Emperor Gongdi was the last emperor of the Chinese Later Zhou Dynasty

Later Zhou Dynasty

The Later Zhou Dynasty was the last a succession of five dynasties that controlled most of northern China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, which lasted from 907 to 960 and bridged the gap between the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty.-Founding of the Dynasty:Guo Wei, a Han...

. He succeeded his father, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou

Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou

Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty , born Chai Rong and later renamed Guo Rong , was the second emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty and ruled from 954 to 959.-Family:...

 upon his death during a military campaign in 959

959

Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,...

. In 960

960

Year 960 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Edgar's chief adviser. He reforms monasteries and enforces the rule of Saint Benedict: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for...

, Gongdi was overthrown by Zhao Kuangyin, who founded the Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...

 as Emperor Taizu. Gongdi was sent away with his mother to Xijing (西京). Despite assurance by Emperor Taizu that the Chai family would be treated with respect, Gongdi was killed in 973 by Xin Wenyue, an official trying to gain favour with the emperor. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Taizu ordered a period of mourning and buried the dethroned emperor next to Emperor Shizong's tomb.