History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 956: Alliance of the Golden Chamber
【Golden Chamber Alliance】

According to records, in June of the second year after the founding of the Song Dynasty (961), Empress Dowager Du was critically ill. Before her death, she summoned Zhao Kuangyin and his trusted adviser Zhao Pu into the palace.

Empress Dowager Du asked Zhao Kuangyin, do you know why you were able to wear the yellow robe and usurp the throne of the Great Zhou?
Of course, Zhao Kuangyin had to say something polite like "God's will, the blessing of the ancestors", "The Queen Mother taught well", "The soldiers fought bravely", etc. Queen Mother Du shook her head and said, "We are all family members. Let's talk about family behind closed doors. The reason you can become emperor is nothing more than bullying the orphans and widows of the Chai family. The country is in turmoil due to the young ruler, which is why you are in this situation today."

Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu remained silent.

Empress Dowager Du then went on to explain the main point, saying that we must not repeat the mistakes of the Great Zhou Dynasty. How about this, after a hundred years, do not pass the throne to your son, but to your younger brother Zhao Guangyi, who will then pass it to Zhao Guangmei, and later let Zhao Guangmei pass it to your sons Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang. In this way, with an older and more experienced person ascending the throne, there will be no more Chenqiao mutiny. What do you think?

Zhao Kuangyin knelt down and kowtowed, expressing that his mother’s education was very good and he would listen to her.

So Empress Dowager Du asked Zhao Pu to draft a contract on the spot, stipulating the order of inheritance in the Song Dynasty from brother to younger brother, and then sealed it in a golden box.

Note that there were only three people who knew about the "Golden Casket Alliance": Empress Dowager Du, Zhao Kuangyin, and Zhao Pu. Empress Dowager Du died of illness in 961, and when Zhao Kuangyin died in 976, the only person who knew about it was Zhao Pu. However, Zhao Pu did not bring out this strong evidence at the first time, but only brought it out and made it public six years after Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne.

Why did he have to wait for 6 years? Because Zhao Pu was under attack from his political enemies at the time and had nowhere to go, so he took out the "Golden Casket Alliance" to please Zhao Guangyi. It is said that Zhao Pu himself was against the succession of the throne from brother to brother, so he had never made it public before, and even Zhao Guangyi did not know about the existence of the "Golden Casket Alliance".

In "Continued Zizhi Tongjian", after Zhao Kuangyin's death, Queen Song asked the eunuch Wang Jie'en to summon Zhao Defang into the palace, but Wang Jie'en summoned Zhao Guangyi instead, because -

"Ji'en knew that Taizu had made up his mind to pass on the throne to the King of Jin, so he did not go to Defang, but went straight to Kaifeng Prefecture to summon the King of Jin."

Wang Jie'en knew that Zhao Kuangyin was going to pass the throne to Zhao Guangyi, so he went against Queen Song's orders and summoned Zhao Guangyi into the palace without authorization.

As mentioned before, this is a history book written in the Southern Song Dynasty. The emperor at that time was Song Xiaozong, the seventh-generation grandson of Zhao Kuangyin. After the book was completed, it had to be reviewed and approved by him, which means that Zhao Kuangyin's descendants also recognized the legitimacy of the brother-to-brother succession at that time. However, the one who held the real power in the court at that time was the retired emperor - Gaozong Zhao Gou, a descendant of Zhao Guangyi, so some people say that this is still Zhao Guangyi's descendants whitewashing.

Let's put aside the controversy for the moment and look at Zhao Kuangyin's actions. Empress Dowager Du died after signing the "Golden Casket Alliance". Just one month later, in July of the second year of Jianlong (961), Zhao Kuangyin appointed Zhao Guangyi as the "Kaifeng Prefecture Governor". The royal family members were appointed as the mayors of the capital, which was basically the general process of announcing the crown prince, such as Shi Chonggui of the Later Jin Dynasty and Chai Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty. In the subsequent "Three Expeditions to the Northern Han", Zhao Guangyi was appointed as the governor of the Eastern Capital, responsible for guarding the tower and the house, which was also the standard configuration of the crown prince.

