Chapter 21 4. The secret of the royal robe

No one would believe Zhao Kuangyin's story of the emperor's robe, no matter whether it is in the present or in the future.The behind-the-scenes truth of this coup is confusing, weird and complicated. The last section is just a splicing of scattered clues in the official history.After all, usurping the throne is not a glorious thing. The official history has simplified the Guowei Chanzhou Mutiny and Zhao Kuangyin Chenqiao Mutiny, or has not collected inside information at all, so the words are vague and the plot is fragmented.In addition to official history, various versions of unofficial history also recorded this thrilling battle for the throne.Generally speaking, the credibility of unofficial history has always been lower than that of official history, but in fact, I think it is not always the case.It's just that the official history occupies the official authority to speak.We can collect some clues of unofficial history, make an in-depth decipherment of this major event, and explore the many mysteries in it.

According to the "Sushui Jiwen" written by Sima Guang, a famous historian, Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to go to the northern imperial Khitan. As soon as the edict was issued, rumors spread in the capital.There is a legend in the streets and alleys of Kaifeng that "on the day when troops are sent out, they will be supported and inspected as the emperor".The lethality of this rumor is enormous.The common people have just settled down for more than ten years, just now they feel that the rule of the Great Zhou Dynasty is not bad, just now they feel that the world has a backbone, why suddenly there are rumors in the army that the emperor will be changed?That must be another bloody disaster of burning, killing, looting and looting.The common people in Kaifeng City have received many years of anti-terrorism training, and these self-protection experiences are all exchanged for property, blood and lives.They have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and extremely quick reactions to these terrorist activities.As a result, both rich and poor people fled their homes with their belongings in large and small bags, and stayed away from the mountains.

At this time, the most terrified person was Zhao Kuangyin himself.It was rumored that he was going to be the emperor. Isn't that putting him on the stove?Once the current emperor suspects usurping the throne as a rebellion, wouldn't it be a dead end?Although today's son is young, the people around him are masters who have gone through all kinds of troubles. At this moment, killing Zhao Kuangyin is no different than strangling an ant to death. Zhao Kuangyin returned home worried with the imperial decree to lead the expedition.He quietly told the rumors from the outside world to his sister who was rolling noodles (according to the "Song History" records, Zhao Kuangyin only had one elder sister and one younger sister, but the elder sister died early. Therefore, this place seems inaccurate), Zhao Kuangyin hopes to get from his family some comments.Unexpectedly, this elder sister Zhao became furious, and angrily scolded: "When encountering a major event, a man should make his own decision. Why run home and scare us women?" Zhao Kuangyin smashed his head and face.Zhao Kuangyin got a bad nose, and hurriedly turned around and ran out.Sister Zhao was behind with a rolling pin, and drove Zhao Kuangyin out of the house in one breath.

Zhao Kuangyin had no choice but to bite the bullet, came to the barracks, ordered the army and horses according to the imperial edict, and set off immediately. Why was Zhao Kuangyin able to lead the army smoothly under such circumstances?Why didn't Emperor Chai Zongxun take decisive measures to stop Zhao Kuangyin?Because there are rumors everywhere in Kaifeng city, but the news in the imperial palace is blocked and they don't know about it.It's really strange that in the highly efficient Hou Zhou Empire, the palace officials are so incomprehensible about the news from the outside world?Unless someone deliberately cut off the news.

So who has this convenient condition to isolate the news from Ouchi? In the whole incident of Chen Qiao's mutiny into Beijing to seize the emperor, two people were the most suspicious: one was Zhao Kuangyin's third brother Zhao Guangyi, and the other was Zhao Kuangyin's military adviser Zhao Pu. According to the "Song History" "Taizong Benji", before Zhao Kuangyin was ordered to make the Northern Expedition, Zhao Guangyi's official position was known to all the worship officials of the Zhou Empire.The duty of this official position is to govern and serve the emperor's daily life, and he is one of the important leaders of many worship officials, large and small.So he knew everything around the emperor like the back of his hand, and he had full control over the emperor's daily life.

