In Chinese history, a total of 83 dynasties have emerged and hundreds of emperors have emerged. The fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Zhen, reigned for 41 years, the longest reigning emperor of the Song Dynasty, and the first emperor in Chinese history to receive the title of "Renzong", whose nickname was "Emperor Xiaoming of Shenwen Shengwu Ming". Song Renzong was kind and generous to people, advocated frugality, and could strictly restrain himself, and was a benevolent and virtuous prince.
When Wang Gong's father, Wang Su, was an advisor, there was a man named Wang Deyong who presented several beautiful women to Emperor Renzong. But Wang Su knew, but criticized. Emperor Renzong asked him, "This is a matter in the palace, how does Ai Qing know?" Wang Su said: "As long as you hear the wind and do not need to verify, you have the right to criticize." If this is true, His Majesty should correct it; if not, it is only a misrepresentation of the rumors. Why did His Majesty interrogate his subjects and how did they learn of this? Emperor Renzong smiled and said, "Emperor Zhenzong, The Prince of Qing, unlike others, are all world friends." Wang De used to sacrifice several beautiful women, which is really a matter. These beautiful women are now by the side of Yuan, and They like them very much, and stay, how? Wang Su said, "If Your Majesty does not like or alienate them, it does not hurt to stay; what your majesty is afraid of is that His Majesty likes and is close to them!" ”
Hearing Wang Su say this, Emperor Renzong was very touched and immediately ordered the eunuchs around him: "Give each of them three hundred copper coins, and make them leave the palace immediately." Things are done, hurry back and report. As he spoke, the tears flowed down. Wang Su said: "Since Your Majesty thinks that the criticism of the courtiers is right, there is no need to be in such a hurry, and after returning to the palace, slowly send them away, that is, it is." Emperor Renzong said, "Although he is the emperor. But feelings are no different from ordinary people. If you see them crying and crying and refusing to leave, I am afraid that I will not be able to bear to let them go. Ai Qing stayed here for the time being, waiting for the people sent to return to report. After some time, the eunuch came back to report that the beauties had left the palace, and Renzong showed a sad look on his face, so he got up and returned to the palace.
When Fan Yi was the prefect of Kaifeng Province, there were people who appealed. It had been three days since he had passed the door to marry his son and daughter-in-law, and he had suddenly been summoned to the palace, and there had been no news for half a month. Fan Xian said, "Is there really such a thing?" You are waiting here, and I will go to the palace for a walk. So he immediately asked Emperor Renzong to summon him. After meeting, Fan Yan reported what the people said to Emperor Renzong and said, "Your Majesty is not close to a woman, and this is known to both inside and outside the palace." How can such a thing happen? Besides, the daughter-in-law of the common people's family has already passed through the door and forced her way into the palace, how to explain it to the people of the world?"
Emperor Renzong said, "The Empress once said that someone had recently offered a woman who looked very beautiful. I haven't seen it yet. Fan Xian said, "If this is the case, please hand over this woman to your subject." Your Majesty should not be deceived by the villains around him, and suffer the resentment and accusations of the people in an inexplicable way. The courtier requested that the woman be handed over in front of the emperor's dragon throne so that the courtier could bring her back to the palace and return it to the appellant in person. Otherwise, the people's accusations against the emperor could not be explained from house to house. Moreover, Wei Chen had just promised the appellant that he would immediately help him resolve the matter. So Emperor Renzong issued a decree to bring this woman to Fan Xie in person and bring her back to Kaifeng Province. After recounting this story, Zhu Ben, the author of the note, said with emotion: Fan Yan was not known for his rigidity at that time. But I can do it because it's a good time, when everyone is vying to do good, and knowing that it's not so difficult to do good.
There are many examples like this, precisely because of the leniency of Song Renzong, during his reign the country was relatively stable, the people from top to bottom were compassionate, the economy was prosperous, and the scientific and technological and cultural aspects were also greatly developed. During this period, six of the eight masters of the Tang and Song dynasties appeared: Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, Su Rui, Zeng Gong, and Wang Anshi. Famous courtiers, coupled with no wars outside, no disasters inside, no troubles in the world, the four seas rising to peace, showing a prosperous scene, was praised by the Song Dynasty scholars as "the rule of Jiayou".
The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty once said: "The three emperors I admire the most in my life, except for grandpa Kangxi and Tang Taizong, are Song Renzong." In the "Left Biography", it is said: "To be a king, to stop at benevolence." "Song Renzong is such an emperor.