Preface
Chai Rong, as a hero, swept through the Central Plains, but died of illness when his ambition was not rewarded, which is embarrassing. However, after his death, Zhao Kuangyin's Chenqiao Mutiny brought great changes to history. Zhao Kuangyin wore a yellow robe and became the new male lord, opening the establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Five generations and ten countries, wars are raging. There are many heroes, swallowing mountains and rivers, but in the end, it is not the power of one person who can level the world. Today, let's talk about how the new Zhao dynasty opened up its territory and expanded its territory, and how it built the foundation to create a thousand years of imperial industry?
First, Chai Rong is ambitious
Five generations and ten countries, wars are raging, and heroes are born. Among them, Chai Rong can be described as a hero in the world, ambitious, and determined to unify China. Chai Rong has been brilliant and intelligent since he was a child. and long, diligent in political affairs, and knows the books well. He is brave and shrewd, strategic, commanding, and fearless.
What is even more commendable is that Chai Rong is humble and studious, and often discusses the past and the present with Confucianism, and discusses the righteousness of governing the country, which is very rare. Such a talented person is naturally highly respected by the government and the opposition, and is deeply appreciated by Chai Rong of the Later Zhou Dynasty.
In the third year of Jianlong, Chai Rong had the ambition to unify the Central Plains. He first attacked the Southern Tang Dynasty, and in just two years, he recovered the fourteen states of Jiangbei. This was undoubtedly a major victory and laid a solid foundation for Chai Rong's great cause of reunification. Subsequently, Chai Rong marched north again, wanting to recapture the sixteen states of Youyun.
Although it failed to capture Youzhou in one fell swoop, it has included the lands south of Waqiao Pass into the territory. But Chai Rong's heart was not strong, and he died suddenly at the age of thirty-nine, and his great cause was unfinished. This was a heavy blow, which not only made the government and the opposition deplore it, but also plunged Chai Rong's great cause of reunification into a predicament of uncertain prospects.
The reason why Chai Rong was able to achieve such brilliant results in just a few years was not only due to his personal bravery and good fighting, but also due to his careful strategic deployment. He first pacified the south, and then planned the northern expedition, step by step, step by step.
This not only ensured the security of the rear, but also accumulated sufficient financial and military resources for the northern expedition. It's a pity that Chai Rong died young, and he couldn't see the completion of the great cause, which is really embarrassing.
Second, Chai Zongxun was powerless to succeed to the throne
Chai Rong died and was succeeded by his son Chai Zongxun at the age of seven. The government and the opposition all regretted it. Chai Rong died young, the country has no owner, and the great cause is interrupted, how to carry on the past and forge ahead now?
Chai Zongxun was young and ignorant, and he was powerless to take responsibility. Chai Rong's widow, Empress Xiaofu, was not a talented lord, and the government naturally fell into the hands of the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs. Although Prime Minister Fan Zhen, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu have prominent positions, they are not the strength of one person, and it is difficult to preside over the overall situation.
Although Wei Renpu was valued by Chai Rong, he was not a military general in the end. He was humble and prudent, and he was good at resolving conflicts, which undoubtedly played an important role in this turbulent period. However, after Chai Rong's death, both the government and the opposition had different intentions. Especially the officers and men in the army, they complained about Chai Zongxun's young and ownerless.
Chai Zongxun was young and ignorant, so he naturally couldn't take charge on his own. And Chai Rong's widow, Empress Xiaofu, although she is a queen, she is not a talented lord. Under such circumstances, the government naturally fell into the hands of prime ministers such as Fan Zhen and Wang Pu.
However, after all, they are not heroes like Chai Rong, it is difficult for them to take charge alone, and they cannot complete Chai Rong's unfinished business. The turmoil between the government and the opposition also cast a shadow over the rule of these prime ministers.
Third, Zhao Kuangyin added a yellow robe
Chai Zongxun ascended the throne for half a year, and Zhao Kuangyin launched the Chenqiao Mutiny and seized the throne. Zhao Kuangyin was originally inspected in front of the palace, holding heavy troops, and with the careful planning of the military advisor Zhao Pu, the mutiny was smooth and unimpeded.
Although Zhao Kuangyin was born as a military general, he is not a mediocre person. He is very smart and good at strategy, and he knows that in order to sit firmly in the country, he must first appease the government and the opposition. Therefore, after the success of the mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin repeatedly told his supporters not to act without authorization after entering Beijing, let alone harass the palace land. This shows Zhao Kuangyin's prudence and foresight.
On the night of the mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin was drunk and asleep, still ignorant of it. By dawn, the generals had already dressed up neatly, clustered around the yellow robes, and forced Zhao Kuangyin to wear them. Zhao Kuangyin had no choice but to obey the sergeant.
This scene is reminiscent of Guo Wei's yellow robe back then, which shows that Zhao Kuangyin is indeed learning from this senior. However, unlike Guo Wei, Zhao Kuangyin held real military power in his hands, which greatly increased his success rate in seizing the throne.
The reason why Zhao Kuangyin was able to successfully launch the mutiny was not only due to his personal strategy, but also due to the careful planning of the military advisor Zhao Pu. Zhao Pu had insight into the current situation, saw the opportunity of Chai Zongxun's youth and ignorance, and the turbulence of the government and the opposition, and carefully laid out, and finally achieved Zhao Kuangyin's great cause. It can be said that Zhao Kuangyin's success is as important as the contribution of this military advisor.
