Chapter 15 5. Creating public opinion: a sign of a two-day dispute

After the early death of Emperor Shizong Chai Rongying of the Later Zhou Dynasty, a mist suddenly appeared above the court of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Chai Zongxun, who was only seven years old, succeeded to the throne as Emperor Gong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, assisted by the Empress Dowager Fu, and the four ministers Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, and Han Tong. , Zhao Kuangyin holds the military and political power.According to Sejong's teachings, any major matter must be discussed by the four ministers and submitted to the Queen Mother before a decision can be made.But such a conception can only be a beautiful fantasy. The views of the four ministers who hold the power will inevitably produce some inclinations, allowing the most powerful party to take the initiative.Among them, Zhao Kuangyin is the most prominent.

When Guo Wei and Chai Rong were alive, Zhao Kuangyin received honors unmatched by other courtiers. At the same time, he controlled most of the country's army and was the supreme commander of the Forbidden Army.He is good at winning people's hearts, not only is he assisted by his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi, but also has established his own huge lineage in the army. The "Ten Brothers of Yishe" composed of generals such as Shi Shouxin, Li Jixun, Wang Shenqi, Liu Qingyi, and Han Chongyun are his most powerful subordinates. At the beginning of Chai Rong's death, Empress Dowager Fu must discuss with the four Tuogu ministers when encountering problems, but as time goes by.She found that although the four ministers were respectful to her, the restlessness of the people around her became more and more prominent, especially Zhao Kuangyin's younger brother Zhao Kuangyi.

Empress Dowager Fu said to Fan Zhi and Wang Pu: "The first emperor entrusted us orphans and widowed mothers to you in the hope that you can assist my son in governing the country well, fulfilling his last wish, so that Dazhou can transition smoothly to Zongxun. hands. Although the north and the south are safe now, there are always some people in the court who are not safe." Wang Pu hurriedly asked: "The old minister was entrusted by the late emperor, so he should be loyal to the empress dowager and the emperor. What is the empress dowager referring to?" Empress Fu said: "In the past few days, every time I went to the court, some people always talked about it in the court hall and said disrespectful things. Although the emperor was young and ignorant, he didn't understand that it was disrespectful to him, but My queen mother knows it!"

Fan Zhi said: "Is the queen mother referring to Zhao Kuangyi? He likes to express his own opinions in the courtroom for the past few days, but I believe this is not disrespectful to the emperor. It's just that he is young and energetic and doesn't know how to restrain himself." .” Seeing that Fan Zhi was still defending Zhao Kuangyi, the Empress Dowager Fu became angry, and said angrily, "If what the Prime Minister said is true, is it because he is young and arrogant that he didn't kneel down during the pilgrimage to the emperor?" Fan Zhi was taken aback: "Is there such a thing?"

Empress Dowager Fu said: "Zhao Kuangyi came to the palace to inquire this morning, and saw that the emperor and I didn't kneel down, but just stood there and reported the military situation, and then retreated without permission. It's not a day or two for him to be the Marquis of Yu in front of the palace. Now, reporting the latest military situation to the emperor is also very skillful, doesn't he know that he should kneel when he sees the emperor?" Fan Zhi and Wang Pu didn't expect Zhao Kuangyi to be so bold, and seeing Empress Dowager Fu's angry look, they really didn't know how to answer.Now Zhao Kuangyin holds a heavy army and is the most powerful one in the court. The reason why his younger brother is so domineering must be because of this reason, but who dares to challenge Zhao Kuangyin?

Seeing that neither of them answered, Empress Dowager Fu lamented: "The late emperor died young and handed over the country to a seven-year-old child. Master Shaoguo suspects that this has happened since ancient times. For this situation I have expected the appearance of the emperor, but I did not expect it to come so soon. Originally, I hoped that you two senior ministers of this dynasty could assist my son, but now it seems that the fate of our orphans and widowed mothers is worrying! If the late emperor is in heaven You Ling, I don’t know if I’ll feel sad!” As she spoke, she shed tears.

Hearing what the Empress Dowager Fu said, Wang Pu couldn't help being very sad when he thought of Chai Rong's heroic appearance of leaping on horses to kill the enemy and the favor he had shown him. Zhou Heshan is safe and sound." Seeing Wang Pu's words of persuasion, Empress Dowager Fu held back her tears in time, and sent the two veterans away after entrusting them with earnest words. On the second day in the court hall, Wang Pu really stood up and said loudly: "Now that the emperor is young, some people are starting to be presumptuous. If this continues, there will be no kingly law. Not only has he failed the late emperor's expectations, but he will I will be cast aside by everyone. So, I hope everyone can restrain their behavior." As he spoke, he gave Zhao Kuangyi a meaningful look.

