Chapter 12 2. Winning trust: Zhou Shizong's father-son relationship

Living in a chaotic world, unpredictable world events are often difficult for people to grasp, so it has also created many erroneous things.Zhou Shizong Chai Rong's own experience is the best example of the impermanence of the world. Chai Rong's aunt was originally the concubine of Zhuangzong Li Cunxu of the later Tang Dynasty. After Zhuangzong was overthrown by Li Siyuan of Mingzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, the benevolent Li Siyuan did not kill his concubine, but sent her back.On the way home, Mrs. Chai encountered heavy rain and ruined the road, so she had to stay at the post house, but who knew that she met Guo Wei unexpectedly.Under the gratification of the two, they married Guo Wei.Under the persecution of Liu Chengyou, Emperor Yin of the Later Han Dynasty, Guo Wei rebelled, and all his sons were killed by Liu Chengyou. Only his nephew Chai Rong was with him, and the Chai family asked Guo Wei to adopt Chai Rong as his adopted son.After Guo Wei's death, Chai Rong succeeded him as Emperor Zhou.

Chai Rong himself had outstanding military and political talents, and won the support of hundreds of officials. After succeeding to the throne, he worked hard to govern, and made very hard efforts to further enhance and expand the national power and territory of the later Zhou Dynasty.Reluctantly, although he became the emperor, his biological father could only be his courtier. Chai Rong's father, Chai Shouli, was an ignorant man, relying on his family power to run amok in the countryside.Unexpectedly, his sister became the queen of Hou Zhou by mistake, let alone his son became the emperor of Hou Zhou.Chai Shouli, who was so happy from the sky, became more and more domineering. Although he held an important position as Guangluqing in the court, he did not seek political power. He only drank and had fun every day, bullying others.In the capital, everyone would turn pale when mentioning Guangluqing Chai Shouli. The court officials dared not provoke him, and ordinary people even avoided him, calling him "Ten Fathers".

After Chai Rong succeeded to the throne, he not only fought everywhere, but also constantly fought wars with the southern states such as Hou Shu and Southern Tang, which expanded the territory of Hou Zhou; but what he expected most was to drive Khitan out of the Central Plains and regain Youzhou and other territories.Therefore, it actively adjusted its internal affairs, hoping to quickly improve its national strength, and carried out many drastic reforms.Two of these have aroused public dissatisfaction. One is to move all the cemeteries in the city outside the city to let the dead make way for the living; the other is the famous destruction of Buddhas and casting of money.

In order to avoid military service and taxes, and because of frequent wars, Buddhism flourished during the Five Dynasties period, and many people became monks. Temples were built everywhere and Buddha statues were cast, wasting a lot of metal.Chai Rong ordered the temples to be demolished, and the Buddha statues were melted down to cast coins and weapons, which caused a great shock in the country.Prime Minister Fan Zhi said to Chai Rong: "Many people in the country believe in Buddhism. Your Majesty's move will inevitably arouse public resentment, and I am afraid it will cause turmoil at that time."

But Chai Rong insisted: "Now that the country is in crisis, the enemy has not been calmed down, and the country is still divided, but so much money is used to build temples. Those who want to escape military service become monks and don't do childbirth. It's unnecessary waste. I'm doing it for generations to come." Fan Zhi said: "But you will be blamed by everyone! Aren't you afraid of offending the Buddha?" Chai Rong smiled wryly and said: "There is a saying in Buddhism: If it is beneficial to the world, you can give with your hands and eyes. If this is true, what is a mere bronze statue? If the Buddha donates a bronze statue, you can mint a lot of coins , can also increase a lot of weapons, which is beneficial to the country and the people, I don’t think the Buddha will blame it. As for the blame you said, the benefits of my doing so have not been seen by everyone, so let everyone criticize it. Wait until the future, There must be someone who understands what I do."

Zhao Kuangyin, who has been promoted to the right servant, said: "The various strategies formulated by the state are definitely not to satisfy one's own selfish desires, but to let the people live a good life. If such painstaking efforts cannot be understood, then we can only say that It's the people who are stupid. In order to match their stupidity, should we just let it go? This is the real disaster for the country and the people." Fan Zhi, Wang Pu and others knew that no matter how much they persuaded him, they would not change Chai Rong's decision, so they looked at each other helplessly.While everyone was discussing, a servant suddenly came in to report: "Qing Guanglu, Chai Shouli, murdered people in a busy city, and he has been notified to the government!"

Chai Rong was taken aback, and hurriedly asked what was going on.It turned out that Chai Shouli was drinking and having fun in the tavern, and when he was half drunk, he killed someone for no reason.As Guangluqing, he disregarded the law and discipline, and caused panic among the people in the downtown area, and was surrounded by people.The Ministry of Punishments and the Minister of Dali Temple had no choice but to send someone to take him into custody first, and then immediately reported the news to Zhou Shizong. Everyone who was racking their brains to discuss policy decisions couldn't help frowning when they heard the news, and looked at Chai Rong, wondering how he would deal with this matter.Wang Yan, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment, and others have already come outside the hall, waiting to hear Chai Rong's opinion on how to deal with it.