It seems that Zhao Kuangyin agreed with his mother, Empress Dowager Du, and trained Zhao Guangyi with the goal of cultivating the heir to the throne.

When Zhao Kuangyin was "unwell", he summoned Zhao Guangyi into the palace instead of his own son. Generally speaking, the person the emperor summoned before his death was the heir to the throne in his mind.

According to records, Zhao Kuangyin once said to his close ministers: "The Prince of Jin walks like a dragon and strode like a tiger. He will surely become the Emperor of Peace. His blessings and virtues are beyond my reach." It seemed that he also expressed his approval of Zhao Guangyi's future ascension to the throne.

These historical materials all prove that Zhao Kuangyin approved Zhao Guangyi as his successor.

Let’s take another look at Zhao Guangyi’s strength.

Zhao Guangyi was one of the core members of the "Chenqiao Mutiny". Zhao Kuangyin was able to wear the yellow robe with the assistance of his younger brother Zhao Guangyi. After the founding of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Guangyi was appointed as the Palace Guards, and became a senior member of the Imperial Guards. Then came the "Zelu War". Zhao Kuangyin personally led an expedition against Li Yun of Luzhou, and Zhao Guangyi was the Imperial Guards. When he was fighting against Li Chongjin of Yangzhou, Zhao Guangyi was appointed as the Imperial Guards, the Prime Minister of Kaifeng, and the Minister of the Central Secretariat. During the "Three Expeditions to the Northern Han", he was appointed as the governor of the Eastern Capital, and was named the King of Jin. He was also given 14 gate halberds (an honor exclusive to second-rank officials). His rank was above that of the prime minister, commonly known as "under one man and above ten thousand people".

In short, as soon as the Song Dynasty was founded, Zhao Guangyi was a senior leader of the Central Imperial Guards and had been professionally guarding the tower for thirty years. In terms of qualifications and connections, Zhao Guangyi had completed the pre-tasks required of the crown prince.

Someone brought up a small foreshadowing that we had reserved in the previous article. That is, when Zhao Kuangyin personally led an expedition to Taiyuan, the fortified city could not be captured for a long time. His direct subordinates were willing to form a death squad to attack, but Zhao Kuangyin disagreed. He told them that he would rather not have Taiyuan than let them sacrifice themselves. As a result, everyone was moved to tears.

So some people say that Zhao Kuangyin at that time had already consciously preserved "his own people" because he had a premonition that some people - such as Comrade Zhao Guangyi - were deeply rooted and powerful enough to threaten his position, so he could not waste his trustworthy direct forces in Hedong, but had to use them as bargaining chips to balance the "Jin Prince faction."

This...seems to make sense, but is actually groundless. Because Zhao Kuangyin not only did not weaken Zhao Guangyi after that, but he loved him even more.

For example, historical records show that Zhao Kuangyin helped Zhao Guangyi's family install water-drawing equipment just four months before his death. Because the Jin Palace was located at a high altitude and it was difficult to get water, Zhao Kuangyin ordered people to make a water wheel, which was equivalent to installing a water pipe, and he also personally supervised the construction and participated in the project acceptance.

It is also recorded that Zhao Guangyi once fell into a coma due to a serious illness (he was so sick that he was unconscious), and needed moxa treatment. Zhao Kuangyin personally burned the moxa for him, and he tested the temperature on himself first before using it on Zhao Guangyi to avoid scalding him.

Again, Zhao Guangyi was drunk, and Zhao Kuangyin helped him home. As soon as he went out, Zhao Guangyi's subordinate Gao Qiong knelt on the ground, carefully lifted Zhao Guangyi's feet with his hands, and helped him get into the car. This scene was seen by Zhao Kuangyin, who immediately rewarded Gao Qiong with a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry, and told him to continue to serve Zhao Guangyi attentively.