The young and energetic Zhao Kuangyi saw the way Wang Pu looked at him, and knew that the words were aimed at him, so he said loudly without hesitation: "The Prime Minister's words are a little too much, everyone is equally loyal, so why bother to treat him?" Peers are so sarcastic!" Wang Pu was originally irritable and upright, so he was furious when he heard the words, and said to Zhao Kuangyi: "May I ask you how much military exploits you have made in the court? What contributions have you made to the court? If you are in the court, what is the reason? If not Your father Zhao Hongyin and your elder brother Zhao Kuangyin, what qualifications do you have to stand here and make you dare to disrespect His Majesty?"

Zhao Kuangyi was frightened by Wang Pu's questioning, and Zhao Kuangyin stepped forward to comfort him: "The prime minister calms down, it's because I can't discipline him properly. After retiring from the court, he must be punished properly!" Wang Pu glanced at him angrily, and said: "General Zhao is loyal to the country, everyone can see it. I just don't want to see you pampering your younger brother and destroying your reputation for a lifetime!" When Zhao Kuangyin heard the words, he didn't dare to argue with him, so he hurriedly retreated obediently.

After this incident, Empress Dowager Fu was overjoyed.But Zhao Kuangyin called Zhao Kuangyi into the study and reprimanded him. Zhao Kuangyi said unconvinced: "Wang Pu is an old man. I just let him go because he is old. I didn't expect him to make an inch and make things difficult for me in the court. Brother, you don't help me. , let him gain the upper hand! Are you also afraid that he will fail?" Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and said, "You think this matter is too simple! Now everyone in the court is afraid of me, and you still have to show off everywhere, which will only arouse more suspicion from others."

Zhao Kuangyi said disapprovingly: "Right now, half of the land of the Great Zhou is in your hands. Even the Empress Dowager Fu and the Emperor require you to do it. Who dares to dissatisfy you?" Zhao Kuangyin looked at Zhao Pu helplessly, and Zhao Pu smiled and said, "General, you are right, Dazhou Rivers and Mountains are indeed protected by General Zhao, but the more this is the case, the more careful we must be, so as not to attract Fei Yu. You must know that now the Lord Shaoguo suspects that everyone is thinking about who will take over the power, if you are too ostentatious at this time, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing." What Zhao Pu said made Zhao Kuangyi start to think deeply. He knew that Zhao Kuangyin always valued Zhao Pu's words, and he was very disturbed because his arrogance caused trouble to his elder brother. Thinking carefully about what Zhao Pu said, there was indeed some truth. Zhao Kuangyin nodded and said, "Yes, the more powerful you are, the more people will stare at you, so we have to be more careful." Zhao Pu added: "However, now that General Zhao is in power, it's time for us to create some opportunities." Zhao Kuangyin asked, "What's your plan?" Zhao Pu said: "Although everyone is pretending to be calm at present, they are actually thinking about where the great Zhou will go. Everything is developing in the direction the general wants, but although you have the military power at the moment, once you get something It is inevitable that some people will criticize the action. People like Fan Zhi and Wang Pu will bear the brunt of it.” Murong Yanzhao, the commander of the imperial army, said: "Now that the general is in power, Fan Zhi and Wang Pu are definitely dissatisfied with the general. Do you have any way to make them obey the general?" Zhao Pu said: "Fan Zhi and Wang Pu are important ministers who depend on Gu Gu. It is not easy for them to comply. But what we are striving for now is to make the people conform, so that everyone feels that the general is expected by everyone and entrusted by destiny!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "Many people don't know about the bronze medal that Sejong saw back then. It's hard to get the hearts of the people to me." Zhao Pu said: "I have a friend who is an eminent monk and lives in a temple in the suburbs of Beijing. He is deeply loved by everyone. I think he should be able to help us." Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly took Zhao Pu's sleeve and said gratefully: "Everything is arranged by the master!" Not long after, a story of a two-day struggle suddenly began to circulate in Daliang City.It is said that the eminent monk on the outskirts of the city saw two suns, one black and one white, fighting in the sky. At first, the golden light of the day suppressed the black sun, but the black sun counterattacked and suppressed the golden light of the white sun, tumbling and jumping, Can not rest for a long time.In the end, amidst the black light, the day fell into the valley, and the black sun hung in the sky for a long time until it became dark.The day is confirmed by Zhou Shizong Chai Rong, and the black day is bound to be confirmed by an important official in the court. The rumors became more and more outrageous, and everyone was guessing who the black sun was going to be. Zhao Kuangyin is the black sun and is about to win the world. The prime minister should have made plans earlier!" Fan Zhi said helplessly: "If this is the destiny, how can you and my generation stop it?" As the public opinion became more and more mysterious, Zhao Kuangyin became the protagonist of the rumors. For this result, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Pu just smiled slightly.Only the well-educated Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help giving the two thumbs up, his admiration was beyond words. The rumor of the two-day dispute was the foundation of public opinion before Zhao Kuangyin planned something. After this public opinion propaganda, Zhao Kuangyin, who originally had a heavy army and was constantly suspected by everyone, turned into a man of destiny, and courtiers and public opinion began to lean towards him.Gaining so much support without breaking a sweat shows the success of this strategy.