Chapter 43 3. Zhao Pu's resignation: the choice between arms and siblings

While the power of Kaifeng Governor Zhao Guangyi was growing wildly, all the ministers began to speculate about his intentions, and there were rumors in the court for a while, among which Prime Minister Zhao Pu was the first to keenly feel Zhao Guangyi's movements. As Zhao Kuangyin's most important courtier, Zhao Pu followed him from the time he took office as a checkpoint in front of the palace of the Hou Zhou Dynasty, and after assisting him to ascend the throne, he followed Zhao Kuangyin to fight in all directions and establish civil affairs.But with the continuous improvement of his status, Zhao Pu gradually became restless, from a scholar to a greedy person.During his tenure as prime minister, Zhao Pu forcibly bought mansions for himself, accepted bribes, and established a huge network of contacts in the court based on his merits and status, which made courtiers dare not speak up.For all this, Zhao Kuangyin pretended not to notice, but he was unwilling to depose the prime minister who had assisted him for more than ten years because of these things.As Zhao Guangyi's power continued to grow, he and Zhao Pu gradually formed a tripartite rivalry. The two regarded each other as enemies and kept looking for opportunities to weaken each other and strengthen themselves.

As a counselor who has participated in countless struggles, Zhao Pu has long been wary of Zhao Guangyi's evil intentions, so he always reminds Zhao Kuangyin to pay attention to Guangyi's actions in front of Zhao Kuangyin.But Zhao Kuangyin said disapprovingly: "Guangyi is my younger brother, he will definitely not do anything against me." Zhao Puyu said earnestly: "Ever since Guangyi became the prefect of Kaifeng and established his own huge power in Kaifeng, the courtiers have been panicked. Could it be that His Majesty didn't realize his intentions at all, and still wants to pass the throne to him? ?”

Zhao Kuangyin said: "Guangyi now knows that winning people's hearts is a sign of his maturity. If such a large country does not have its own power, how can it gain a foothold in the court? He has now understood this truth, so he cultivated his confidants , I appreciate this. On the other hand, the prince Dezhao, although he is not young, has no idea about this at all, just waiting for me to pass the throne to him. Let me ask, even if I pass the throne to him, how can he How can one person make the courtiers obey? Who can he rely on?" Hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Zhao Pu didn't seem to care much about Zhao Guangyi's private clique, and even had some appreciation, knowing that if he tried to persuade him, it would only cause Zhao Kuangyin's dissatisfaction, so he could only withdraw.But he didn't stop looking for Zhao Guangyi's flaws.

In 966 AD, Zhao Pu used his confidant Zhou Yong in Zizhou to sue Feng Zan, the magistrate of Zizhou, for taking bribes.Zhao Kuangyin was furious when he heard this, and ordered Feng Zan to go to Beijing to report on his work, and asked Yushitai to interrogate him.Zhao Pu took the opportunity to send someone to search Feng Zan's luggage, and found many gold nuggets and countless curios in it, and the imprints on these treasures were all written with Liu Ao's name. Zhao Pu reported to Zhao Kuangyin: "Liu Ao was originally a doctor of the Ministry of Industry, but now he is serving as a magistrate of Kaifeng Mansion, directly under Zhao Guangyi's jurisdiction, and is an important figure in Guangyi Mansion. He will not privately fight with people like Feng Zan The contact person must have been instructed by Guangyi to go to Zizhou to win over Feng Zan."

Zhao Kuangyin frowned and said, "Since you said that, let Liu Ao and Feng Zan ask for clarification!" The reason why Zhao Pu painstakingly dug out the bribe-takers and bribe-givers was to let Zhao Kuangyin see where Zhao Guangyi's tentacles had reached at this time. This kind of intertwined relationship was a big threat to the stability of the Song Dynasty.But Liu Ao, Feng Zan and others denied the relationship between these gold and silver and Zhao Guangyi with one voice, claiming that it was just a gift to Feng Zan out of personal friendship. Zhao Kuangyin said: "Since it's just a personal gift, it's not considered bribery."

Zhao Pu saw that Liu Ao and Feng Zan were going to get away with it, so he insisted on asking: "Liu Ao is just a judge in Kaifeng Mansion, where did he get so much gold and silver treasures, and he didn't have many contacts with Feng Zan, so how could he send such a treasure?" What about expensive gifts?" Liu Ao said: "The governor of Kaifeng is a benevolent master who treats his subordinates very well, so he will reward us with some property from time to time. These treasures were also given to me by the governor. Just forward it to Feng Zan." Zhao Guangyi also defended his staff and said: "It's just a little gold and silver. What is it compared with people's hearts? Your Majesty often teaches me to be kind to my subordinates, so I reward them with these gold and silver and let them do things for the country wholeheartedly. His consistent style. His Majesty always approves of it, but the Prime Minister is not used to it."

