Chapter 19 9. Seize power: the situation is changing, and the chickens and dogs are not alarmed

As Chai Rong's most trusted and trusted general, Zhao Kuangyin and Chai Rong have a lot in common. They both sympathize with the people and do not want war.Both of them, who were born in ordinary gentry, had traveled around for their livelihood when they were young, so they are well aware of the hardships of the people.In the troubled times, Chai Rong knew that as long as he died, there must be many military generals who held heavy troops and coveted the throne, and the power of Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde and others would definitely be detrimental to Chai Zongxun's mother and son.At the last moment, he still chose to trust Zhao Kuangyin the most, and handed over the post of inspection in front of the palace to him.If Chai Rong wanted to revoke Zhang Yongde because he was afraid of the prophecy of "checking and becoming the emperor", then the successor of checking and checking would also test the authenticity of this omen.Therefore, maybe Chai Rong believed this sentence before he died, and he also understood that the country in Houzhou would inevitably fall into the hands of others. If all this is true, he would rather hope that it would fall into the hands of Zhao Kuangyin who has the same interests as himself.

Zhao Kuangyin, who reorganized the imperial army in Chenqiaoyi, thought of the kind entrustment to him when Shizong was alive, and his expression gradually became dignified.Zhao Pu saw it and said, "Your Majesty, Sejong once determined to quell the war and make the world peaceful and peaceful, but he failed. If we can achieve this goal, wouldn't we be repaying the late emperor's kindness?" ?” Zhao Kuangyin nodded and said: "When the late emperor was alive, he often taught me to cherish the people. If I can fulfill my wish this time, I must follow his ideas and complete his unfinished business."

Zhao Pu said: "To be successful, the current situation is the most critical. Now that the army has finished repairing and is returning to Kaifeng, there are four things that are the most important." Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly asked: "Which four things? Please tell me clearly, sir." Zhao Pu said: "Although the army is in good spirits at Chenqiaoyi, it is inevitable that there will be accidents. Now that we are leaving the camp and returning to Beijing, we must be more careful on the way. We must strictly enforce military discipline and prevent any accidents." When Zhao Kuangyin heard this, he ordered someone to send an order to Murong Yanzhao, who was in charge of the striker, asking him to ensure that the soldiers obeyed the dispatch for dozens of miles on the way back to Beijing.When he was outside Kaifeng City, Zhao Kuangyin ordered all the soldiers to return to the barracks, and they were not allowed to move around to harass the people. The soldiers returned to the camp to ensure safety.

With the cooperation of Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi, the Kaifeng city gate was quickly opened, allowing Zhao Kuangyin and others to enter the city.Zhao Pu said: "Now we have to face the second matter." Zhao Kuangyin asked: "Now the soldiers are only guarding outside the city, and only a small number of people follow us into Beijing. Don't you think it's safe, sir?" Zhao Pu said: "People in the capital now see us as rebels. The emperor of the imperial army in the capital is named Chai, but the emperor of our army is named Zhao, so in their eyes our army is the enemy. There will be a lot of incidents. Although these disputes are not big, they will become the grounds for fighting. Therefore, we should try our best to avoid the two armies meeting on the street and clashing."

Zhao Kuangyin said: "You can rest assured on this point. When the Hakka province envoy Pan Mei returned to Beijing to report to Shi Shouxin and others, they had already arranged for the guards of the capital. There will be strife." Zhao Pu said: "It's very good, but it's better to be careful." Zhao Kuangyin said: "Then, what are the two other things?" Zhao Pu said: "The next two things are very important, one is the Empress Dowager Fu and the emperor, and the other is the civil and military officials." Zhao Kuangyin said: "The next thing we have to face is this matter."

After discussing with each other, Zhao Kuangyin decided on a plan, and then Zhao Kuangyin rode back to the general's mansion and stayed behind closed doors. In fact, Zhao Pu, Miao Xun, Shi Shouxin and others had already made arrangements for all this before the incident, and now they are just making some adjustments according to the current situation.As the mastermind of this matter, Zhao Kuangyin has become the number one enemy of the Empress Dowager Fu and the little emperor. Although he has seized the initiative, he hides in the mansion and does not show his face. It is a roundabout strategy.