Fourth, the prime minister is helpless
When the news of Zhao Kuangyin's mutiny came, the government and the opposition were shocked. Prime Minister Fan Zhen and Wang Pu were shocked at the moment, and they were helpless for a while. Although Wei Renpu was valued by Chai Rong, he was not a military general in the end. In the face of Zhao Kuangyin's mutiny, he had no choice but to let it go.
This humble and prudent prime minister undoubtedly played an important role in this turbulent period. However, in the face of Zhao Kuangyin's mutiny, he was powerless after all. Although Han Tong, the commander of the forbidden army, wanted to resist, he was ambushed and plotted, and the country was destroyed. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow.
Han Tong was an important general in the forbidden army, and if he could get his support, he might be able to stop Zhao Kuangyin's usurpation. However, Han Tong was still unable to escape death in the end, which undoubtedly greatly increased Zhao Kuangyin's chances of winning.
The rest of the ministers of civil and military affairs, seeing that Zhao Kuangyin had been dressed in a yellow robe, were all afraid, and finally surrendered one after another. These original Chai Rong's cronies could only give in in when faced with Zhao Kuangyin's strength. It can be seen that Zhao Kuangyin's military strength is so strong that even the ministers of the DPRK and China cannot compete.
Prime ministers such as Fan Zhen and Wang Pu, although their status is respected, they are not military generals after all, and they are naturally helpless in the face of Zhao Kuangyin's mutiny. And although Wei Renpu is cautious and understanding, he can't stop this from happening.
Although Han Tong, the commander of the forbidden army, had the heart to resist, he encountered an accident and died and the country was destroyed. The rest of the civil and military ministers, seeing that the situation was unstoppable, could only succumb to Zhao Kuangyin's strength. It can be seen that in this turbulent period, even the ministers of the DPRK and China cannot stop the rise of a real hero.
Fifth, Zhao Kuangyin appeased the government and the opposition
As soon as Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, he granted amnesty to the world and changed the Yuan to Jianlong. He added officials to knighthood and reused civil and military forces to appease the government and the opposition. Although Prime Minister Fan Zhen, Wang Pu, and Wei Renpu have a respected status, they are all in awe of Zhao Kuangyin's wisdom.
Zhao Kuangyin even abolished the etiquette of sitting and arguing, and the government and the opposition were all in awe. This shows Zhao Kuangyin's wisdom and foresight. He knew very well that in order to consolidate his rule, he must first appease the government and the opposition and win the support of the ministers of civil and military affairs.
Zhao Kuangyin rewarded his supporters even more. Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, Zhang Lingduo, Wang Xianqi, Zhang Guanghan, Zhao Yanhui and others were all knighted. This greatly strengthens their loyalty. Zhao Kuangyin's younger brother Zhao Kuangyi was also added as the defense envoy of Muzhou. Such a move is undoubtedly also aimed at consolidating the foundation of his rule.
After Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, the first major event was to grant amnesty to the world and change the Yuan Jianlong. This is a smart move. Amnesty in the world can win the support of the people, and changing the Yuan and Jianlong can highlight the atmosphere of the new dynasty. All this shows Zhao Kuangyin's political wisdom.
For the ministers of the DPRK and China, Zhao Kuangyin also took a series of measures. He abolished the ritual of sitting and talking, which was also to shorten the distance between him and the ministers of civil and military affairs and enhance their sense of awe. At the same time, he also added a large number of officials to the knighthood and reused civil and military forces to appease the government and the opposition. All of these initiatives show Zhao Kuangyin's foresight.
Sixth, the Northern Song Dynasty expanded its territory
After Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne, his first priority was naturally to consolidate his rule. So, he first pacified the southern feudal domains and ensured the security of the rear. Subsequently, he launched the Northern Expedition and conquered the sixteen states of Hebei in one fell swoop. This was undoubtedly a major victory, which not only expanded the territory of the Northern Song Dynasty, but also laid the foundation for further expansion in the future.
The reason why Zhao Kuangyin was able to achieve such a brilliant record was not only due to his personal heroism, but also due to his strategy and wisdom. He is good at strategizing, commanding steadily, and fearless in battle. At the same time, he was also diligent in political affairs, knew the documents and books well, handled machine affairs, and had insights.
Such qualities also laid a solid foundation for his military achievements. In this way, Zhao Kuangyin expanded his territory step by step and laid the foundation of the Northern Song Dynasty. His ambition is no less than that of Chai Rong back then. It's a pity that Chai Rong died young, and he couldn't witness the completion of the great cause.
And Zhao Kuangyin, with his heroism and wisdom, completed Chai Rong's unfinished cause in one fell swoop, and finally established the Northern Song Dynasty and unified the Central Plains. This is also a remarkable achievement, enough to be admired by future generations.
epilogue
Zhao Kuangyin's yellow robe was added, and the situation changed for a while. With great ambition, he expanded his territory and eventually established the Northern Song Dynasty and unified the Central Plains. It can be seen that heroes will eventually be born and calm the world, and only those who are wise and brave can preside over the prosperous era.
The reason why Zhao Kuangyin was able to achieve great things, in addition to his personal heroism, was more due to the times to create heroes. If Chai Rong hadn't calmed down the situation first, would Zhao Kuangyin have been able to seize the country so easily? It can be said that Chai Rong's unfinished business was finally completed by Zhao Kuangyin.