Chapter 33 Section 7 Zhao Royal Family Tradition

Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and Taizong Zhao Kuangyi not only love books like life, but also pay attention to the culture and education of their children, and the two brothers have lofty aspirations, live frugally, restrain their children, and regard frugality as their family law, which is quite praised by later generations. The Zhao brothers are familiar with the classics and history, and they know the lesson that the royal families of the past dynasties often lost their lives because of extravagance. In addition, they have all experienced the battlefield and experienced hardships, so after becoming emperors, they were able to practice strict frugality and set an example for their children. The Zhao family tradition is based on frugality.

According to the "Song Dynasty Facts Leiyuan": "The Taizu bowed to the frugal contract, and many detracted from it. He often wears clothes that are washed and washed [zhuo]. They are all high-quality. , without any decoration of literary talent." His life was so frugal, even Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, who was praised by historians, was a bit inferior. One day, Taizu chatted with Empress Xiaozhang.The queen said: "The official family has been the emperor for a long time. Throughout the ages, how can you be so frugal. The emperor is the emperor, so why can't he decorate his shoulders with gold to multiply his access? It is always the practice of the past dynasties." Taizu smiled and said: "With the wealth of the world, the palaces are all decorated with gold and silver, which is within my power. But I just keep money for the world, how can I use it indiscriminately? The ancient saying says that one person governs the world, not one person. If the world supports one person, if you are greedy for the wealth of the world, how can you make the people love you? Please don’t talk about it in the future.” Seeing the emperor like this, the empress had no choice but to let it go.Those who lead the palace also advocate frugality and refrain from extravagance.

Once, his beloved daughter, Princess Wei Guochang, wore a dress embroidered and emerald.When he saw it, he said solemnly: "Take off this dress and give it to me. From now on, you will never have such a gorgeous dress again." How much Cui Yu did it take?" Disapproving. Taizu saw that his daughter didn't know his good intentions, so he taught earnestly: "You can't say that. You have to know that our master's family will wear this dress, and the relatives in the court will follow suit. Li, tossing and turning trades, hurting lives and living quarters, don’t the bad consequences originate from you? You grew up in a wealthy family, and you should cherish your blessings, how could you create the end of this bad karma!” After hearing this, the princess was very ashamed and thanked her father for his kindness. teach.From then on, the clothes and costumes are still simple.

After Zhao Kuangyi succeeded to the throne, he inherited his elder brother's frugal family tradition, and he also paid attention to strict requirements on his children in terms of family education.In order to select teachers and assistant officials for his sons, he issued many edicts to select officials over the age of 50 who are proficient in scriptures and have a teacher's morality in the court class, and become teachers in the palaces of the princes.Once he taught his sons' teachers: "When you grow up in a deep palace and don't know the world affairs, you must be guided by good men so that you can learn the way of loyalty and filial piety every day. You are all careful and simple, and you should encourage them."

His fifth son, Zhao Yuanjie, was granted the title of King Yi. In order to teach this pampered prince well, he specially selected Yao Tan, an upright man who dared to face up to others, as his teacher.Once, King Yi spent tens of thousands of dollars to build a rockery, which was extremely gorgeous.In order to please King Yi, many officials praised him for being good, but Yao Tan said seriously, "However, if you see bloody mountain ears, you can find a rockery?" King Yi was shocked and asked why he said this.Yao Tan said: "When I was in the farmhouse, I saw the tax governors of the prefectures and counties, and they drove each other in a hurry. Shi Xu went to the gate to arrest father, son and brother, and sent them to the county to whip [chi to eat]. Blood flowed all over the body, and there was no life in sorrow. This rockery is What did the people's rent and tax do, but a mountain of blood?" The unceremonious criticism made King Yi feel ashamed.

Later, the people in Yiwang's mansion were afraid that Yao Tan would teach Yi Wang mercilessly every time, which not only made Yi Wang very restrained, but also the people in the Wangfu's mansion were not free.So someone gave Yi Wang an idea, teaching him to complain of illness and not to court, so as to drive Yao Tan away.After Zhao Kuangyi found out about this, he was furious and punished them severely.He beat up these villains and said: "I choose Duanshi as the king's servants, and I am sure to assist the king and be a good ear. Today, I can't use remonstrance and complain about illness. If I want to expel the gentleman to make it easier for me, how can I do it?" Yes! And the king is young, so I don't know this, so I will seek your ears." Then, he summoned Yao Tan to tell him: "It's not easy for you to live in the palace and be envied by the young people. But you can do this , Don’t suffer from slander, I will not listen.” ("Song Dynasty Facts Class Garden" Volume 2) He encouraged Yao Tan to teach the prince with the suffering of the people, and take thrift and love for the people as the basis of education.

In order to maintain the frugal family tradition for future generations, Zhao Kuangyi personally summoned the descendants of the royal family to give lectures.Once, he said to the descendants of the royal family: "It has been thirteen years since I came to the throne. I am frugal, and I never enjoy the pleasure of sightseeing outside, but I enjoy the entertainment of sensuality inside. The truth is true, and there is no pretense. You were born in Wealth and honor grow from deep in the palace, the people are difficult, the good and evil of human beings must be unknown, and a little bit about the basics will not be enough. Husbands, emperors, and princes must first restrain themselves and work hard, listen to words and accept advice, and every time they accept If you don’t wear clothes, you will be sympathetic to the silkworm women, and if you eat every meal, you will think of the plowman.” This kind of family education of thrift and love for the people played a very important role in getting rid of the habit of luxury and advocating frugality for the children of the clan. It is indeed very valuable in ancient Chinese society.