bookbashuk Page 1495
Page 1495
"They have already received the imperial order to return to their posts,"
"There aren't many bandits within the territory of Jingdong,"
"They will be able to return soon."
"Huyan Zhuo and Shi Wengong encountered some resistance along the way,"
"However, gunpowder can breach the city,"
"Both of them possessed the courage to fight ten thousand men."
"They have indeed captured the entire capital region,"
"However, there are many defeated soldiers and bandits within the territory,"
"They need to wipe them out completely,"
"It will probably take some time."
Zhao Yuan nodded and asked, "What's the situation in Jiangnan?"
Zhu Wu frowned and said, "That eunuch Tong Guan invited Zhao Zicheng, a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu of Song (Zhao Kuangyin), to be the emperor."
"And then they said there was a prophecy from back then,"
“‘After Emperor Taizu, the world will be restored.’”
"Let our words spread throughout the land, and we will wreak havoc upon it!"
"It's merely returning the throne to the descendants of the founding emperor,"
"Wait until they reorganize their troops,"
"Then we can send troops north to annihilate us."
"Many prefectures and counties sent out proclamations pledging allegiance to the Southern Song emperor."
Chapter 1801 The Golden Chest Alliance
When Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, died under mysterious circumstances,
Zhao Kuangyin's two sons were both adults.
The throne should have been passed to his son.
However, in the end, it was his younger brother, Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi, who succeeded to the throne.
For a time, there was much discussion in the court.
Zhao Guangyi then said that it was Empress Dowager Du, the mother of the two.
Given the lesson of Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou losing his kingdom by abdicating in favor of an infant, ...
Before his death, he made the "Golden Box Alliance" with Zhao Kuangyin.
He wanted Zhao Kuangyin to pass the throne to him.
Its purpose was to consolidate and develop the Zhao Song dynasty.
But this alliance remained unknown to anyone.
Moreover, this alliance is riddled with flaws.
Although Zhao Kuangyin was older than Zhao Guangyi
But it's hard to say.
Zhao Kuangyin would die before Zhao Guangyi.
Furthermore, when Zhao Kuangyin died,
His son, Zhao Dezhao, is already twenty-six years old.
It can't really be called a young child anymore.
Even if Empress Dowager Du and Zhao Kuangyin really had an agreement,
There will inevitably be a time agreement.
It's impossible for Zhao Kuangyin's sons to be any older.
He passed the throne to Zhao Guangyi.
In addition, during Zhao Kuangyin's lifetime,
Zhao Dezhao was appointed to various official positions, including Guizhou Defense Commissioner, Xingyuan Prefect, Shannan West Circuit Military Governor, Grand Tutor, and Chancellor.
Let Zhao Dezhao familiarize himself with all matters of civil and military affairs in the court.
Clearly, they were grooming him to be the future emperor.
In addition, there were rumors of "the shadow of the candle and the sound of the axe" in the palace.
Many people believe that Zhao Guangyi murdered his brother and usurped the throne.
Miao Changyi, the Director of the Astronomical Bureau, was ordered to observe the celestial phenomena.
He then made the prophecy that "Emperor Taizu will rule the world again."
Zhao Guangyi finally seized power from his brother.
How could the world be returned to the descendants of my brother?
However, the Imperial Observatory represented Heaven.
He had a great influence among the people of the land.
Zhao Guangyi feared that someone would use astronomy as a pretext again.
It undermined his rule.
In the second year of his reign, he ordered all prefectures and counties to escort astronomers to the capital.
Anyone who conceals or fails to report such activities will be sentenced to death.
Several hundred people were escorted to the capital.
Emperor Taizong of Song said it was to test these people's astronomical knowledge.
Those who truly grasp scientific astronomical knowledge,
That is, through observation data,
Those who could "calculate" solar and lunar eclipses, the eight solar terms, and the twenty-four solar terms were allowed to remain.
Those who used astrological theories to deceive people were exiled to islands.
However, another saying is "Those who obey me prosper, those who oppose me perish."
Those who believe that Emperor Taizong's ascension to the throne was legitimate,
He remained in the court as an official.
Those who are unwilling to be his protectors will be exiled.
The second explanation is clearly more plausible than the first.
Otherwise, if it's just an assessment,
Even if the assessment is not passed,
They could simply be stopped from using astronomy as a pretext.
It shouldn't be to the point of needing to be exiled.
Zhao Guangyi later forced Zhao Kuangyin's son, Zhao Dezhao, to commit suicide.
Zhao Kuangyin's other son, Zhao Defang, also died suddenly two years later.
He was only twenty-three years old at the time.
Zhao Guangyi's other brother, Zhao Tingmei,
They were then accused of treason.
Repeatedly criticized
He eventually died in despair.
Thus,
The succession was carried out according to the "Golden Chest Covenant".
Zhao Guangyi had no one to pass on his mantle to.
Because his younger brother and Zhao Kuangyin's son were both dead,
Therefore, Zhao Guangyi passed the throne to his son.
Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Tingmei's original names were Zhao Kuangyi and Zhao Kuangmei.
However, after Zhao Kuangyin became emperor...
The two brothers had to avoid using the elder brother's name.
So they changed it to Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Guangmei.
Afterwards, Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne.
Zhao Guangmei also wanted to avoid using Zhao Guangyi's courtesy name.
It was changed to Zhao Tingmei.
Zhao Tingmei was a pitiful person, in a way.
To avoid taboo,
The name was changed again and again.
Ultimately, it was Zhao Guangyi's fabricated "Golden Chest Alliance" that led to this.
They were accused of treason.
He died in depression.
The Golden Chest Alliance came about suspiciously.
In addition, Zhao Kuangyin and his two sons also died under suspicious circumstances.
Zhao Guangyi's lineage followed a father-to-son succession.
In fact, many people still despise it.
The Northern Song Dynasty fell in history.
After the death of Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, his only son,
He then had no more children.
There were rumors among the people,
After Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, conquered the country,
However, later generations were unable to inherit the world.
Therefore, they provoked the Jin army to retaliate.
Many officials in the court also advised Emperor Gaozong of Song,
Choose a descendant from the lineage of Emperor Taizu of Song to be the king.
It was returned to the descendants of Emperor Taizu.
Emperor Gaozong of Song was the son of Emperor Huizong of Song.
His other brothers had all been captured by the Jurchens.
There are no blood relatives left by my side.
So they found a descendant of Emperor Taizu of Song to be their king.
To silence the gossip of the world.
This led to the later Emperor Renzong of Song.
Emperor Renzong of Song was the son of Zhao Zicheng.