After the pacification of the Southern Han Dynasty, Wu Yueguo had already returned to Shun, Chen Hongjin's Zhangquan 2 states were too small, and the next target of the Great Song Dynasty was only the Southern Tang Dynasty. But the strange thing is that for 3 years, Zhao Kuangyin did not use troops against the Southern Tang Dynasty. There is no record in the history books that there was a large-scale war between Song and Liao at this time. So what has Zhao Kuangyin been doing in the past 3 years?

On November 1, Li Yu sent his younger brother Li Congshan to Kaifeng with a large number of tributes. took the initiative to ask Zhao Kuangyin to write to him in the future, call him by name, and demote himself by one level, and officially become the "Lord of Jiangnan" In this way, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to be satisfied, and began to tolerate Nantang and Li Yu.

In fact, Zhao Kuangyin did not waste his time. Of course, from the perspective of my latecomers, some of the things that Zhao Kuangyin did during this period proved to be unsuccessful. In the past 3 years, he has actually only done one thing: either support Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi, or support Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Pu.

It's finally time to talk about Zhao Pu. However, it is a pity that this part of the Song history is seriously missing and cannot be investigated. is like Zhao Kuangyin's life that was suddenly ended, it is both cruel and ruthless. What happened back then was his 'good brother' Zhao Guangyi (this is the emperor I hate and despise the most among the 16 emperors of the Two Song Dynasty, and my contempt for him is far higher than that of Zhao Gou. This is a big slut) his nephew Zhao Heng was deleted from "Taizu Record" twice in a row.

Zhao Guangyi destroyed his brother, and then destroyed the descendants of his brother's lineage, and destroyed everything in his brother's records that were unfavorable to him. And Zhao Pu is recognized as the closest person to Zhao Kuangyin, and his deeds have been erased, even if it is a disaster for pond fish.

The things recorded in "The Biography of Zhao Pu in the History of the Song Dynasty" are either very similar to Zhao Kuangyin's snow night advice. Either it is very small, and it is filled with a certain piece of Zhao Pu back then. There is very little specific record of him doing something in a given year.

Zhao Pu's face was gloomy, his eyes were blazing, standing at the junction of sunlight and shadow, looking at everyone coldly, including the two brothers Zhao Kuangyin. On the one hand, he takes the affairs of the world as his responsibility, and is known in history as resolute and decisive, which is incomparable. On the one hand, he is deep and jealous by nature, and when he wants to be vicious, he kills people without seeing blood. When it comes to shamelessness, he can be shameless than anyone else. And none of this will affect his significance in history. He is a powerful minister, a capable minister, a half-tone scholar who disdains words and only understands half of the Analects. But he has real talent and real learning.

To be fair, Zhao Pu is a corrupt official. In the year 971, he was arrested by Zhao Kuangyin at least 3 times.

In March for the first time, Zhao Wei accused Zhao Pu of violating the ban on selling wood. Zhao Kuangyin was furious and asked former Prime Minister Wang Pu "What is Zhao Pu's crime" Wang Pu smiled "Zhao Wei framed the minister" Zhao Kuangyin thought about it and beat Zhao Wei instead.

The second time it can be said that Zhao Pu was ordered to be greedy. Li Yu of the Southern Tang Dynasty quietly sent Zhao Pu 50,000 taels of silver, but Zhao Pu didn't dare to ask for it and reported it to Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Kuangyin said: "You accept it, remember to write a reply letter to thank Lu and Li Yu." Take some more money and reward the messenger who sent you money" Zhao Pu didn't know why, so he resolutely refused. The emperor explained, "The body of a great power cannot be weakened by itself." Take it! Don't let Li Yu guess," so Zhao Pu was ordered to collect the money. But on November 1, Li Congshan came to pay tribute, and Zhao Kuangyin gave an extra 50,000 taels of silver in addition to the normal reward. Li Yu knew that he didn't dare to make small moves.

For the third time, in November, Zhao Pu lost his adult. On this day, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly went to Zhao Pu's house, saw 10 bottles on the wall, and asked what they were. Zhao Pu said that it was seafood sent by Qian Yu, the king of Wuyue. As a result, when I opened it, the golden light was dazzling, and it was all gold... Zhao Pu had no choice but to kneel down and swear that he really didn't know anything. You must know that Lu Dao has already reported it like last time. Zhao Kuangyin smiled as usual: "Put it away!" Qian Yu, this kid thinks that you scholars are in charge of all major national affairs."

Zhao Kuangyin does trust Zhao Pu very much. There is another example. It was October 968, Li Jixun and the Song army could not advance or retreat under Taiyuan City, and when Zhao Kuangyin was depressed, a person named Lei Dexiang came to burn the tiger's beard. said that Zhao Pu was an authentic bastard, and he forcibly bought and sold people's houses when he liked them, and accepted bribes. Zhao Kuangyin was asked to enforce the law impartially and remove Zhao Pu. Zhao Kuangyin was holding the famous jade axe in his hand at this time, and his eyes were staring at his front teeth. Pick up an axe and hit the target! This is not the first time to operate, the technique has been skilled, and the range of the jade axe strike is very accurate. Mr. Lei had comminuted fractures of 2 front teeth, and the emperor roared at him, "Ding Gong still has ears, you don't hear Zhao Puwu's society and ministers"

Zhao Pu was carefully weighing the stick in his hand, and at the same time assessing the hardness of Zhao Guangyi's head. If this stick really smashes down, is Zhao Guangyi's head blooming? Or will he himself break the stick? Zhao Pu has two points to consider: the first is the emperor's intention. Judging by the judgment, the emperor must have supported him to smash it. There is only one reason, but it is absolutely enough: Zhao Kuangyin's second son Dezhao and fourth son Defang have all grown up (the eldest son Dexiu and the third son Delin have both died), especially Zhao Dezhao, who is 21 years old, and is the sister-in-law of Zhao Kuangyinyuan and Empress He. In any case, it should be the legitimate continuation of the empire. Zhao Pu's second analysis is that the courtiers are mainly the support intentions of the Zhongshu Province, the Privy Council, and the three envoys. There is no problem with Zhongshu Province, this is his own territory, although there are Xue Juzheng and Lu Yuqing, two deputy governors, but everything is still Zhao Pu's final say. Privy envoy Li Chongju? Zhao Pu's son and Li Chongju's daughter will soon get married. The relationship is iron enough, right? Three envoys Chu Zhaofu? Although he doesn't get along well with Zhao Pu on weekdays, the relationship between Chu Zhaofu and Zhao Guangyi is not very good, Brother Chu, you shouldn't say no to me, right?

As of the first half of Kaibao's 5th year (972), Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi's fighting methods should have the upper hand. But after that, it's all hard to say...

In July, Zhao Kuangyin was facing his sealing pile library. The autumn harvest season is here again, which means that his treasury will become more abundant. In any case, you can only live with money and food. But at this moment, Chu Zhaofu, the third envoy, suddenly ran over, "Your Majesty, it's over." At present, there is only enough food in the treasury until February next year. There is no way, we have to disband all the forbidden troops and let them go to eat all over the country. Then all the civilian ships were requisitioned and sent to the Jianghuai area to transport grain. In this way, we can ensure that no one will starve to death in Kaifeng Mansion in the spring of next year" Zhao Kuangyin returned to abject poverty from the golden dream, and the gap was too big. made him crazy in an instant, and yelled at Chu Zhaofu, "How did you become the third envoy?" The country's reserves for 9 years are insufficient, and you only left me half a year's rations! Dividing the army into tuntian and collecting civilian ships can be done at once? Tell you, when there is really a shortage of food, I will kill you and explain to the people of the world" When Chu Zhaofu came out of Zhao Kuangyin's palace that day, he must have determined that his death was not far off. In the crisis, he thought of Zhao Guangyi. At first, I just wanted to ask the emperor's own brother to intercede and give him a few days of grace. Unexpectedly, Zhao Guangyi was so helpful, not only helping him intercede, but also using his own Kaifeng Mansion team (Zhao Guangyi served as the Yin of Kaifeng Mansion in July 961) Chen Congxin to help him plan and contribute. The result was amazing, what the three ministers of the Great Song Dynasty (the Minister of Finance of the whole country) could not do in any case, the private team of Kaifeng Mansion Yin could easily handle it.

The forbidden army was not disbanded, and the civilian ships were not exhausted, and Jianghuai grain appeared in the treasury of Kaifeng City.

This is a great joy to outsiders. But in Chu Zhaofu and Zhao Pu's hearts, it was a different matter. Zhao Guangyi, who has always shown his affinity and gentleness, made a small attempt, and let everyone see what he could do...

So, which side will Chu Zhaofu stand on? An incident that happened in the next September made Zhao Pu break out in a cold sweat. On this day, Zhao Pu went to work as usual, waiting for Zhao Kuangyin to be summoned in Changchun Palace, and suddenly felt that something was missing from his side. Only then did he find that his old friend and privy envoy Li Chongju was gone. One inquirement: Li Chongju was dismissed as the envoy of the Zhenguo Festival. Zhao Pu, who is extremely politically sensitive, immediately realized the crisis. He committed the taboo of the emperors of the past - autocracy! He and Li Chongju are the military and political powers of the Great Song Dynasty, but they actually go to and from work together, and they have become sons and daughters!

On March 1, the 6th year of Kaibao (973), the 21-year-old Chai Zongxun, the last emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty, died in Fangzhou, the place of exile. On the 19th and 21st, Zhao Kuangyin personally held the first official palace examination in the history of the imperial examination in the imperial palace. Since then, the palace test has officially become the last pass of the world's thousands of troops and horses squeezing the single-plank bridge.

From April 973, Zhao Pu's market went all the way down until he completely failed more than 4 months later and was driven out of the capital by Zhao Kuangyin.

First, on April 17, a man named Lu Duosun made an envoy to the Southern Tang Dynasty. When he was about to leave for the north, Lu Duosun sent someone to say to Li Yu: "Now the imperial court is recompiling the map of the states under heaven. The map of this part of Jiangnan is now missing in the history museum. Can I take a set of copies back with me" Maps were the most important military secret in ancient times. If Liu Bei hadn't had Zhang Songxian's map, would he dare to rush into Shu? It's a pity that Li Yu couldn't think of this, Lu Duoxun, who got the map of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was naturally greatly appreciated by Zhao Kuangyin, and he was also Zhao Pu's lifelong enemy. In the process of Zhao Pu's first resignation, it turned out that he was the last straw that crushed Zhao Pu. However, due to the big slut Zhao Guangyi's malicious tampering with history many times, we can only read a very vague record in the history books today: "Every call is right, and more attacks are short", that is, Lu Duoxun often spoke ill of Zhao Pu in front of Zhao Kuangyin. But what was said, history did not explain.

Remember Redchamp? The tough guy who denounced Zhao Pu, but was knocked out of 2 front teeth by Zhao Kuangyin? He was demoted to Shangzhou, but he had a poor relationship with the local governor Xiyu. In June, he was once again relegated to Lingwu in the Great Northwest. This matter may have nothing to do with Zhao Pu. Will the dignified Song Prime Minister continue to find fault with a small official who has been demoted to a foreign office? But Lei Dexiang's son Lei Youlin didn't think so, and he went to the capital to sue the emperor. As a result, one of Zhao Pu's cronies, Liu Wei, was executed, and the rest were removed from the list by cane. And Lei Gongzi was awarded the secretary of the provincial orthography. He became an official for what he wanted, and anyone with a discerning eye could see it.

So the officialdom was surging, everyone knew what to do, and Zhao Pu's hard days came. On June 28, Xue Juzheng and Lu Yuqing, the governors of the political affairs, were corrected, and all power was equal to Prime Minister Zhao Pu.

On August 23, Zhao Pu, who had been alone for 10 years, was dismissed for the first time and went to be the envoy of the Heyang Three Cities Festival, but was driven out of the capital by Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Pu is willing to gamble and lose, but he knows that he will make a comeback one day. But maybe the sky had changed by then. So the treacherous and cunning Zhao Pu wanted to leave a way back for himself in the future, and wrote a letter to Zhao Kuangyin before leaving: "Outsiders say that the ministers talk about the emperor's brother Kaifeng Yin." The emperor's brother is loyal and filial piety, how can there be a chance that "your brother Zhao Guangyi is a perfect person, you should love him wholeheartedly!"

Less than a month after Zhao Pu left Beijing, on September 19, Yin Zhao Guangyi of Kaifeng Prefecture was crowned King of Jin. Xue Juzheng and Shen Yilun became the prime ministers of the Great Song Dynasty, and Lu Duoxun served as the deputy prime minister and governor. On the 22nd, the status of Zhao Guangyi, the king of Jin, was above the prime minister for the first time, and he was promoted to the real one person and above ten thousand people.

Zhao Kuangyin is a very careful and careful person anyway, and he can't tolerate nasty phenomena such as disorganization and indiscipline. In fact, he has done a lot of work on this. Whether it is a glass of wine to release military power, or to dismiss feudal towns, to control money valleys, to collect elite soldiers, or to redistribute official powers, this is the case.

However, history has proved that in the past 10 years, under his nose, there is a force with great strength and far-reaching influence, and the pervasive force on the national economy and people's livelihood of the Song Dynasty has been quietly generated. There are signs that when this momentum is still in the bud, and even its leader is still unknown, Zhao Kuangyin deliberately supports the promotion, so that this slut can be seen in the crowd. There are various reasons, both Zhao Kuangyin is unwilling, and there are also those who want to make this person bigger from their own interests.

But it's easy to release the tiger and difficult to collect the tiger. When this force turned into a massive, dense, tough, and poisonous web, or more like another set of blood reticules that seeped into the life body of the Song Dynasty, it was too late. But at this time, Zhao Kuangyin didn't know anything about this. His generosity and kindness really turned into a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has fulfilled the smooth evolution of his empire and turned into the image he wanted. But on the other hand, it also made him lose everything in the end. The tragic consequences were not only for him, but also for the children and grandchildren of his lineage, who were depressed for the rest of their lives.

History has long proven that there are always others sleeping on his side of the couch. No matter what kind of blood relationship this slut has with him.

Zhao Pu was demoted, and the big slut Zhao Guangyi was promoted, and the people of the world were not without objections. Lu Duoxun's father, Lu Yi, once said, "Zhao Pu, the father also." If the boy destroys it, woe will come to me. I have to die early, I don't have time to see its defeat, fortunately" On December 20, Lu Yi died of sorrow.