Why did Zhao Kuangyin pass on his younger brother instead of his son?

Song Taizu and Zhao Kuangyin established the Song Dynasty, ending the division of the Five Dynasties and Ten Countries, but his younger brother Zhao Guangyi succeeded him to the throne. Mao's sons are all adults, and there is no immoral behavior. In this case, they did not pass it on to their son, but to their younger brother, which is very rare in history.

Liu Qishi, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, has some stories because of his succession. Liu Qi and his mother and brother Liang Wang Liu Wu drank too much. They were very excited and said to Liu Wu, I will give you a throne in the future. However, this matter was strongly opposed by the DPRK ministers, and Liu Qi himself went back on his word. From what happened later, we can know that Liu Qi's biggest possibility is to please his mother Dou Taihou, because her mother loves this younger brother. However, the so-called gentleman was joking, and Liu Wu took it seriously. He sent someone to assassinate these ministers who opposed his succession, which caused an uproar. Liu Qicai forgave Liu Wu at the request of his mother Dou Taihou. But the two brothers never got along.

From this incident, we can see that the first choice of inheritance has always been the father's death and son's succession, and brothers and sisters will only be chosen if there are no children or under special circumstances. Special circumstances include: the country is in trouble and the emperor's children are too young. Mao doesn't fit this situation. At that time, his sons, Zhao Dezhao and Zhao, were both in their twenties and had good conduct. Therefore, the succession of Mao's younger brother has become an eternal mystery.

It is a mystery because there are many doubts and insufficient evidence, and later scholars can't draw a definite conclusion, so they can only guess by clues. I'll show you all these clues today, so that you can feel what the most likely situation is.

Suspected 1

Unusually, Mao Zhao Kuangyin never had a prince in his life. The problem of the prince is the foundation of the country. The early establishment of a prince can reassure officials and the court and is of great significance to the stability of the country. However, from Chen Qiao's mutiny to his death, Zhao Kuangyin did not establish a prince during the period of *** 16, which is strange to Zhao Kuangyin, the wise founding king of SHEN WOO.

The second question

In the eighth year of Kaibao, Mao Lidi became the king of Jin, ranking above the prime minister, with a hint of successors. As early as when Mao put down the rebellion, he was appointed as Kaifeng Yin. The connection between these two events is symbolic. In the Five Dynasties, Zhou Shizong was the King of Jin and Kaifeng Yin before he succeeded to the throne, and Chai Rong was the adopted son of Guo Wei. In this way, Guo Wei let his adopted son establish his position first, and then succeeded to the throne to realize the transition. It can be said that it is no coincidence that my brother became the first Kaifeng Yin and the last one. It makes sense to explain the first doubt with this point. The reason why we don't set up a prince is to let our brother inherit the throne.

The third question

Zhao Pu, the first hero in Song Dynasty, opposed Zhao Guangyi's succession. During the mutiny in Chen Qiao, Zhao Pu worked closely with him, but he became Kaifeng prefect Yin, who was in charge of the capital for thirteen years, and then Zhao Pu became prime minister for ten years, ranking above. The two men formed two powerful forces and confronted each other.

In the eighth year of Kaibao, Mao was dissatisfied with Zhao Pu and dismissed him. A month later, he was promoted to King Jin. These two events coincide in time, which makes people feel that they have defeated Zhao Pu and gained Mao's trust. From then on, Mao regarded Zhao Guangyi as an invisible successor.

Zhao Pu is very experienced and determined in the struggle for political power. In order to strengthen the control of military power, Zhao Kuangyin replaced the important positions of our times and imperial guard with his own die-hard cronies, thinking that this would be reassuring. Zhao Pu said: Even if they don't want to rebel, only their subordinates will force their superiors to participate like the Chen Qiao mutiny, and then they will be helpless. So Zhao Kuangyin set out to further weaken their military power.

Later, Zhao Kuangyin intended to appoint Fu Yanqing to take charge of the imperial army, but Zhao Pu always dissuaded him. Zhao Kuangyin asked: Why do you always doubt him? I was too good to him. How can he resist? Zhao Pu said: Zhou Shizong is so kind to you, how can you rebel? So Zhao Kuangyin listened to Zhao Pu again.

From these two things, Zhao Pu answered the emperor with such disrespectful words, which shows that Zhao Pu is deep in scheming and resolute in means. Presumably, when Mao and Zhao Pu discussed the idea of letting his younger brother succeed to the throne, so did Zhao Pu: Don't you know the misfortunes of Emperor Liu Qi and Liang Dynasty? Of course, this is just my guess.

However, it may be true that the existence of Zhao Pu has become the biggest obstacle to Zhao Guangyi's succession. Mao may have been wavering in this matter. Although he prefers it, Zhao Pu's opposition also carries a lot of weight. It was not until Zhao Pu went on strike that Zhao Guangyi's position was established. But even so, there are still many variables. After all, there is no nominal emperor.

There are many doubts about Mao's death and succession in Historical Records. This is the famous "candle shadow axe sound" in history.

Mao called into the palace to drink, and the eunuchs and maids all stepped down. In the distance, by candlelight, Zhao Guangyi left for a while and then gave in. After drinking for a long time, Taizu suddenly knocked on the ground with a column axe and said loudly, well done! Then I took off my clothes and fell asleep, snoring like thunder. Mao died the next day, and the cause of death was unknown. Queen Song asked the chamberlain to call Zhao, Mao's son. However, Wang Jien thought that Mao always wanted to pass on his throne to his younger brother, so he went to Kaifeng directly to call Zhao Guangyi. Seeing Cheng Dexuan sitting at the door, Cheng said: Something happened at home. I came to see him. Wang Jien went in with Cheng Dexuan and told the news of Mao's death. Zhao Guangyi said: I will discuss it with my family first. Wang Jien said, Let's go. After a long time, the throne will be taken away by others. Three people arrived in ouchi, Wang Jien asked Zhao Guangyi to wait outside first, and went in to inform himself. Cheng Dexuan said: Go straight in, what are you waiting for? Queen Song asked: Is Zhao there? Wang Jien said, the king of Jin is here. The Queen of Song Dynasty changed color in fear, saying, Our mother and son's lives are in your hands. Zhao Guangyi said: * * Take care of your wealth, don't worry. Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne the next day.

The above content comes from the Sushui Story written by Sima Guang, a rigorous historian in the Northern Song Dynasty, and was later included in the long edition of Xu Zitong's Bamboo Slips, which is rigorous in textual research. It should be credible.

The fourth question

Why did Mao suddenly die? According to Mao's records during his lifetime, he was healthy and not sick. Some people say that Taizu died of drinking too much, but Taizu usually drinks very sparingly. This statement is not reliable.

If Zhao Guangyi tampered with the wine, there are some things that can be explained. Did Mao finally "do well" because he found something and shouted: You did it! Moreover, according to historical records, Zhao Guangyi is very proficient in this trick. Wang Mengchang in the last years of Shu and Li Yu in the last years of Southern Tang Dynasty were both poisoned by Zhao Guangyi.

Cheng Dexuan predicted the death of Mao. According to the Biography of Ma Shao in Song Dynasty, on the day when Mao died, Ma Shao said to Cheng Dexuan: Tomorrow is an auspicious day for the King of Jin. Cheng Dexuan went to report to Zhao Guangyi. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he immediately locked Cheng Dexuan up and let him go.

The reason why he was locked up was that he was afraid of revealing the secret. Cheng Dexuan should have known in advance that Mao was dead. This also explains why Cheng Dexuan was at the door when Wang Ji came to Zhao Guangyi. Because he was waiting for news from the palace, seeing the king of Jin was not what he said at all. What are you doing sitting at the door? Why didn't you go in to see a doctor earlier?

This is also the biggest doubt. If Cheng Dexuan and others can predict Mao's death, then I'm afraid someone tampered with Mao's death, and the mastermind behind this scene must be.

The fifth question

Why did Empress Song call Zhao Wei? Not Zhao Dezhao? Because Zhao Dezhao is older, she should be called Zhao Dezhao first. Also, why did Queen Song immediately call Zhao Kuangyin's son when she died in Zhao Kuangyin, instead of everyone's default heirs, Wang Jin and Kaifeng Yin Fu?