Zhao Pu and others came to the palace as Zhao Kuangyin's envoys. The Empress Dowager Fu and the emperor were already shocked and angry, and they couldn't help crying when they saw Zhao Pu and others.Zhao Pu waited for her to reprimand him, then patiently analyzed the situation, and let Empress Dowager Fu understand that the little emperor can't control such a big situation in this chaotic world, so it's better to just let it go.Instead of giving the throne to other ambitious generals, it is better to give it to the honest Zhao Kuangyin.Zhao Pu said: "The general inspector was greatly favored by the late emperor. The monarch and his ministers have a close relationship and a deep friendship. Therefore, I have repeatedly ordered the three armies not to make troubles with the queen mother and the emperor, but to treat the Sejong family well. If the emperor is willing to abdicate, the general promises to keep the prosperity of the Chai family. Enfeoff Chai Zongxun as King Zheng, enfeoff Empress Dowager Fu as Empress Dowager Zhou, and enjoy royal support."

Under Zhao Pu's persuasion, Empress Dowager Fu wiped away her tears, held the little emperor in her arms, and nodded helplessly. Hiding in the mansion, Zhao Kuangyin, who was restless, heard the news brought back by Zhao Pu, heaved a sigh of relief, and said, "After all, I don't have to do anything to offend Shizong." But Zhao Pu said: "It's not too early to be happy at this time, and now we have reached the most difficult hurdle: all civil and military officials are still in the court, and it is not sure whether they will support you!" Zhao Kuangyin said: "Let me handle this matter myself!"

Surrounded by everyone, Zhao Kuangyin came to Chongyuan Hall.Because in the early dynasty, they heard that Zhao Kuangyin was treasonous, all the ministers gathered here to discuss countermeasures.Prime Minister Fan Zhi was ashamed and angry, and excitedly grabbed Wang Pu's arm and said, "Hurry up, it's all my fault, my fault!" His fingernails began to bleed while grabbing Wang Pu's arm, but Fan Zhi Still don't know. Zhao Kuangyin came in front of everyone and said to Fan Zhi with tears streaming down his face: "I have received the favor of Sejong, and I am here today. But I didn't expect to be forced by the soldiers to do such a thing. I am really ashamed." Extreme!"

All the ministers saw a group of warriors with knives standing outside the hall, and Fan Zhi also remained silent, not knowing how to deal with this situation.Seeing this, Luo Yangui, Zhao Kuangyin's valet, drew out his shining saber and pointed at Fan Zhi, and said sharply, "I'm waiting for no one to make the decision. Today, the emperor must be supported!" Fan Zhi saw the blade pointing directly between his eyebrows, and knelt down on the ground with a plop.Seeing this, all the ministers also prostrated themselves on the ground, shouting long live, and respectfully invited Zhao Kuangyin to go to the Chongyuan Hall to accept the abdication.

After a while, all the officials had been arranged in order and ready to start the abdication ceremony. At this time, Fan Zhi remembered that the most important edict of abdication had not been prepared yet, but Tao Gu smiled and said, "Prime Minister, don't panic." He took out a copy of the abdication edict that had been written a long time ago from his sleeve. Fan Zhi looked at the edict that had been prepared, and could only sigh, announcing the start of the ceremony. On the fifth day of the first lunar month in 960 AD, Zhao Kuangyin accepted the abdication of Zhou Gongdi Chai Zongxun, ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, took Song as the country name, and changed Yuan Jianlong. Zhao Kuangyin's proclaiming emperor is a typical example of regime change in history, and is praised by historians, because this coup not only did not bring disaster to the people, but it was also the least bloodshed in history.Changing the tradition that changing dynasties since the Five Dynasties will inevitably bring disaster to the common people has truly achieved nothing.Zhao Kuangyin followed Chai Rong for many years and learned his strategy of governing the country; and many generals and officials of the Song Dynasty were also descendants of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Therefore, it can be said that Chai Rong laid the most solid foundation for the Song Dynasty for more than three hundred years.Zhao Kuangyin has traveled the rivers and lakes since he was a child. He is good at adapting to changing situations, and he does his best to treat courtiers. These efforts to avoid disputes show that he is simple in nature. He does not want to see bloodshed, does not want to disturb the people, and hopes for peace in the world.From this point of view, he is worthy of Chai Rong.