History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 963: Taizu's Past 2
"Increasingly value Confucian officials"

In 963, Zhao Kuangyin planned to change the reign title, so he asked Prime Minister Fan Zhi and other prime ministers to take the lead in discussing the new year name, requiring it to be high-end and classy, ​​and more importantly, it must not have been used by previous generations. After some discussion, it was finally decided to be "Qian De". The "Book of Jin" says "The vast Qian De is the source of all things". In November of that year, Zhao Kuangyin issued an edict to change the fourth year of Jianlong to the first year of Qian De.

After the fall of Shu (the third year of Qiande), Zhao Kuangyin made a very accidental discovery that made him gasp. At that time, he accidentally found a bronze mirror seized from Hou Shu. What surprised Zhao Kuangyin was that the mirror was engraved with "cast in the fourth year of Qiande".

"I have traveled through time?" Zhao Kuangyin was horrified, and then he showed the bronze mirror, which was to be produced next year, to all the officials, asking them what was going on. None of the officials could answer, so he called in the Imperial Academy scholars Tao Gu and Dou Yi, asking them if they could explain it.

Dou Yi smiled slightly and immediately said, "It must be the spoils of war in Shu."

Zhao Kuangyin was shocked and asked him how he knew that.

"At first, King Zongyan of Former Shu used Qiande as his reign title, so it should have been minted at that time." The fourth year of Qiande of King Zongyan of Former Shu was the second year of Longde of Zhu Youzhen of Later Liang (922).

Zhao Kuangyin then sighed to his attendants, "The prime minister must be a scholar!" Historical records show that from then on, Zhao Kuangyin "placed more emphasis on Confucian officials."

This little story is worth some careful consideration:
First of all, Dou Yi stole the limelight and won the admiration of Zhao Kuangyin, but while praising Dou Yi, Zhao Kuangyin also revealed his dissatisfaction with the "prime ministers", implying that they were ignorant and did not know that a pseudo-regime had used "Qian De" as its reign title forty years ago, so Zhao Kuangyin soon changed the reign title to "Kai Bao" and abandoned "Qian De".

But the problem is that the three prime ministers, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu, were all genuine scholars:

Fan Zhi was a Jinshi in the reign of Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang; Wang Pu was the top scorer in the college entrance examination in the early years of Later Han Dynasty (first place in the first category of Jinshi, a true top scorer); Wei Renpu, who had the lowest academic qualifications among the three, also started from the grassroots level in the Hanlin Academy and was nurtured by the Hanlin Academy all the way.

How come these three people are not scholars? Compared with Dou Yi, why are they not as good?

In fact, Zhao Kuangyin's words were not meant to deliberately belittle the "three prime ministers" but were meant to indirectly address Zhao Pu, because Comrade Zhao Pu did not have the academic qualifications to pass the imperial examination, was a temporary worker (minor official), had not received any systematic education, and was not a "scholar" in the strict sense. Zhao Kuangyin often advised him to read more.

Zhao Pu should be a model of quality education. For a long time, he was despised by the academic circle because of his lack of academic qualifications, but he also got rid of the shackles of academia. He was always able to get to the root of the problem in practical work, and accurately put forward pragmatic and flexible solutions. He never stuck to dogmatism. No matter what Confucius said or what Yao and Shun did, did Confucius eat rice from the Five Dynasties? Did Yao and Shun drink water from the Five Dynasties? If you don't eat fireworks here, how can you guide the affairs here across thousands of years?

Reform requires pragmatism, and people like Zhao Pu are the most suitable. From the "Chenqiao Mutiny" to the "Release of Military Power with a Cup of Wine", and then to helping Zhao Kuangyin complete a series of reforms to strengthen the centralized system, Zhao Pu laid the foundation for the Song Dynasty for 300 years. However, his academic qualifications were always a hurdle that he could not get around, and they were always the path used by those who envied, jealous and hated him to discredit him. Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin advised him to read more and make up for his shortcomings.

The phrase "a prime minister must be a scholar" is not only an exhortation to Zhao Pu, but also a warning to him. This sentence can also be understood as follows: although Comrade Zhao Pu's achievements are obvious to all, he is indeed not qualified to be a prime minister. Because when we open up the pattern and raise the perspective, it is not difficult to find that Zhao Pu is also just a tool of Zhao Kuangyin, who has never relaxed his suppression of Zhao Pu.

"The Art of Controlling People"

Dong Zunhui, whose father was Dong Zongben, was the governor of Suizhou during the Later Han Dynasty. At that time, Zhao Kuangyin was still an insignificant figure and went to Suizhou to seek refuge with Dong Zongben. Dong Zunhui relied on his father's power and often bullied Zhao Kuangyin. Once, the two debated on a military issue. Dong Zunhui was at a loss for words and could not win the debate with Zhao Kuangyin. Unable to accept defeat, Dong Zunhui left with his sleeves swung, leaving Zhao Kuangyin alone on the spot.

