In July 1194, the Civil and Military Officials of the Southern Song Dynasty came to Chonghua Palace, and under the auspices of Empress Dowager Wu, Zhao Kuo, the King of Jia, was proclaimed emperor, that is, Emperor Ningzong of Song. However, at this time, Song Ningzong's father, Song Guangzong, was still alive and living in the imperial palace south of Lin'an City, and had no idea what was happening in the north. Although the history books refer to this matter as "Shaoxi Inner Zen", in fact, Song Guangzong was "abolished" by his grandmother Wu, so what is the matter?
First, Song Xiaozong's choice
Things have to start with Song Guangzong's father, Song Xiaozong. Since emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty was childless, he made Emperor Xiaozong of Song, who was born in the clan, the heir and passed the throne to him. Emperor Xiaozong of Song was both a Ming Emperor and a filial son, and although he was not Emperor Gaozong's son, he was very filial to Emperor Gaozong and his wife. Although Song Xiaozong had four sons, he was also very worried about the issue of heirs.
Because the eldest son and the fourth son died of illness, the heir could only be selected among the second and third sons. Both of these sons were born to empresses, and according to the order, the second son Zhao Kai should be established, but Song Xiaozong admired the third son more, "Emperor Xiaozong took the emperor (referring to Song Guangzong) as a heroic warrior and wanted to be made crown prince." After a long period of consideration, with the support of Emperor Gaozong of Song, Emperor Xiaozong of Song made a final decision, making his third son the crown prince and the second son the King of Wei.
Second, the problem of Song Guangzong
In 1189, Emperor Xiaozong of Song chose to abdicate and live in Chonghua Palace north of Lin'an City, and the emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty was replaced by Song Guangzong. However, it turned out that Song Xiaozong had lost sight of it, and Song Guangzong, the emperor, had many problems, on the one hand, he was subject to Empress Li' family, and on the other hand, he still had problems with his spirit. It wasn't long before Song Guangzong had a disagreement with his father, Emperor Xiaozong, and the problem was mainly with the heir. Emperor Guangzong of Song had only one son, Zhao Kuo the Prince of Jia, but his abilities were very limited.
In this situation, Empress Li fanned the flames in front of Emperor Guangzong of Song, saying that Emperor Xiaozong did not agree with King Lijia and wanted King Wei's son to take the throne; she also said that Emperor Xiaozong gave Guangzong pills because he wanted King Wei's son to take the throne as soon as possible. At the instigation of Empress Li and the eunuchs, Song Guangzong began to go to Chonghua Palace to see his father, and the relationship between the two palaces became very poor. After Song Xiaozong became seriously ill, he wanted to see his son, but Song Guangzong ignored the persuasion of hundreds of officials and closed the door.
3. The ascension of Emperor Ningzong of Song
Because Song Guangzong repeatedly refused the request of civil and military officials and students to "pass through the palace", it aroused the general dissatisfaction of public opinion. Although Song Xiaozong's condition was very serious, his consciousness was still clear, and in the last moments of his life, he was very sad and refused to take medicine, because since the illness, his son had never visited him. In ancient China, filial piety ruled the world, and the emperor as the lord of the world actually had a weak affection for this, and some people even said at that time: "This is the weather of the chaotic world and the destruction of the country!" ”
On the ninth day of June 1194, Song Xiaozong died in Chonghua Palace, and the hundred officials urged the emperor to go and preside over the funeral, but Song Guangzong ignored it. In the days that followed, hundreds of officials continued to write letters, but Song Guangzong still refused to go to Chonghua Palace. In this case, Zhao Ruyu, Han Nongxu, and others, with the support of empress dowager Wu (the wife of Emperor Gaozong of Song), proclaimed King Jia emperor. When Song Guangzong received the news, he was very angry and refused to leave the palace, and he was not allowed to be called Emperor Taishang, but all to no avail.
References: 1. "History of Song"; 2. "Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian"