In successive dynasties, the way of succession to the throne generally follows the principle of standing long, standing concubine, and establishing sage. A good heir is related to the rise and fall of the dynasty, so the emperors have been extremely cautious in this matter. But Emperor Gaozong of Song, in the selection of heirs, showed us a textbook-level operation.
Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Zhao, unfortunately lost the ability to pass on the lineage during the Jingkang Rebellion in the early years. Since there were no heirs, it was decided to choose an heir within the royal family, and finally after layers of selection, a teenager named Zhao Xuan was successfully selected, but strangely, Zhao Yun was not only delayed in being made crown prince, but this candidate was twenty years old.
Perhaps Emperor Gaozong still had hope for himself, but the years had shattered his illusions a little. Another important reason was that Emperor Gaozong's mother, Empress Wei, did not like it. Compared with Zhao Xuan, Empress Wei preferred another Zhao Zhen who had been raised in the palace, and repeatedly persuaded Emperor Gaozong to make Zhao Zhen crown prince.
After Zhao Yun was identified as the quasi-prince, he was not only not at fault, but also diligent and studious. But on the other side was his mother, so Emperor Gaozong was wavering in this matter and it was difficult to choose, which made the position of prince hanging in the air. Eventually, after much deliberation, Emperor Gaozong intended to solve the problem that had plagued him for many years in a way.
Emperor Gaozong sent ten young and beautiful virgins to Zhao Xuan and Zhao Zhen respectively, and after half a month, they were all recalled, and the broken bodies of the beauties were checked one by one, and finally found that the ten beauties given to Zhao Xuan were all no longer virgins, but the ten beauties given to Zhao Xuan were still complete. In the Song Dynasty, the science of science flourished, Zhu Xi put forward the concept of "preserving heavenly reason, destroying people's desires", Zhao Yun's character was upright, and he was highly displayed in morality, which impressed Emperor Gaozong.
In the end, Emperor Gaozong made Zhao Yun the crown prince until he ascended to the throne, for Emperor Xiaozong of Song. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, he made great efforts to govern and reform internal affairs. Not only did he rehabilitate Yue Fei, but he also actively planned the Northern Expedition, although the Northern Expedition failed, but Emperor Xiaozong also deservedly became the most capable and accomplished emperor in the entire Southern Song Dynasty. Emperor Gaozong's test seemed absurd, but it did select a true Ming Emperor for the Southern Song Dynasty, which was a great fortune for the country.