After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he continued Zhao Kuangyin's line in both domestic and foreign affairs. There was no sudden braking or sharp turns. This shows that Zhao Guangyi was widely supported by court officials and completed a smooth transition without a bloody purge.

From this perspective, Zhao Guangyi did not seem to be usurping the throne, or even if he did, it was in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, in line with the demands of the majority of vested interest groups, and was widely supported. In addition, let's talk about the so-called key evidence in this case - the "axe".

Here are three short stories:
When Zhao Kuangyin met with an upright minister, he was so angry that he hit the minister's mouth with a "pillar axe", causing two of the minister's front teeth to fall out on the spot;
In the first month of 965, Wang Quanbin sent back a battle report from the front, reporting the good news of the destruction of the Hou Shu regime, and asked the court whether they could make a concerted effort to wipe out their old friend Nanzhao. Zhao Kuangyin then "used a jade axe to draw a line west of the Dadu River and said: 'I don't own anything beyond this.'"

In October 968, Lei Dexiang, a member of the Ministry of Agriculture, went to Beijing to appeal. He not only broke into the palace, but also shouted and slandered Zhao Pu in front of Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin was furious and immediately "broke two teeth on his upper jaw with a pillar axe". Zhao Kuangyin was happy to get the title of "front tooth terminator".

Combining these three records of "axe", many scholars believe that the axe in "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound" should be similar to the pillar axe and jade axe mentioned above, and it is likely to be a ritual or plaything at the time, not an axe in the weapon category. Zhao Kuangyin was the emperor, not Cheng Yaojin or Li Kui. Have you ever seen the emperor holding a wheel axe all day?

In other words, the axe in "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound" should not have the power to kill people and cannot be the murder weapon.

Finally, let’s take a look at the fate of the legal heir of the “Golden Casket Alliance”.

Zhao Guangmei, originally named Zhao Kuangmei, changed his name to Guangmei after Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne to avoid the taboo of the emperor. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he changed his name to Tingmei to avoid the taboo of the emperor. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he was named Zhongshu Ling, Kaifeng Prefecture Yin, and Qi Wang. The key point is that he was named Kaifeng Prefecture Yin, which declared his status as the crown prince. Zhao Guangyi also issued an edict to make Zhao Guangmei's children the princes and princesses to show special favor, and later he was given the title of Inspector Taishi. He followed Zhao Guangyi in the Northern Expedition and was renamed Qin Wang.

However, in the seventh year of Zhao Guangyi's accession to the throne, someone accused Zhao Guangmei of treason, so he was dismissed from his post as prefect of Kaifeng and sent to Luoyang (the governor of Xijing), leaving the center of power. Then, Zhao Pu continued to attack him, saying that Zhao Guangmei had not repented and still had other intentions, and suggested that he be moved to a more remote place for proper resettlement. So Zhao Guangmei was demoted to the Duke of Fuling County and settled in Fangzhou.

After arriving in Fangzhou, Zhao Guangmei became ill due to anxiety and soon died at the age of 38. This happened in 984, the eighth year of Zhao Guangyi's accession to the throne.

Zhao Dezhao, the second son of Zhao Kuangyin, was never given the title of a king when Zhao Kuangyin was alive. According to the convention at that time, the prince was given the title of a king when he got married. According to the Tang Dynasty system, the princes had to be raised in the palace when they were young, and moved out of the palace when they grew up, which was called "getting married". Getting married was equivalent to the princes' coming-of-age ceremony and the beginning of entering the political arena to receive experience. Zhao Dezhao got married in 964 (at the age of 13), and he was not given the title of a king until Zhao Kuangyin died (at the age of 25) because he was too young. In fact, this is also indirect evidence that people believe that the "Golden Casket Alliance" really existed, because he was not the crown prince, so he could not be given the title of a king too early. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he was given the title of Wugong County King.