Song Empress is younger than Zhao Dezhao 1 year, and even younger, so Song Empress likes it better at ordinary times, but she is a little embarrassed about Zhao Dezhao. This may explain why the Queen of Song asked for Fang De instead of De Zhao at first. But at the same time, it can be seen that the king of Jin has an advantage in the battle for the throne with the son of Mao. If Mao's son has openly competed with the King of Jin, then there must be only one person, and that person must be Zhao Dezhao. If Zhao Dezhao and Mao were evenly matched before his death, then the Song Empress at this time must be called Zhao Dezhao, because it is impossible. The reason why the Empress Song was able to choose her favorite Zhao on her own initiative shows that all Mao's sons have equal opportunities, and no one has the advantage.

However, the fact that the Queen of Song Dynasty didn't call Jin Wang still shows that Jin Wang's position is important, but it is always a sigh of relief. Mao was not designated as the emperor's younger brother, nor was it made public.

The sixth question

The emergence of the golden chamber alliance. Zhao Guangyi re-launched the founding hero Zhao Pu. Pu Zhao Miyan: At that time, Du Taihou asked me to write about the alliance of golden chambers, and to determine the question of the throne after Taizu, and hid it in the palace. Zhao Guangyi went to find it, and he found it.

This matter is also full of doubts. According to the following description, let's take a look at what the Golden Chamber Alliance said. Du Taihou (the mother of the Zhao Kuangyin brothers) asked Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu to discuss the succession to the throne before his death. Du Taihou asked how Mao ascended the throne, saying it was due to his ancestors. Empress Dowager Du said: No, your son is too young, so you have a chance. If Zhou had an elderly monarch, where would you get the opportunity? Therefore, we must pass the throne to our younger brother in the future, so that the country can last for a long time. So, let Zhao Pu put the agreement in writing, and then everyone signed it.

Historians generally believe that the alliance of the golden chamber exists, but no one can judge its true content. The reason why Taizu didn't set up a prince in his life, but let Zhao Guangyi be the King of Jin and the magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, suggested that he was the successor, which may be influenced by the alliance of the Golden Chamber. However, Mao has never made a clear decision on his behavior, and he may have hesitated himself.

The seventh question

Zhao Pu has been depressed since the strike. Six years after Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, Zhao Pu told him about the Golden Chamber Alliance. Why didn't he say it earlier to gain fame and power?

The possible reason is that the Golden Chamber Alliance may exist, but it is only a verbal promise, and it is not written at all.

The eighth question

Zhao Guangyi chose a special period to reuse his former political rival Zhao Pu. Before that, Zhao Dezhao was forced to die, and Zhao died soon. After Zhao Pu recovered from his illness, he dealt a heavy blow to Zhao Guangyi's younger brother Zhao Tingmei and eventually exiled him. Zhao Tingmei was worried to death. Zhao Guangyi succeeded in removing the obstacles to his son's inheritance.

Zhao Guangyi's intention to use Zhao Pu is also obvious. He had something to do with the deaths of Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Fangde. If Zhao Tingmei is afraid of causing unrest, it needs a prestigious right-hand man to advise and share the pressure. And Zhao Pu just wanted to take this opportunity to show his loyalty to Zhao Guangyi. Did the two hit it off and created a golden chamber alliance, which hit the nail on the head?

All doubts have been said, and the answer seems to be coming out, but it is difficult to be sure.

Mao seemed to prefer his younger brother Zhao Guangyi, but he didn't announce it in the end.

Zhao Guangyi is likely to succeed to the throne smoothly, but there seems to be a coup, but the evidence is not clear.

The existence of the alliance of the golden chamber has been generally recognized, but whether there is literature circulating and what is its content is widely controversial.

I'm not sure what the truth is.

So write down these related clues and let everyone judge the two mysteries of the early Song Dynasty, "Candle Shadow Axe Sound" and "Golden Chamber Alliance"!

Read history and think about life. Welcome to follow my official WeChat account and headline number: Liu Hongwen.