According to historical records, Zhao Kuangyin's mother, Mrs. Du, dreamed that a god put a sun in her belly, so she became pregnant and soon gave birth to Zhao Guangyi.When this person was born, the house was also filled with red light, the rays of the sun were everywhere, and the strange fragrance filled his house and neighbors.Zhao Guangyi's personality is different from Zhao Kuangyin's. He has been domineering since he was a child, and most children are afraid of him.When Zhao Guangyi grew up, he had a high nose bridge, a square face, sharp brow bones, and a serious expression. At first glance, he felt very majestic and condescending.Zhao Guangyi is very fond of learning, has a wide range of interests, and dabbles in a variety of subjects. He likes to study everything from military books and war strategies, yin and yang gossip, astronomy and calendar, to medicine and alchemy.

When Zhao Hongyin followed Chai Rong to conquer Huainan, he never looted property every time he conquered prefectures and counties. He only collected various books and gave them to his youngest son Zhao Guangyi to read.Zhao Guangyi, as if he had found a treasure, plunged into the pile of books, diligently seeking for it, and forgot to sleep and eat. Most of the people Zhao Kuangyin made friends with were those who were talented in literature and military affairs.In contrast, perhaps due to Zhao Guangyi's extensive study of multiple disciplines, he also has a lot of friends, almost all kinds of people.Zhao Kuangyin is open-minded, optimistic, passionate, open-minded and sensual, straightforward and easy to get close to.On the other hand, Zhao Guangyi is deep and stern, refined and rational, deep in the city, resolute and decisive.

At the time of Chen Qiao's mutiny, Zhao Guangyi did not stay in the palace, but followed the army in the Northern Expedition, there must be something strange in it. Zhao Kuangyin was held hostage by the rebel army and put on a dragon robe.This dragon robe is much more difficult to deal with than the yellow flag.Huang Qi casually pulled one side and draped it over Guo Wei's body. It was very convenient to pick it up.This dragon robe must have been prepared in advance.And these low-level military academies don't have the ability to make dragon robes, and they don't even have the chance to see dragon robes.

So who has seen the dragon robe?I have seen many people, and the senior generals should have seen it.But how to make the dragon robe?I am afraid that few people will know it. Even if Zhao Kuangyin, as the commander of the forbidden army, spends every day with the emperor, he may not be able to draw the blueprint of the dragon robe.Besides, the dragon robes must be made by the royal clothing workshops. Other tailors are not qualified to make them, and they are not even qualified to store the fabric of the royal robes. Zhao Kuangyin entered Kaifeng and became emperor on the same day. He took off the temporary dragon robe and put on the formal emperor's grand ceremonial attire.According to the "History of the Song Dynasty", the emperor's crown and clothes are extremely complex in craftsmanship, inlaid with various gold and silver jewelry, and have complicated embroidery patterns.Its technical difficulty is similar to that of printing banknotes, and there are many anti-counterfeiting techniques.The dress that Zhao Kuangyin ascended to the throne would never be someone else's temporary dress, and with Zhao Kuangyin's body shape, the size of ordinary people does not fit.Therefore, it can be speculated that this set of formal emperor's dress must have been made a long time ago.

So who has the ability to make the emperor's clothes? Only Zhao Guangyi has the conditions to commit the crime. This year, Zhao Guangyi was twenty-one years old, exactly the age of youth. He lived deep inside the imperial palace and managed the emperor's daily life full-time. He absolutely knew the emperor's clothes like the back of his hand.With Zhao Guangyi's profundity and precision, it is entirely possible that he took advantage of the convenience of his work to secretly imitate a set of imperial robes and a set of emperor's dress patterns.As for the craftsmen who make them, they may be tailors used by the imperial palace or folk tailors. Although it is a secret activity, as long as enough money is given, there are still craftsmen who are willing to take the risk to make it.

