The merciless way of power
History is always writing about the bright and dark sides of human nature. In the history of the Song-Jin controversy, we have seen the ruthless ravage of morality by power, and also witnessed the absolute control of power over the fate of individuals.
Zhao Gou and Qin Hui back then were poor worms struggling to survive in the whirlpool of power. One is a descendant of the Northern Song Dynasty royal family who was under the control of the Jin people, and the other is a traitorous minister hand-picked by the Jin people. Their fate is entangled, reflecting the cruel truth that power is above all else.
Zhao Gou: A prisoner of power
After the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou escaped the slaughter of the Jin people and was sent to Huanglong Mansion to become a prisoner of the Jin people. However, just when he was desperate, he unexpectedly got the opportunity to ascend the throne as the emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty.
This seems to be a lucky encounter, but it is actually a trap that Zhao Gou cannot escape. As an emperor born captive of the Jin, he has always lived under the control of the Jin. Once Jin Ren felt that he was disobedient, he could be killed at any time, and even Emperor Yanzhen's fate could not escape.
In order to keep his throne, Zhao Gou had to take the initiative to sue for peace with the Jin people, and did not even dare to call himself the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, but humbly called himself "King Kang of Song". He clearly knew that as long as the Jin people did not recognize his status, his country would not be able to be protected for a moment.
Therefore, when Jin Ren ignored his request for peace, Zhao Gou did not dare to have the slightest resentment. He could only passively accept the "traitor" Qin Hui sent by the Jin people, and completely hand over his fate to this "Jin people's appointed" figure.
This is the cruelty of power, a descendant of the Northern Song Dynasty royal family, who has fallen to such a point that he has to completely put his fate in the hands of a traitor. Zhao Gou was at the pinnacle of power, but he became a prisoner of power and had to submit to its ruthless laws.
Qin Hui: A follower of power
Compared with Zhao Gou's helplessness, Qin Hui is a follower of power. Although he was the main battle faction at the beginning, when the Jin people defeated the Northern Song Dynasty, he quickly changed his front and took refuge in the Jin people.
After four difficult years at the hands of the Jin people, Qin Hui successfully escaped and returned to the Southern Song Dynasty. Although the process is legendary, the trickiness is obvious.
The reason why Qin Hui was able to escape many checkpoints and return safely to the Southern Song Dynasty was mostly due to the acquiescence and assistance of the Jin people. Because for the Jin people, Qin Hui, the "traitor", was the key person they needed to control the situation in the Southern Song Dynasty.
With the support of the Jin people, Qin Hui was naturally able to rise all the way in the Southern Song Dynasty, and eventually became the prime minister under Zhao Gou. Not only did he have great power, but he was even asked by the Jin people to "do his best and die" to insist on holding power.
It can be said that Qin Hui is the most loyal follower of power. He knew that as long as he met the needs of the Jin people and constantly suppressed the voices of opposition, he would always be able to hold supreme power. So, he did not hesitate to betray the interests of the country and the nation and became an agent of the Jin people.
The fundamental reason why Qin Hui was able to maintain his position of power was that he could conform to the law of power and become a tool for the Jin people to control the Southern Song Dynasty. He did whatever it took to preserve his power, not for the sake of the country and the nation.
Jing Kang is ashamed, and it can't snow
It is precisely because Zhao Gou and Qin Hui are only vassals of power that their actions cannot be recognized and forgiven by history.
The shame of Jingkang has always been a pain that people are haunted by. Every time they think of the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty, people angrily condemn Zhao Gou for his weakness and Qin Hui's traitorous behavior. This shame was painful for a time, but it could not be remedied.
Yue Fei once stepped forward and tried to overthrow the rule of the Jin people and rebuild the Central Plains, but in the end he was still killed by Qin Hui and others. The feats of these loyal ministers are admirable, but they can't change the despicable choices that Zhao Gou and Qin Hui had to make in order to maintain their power.
History is ultimately judged by the laws of power. Zhao Gou had to submit to the control of the Jin people, and Qin Hui had to become the agent of the Jin people. Such an outcome is irreversible and cannot be contained.
For those heroes and soldiers who fought for the country and the people, their heroic deeds are commendable. However, when faced with power struggles like Zhao Gou and Qin Hui, it is difficult for anyone to truly change the trajectory of fate. The laws of power are above all else, including morality and justice.
Therefore, Jingkang's shame is still difficult to wash away. Although Zhao Gou and Qin Hui are both victims of the power game, their actions are also destined to be unforgivable. They are just slaves to power, and they are eventually ruthlessly abandoned by power.
The wheels of history roll forward, but the dark side of human nature will never linger. The story of Zhao Gou and Qin Hui may become a shame that can never be forgiven. Only if we take this as a warning can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and allow justice and morality to triumph once again over darkness and hypocrisy.