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Chapter 286: Half of the Analects Rules the World Zhao Pu

The top ten counselors in China span all dynasties, including the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms, the Tang Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty.

There is also the last counselor from the Song Dynasty. He is the prime minister Zhao Pu who was the first hero in the founding of the Song Dynasty.

Zhao Pu is resourceful and can make decisions very quickly, just like running water without any stagnation.

However, he was greedy for money and power in order to gain the trust of Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi.

He did not hesitate to fabricate historical facts to frame the royal family, and his character was shameful.

However, as the founding prime minister of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Pu assisted two emperors, Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi, for forty-two years.

He was able to admonish Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi for the mistakes they made in governing the country.

Zhao Pu assisted Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi in formulating a series of systems that were beneficial to the country, avoiding the separatist situation of vassal towns and maintaining the long-term peace and order of the Song Dynasty.

It made an indelible contribution to the Song Dynasty reaching the peak of China's economic and cultural development.

Zhao Pu learned from the lessons of past failures and tried his best to persuade Song Taizu to restrain martial arts.

Zhao Pu believed that Zhao Kuangyin had made a mistake and Zhao Guangyi could not make another mistake, and the prison was thus formed.

"The Wei family, a wealthy family in Zhenyang, admired Zhao Pu very much and betrothed his daughter to him."

"Under Zhao Pu's persuasion, Zhao Kuangyin took over the so-called Zen title book from the young master Gong of the Later Zhou Dynasty and became emperor, establishing the Song Dynasty, known as the Northern Song Dynasty in history."

"During the Late Tang Dynasty, Zhao Dejun, the commander-in-chief of Youzhou, fought for years, causing unrest in his family and country."

"After Liu Ci died, he recommended Zhao Pu to the imperial court."

Zhao Kuangyin accepted the abdication in the Chenqiao Incident, and many people assisted him in the decision-making, among which Zhao Pu played a crucial role.

"In the later Zhou Dynasty, Li Jun, the envoy of the Yicheng Army Jiedushi, was unwilling to be subordinate and refused the high-ranking official awarded by the new emperor to also serve as the Secretary of the Central Committee."

"Zhao Pu was promoted because of his meritorious service."

In general, Zhao Pu's personal ethics are bad, but he has made great contributions to the country.

"While drinking, Zhao Pu got Zhao Kuangyin drunk and put a yellow robe on Zhao Kuangyin."

But there is only one thing. Zhao Pu helped Song Taizu establish the Northern Song Dynasty and saved the people from war. Such achievements should not be criticized harshly due to jealousy.

Regarding the case of passing the throne, Zhao Guangyi was still afraid of others gossiping.

"In 955 AD, Zhao Pu was appointed as an official by Liu Ci, the governor of Yongxing Army."

"Zhao Pu suspected that there were innocent people among them and asked Zhao Kuangyin to interrogate them. Many of them survived."

"My father, Zhao Jiong, could not bear the war, so his family moved to Changzhou, and later to Luoyang."

"In the spring of 960, the Huns invaded, and the prime minister sent Zhao Kuangyin to lead an army to the north."

"In July, Zhao Kuangyin was transferred to the German Army's Jiedu Envoy, and Zhao Pu was promoted to the Secretary of Jieduzhang."

According to records, Zhao Pu had a bad character and was often jealous and harsh.

He has read "History of the Song Dynasty" in detail and generally approves of Zhao Pu.

"The domestic situation that Zhao Kuangyin faced after taking over the Zhou Dynasty was still the same situation that military officials had wielded power since the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms."

"Zhao Pu is the eldest son of Zhao Jiong. He is an honest man and taciturn."

"Zhao Kuangyin's father, Zhao Hongyin, was recuperating in Chuzhou. Zhao Pu served him with decoctions day and night, so Zhao Hongyin treated him with family affection."

"One year later, Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, sent troops to Huainan, and Zhao Kuangyin captured Chuzhou. The prime minister petitioned to appoint Zhao Pu as a military judge."

"My great-grandfather was the magistrate of Sanhe County in the late Tang Dynasty. My grandfather was the Sima of Chanzhou in the late Tang Dynasty. My father was the Sima of Xiangzhou in the Five Dynasties."