Since the dragon robe was prepared by Zhao Guangyi in advance, it is enough to show that the Chen Qiao mutiny was a conspiracy planned long ago. It is not complicated to plan the action at the Chenqiao scene. It can be re-acted by copying Guo Wei's script in Chanzhou ten years ago, which is nothing more than "Yellow Flag Adding Body II".In fact, the storylines of the two mutinies are indeed exactly the same, except that the Chen Qiao Mutiny has been slightly improved and belongs to the new version. So who planned the operation?How long have you been planning?Who is the general director?Who is the executor? Judging from the scattered clues later, Zhao Guangyi and Director Zhao Pu are the most likely to do this. "Song History" explained that after Zhao Kuangyin became emperor, he was not eager to promote Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi, saying that Zhao Kuangyin did not want to expose the role and role of Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi in the operation of seizing the emperor prematurely, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the world.Zhao Kuangyin wanted to try his best to position this action of seizing the emperor on the coordinate of the mutiny and hold hostage, and downplay the color of conspiracy.Therefore, it took a long time for Zhao Kuangyin to promote Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi to the highest positions of real power.This is almost exactly the same as how Zhou Taizu Guo Wei treated Wei Renpu. In terms of ability, Zhao Pu also fully possesses this ability.This person is very scheming, good at making decisions, and likes to do great things.More importantly, the relationship between Zhao Pu and Zhao Kuangyin brothers is close, just like their own brothers.These three people surnamed Zhao have been dating for a long time. As early as the Jiamaying period in Luoyang, the three of them were already playmates.Later, the three went their separate ways, and Zhao Pu defected to Liu Ci.When Zhou Shizong attacked Huainan, Zhao Pu was sent to Chuzhou to serve as Zhao Kuangyin's judge after Liu Ci recommended him.The Huainan War was victorious, and many people were promoted.Zhao Pu is no exception, but Zhao Kuangyin has always kept Zhao Pu by his side, participating in Zhao Kuangyin's major military and political decisions. Zhao Kuangyin's father, Zhao Hongyin, and mother, Mrs. Du, both treated Zhao Pu as their own son.Delicious food and drink, thinking about Zhao Pu, and discussing big and small things at home with Zhao Pu.Therefore, Zhao Pu has integrated with Zhao Kuangyin's family. According to the "Song History" "Li Chuyun Biography" records: "Chu Yunli under the tent of Taizu Taizu, made up for the capital Yaya. When Taizu went out to fight, he garrisoned Chenqiao. Chu Yun saw that the army wanted to push him, so he rushed to Bai Taizong (Zhao Guangyi) , conspired with Wang Yansheng, summoned Ma Renyu, Li Hanchao and others to make a decision." This passage completely exposed the on-site planning of the Chen Qiao mutiny.Miao Xun and Chu Zhaofu brought up the topic of astronomical anomalies, and induced the military academies to continue discussing the rumors of "checking to become the emperor" that had been circulating in the capital.This situation "coincidentally" was discovered by Li Chuyun, Zhao Kuangyin's confidant.Li Chuyun did not neglect and went to report to Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu.A suspicious point here is that Li Chuyun is Zhao Kuangyin's confidant, why did he report to Zhao Guangyi instead of Zhao Kuangyin directly?It seems that there has been a contact mechanism between Li Chuyun and Zhao Guangyi, or Zhao Guangyi has already arranged tasks for Li Chuyun.What's even more strange is that Zhao Guangyi did not report to Zhao Kuangyin in time, but called Wang Yansheng, Ma Renyu, Li Hanchao, Han Chongbin and others, all of whom were direct subordinates of Zhao Kuangyin. What did Zhao Guangyi discuss with these people?What did they decide in the end?Of course, it was agreed to support Zhao Kuangyin as emperor.After they agreed, Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu came forward to persuade Zhao Kuangyin to proclaim himself emperor.But Zhao Kuangyin, who was still drunk, refused to agree.At this time, there was a lot of noise outside the door, and the rebel army had forced to the door of Zhao Kuangyin's bedroom. According to the Ming Dynasty's "Song History Chronicle", Zhao Guangyi in Chenqiao's side provoked the rebellious army to hold Zhao Kuangyin's imperial robe and add him. Wang Shenqi.Shi Shouxin and Wang Shenqi had always had a close relationship with Zhao Kuangyin, and they had long been respectful of Zhao Kuangyin. When they heard that Chen Qiao had carried out an operation, Shi Shouxin and others immediately controlled the capital, and achieved cooperation from inside to outside. Therefore, it should be Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu who were in charge of the general planning of the Chen Qiao mutiny to seize the throne, and the gods and gods like Miao Xun were responsible for spreading public opinion, and Wang Yansheng and other direct military academies were responsible for transmitting information It was Li Chuyun, and it was Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, Zhang Lingduo, Murong Yanzhao, Wang Shenqi and other high-ranking generals who sat on the sidelines and even helped secretly.These generals are either Zhao Kuangyin's iron buddies, good friends in the army, or direct subordinates.Who would stand in Zhao Kuangyin's way?Besides, Zhao Kuangyin has a long-standing reputation, and there have been various rumors of the appearance of an emperor. More importantly, everyone has no ill feeling towards Zhao Kuangyin, and they all like him and believe in him.With Zhao Kuangyin's character, he became the emperor, and he would definitely not treat these good buddies badly. Although Chai Rong worked very hard to govern the country, although Wenzhiwugong was regarded as a wise master, and although Chai Rong tried his best to build mutual trust between monarchs and ministers, the foundation of the Hou Zhou Empire was very shallow after all, and it was established in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. On the Great Sand Dunes, people did not have unswerving loyalty to the Hou Zhou Empire, and they did not develop such moral habits at all.In terms of loyalty, Hou Zhou, which is showing signs of a prosperous age, is not even comparable to the precarious end of the Tang Dynasty.Chai Rong was harsh to people, impatient, tortured and killed. The civil and military officials of the Zhou Empire lived under high pressure all day long, and had little affection for Chai Rong, only awe.Once Chai Rong died, everyone's cohesion immediately faced disintegration. Therefore, after Chai Rong's death, Zhao Kuangyin's ambition to be emperor was gradually exposed, and there was no need to cover up his so-called ambition. Even Mrs. Du and the rest of the Zhao family naturally believed that Zhao Kuangyin should be emperor. It has been around for a long time, and it is by no means a whim, nor is it just Zhao Kuangyin's thoughts. It has become the collective wish of the Zhao family.Zhao Kuangyin's desire to be emperor is entirely a spontaneous desire, and it is the result of continuous strengthening of feeling good about his own destiny.The mythical and legendary experiences of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi already imply extraordinary omens of fate. They may not all be fabricated after the fact, and perhaps half of them are the high evaluation and expectations of outsiders.The superposition of internal self-feeling and external positive evaluation will strengthen a person's self-affirmation and cognition, and will make a person continue to maintain a feeling and ambition of being pretentious, and at the right time, it will produce such a feeling. The impulse to purpose. Zhao Kuangyin had already decided to compete for the throne of the emperor. The emperor takes turns doing it, come to my house next year! Zhao Kuangyin's imperial robes and Li Siyuan, Shi Jingtang, Liu Zhiyuan, and Guo Wei were kidnapped and embraced. They look the same on the surface, but they are completely different in substance.Li Siyuan, Shi Jingtang, and Liu Zhiyuan did not have the ambition to be emperors, nor did they make long-term public opinion preparations. They even took practical actions to resist when they were held hostage and supported.Li Siyuan was about to commit suicide, Shi Jingtang and Liu Zhiyuan punished some people who took the lead in shouting for long live.Although Guo Wei's Chanzhou mutiny had traces of planning, although he also had public opinion preparations for extraordinary fate, the idea of ​​proclaiming himself emperor was born under the threat of family ruin.However, Zhao Kuangyin was not in danger of being suspected, persecuted, or destroyed at all. On the contrary, Zhao Kuangyin's career was flourishing at this time, his status became more solemn, and he was more trusted by the court.He has no intention or reason to be forced to be emperor.Therefore, if the Chenqiao mutiny was a man-made action, it can only mean that Zhao Kuangyin and his family had already planned to take the initiative to replace Zhou Tianzi.It's just that in the choice of specific timing and specific methods, it may not be Zhao Kuangyin's full will and decision-making, and it is likely that the young and energetic Zhao Guangyi played a direct role in boosting. Judging from the procedure of Zhao Kuangyin's ascension to the throne, it is very direct, simple, urgent, and unscrupulous.Zhu Quanzhong also worked for more than a year to add Jiuxi to the king of Wei and pass on Zen. Xu Wen, Xu Zhigao and his son spent more than ten years preparing for it. Guo Weidu took the throne after some concessions and respectful requests from the Queen Mother.Zhao Kuangyin omitted all of these, which shows his determination, boldness and nakedness.Chai Rong died early, and his successor Chai Zongxun was young, which created a time window for Zhao Kuangyin to seize the throne.Judging from the current situation, even if Chai Rong lived a few more years, the Zhao brothers might still do it.Because they think that they are the most perfect material to be the master of the world. There is also a record in Sima Guang's "Sushui Jiwen". After Zhao Kuangyin entered the city, someone hurried to report the news to Mrs. Du, the old lady of Zhao.At this time, Mrs. Du and Mrs. Wang, Zhao Kuangyin's