Han Tuozhou
Han Tuozhou was a Chinese politician of the Southern Song dynasty, who served as a chancellor under Emperor Ningzong.
He was responsible for Southern Song efforts to recover territories lost in northern China to the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty in their 1142 peace settlement that ended the Jin–Song wars. In his efforts to begin a military build-up, he had Yue Fei posthumously promoted and Qin Hui demoted. These efforts were unsuccessful, and the ensuing war was devastating to southern China, resulting in further territorial losses and terrible inflation. In consequence, Han was executed by the Southern Song dynasty, and his head was offered to the Jin dynasty as a peace offering.
Han Tuozhou is also famous for his opposition to daoxue which was banned on his order during the years 1195–99. His antagonizing policies were reversed by his successor in office, Shi Miyuan.
Han was assassinated by bludgeoning in 1207, on his way to the imperial palace. This was an exceptional affair in the generally tolerant political atmosphere of the Song. Yuan dynasty historiographers assigned the blame of assassination on Shi Miyuan. However, such judgement is questioned. More plausibly, his extermination was ordered by Empress Yang who succeeded the deceased niece of Han Tuozhou, Empress Han
Han's and Su Shidan's bodies were exhumed and presented to the Jin dynasty as compensation for the Southern Song's aggression, in the negotiation process carried out by Wang Nan and Xu Yi. This measure was probably undertaken as compensation for the humiliation of Jin confederate Wu Xi, whose body was hung on displays in Xingzhou and Lin'an. On some accounts, the Jin dynasty provided Han with honorary burial, recognizing him as a loyal official.