"What future do I have with a bunch of bugs like you!" Zhao Kuangyin felt that he would not have any development here, so he bid farewell to Dong Zongben and sought other better opportunities.

In the past you ignored me, but today I have made you out of reach. Who could have thought that Zhao Kuangyin would become the emperor? Dong Zunhui was so scared.

However, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to have forgotten this person who often bullied him. Not only did he not make things difficult for Dong Zunhui, he also promoted him repeatedly. Not long after, he was promoted to the imperial army and became the commander of the Xiaowu Army. Dong Zunhui was worried about this. Was he transferred from the local to the central government just to make it easier to kill me?
Soon, someone came to tell Dong Zunhui that the emperor invited him to have tea. Zhao Kuangyin received him in the side hall. Dong Zunhui said nothing and fell to the ground, asking for death. "I deserve to die!"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled heartily, saying that he was tolerant and that how could a ruler be petty? I called you here today to clear up the misunderstanding with you in person, so that you wouldn't have any wild thoughts.

Dong Zunhui was so grateful that he kowtowed like a chicken and shouted "Long live the emperor". Zhao Kuangyin asked his attendants to help him up and comfort him with kind words. However, at this moment, a brave soldier suddenly went to the court and beat the drum to accuse Dong Zunhui of various illegal acts, as many as more than ten!
Dong Zunhui was so frightened that his face turned pale and he quickly knelt on the ground again, "Your Majesty, please kill me..."

Zhao Kuangyin waved his hands and said, "I just said I would pardon all your sins. Do you think you will regret it in just a moment? Don't worry, not only will I not punish you, I will promote you immediately."

Dong Zunhui cried loudly and kowtowed repeatedly (kowtowed again and again with tears in his eyes).

Then, Zhao Kuangyin greeted his mother again. Don't get me wrong, it was a real greeting.

Dong Zunhui sighed and said that her mother was unfortunately trapped in Youzhou during a war and there has been no news of her for several years.

Zhao Kuangyin then ordered his men to bribe the border residents of the Liao Kingdom with a large sum of money. Finally, they found out the whereabouts of Dong's mother. They managed to smuggle her back to the country and returned her to Dong Zunhui, while also giving her a large amount of rewards so that he could honor his mother well.

Zhao Kuangyin repaid evil with kindness in exchange for Dong Zunhui's absolute loyalty. Later, when he was planning to unify the southern vassal states, Zhao Kuangyin dispatched brave generals to guard the northern defense line from the northwest to the northeast. Dong Zunhui, who was then the Palace Guard, was appointed as the envoy of the Tongyuan Army and stationed in Huanzhou to guard the northwest border for the motherland.

This was the opportunity Dong Zunhui had longed for to repay the emperor's kindness. He put into practice the practice of repaying evil with virtue and convincing people with reason. After taking office, he hosted a banquet for the chiefs of the surrounding barbarian tribes, entertained them warmly, gave them generous gifts, and explained to them the open and tolerant ethnic policy of the Celestial Empire, which achieved the expected effect (everyone was pleased).

However, there are always some people who don't like to eat good food. Some chiefs turned against their promises after a few months and brazenly violated the border.

When friends come, there is good wine. If the jackal comes, there is a hunting rifle to welcome it. Tolerance does not mean cowardice. Behind the knowledge and reason is a torrent of steel. Dong Zunhui had been prepared for a long time and responded appropriately, capturing and killing many people. Under the great power of the Celestial Empire, all tribes were convinced and knelt down to sing the song of conquest.

Dong Zunhui then sent his cousin Liu Zong to the capital to report on his work and to hand over the captured war horses to the court. Zhao Kuangyin fully affirmed Dong Zunhui's achievements and praised him highly. When seeing Liu Zong off, Zhao Kuangyin took off his "Pearl-Panel Dragon Robe" and asked Liu Zong to give it to Dong Zunhui.

Liu Zong was terrified. This was the emperor's exclusive skin. How could a minister accept it?

Zhao Kuangyin said, "Who are you and Dong Zunhui? Others can't wear it, but he can!"

Dong Zunhui was stationed in Huanzhou for fourteen years. His main task was to intimidate the chieftains and keep an eye on the Xiazhou Li family (Western Xia). During these fourteen years, "the Xia people were pleased and obedient" and "did not dare to offend them at all". After Zhao Kuangyin passed away, Dong Zunhui still enjoyed the trust of Zhao Guangyi and never moved his station. He was also given the privilege of doing things at his own convenience until the sixth year of Taipingxingguo (981) of Emperor Taizong of Song, when Dong Zunhui died of illness while in office.

Dong Zunhui, a man who was once arrogant and domineering and had long caused Zhao Kuangyin to suffer school bullying and workplace cold violence, was eventually influenced and transformed by Zhao Kuangyin into a pillar of the country, and his glorious image as a meritorious and famous general will be recorded in history forever.

Thanks to my old friend "Yang Kui" for the monthly ticket support!

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(End of this chapter)