In those turbulent years of the Song Dynasty, a family became the focus of history because of its unique selection method and the outstanding performance of its family members. This is the Siming Shi clan with three prime ministers. In the thirty years of Shaoxing, Song Gaozong's prince selection test not only tested the future prime minister, but also made the family famous in history.
In the Song Dynasty in 1160, due to the influence of the Jingkang Rebellion, the royal bloodline was almost cut off. In this year, Zhao Gou of Song Gaozong decided to propose the establishment of a crown prince, which can be described as a major plan of the country. He chose two descendants of Song Taizu, Zhao Bojiu and Zhao Bocong, as adopted sons, and the fate of these two children was different from then on, and their every move would affect the future of the entire Great Song Dynasty.
Zhao Bojiu and Zhao Bocong are fat and thin, Song Gaozong prefers the plump Zhao Bojiu, thinking that he looks blessed and more suitable as the crown prince. How can the important affairs of the state be decided only by the personal preferences of the emperor?
At this time, a Chinese scholar named Shi Hao came up with a strange trick. He suggested an unconventional method for choosing the crown prince: let the two princes each copy the "Orchid Pavilion Preface" 500 times. Although this method is very different from the imperial examination, it can also show the patience and perseverance of the two to a certain extent.
A few days later, Zhao Bocong handed in the 700 copied "Orchid Pavilion Preface", but Zhao Bojiu did not copy a word. Such a result can't help but be surprising, and Zhao Bocong's diligence and hard work are obvious.
But Song Gaozong obviously didn't want to make a decision on this yet. He set up another ring and sent twenty beauties to continue to test the two princes. A month later, all the palace maids were recalled, only Zhao Bocong's mansion, and those beauties still maintained their perfect body.
Through these two tests, Zhao Bocong's performance is undoubtedly outstanding. He showed not only his knowledge, but also his self-control and moral standards. Eventually, he was made the crown prince, renamed Zhao Yan, and became the later Song Xiaozong.
Because of the success of this selection, Shi Hao was reused by Zhao Gou and officially became the prime minister. His family, the Siming Shi clan, became famous because of this. Not only did the family have three prime ministers, but the members of the family had prominent positions in various dynasties.
It's cold in the heights. Behind the brilliance of the Siming Shi clan, there are also some unknown sufferings. Shi Hao's great-grandfather, Shi Jian, was originally a servant who was brutally treated by his boss because of his opposition to corruption, and eventually died young. After Shi Jian's death, his family was almost in a desperate situation, leaving only a young grandson, Shi Hao. Shi Hao's childhood was full of hardships, but with his indomitable will and outstanding intelligence, he finally changed the fate of himself and his family.
This transformation in Shi Hao's life not only allows people to see his personal greatness, but also embodies certain characteristics of Song Dynasty society. In this era, even if you come from a humble background, as long as you have enough talent and opportunities, it is still possible to reverse your fate and reach the peak of your life.
Such stories still sound exhilarating today, but in a volatile political environment, every peak can be a new low. Although the Siming Shi clan has gone through the changes of the world, and the family members have reached the pinnacle of politics many times, such a status has also made them the target of public criticism. Every political turmoil, every change of power, can put them in danger.
According to historical records, the members of the Siming Shi clan were often excluded and attacked by other political forces for various reasons. Although their power is great, behind this power is endless responsibility and pressure, and it may even bring threats to life.
Moreover, the high position of the Shi family has also made them the focus of civil discussion. Among the people, some people praise their talents and contributions, while others criticize them for their excessive power, and even have all kinds of false rumors and slanders. This kind of family fate from the beginning to the end makes people sigh at the cruelty and complexity of history.
In this context, Shi Hao and his family members had to act more cautiously, and every decision they made could be related to the family's honor and disgrace, life and death.
In Shi Hao's story, we can see how a family has reached remarkable heights through wisdom and hard work in the long history of treacherous history. But it's also a complex story of power, responsibility, and humanity.