wife, and their families were burning incense in Dingli Temple to pray for Zhao Kuangyin's Northern Expedition.When Chen Qiao mutinied, Zhao Kuangyin returned to Beijing. Worried about the safety of his family, he sent his confidant Chu Zhaofu home to deliver a letter.It was heard that the rebel army forced Zhao Kuangyin to return to the capital and enter the palace to become the emperor. Mrs. Wang was frightened, her face was pale and she could not speak.However, Mrs. Du was calm and calm, and said in a low voice: "Why are you panicking? My son has great ambitions since he was a child, and his nature is extraordinary. People say that he will be rich and powerful. Today's fulfillment is also a natural thing." As soon as Mrs. Du's words fell, there was a lot of voices outside the temple, and the imperial guards who suppressed the rebels came to search the temple.The abbot of the monastery, Zen Master Shouneng, an old monk, hurriedly took Mrs. Du and his party to the Sutra library in the backyard, and asked them to climb up to the Sutra library to escape.Immediately the old monk removed the escalator to the stairs.The old monk had just returned to the main hall when the guard patrol had already broken in.These people were on the verge of breaking out, clamoring loudly for a manhunt.Searching the front yard did not find anything suspicious, the patrol came to the back yard, pointed to the scripture building and asked the old monk, "What's on it?" Chan Master Shouneng replied: "It is the place where the scriptures are stored. It has been in disrepair for a long time and has long been abandoned." The patrol team asked for a ladder to go up to find out.The old monk couldn't stop him, so he had to move the ladder.The guards of the patrol team climbed up the ladder with steel knives, climbed up the scripture library, and pushed open the door panel with their hands, a puff of dust rushed in, and the door was covered with layers of spider webs.The guard coughed a few times and said, "This old place is full of dust, and there is no sign of anyone coming in. Forget it, let's go." The patrol leaves. Mrs. Du and the old monk sighed: "Could it be God's will? How could the door, which was clean just now, suddenly have these cobwebs and dust?" This Zen master Shouneng used to be a bandit in the Zezhou area, and he was a well-known giant bandit. Later, he watched Po Hongchen become a monk and practiced, and he was resident in Kaifeng Dingli Temple.It's just that people in the monastery and the capital don't know about Chan Master Shouneng's past. Chen Qiao's mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin was drunk and slept peacefully, it may be that Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Kuangyin had already discussed it.The division of labor between the two is different. Zhao Guangyi planned and directed the performance at the front desk, while Zhao Kuangyin pretended not to know and accepted it passively.The two brothers cooperated seamlessly.Zhao Kuangyin must have known about this big operation in advance, but maybe not necessarily in too much detail.It is more likely that the scheming, resolute and resolute young man Zhao Guangyi has been actively planning and creating conditions to pave the way for Zhao Kuangyin to become emperor.Although Zhao Kuangyin wanted to be emperor, he hadn't figured out when and how he would ascend to the throne. It was his younger brother Zhao Guangyi who had been planning this for Zhao Kuangyin.Therefore, before Zhao Kuangyin's Northern Expedition, rumors spread everywhere in the capital, but Zhao Kuangyin was kept in the dark and panicked. He even went home to discuss with his family, but was beaten by his sister with a rolling pin.At that time, it is estimated that Zhao Guangyi took the opportunity of the Northern Expedition to make a sudden decision and launched a big operation to help Zhao Kuangyin seize the throne. From this point of view, the piece of wood that Chai Rong picked up on the road to the Northern Expedition "inspected to be the emperor" was probably also done by Zhao Guangyi.Chai Rong was seriously ill, and a rare opportunity came.Zhao Guangyi buried this kind of thing that spread rumors on the road, and then excavated it himself, and then used his position to dedicate it to the emperor, so as to arouse the emperor's suspicion of Zhang Yongde.Zhao Guangyi successfully took advantage of Chai Rong's defensive and suspicious mentality when he was dying, and successfully moved Zhang Yongde, who was a close relative of Chai Rong's royal family, who held a heavy army and was close to him.If Zhang Yongde is brought down, the one who will benefit the most will of course be Zhang Yongde's deputy, Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin has successfully advanced to the top of the military.As expected, Chai Rong fell for the trap, and Zhang Yongde was deprived of his position as a capital inspector, and Zhao Kuangyin took his place. Zhao Kuangyin has ideas, and Zhao Guangyi has ideas.The two brothers worked closely together to plan this historic event cleverly, smoothly, safely and with dignity. Zhao Kuangyin became the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty. The emperor is changing like a revolving lantern, when will the world really settle down?