Zhao Kuangyin was able to establish the Song Dynasty thanks to those subordinates who were loyal to him. If it were not for his subordinates advising him to launch a mutiny, he would not have become emperor. Because it was the regime that forced Chai Zongxun to abdicate, Zhao Kuangyin made difficulties in dealing with Chai Rong's heirs. Chai Rong is close to him, he can hold so much power, and Chai Rong has a certain relationship with his trust. As soon as Chai Rong died, he robbed the other party's Jiangshan, which inevitably made people talk about him behind his back.
In fact, Chai Rong's ability to be emperor was also passed on to him by Guo Wei without heirs, and Zhao Kuangyin, in view of the fact that Chai Rong's throne was not inherited, it was reasonable for him to want to be an emperor. Morally, however, he still could not cut off Chai Rong's heirs. Chai Rong had seven sons, the first three of whom were killed by order of the ruler Liu Chengyou during the Later Han Dynasty. The fourth son, Chai Zongxun, succeeded to the throne, but at that time he was still young, and the ministers of the court actually supported Zhao Kuangyin more. In such a situation of popular expectations, Zhao Kuangyin accepted the advice of his subordinates and became emperor himself. He proclaimed himself empress dowager, demoted Chai Zongxun to the position of King of Zheng, and Chai Rong's remaining sons were also treated properly by Zhao Kuangyin.
The fifth son, Chai Xirang, disappeared, and the remaining two sons had a good ending, Chai Xijin was adopted as a righteous son by Zhao Kuangyin, and the last son, Chai Xijie, was made an official. Among Chai Rong's sons, Chai Zongxun died at the age of 20, which became a controversial topic. One theory is that he was poisoned by Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Guangyi was fierce in his heart, and it was said that Zhao Kuangyin was also killed by him. However, there is also a theory that Chai Zongxun hid in order to avoid disasters. Regardless of the reason for Chai Zongxun's death at the age of 20, he was after all the emperor of the previous dynasty, and even though Zhao Kuangyin had already given him better treatment, some people might still choose to support him. In order to eliminate this hidden danger of instability, Zhao Guangyi may poison him for this purpose. Although Zhao Kuangyin gave Chai Zongxun good treatment, this could only be said to be insignificant compared to the fact that he had taken away Chai's Jiangshan.
Perhaps Zhao Kuangyin was the emperor who responded to the voices of his subordinates, so that he did not deliberately usurp the throne. However, Chai Zongxun was not necessarily a person who did not do anything, and before he could exert his political talents, the throne was taken away by Zhao Kuangyin, which was a rebellion in ancient times. And Chai Zongxun also had to show obedience, if Zhao Kuangyin detected that he had intentions to rebel, he might be accused of the Three Tribes.
No matter how he disguised it, it was difficult to truly be comfortable, and if the ancient emperors were forced to abdicate, it would be humiliating for them. This means that they do not have the ability, like Chai Rong's descendants are still good, those who rely on rebellion and usurpation of the throne, often do not show mercy to the former emperor. It's like being slapped and having to show no regrets. However, for onlookers, Zhao Kuangyin's approach is still benevolent.
Compared with other emperors of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin was a Ming Emperor. After he established the Song Dynasty, the Eastern Expedition and the Western War pacified the local forces, ended the war, and the people could live in peace. Even if Chai Zongxun was dissatisfied with Zhao Kuangyin, as long as Zhao Kuangyin was supported by the people, he would not be able to regain power. Dynastic change is the law of historical development, and Zhao Kuangyin's ability to establish the Song Dynasty seems to be the inevitable result of historical development. During the period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, whichever force was more powerful and could unify the whole country was suitable for establishing a new political power.