"After Zhao Kuangyin came to the throne, he rewarded people based on their merits and continued to use old officials from the Later Zhou Dynasty as prime ministers to maintain the support of the old officials."

"In June of the sixth year of Xiande, Chai Rong died, and Emperor Gong of Zhou, Chai Zongxun, came to the throne."

Once the disadvantages accumulated over a hundred years were abolished, many scholars praised him.

"Zhao Pu's ancestral home is Youzhou and he comes from a family of officials."

"In April 960, he colluded with Liu Jun of the Northern Han Dynasty to launch an army against the Song Dynasty."

"Zhao Kuangyin's army marched to Chenqiao Station in the northeast of Kaifeng, and the soldiers made excuses to stop their advance."

"After Huainan was pacified, Zhao Pu was transferred to serve as the military judge of Weizhou."

"Zhao Pu saw that the situation was alarming and urged Zhao Kuangyin to go to the expedition in person and accompany him."

"At that time, more than 100 thieves were captured, and they were all beheaded."

Zhao Pu was not the only hero in the early Song Dynasty, but Zhao Pu had the greatest contribution.

Zhu Yuanzhang: Zhao Pu is really a virtuous prime minister. If the generals do not relieve their military power as soon as possible, the world in the Song Dynasty may not be as chaotic as the Five Dynasties.

"When Zhao Kuangyin was serving as the governor of Tongzhou, he recruited Zhao Pu as an official, and later wrote to the court to appoint Zhao Pu as secretary."

"Zhao Kuangyin once talked with Zhao Pu and thought he was a wizard."

Zhao Pu assisted Zhao Kuangyin in formulating a unified strategy in the wind and snow, and decomposed the general's military power while drinking wine. He was truly a minister of the country.

Zhao Pu was responsible for planning the Chenqiao Mutiny, which brought Zhao Kuangyin's reputation for disloyalty and unrighteousness.

In the case of the imperial prince, Zhao Pu came up with an idea to help Zhao Guangyi bear the reputation of being unfilial and unfriendly.

"Zhao Kuangyin accepted the advice, the imperial commander personally went to the expedition, and ordered Zhao Pu to stay in the capital."

"Li Chongjin, the nephew of Guo Wei, Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty, has become a close friend of the Song Dynasty."

"Li Chongjin sent people to contact the Northern Han Dynasty, but was captured on the way and used by Zhao Kuangyin."

"Zhao Kuangyin gave Li Chongjin a gold medal to avoid death to calm his mind, and ordered him to move to Qingzhou so that he could be restrained nearby."

"Li Chongjin detained the Song envoy and launched an army against the Song Dynasty in July."

"Zhao Kuangyin went to Yangzhou in November and captured it in one fell swoop. Li Chongjin and his family set themselves on fire and died."

"With the assistance of Zhao Pu, the rebellion of Li Jun and Li Chongjin was crushed within one year."

"From strategy to personal involvement, Zhao Pu played an important role and was promoted to the position of Minister of War."

"At the end of 960, one day after Zhao Kuangyin put down the rebellion of Li Jun and Li Chongjin, he summoned Zhao Pu to ask about strategies for long-term peace and stability in the country."

"Zhao Pu is proficient in governance and has already considered these issues."

"Zhao Pu feels that the problem is that the vassal town has too much power, the king is weak and the ministers are strong, and there are no clever ways to govern."

"As long as we deprive him of his power, control the food and grass, and recruit elite soldiers, the world will naturally be stable."

"Before Zhao Pu finished speaking, Zhao Kuangyin understood."

"So a plan to rebuild the centralized autocratic system was hatched and gradually implemented."

"In terms of centralization in the Northern Song Dynasty, the most important thing was military power, and it was also the first issue to be solved."

"Since Zhao Kuangyin had the situation under control at that time, he started to take some measures one after another."

"The Jiedushi envoy Murong Yanzhao was dismissed as the Jiedushi envoy of Shannan East Road, and the guards and soldiers were all commanded to be dismissed as the Chengde Jiedushi to divide the military power."

