy, excellent in regular script, running script and cursive script with free, elegant, natural and smooth verve.

In the year of 1162, Emperor Gaozong was forced to abdicate and died of disease later. He was buried in Yongsi Mausoleum. (Located in present Baoshan mountain 35 li to the southeast of Shaoxing, Zhejiang province)