Seeing that everyone was at a loss, Chai Rong couldn't help but sighed and said: "I left home when I was young, and went to the battlefield with my adoptive father at the age of fifteen. A comfortable mansion for my father, let him enjoy a good time, but who knows, this kind of thing always happens." Wang Pu, who is famous for his integrity and outspokenness, said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty's filial piety is certainly a lesson, but this matter is not trivial. Although Guang Luqing always caused troubles in the past, they were all harmless and meaningless disputes. Now that people are killed, But it is different, so please Your Majesty, please judge carefully."

Chai Rong nodded helplessly, feeling a headache for his father.Wang Yan and others also stepped forward and asked: "The person killed by Guang Luqing is still lying dead on the street, how should His Majesty deal with it?" Chai Rong said: "You first comfort his family on my behalf. Let me think about this matter first." After everyone resigned, Chai Rong came to the harem and told the matter to Queen Fu.Fu Shi was originally the daughter of Tianxiong Jiedu envoy Fu Yanqing, she was smart and virtuous, and won Chai Rong's favor.Seeing that the emperor was so troubled now, Fu could only speak softly and patiently comfort him: "This matter is inherently embarrassing. The son is a ruler and the father is a minister. It is very inconsistent with the etiquette of ethics. If you are favoritism and disrespect the law, It is bound to cause criticism from the court. And the emperor is a filial person, if he is severely punished, he will not bear it."

Hearing what she said, Chai Rong felt very relieved when he saw that Fu Shi deeply understood her embarrassment. He took her hand and said, "Because I can't be filial, I take sides everywhere. Who knew that it would grow My father didn't abide by the law, so it's actually my fault." Fu Shi said: "If the emperor feels really embarrassed, it is better to find someone close to you to discuss it." Chai Rong said: "Among the generals and prime ministers, Wang Pu and Fan Zhi are Geng Jie people. They will definitely ask me to punish them severely. But Zhao Kuangyin is smart. You can ask him to discuss it."

Zhao Kuangyin, who had just returned to the mansion, received an imperial edict from the palace, guessing it must be for Chai Shouli.Then he said to Zhao Pu: "Your Majesty is in every possible way in the court. But Wang Pu, Wang Yan and others are still pressing hard. Now I am suddenly called into the palace, it must be because of this matter." Zhao Pu laughed and said, "This matter involves legal and rational principles, so it is difficult to handle no matter what. But in the end, it is still the emperor's housework. If His Majesty is willing to discuss such matters with you, it shows that he really trusts you." Zhao Kuangyin went to the palace to face the saint, and Chai Rong admired this young general who was only six years younger than himself. The two fought side by side in the battles of Southern Tang, Later Shu, and Northern Han, and their friendship was deep.As usual, it was a word of praise first, and then the topic was revealed: "What is your opinion on the Guangluqing murder case?" Zhao Kuangyin had expected to come here for this matter, so Zhao Kuangyin said with confidence: "Although it is said that 'the prince broke the law and the people are the same crime', I feel that this matter is justifiable." When Chai Rong heard this, he hurriedly asked him to explain in detail. Zhao Kuangyin said: "Guang Luqing was worried about the country, and he was in a trance due to drinking, so he committed murder. If the emperor punished him, it seemed that he was selfless and upheld the law, but he lost his filial piety. It's not what His Majesty wants to see." These words were exactly what Chai Rong was thinking, and he couldn't help asking with a smile on his face: "So, in your opinion, how should we deal with it?" Zhao Kuangyin said: "The emperor is the most filial person, and he doesn't want his filial piety to be damaged. And Guangluqing is getting older now, it should be time to enjoy family happiness. Although the capital is prosperous, it is also noisy. Please resign Guang Luqing, and His Majesty will find a secluded place for him in the suburbs of Beijing, so that he can face the wall and think about his mistakes. On the one hand, he has punished future generations, and on the other hand, he has also maintained the law, and His Majesty will not feel guilty about it. heart of." In fact, although Chai Shouli is in Guangluqing, he has nothing to do all day long. What Zhao Kuangyin said to persuade him to resign has no effect on Chai Rong, but it can respond to the punishment.At the same time, the method of letting him think about his mistakes in the suburbs of Beijing, and properly resettling him, can also make the people angry, and it also takes into account Chai Rong's filial piety, which can be said to kill three birds with one stone.Chai Rong was very happy with this suggestion, so he ordered Zhao Kuangyin to act accordingly, and arranged Chai Shouli to the suburbs of Beijing to build a house for him and set up concubines so that he could live in peace and enjoyment, satisfying Chai Rong's filial piety. The Chai Shouli incident was just a trivial matter for the turbulent situation in the later Zhou Dynasty. However, historians recorded this incident in detail, not to criticize Zhou Shizong's great talent and strategy, but as an important evidence of Zhao Kuangyin's deep trust.For Zhao Kuangyin, at this time he has passed the stage of gaining promotion through military exploits. If he wants to gain greater power and higher status, the most important thing is the trust from the supreme ruler. Only by gaining the trust of Chai Rong can he In order to grasp more real power in the next week.Participating in the Chai Shouli incident and providing Chai Rong with satisfactory suggestions reflects Zhao Kuangyin's unparalleled ability in this regard and also shows his stable position.