"On the ninth day of the seventh month of the following year, my generals and others swore to be loyal to Zhao Kuangyin forever, and they would never change their minds despite all odds."

Zhu Di: After a cup of wine released military power, the Northern Song Dynasty began to decline in prosperity and military power.

It is no exaggeration to say that the reason why the Song Dynasty suffered subsequent humiliation was rooted in Zhao Kuangyin's drinking of wine to release his military power at the beginning of the founding of the country.

Zhao Kuangyin invited a group of senior generals to a banquet and pretended to be drunk to test these generals.

What if your subordinates rebel for the sake of wealth?
When the generals wondered whether they were suspected by Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Kuangyin made a promise.

The word "wealth" in life is nothing more than money, beautiful women, land, and descendants. Wouldn't it be wonderful for you to have everything you need to enjoy your life for the rest of your life?
In order to dispel the concerns of the generals, Zhao Kuangyin was willing to marry them and form an in-law family.

Zhao Kuangyin's words made the generals fully understand their intentions and what they should do.

So, on the next day, they all resigned from their military posts, handed over their military power, and went to serve as military governors in local places.

In the course of this incident, Zhao Pu's contribution to the strategy cannot be denied.

For the Song Dynasty, releasing military power over a glass of wine had both positive and negative aspects.

After the release of military power over a glass of wine, the power to command the imperial army was divided, and the power to command troops and the power to mobilize troops were also separated later.

The military and political system that was established subsequently cut off the relationship between officers and soldiers that existed in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties.

It fundamentally solved the chronic problem of frequent dynasty changes in the late Tang and Five Dynasties, strengthened the imperial power, consolidated the new political power of the Northern Song Dynasty, and created conditions for the social and economic development of the Northern Song Dynasty.

However, later generations of the Northern Song Dynasty also implemented passive prevention strategies towards military attachés and the army, and did not actively consider improving the combat effectiveness of the army.

The overall combat effectiveness of the Northern Song Dynasty army declined, and it was in a passive situation in the subsequent battles with the Khitan and Xixia.

The suppression and prevention of military generals in the Northern Song Dynasty weakened the overall combat effectiveness of the Northern Song army, and also paved the way for the formation of a situation in which the Northern Song Dynasty was weak in military affairs and suffered repeated defeats in foreign operations.

"In the second year of Qiande, Zhao Kuangyin deployed the central and local governments. When the time came, he dismissed the old ministers of the Later Zhou Dynasty and appointed Zhao Pu as a bachelor."

"There was no prime minister in Zhongshu Province who signed the edict. Zhao Pu used this as an excuse to report to Zhao Kuangyin."

"Zhao Kuangyin asked Zhao Pu to just submit the order and he would sign it."

"Zhao Pu rejected Zhao Kuangyin. This was the responsibility of the officials in the relevant departments, not the emperor."

"Zhao Kuangyin ordered the Hanlin scholars to adhere to the old system. Dou Yi said that it is now the prime minister's position for the emperor's younger brother to serve as the governor of Kaifeng."

"After Zhao Pu became prime minister, Zhao Kuangyin regarded him as his right-hand man. No matter how big or small, he consulted him before making decisions."

"At that time, Zhao Pu was also responsible for supervising the compilation of national history, and Zhao Kuangyin ordered several ministers to assist Zhao Pu."

"You can't announce the emperor's edict, rank after the prime minister, don't hold the seal, don't participate in the proceedings, don't take the lead at the court meeting, just follow the order to make the edict."

"Originally, when the prime minister signed an edict, he would use internal control."

"After Zhao Pu became prime minister, there were only edicts, not the original rules and regulations."

"Zhao Kuangyin often traveled by the hero's house in plain clothes. One evening it snowed heavily. Zhao Pu thought that Zhao Kuangyin would not come out."

"After some time, I heard a knock on the door, and Zhao Pu hurriedly went out."

"Zhao Kuangyin stood in the wind and snow, and Zhao Pu fearfully greeted him."

"Zhao Kuangyin made an appointment with King Jin, and Zhao Guangyi will arrive after a while."