It should be emphasized that Zhao Guangyi clearly stipulated that Zhao Guangmei and Zhao Dezhao should be ranked before the prime minister and the first among all officials. This is also indirect evidence of the existence of the "Golden Casket Alliance".

In the fourth year of Zhao Guangyi's reign (979), he angrily rebuked Zhao Dezhao for some reason. After retiring from court, Zhao Dezhao committed suicide out of fear and worry. He was 28 years old and left us prematurely.

Zhao Defang was the fourth son of Zhao Kuangyin. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he appointed Zhao Defang as the prefect of Xingyuan Prefecture, the governor of Shannan West Road, and the co-prime minister. Later, he was promoted to the position of inspector of the Grand Commandant (978). However, in March 981, Zhao Defang died of illness at the age of 3, leaving us too early.

"Who else?"

Zhao Kuangyin's eldest son Zhao Dexiu and third son Zhao Delin both died young.

Some people believe that it was because of the existence of the "Golden Casket Alliance" that Zhao Guangyi used the list of heirs as a death list and couldn't wait to get rid of his younger brother and nephew.

If the "Golden Casket Alliance" existed, it would prove that Zhao Guangyi was the legitimate heir, and the "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound" of killing his brother to seize power did not exist; but if the "Golden Casket Alliance" did not exist, can it prove that the "Candle Shadow and Axe Sound" existed? Logically, it obviously cannot.

In addition, according to historical records, after Zhao Guangyin's death, Queen Song wanted to summon the young Zhao Defang into the palace to ascend the throne. Then the question is, why not his brother Zhao Dezhao?

Some people say that it is because the elders usually favor the youngest son; others say that it is because the youngest son is easy to control that Queen Song has the political ambition to rule the country...

As the entire incident (Golden Casket Alliance + Candle Shadow and Axe Sound) is controversial, Queen Song's "deposing the eldest and enthroning the youngest" can be regarded as a false proposition for the time being and there is no need to discuss it at all.

It is worth mentioning that, based on sympathy for Zhao Defang and the desire for a savior, later generations portrayed Zhao Defang as the "Eighth Wise King" or "Eighth Thousand Years Old King" who hated evil, punished evil and promoted good, and killed treacherous ministers. In operas, storytelling and other interpretations, Zhao Defang is usually portrayed as an upright old man with a white beard holding the imperial golden mace, beating the tyrants and slanderous ministers. He upholds justice and redresses grievances for the people. He is the strong backer of "Justice Bao" Bao Zheng and the Yang Family Generals. He has appeared in many popular works such as "Three Heroes and Five Gallants", "Justice Bao" and "The Yang Family Generals", just like an elderly version of Li Yunlong.

Art originates from life but is higher than life. This prince who died at the age of 22 became the spiritual sustenance of the working people who were struggling in hardship. The people needed a Bao Qingtian who could punish evil and promote good, and they also needed an Eighth Sage King who could withstand all pressures and uphold justice.

In summary, Zhao Guangyi already had all the objective conditions to succeed the throne. He did not need to risk regicide to seize power. He only needed to wait patiently. "The candlelight and the sound of the axe" was fabricated more out of political needs, with the main purpose of questioning Taizong's legitimacy and reshaping Taizu's legitimacy. As for the "Golden Chamber Alliance", I personally prefer to believe that this is one of the three acts directed by Zhao Pu (Chenqiao Mutiny, Releasing Military Power with a Cup of Wine, and Golden Chamber Alliance).

After his younger brother Zhao Guangmei and nephews Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang all died, Zhao Guangyi finally solved the problem of the younger brother succeeding the elder brother. From him on, the throne of the Song Dynasty followed the template of the son succeeding the father.

Thanks to old friends "Yang Kui" and "Jiang Hu Liu Bai" for their monthly ticket support!

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(End of this chapter)