Zhao Kuangyin was very troubled by the unyielding debate between Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi.He waved his hand to stop him and said: "Feng Zan, as the governor of the state, should avoid melon fields and plums, and should not accept such expensive gifts. This is his self-examination. He will be removed from the post of governor and exiled to Fengzhou, Dengzhou. Mendao. The others are not at fault, so just pay attention to your own words and deeds in the future." This dispute finally ended with Feng Zan being exiled. Zhao Kuangyin did not want Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi to continue fighting like this after making a balance in it, so he had to compromise and mediate.But Zhao Pu was still very dissatisfied with the result. He said to Zhao Kuangyin: "Guangyi has now controlled most of the prefectures in the country to serve him, and Feng Zan is just one of them. Your Majesty should be more cautious with him. Don’t let it go any longer.”

Zhao Kuangyin, who was already annoyed by the fight between him and Zhao Guangyi, said angrily: "Who will pass the throne to be the prince? This is my Zhao family's family business. I have my own plans for this. You have tried to stop me several times." Slandering Guangyi, do you have to let me demote him to be satisfied?" Zhao Pu panicked and said, "I don't dare, but I am afraid that Guangyi will succeed, and the great Song Dynasty will be in trouble." Zhao Kuangyin sneered and said, "Even if Guangyi succeeds to the throne, the country will not fall by the wayside. It is the ministers intervening in the abolition of the crown prince, which is the root cause of the country's instability."

The words have come to this point, Zhao Pu knows that Zhao Kuangyin most taboos the courtier's monopoly, so he dare not say any more.However, Zhao Guangyi won Zhao Kuangyin's favor by constantly being courteous to Zhao Kuangyin. He was always looking for opportunities to fight back against Zhao Pu's attacks on him. Zhao Guangyi's attacks on Zhao Pu have always been based on his taking bribes and accumulating money. Although courtiers taking bribes is a very serious matter, it will not have much effect on Zhao Pu, because Zhao Kuangyin has long accumulated I believe that these crimes are not enough to be the reason for Zhao Kuangyin to punish him.It wasn't until 972 AD that Zhao Guangyi finally found his best chance to fight back.

This year, Zhao Pu chose a marriage for his son Zhao Chengzong, and married Li Chongju, a privy envoy, as his son and daughter.This was a very festive event, but Zhao Guangyi said to Zhao Kuangyin: "Zhao Pu is the prime minister in the court. He is under one person and above ten thousand people. All officials respect him very much. But he is not satisfied. In the court This time he wants to marry Li Chongju as in-laws, and his purpose is very obvious, but he just wants to unite with Li Chongju's forces." Zhao Kuangyin has always been very taboo about courtiers forming cliques, and Zhao Guangyi grasped this point to speak to him, which really aroused Zhao Kuangyin's vigilance.He summoned Zhao Pu in the name of congratulations, and said to him: "It is a good thing that you and Li Chongju are married, but some people report that Li Chongju has misbehavior."

Zhao Pu hurriedly asked: "Li Chongju has always been loyal, how could he do something wrong to His Majesty? When I choose my sons and daughters to be relatives, their character and morality are naturally the most important. If he makes any mistakes, I will definitely consider this matter carefully. dear." Zhao Kuangyin said: "In the past few days, I have received a secret report from one of Li Chongju's disciples named Zheng Shen. He is Li Chongju's most trusted confidant. He reported that Li Chongju had accepted a lot of bribes to seek personal gain for officials in the DPRK and China. .Don't you know about it?" Zhao Pu was taken aback: "I don't know about this matter. If it is true, I will cancel this marriage right now." Soon, Li Chongju was removed from the post of Privy Envoy because of taking bribes, and only served as Jiedu Envoy of Zhen Guojun who had no real power.And Zheng Shen, who successfully reported him, was reused and given a background as a fellow Jinshi.The marriage between Zhao Pu and Li Chongju lost any political significance. On the basis of destroying Zhao Kuangyin's trust in Zhao Pu, Zhao Guangyi ordered Lu Duoxun, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, to criticize Zhao Pu and impeach him on the grounds of forcibly buying a mansion and privately selling Qinlong Jumu.Under the siege of all the ministers, Zhao Kuangyin finally became tired of Zhao Pu. After Li Chongju was demoted, Zhao Pu's power also began to be weakened. Only by signing can it take effect; and the subordinate officials who held important positions in the prime minister's mansion were also replaced by Zhao Kuangyin as many as 15 people at one time, and Zhao Pu's confidantes were all dismissed.The prime minister was gradually restrained, and his power slowly began to decline. Once the defeat was formed, it was like a mountain toppling. Zhao Pu was alienated by Zhao Kuangyin within a year, and finally in August 973 A.D. he was dismissed from the positions of inspector Taiwei and Tongping Zhangshi, and left the capital.Looking sadly at the change of the prime minister's position that he had been in for more than ten years, Zhao Pu understood that his situation was over. He knew that once he left Kaifeng, Zhao Guangyi's power would grow wildly without any obstacles.This year, Zhao Pu was only fifty-two years old, and it was very likely that Zhao Guangyi would succeed to the throne within his lifetime.Zhao Kuangyin finally abandoned his minister and kept his younger brother. Zhao Pu knew that if Zhao Guangyi gained power, he would be detrimental to him. Appreciate his loyalty and filial piety.This move left a foreshadowing for his return to Kaifeng later.