"Zhao Pu laid thick mats on the ground and invited them to sit in the hall and cook meat on the red fire."

"When discussing the attack on Taiyuan, Zhao Pu proposed that if we attack Taiyuan first, we must defend the northwest two sides alone. It is better to flatten the other countries first."

"This way Taiyuan won't be able to escape. Zhao Kuangyin has this intention."

"In 962 AD, Zhao Kuangyin sent his troops south and started the unification war."

"The Song army first conquered Hunan and Hubei, then captured Shu, destroyed the Southern Han and Southern Tang, and pacified Jiangnan."

"From then on, everything in the south was settled, and the Song Dynasty began to plot against the Northern Han Dynasty."

"The Song Dynasty's unification war followed Zhao Pu's strategy of going south first and then north, and first easy and then difficult."

Su Shi: Zhao Pu is a genius. He has the ability to resolve crises, the ability to assist the emperor to achieve great things, and his contribution to the founding of the country. He truly shoulders the responsibility of providing advice to the emperor. As the first hero of the founding of the country, Zhao Pu's achievements are indelible.

There has never been a shortage of upright remonstrators in Chinese history. They dared to give advice to the court and boldly pointed out the emperor's mistakes. Zhao Pu was such a famous official.

Generally speaking, emperors mostly like to practice absolutism.

When admonishing the emperor, an inappropriate word will often lead to unreasonable sins and disaster.

It can be seen that admonishment requires courage.

Since Zhao Pu became prime minister, he often ignored his personal safety and disobeyed the emperor's will.

As long as he thinks it is right, he will stick to it, which he admires.

At the same time, Zhao Pu advocated clear distinction between rewards and punishments, fair and impartial handling of affairs, regardless of personal feelings, and even the emperor could not abuse the law based on his own likes and dislikes.

Those who have merit must be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes must be punished. If a prince breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the common people.

No one can shield him, not even the emperor.

Zhao Pu has always adhered to the principle of acting in accordance with the law and opposed bending the law for favoritism.

In an environment where imperial power is supreme, it is not easy to basically achieve this.

Compared with the dark ages at the end of certain dynasties in history, when discipline and discipline were relaxed, this was at least a relatively clear period.

In addition, Zhao Pu has made outstanding achievements in selecting talents and recruiting according to their abilities.

In the early Song Dynasty, monarchs and ministers attached great importance to the selection and use of talents.

Even when Taizong selected talents for the country, he still had to consult with people like Zhao Pu who advocated justice, which shows that Zhao Jin was very principled in selecting talents.

To recruit people according to their talents and employ them according to their talents, we must first know the people. This is a prerequisite for good appointment. This principle of employment is Zhao Jin's consistent advocate.

Since the emperor is high above the temple and has no access to talents from the outside world, it is necessary for the prime minister, who is the head of the officials, to recommend suitable candidates to the emperor.

Zhao Pu, on the other hand, adhered to the principle of promoting talents and recommended and promoted many capable people for the imperial court.

"In the spring of the fifth year of Qiande, Zhao Pu's mother suddenly passed away."

"Zhao Pu needs to leave his job to mourn, but Zhao Kuangyin still orders him to continue working at his job."

"Zhao Pu then advised Zhao Kuangyin to send envoys to various important roads to recruit young men with their registered names and send them to the capital as preparation for the defense."

"Establish a general magistrate in each state capital and make him responsible for money and food matters."

"Since then, our troops have been well-prepared and our treasury has been enriched."

"In the winter of 969, Zhao Pu fell ill, and Zhao Kuangyin took a car to Zhongshu Province to visit him in person."

"In the spring of the next year, I went to Zhao Pu's mansion again to comfort him, reward him with money, and increase his salary."

"Zhao Pu's assistant government is quite autocratic, and other courtiers are very afraid of him."

"At that time, the government prohibited private sales of large timber from Shaanxi. Zhao Pu once sent his clerks to the market to buy timber, which was then built into huge rafts and transported to the capital to build houses."

"This petty official took the opportunity to steal wood and sell it in the capital under the guise of Zhao Pu."

