Emperor Ningzong of Song was a monarch during the Southern Song Dynasty in China. He reigned for a total of 30 years, which is a long reigning monarch in Chinese history.
Song Ningzong's throne came from a coup d'état. However, the coup was peaceful, not at all as bloody and violent as we imagined, and even a little laughable. No, this article will introduce you to the ins and outs of Song Ningzong's ascension to the throne.
The story begins with Song Ningzong's titular great-grandfather Song Gaozong. Emperor Gaozong of Song, a descendant of Emperor Taizong of Song, had no heirs, and most of Emperor Taizong's descendants were taken captive to the Jin Dynasty during the Jing kang Rebellion.
Therefore, Emperor Gaozong of Song found one of his distant nephews, Zhao Xuan, a descendant of Song Taizu, as his adopted son. Later, Emperor Gaozong of Song officially passed on the throne to his adopted son Zhao Yun, that is, Song Ningzong's grandfather Song Xiaozong, who raised himself to become emperor.
Song Xiaozong not only had a lot of achievements in the government, but also treated his adoptive father very filially. He often sent people to the Emperor Taishang's office to greet him, and he accompanied the Emperor Taishang on his travels many times. It is estimated that many people cannot do this.
After the death of Emperor Gaozong of Song, Emperor Xiaozong of Song was so grief-stricken that he cried and insisted on keeping filial piety for Emperor Taishang for three years. Therefore, he also followed the example of his adoptive father, chose to abdicate, and passed the throne to his son Zhao Huan (that is, the father of Emperor Zhao Kuo of Song Ningzong) and became the Emperor Taishang himself. Zhao Huan ascended the throne, that is, Song Guangzong.
However, in the words of our current people, Song Guangzong had some mental illness. And the misfortune was not alone, because Song Guangzong was still a "strict wife" and was very afraid of his wife, Empress Li.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song, he was very fond of a xiangshi named Emperor Futan, because this Emperor Fu had cured Emperor Gaozong's mother's illness. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, he planned to choose a wife for his son Zhao Yun. At this time, Emperor Futan recommended the daughter of the Li family to Emperor Gaozong of Song. Emperor Gaozong of Song informed Emperor Xiaozong of the situation. Song Xiaozong also agreed. This family affair between Zhao Wei and Li Shi was thus settled.
However, Mr. Huangfu really looked away this time, because Li's character was completely incompatible with the word "Xianshu". On the contrary, she was very fierce, and Zhao Wei was very afraid of her. Emperor Gaozong of Song was remorseful when he learned of this, and felt that he had pit his adopted grandson. To this end, he and Song Xiaozong repeatedly warned Li Shi to keep the way of women and change their temper. Li Shi not only did not listen, but also hated his husband's family.
After Emperor Xiaozong of Song gave the throne to Emperor Guangzong of Song, Li shi also became empress. Lee's door was ascended to heaven by this chicken dog. Empress Li was flying high and low, and her reputation inside and outside the palace was very poor. Emperor Xiaozong of Song couldn't bear to look at it anymore, so he once again issued a warning to Empress Li: If you do this again, then You can also let The Son of Heaven depose your empress.
However, Emperor Xiaozong's warning of Emperor Song not only did not let the arrogant Empress Li get lost, but also made her hatred for Song Xiaozong deeper. Empress Li repeatedly said bad things about Song Xiaozong in Song Guangzong's ear, saying that Emperor Taishang wanted to become emperor again. Song Guangzong was not very mentally normal. Empress Li's rumors were much said, and he became suspicious of his father. Once, Song Guangzong fell ill. Song Xiaozong heard that his son was sick and quickly sent someone to deliver medicine to his son. As a result, Empress Li said that the medicine was poisonous. The confused Song Guangzong once again listened to Empress Li's words and refused his father's concern.
Song Xiaozong, who was over sixty years old, gradually deteriorated and fell ill. As a son, visiting your father was a matter of course. However, Song Guangzong, who listened to Empress Li's rumors, thought that this was his father's plan and was unwilling to visit his father. Song Xiaozong longed to see his son, but during his serious illness, he hardly saw Song Guangzong's figure. In the end, in the midst of regret and sadness, Song Xiaozong died. Song Xiaozong was originally a filial son. But his son did such an unfilial act, which could not help but make people sigh and sympathize.
As we all know, after the death of Emperor Taishang, the emperor, as his son, should attend and preside over the memorial service of Emperor Taishang. However, even this point, Song Guangzong would not do it. He excused himself as not in good health and could not attend his father's funeral. As a result, public opinion in the Manchu Dynasty was in an uproar.
Song Guangzong should have been the benchmark for the people of the world. However, when his father died, he did not run to the funeral, and this emperor did something too bad. At this moment, the whole country was panicked. The courtiers, represented by Zhao Ruyu and Han Nongxu, believed that if Song Guangzong continued to stay on the throne, the state estimated that it would be chaotic. They decided to try to get Song Guangzong to abdicate and have his son Zhao Kuo the Prince of Jia take the throne.
Song Guangzong was reluctant to preside over Song Xiaozong's funeral, so the courtiers asked Song Gaozong's wife, Empress Wu," Song Xiaozong's adoptive mother, to preside over the funeral. Qunchen first persuaded the generals of the Forbidden Army to support the coup, and then secretly pleaded with Empress Wu to agree to support King Jia. Empress Wu was worried that Song Guangzong would continue to make such a fool of himself, and the Southern Song Dynasty would be unstable, so she agreed to their request.
At the funeral of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, in addition to Song Guangzong and his wife, King Jia and his courtiers were present. Suddenly, according to the written script, the Qunchen bowed down in front of Empress Wu: the emperor's health had been bad, which was not conducive to Jiangshan Sheji. The ministers and others thought that they should honor the Son of Heaven as the Emperor Taishang, raise the heavenly age well, and ask the Crown Prince Jia to take the throne. Empress Wu immediately approved, and ordered the internal attendants to take the yellow robe and put it on for King Jia.
Since ancient times, countless people have longed for the emperor's throne. However, King Jia, who was still in the dark, learned that he had suddenly become an emperor, and he was so frightened that he ran around and did not want to be this emperor, which made people feel crying and laughing. Finally, according to Empress Wu's orders, the internal attendants and the courtiers pulled king Jia and forcibly draped him in yellow robes. The bloodless palace coup came to an end. King Jia ascended the throne, that is, Emperor Ningzong of Song.
Song Guangzong, who was also in the dark, learned at this time that his son had become emperor and that he himself had become the Emperor Taishang. Song Guangzong was bent on preventing his father from taking away his throne, but he did not expect that his throne had been given to his son by everyone. Song Guangzong was resentful in his heart, and simply learned to nail the household, refusing to move to the palace of the Emperor Taishang. Song Ningzong had to move to another palace to live.
Compared with his father, Song Ningzong was still relatively filial. He had prepared to visit his father many times. However, Song Guangzong was always unwilling to forgive Song Ningzong and refused to meet with his son. Several times, Song Guangzong remembered his lost throne and couldn't help but cry bitterly. I wonder if at that time, he remembered his father Song Xiaozong?