"A minister found out and reported it to Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin was very angry and urged an order to investigate the matter."

"Zhao Kuangyin wanted to issue an edict to expel Zhao Pu. Fortunately, someone petitioned for mercy and the matter was resolved."

"According to the old system in the past, the prime ministers waited in the Changchun Hall for summons and waited together in the Luzhong."

"Zhao Kuangyin heard that Zhao Pu's son had married the privy envoy's daughter, so he ordered them to wait separately."

"Zhao Pu also privately exchanged free land for royal vegetable plots to expand his residence and ran an inn to make profit."

"The Hanlin bachelor who couldn't stand Zhao Pu took advantage of Zhao Kuangyin's summons to attack Zhao Pu's shortcomings many times."

"Soon after, someone reported that Zhao Pu was shielding officials who were bending the law for personal gain."

"Zhao Kuangyin was furious and ordered the censor to examine and interrogate them, and they were all punished."

"Zhao Kuangyin's favor towards Zhao Pu gradually faded away, and he began to issue edicts to participate in political affairs to divide Zhao Pu's power."

"Soon, Zhao Kuangyin transferred Zhao Pu out of the capital and served as governor of the three cities of Heyang."

Zhao Kuangyin: Although Zhao Pu has made great contributions to the country, he is so bold that I have to remove him.

From the first contact, he knew that Zhao Pu was extremely greedy for money.

Because he cherished Zhao Pu's talent, he always pretended not to know.

Once, officials from Dali Temple accused Zhao Pu of occupying private houses.

Considering that Zhao Pu had made great contributions, he publicly reprimanded the officials for defending Zhao Pu.

The cauldron used for cooking has ears, so why don’t the officials have ears?
Don’t you know that Zhao Pu is an important minister of the country that he relies on? How can Zhao Pu be impeached?

Unfortunately, his favor towards Zhao Pu caused everyone in the court to pursue Zhao Pu, and Zhao Pu also began to get carried away.

Once, Zhao Pu fell ill and he personally visited Zhao Pu's home.

When he saw ten wine jars placed in the courtyard of Zhao Pu's house, he curiously asked what the wine jars were for.

When Zhao Pu said that it was seafood sent by King Wu Yue, he curiously ordered someone to open it.

But the result made him very dissatisfied. The wine jar was filled with gold.

Although he finally comforted the panicked Zhao Pu, his attitude towards Zhao Pu has quietly changed.

The reason why the King of Wuyue bribed Zhao Pu was simply because he believed that Zhao Pu, the prime minister, would decide all national affairs.

He was naturally dissatisfied. Prime Minister Zhao Pu was just a helper, and he, the emperor, was the only one who really made the decision.

Since this incident, he has already had the idea of ​​​​removing Zhao Pu.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Pu didn't know how to restrain himself at all, and soon the minister reported Zhao Pu's bold behavior to him.

It turned out that Zhao Pu placed a large iron vat in the meeting hall. As long as it was a memorial that Zhao Pu did not want him to see, Zhao Pu would throw it directly into the big iron vat and burn it without his review.

When he learned about it, he became furious. He did not expect that Zhao Pu would be so bold and dare to deceive the emperor and burn the memorial privately.

As a result, he dismissed Zhao Pu and drove him out of Kaifeng City.

"Zhao Pu was often slandered by others. After serving as an official in the imperial court for several years, he was depressed and frustrated."

"When Chai Yuxi and others report that King Zhao Tingmei of Qin is arrogant and extravagant, there will be a conspiracy."

"Zhao Guangyi, Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, called for questioning, and Zhao Pu expressed his hope to observe the incident in a confidential department."

"After he retired from the court, he wrote to Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, telling him about Zhao Kuangyin's entrustment before his death. His words were very sincere."

"Taizong of the Song Dynasty was moved to awakening and summoned Zhao Pu to give his condolences, and soon he was named Duke of Liang."

"It turns out that King Zhao Tingmei of Qin was ranked above the prime minister."

"At this time, because Zhao Pu is the old minister of Xun, he is also the prime minister."

"Zhao Tingmei requested to be ranked below Zhao Pu, and Song Taizong obeyed."

"In the spring of 986, Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty was engaged in the Northern Expedition. After a long absence from the army, Zhao Pu wrote a letter urging him to withdraw his troops and cease the war."

"Two years later, Zhao Pu was named Taibao and became prime minister for the third time."

"In 992, Zhao Pu went to court three times to plead for vengeance because he was old and sick."

"Taizu of the Song Dynasty sent an envoy to come quickly to comfort and express condolences, and he was granted the title of Duke of Wei, enjoying the treatment of prime minister and allowing him to recuperate at home."

"Zhao Pu died of illness in Luoyang on July 14th of that year at the age of seventy-one."

"Taizong of the Song Dynasty was shocked and grieved when he heard the news. Zhao Pu served and assisted the late emperor and had an old friendship with him. Zhao Pu was decisive and capable of making important decisions."

"Since Song Taizong came to the throne, he has always treated Zhao Pu with kindness and courtesy."

"Zhao Pu also devoted all his strength to the king and was loyal to the country. He was a true minister of the country."

"Taizong of the Song Dynasty was very sad to lose Zhao Pu, so he cried bitterly. All the ministers on the left and right were very moved."

"Taizong of the Song Dynasty posthumously granted Zhao Pu the title of Shangshu Ling, the title of Prince of Zhending County, and the posthumous title of Zhongxian."

"In February of the following year, he was buried in Mangshan, Luoyang, and was posthumously named King of Han."

Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi: Zhao Pu was an important minister who established the country and a great talent respected by the world.

He encountered several troubles, and in the end it was Zhao Pu who came out to take charge and solve these problems.

After Zhao Pu came back to serve as an official, he solved the problem of the legality of his succession and the problem of his eldest son's succession.

Such problems have always been on his mind, and it is precisely because of these problems that his regime is unstable.

Zhao Pu helped him solve the big trouble. He was very happy and thought that Zhao Pu was loyal to him.

At the same time, he also admired Zhao Pu's strategy and wisdom.

When he was hesitating whether to march into Xixia, Zhao Pu firmly opposed it, believing that the government was unstable and the army had just lost a battle, so it was not appropriate to fight again.

However, he did not listen to the dissuasion and decided to attack Xixia, but was severely defeated.

From then on, he put aside his prejudice against Zhao Pu and spoke highly of Zhao Pu.

Always try your best to help yourself and be loyal to the country.

Zhao Pu used his loyalty to dispel his worries time and time again, never caring about personal gains and losses in the face of national events, and helped him out of trouble, restoring peace to everyone in the court and strengthening people's hearts.

If Zhao Pu was not tolerant enough and did not return to the court, then his regime would not be so stable.

As far as he knows, Zhao Pu's ability to solve problems was learned from "The Analects of Confucius".

Zhao Pu was born as a minor official and was much less knowledgeable than ordinary civil servants.

After Zhao Pu became prime minister, Taizu persuaded Zhao Pu to read more books.

Every time Zhao Pu goes home, he closes the door, takes a book from the bookcase, and reads it carefully.

When he goes to court the next day to handle political affairs, he is always very agile.

After he came to the throne, he once mentioned this matter in a casual chat with Zhao Pu and asked if it was true that Zhao Pu only read one copy of "The Analects of Confucius".

Zhao Pu said that half of the Analects of Confucius was used to help Taizu bring peace to the world, and now half of the Analects of Confucius is being used to help him manage peace.

He didn't believe it at first, but after Zhao Pu died of illness, he found that there was really only one copy of "The Analects of Confucius" in the book box.

Zhao Pu's death made him very sad and deplored.

Zhao Pu served and assisted Taizu and had an old relationship with him.

Zhao Pu can also make decisions on important matters, and there was some dissatisfaction with him before. This is something that many people know.

Since he came to the throne, he has often treated Zhao Pu generously and courteously.

Zhao Pu also devoted his allegiance to him and was loyal to the country. He was a true minister of the country.

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhao Pu had the wisdom and strategies of Guan Zhong and Zhuge Liang, and the governance talents of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. He was the minister of the country that he relied on.

(End of this chapter)